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Pontiac Vibe to be replaced with another shared Toyota model?
There are a lot of questions left unanswered after General Motors announcement this morning that its Pontiac division was not long for this world. One of those is what will happen to GM's joint venture agreement with Toyota to produce models at the New United Motor Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI) facility in California. The Pontiac Vibe is currently produced there along with the Toyota Matrix, its platform mate. GM has stated that it's already negotiating with Toyota to produce a new model at NUMMI that would be sold under one of the automaker's remaining four brands – Chevy, Buick, Cadillac or GMC.
Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson told Automotive News, “There's really nothing wrong with the Vibe. Its only problem right now is that it is a Pontiac.” The Vibe, a tall five-door hatchback, could simply be rebadged a Chevy to keep development costs down, though selling such a… Read the rest of this entry
Rendered Speculation: Bugatti Veyron gets the sedan treatment. Again.
Ever since the first Bugatti Veyron laid ply on public roads, the automotive industry's rumormill has periodically buzzed about a sedan stablemate for the plutocratic supercar. While a sedan variant makes a good deal of sense (especially as Bugatti parent Volkswagen is unlikely to realize a profit from Ettore's brand until it can expand the range), we have yet to see any tangible four-wheeled evidence that plans are afoot.
Even now, we still don't, but that hasn't stopped AutoExpress from issuing some new artist's renderings that it says depicts a four-door model that will be unveiled at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show. The “hyper-saloon,” will reportedly inspired by Bugatti's 1927 Type 41 Royale, though we're not really seeing anything approaching an homage to that car in sketches shown.
In any case, AE… Read the rest of this entry
REPORT: Toyota “war room” keeps tabs on possible supplier interruptions, stockpiled parts
Fearing that a couple dozen of its U.S. suppliers could shut down production, Toyota has established a “war room” to monitor suppliers and has begun to warehouse assembly components. While the move marks a departure from the automaker's “just in time” production philosophy, a mantra that associates stockpiling with inefficiency and waste, a bankruptcy by one of the Detroit 3 could knock-out a key supplier crippling the Japanese automaker's North American factories. It is a widespread problem, as more than half of Toyota's 500 U.S. parts suppliers are also under contract to supply parts to General Motors.
The “war room” is located in Erlanger, Kentucky, at a major Toyota assembly complex. Reviews are conducted by senior executives each week to monitor the supply chain. It's the Tier 2 and Tier… Read the rest of this entry
Leyland may review LCV JV with Nissan
With the commercial vehicle segment showing very little signs of a revival, Ashok Leyland, India’s second largest truck maker, is “reviewing” its collaboration with Nissan Motor of Japan to manufacture light commercial vehicles.
Hinduja group sources told ET NOW that the review process is currently on and the two partners will work out the revised investment and capacity programme over the next few weeks. Industry insiders feel that the project, which was scheduled to go on stream over the next two years, could get delayed as a result.
Last year, Ashok Leyland struck a deal with Nissan to form three joint venture companies to manufacture light commercial vehicles, powertrains and for technology development for a total investment of Rs 2,400 crore. The project was supposed to have a debt-equity ratio of 1:1 with each partner bringing in about Rs 600 crore each. Under the revised plan, which is currently… Read the rest of this entry
BYD Auto admits iron battery talks with VW
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China’s BYD Auto admitted today that it would cooperate with Volkswagen (VW) on iron battery supply, reported the Beijing News.
“BYD is willing to cooperate with foreign automakers on iron battery development,” BYD sales manager Wang Jianjun told the newspaper.
He confirmed that BYD is in talks with a number of foreign companies on supplying them with battery products.
VW CEO Martin Winterkorn revealed at the Shanghai auto show this week that VW will be cooperating with Chinese carmaker BYD, which will soon be sending workers to VW’s headquarters to introduce and demonstrate its technology.
The Chinese battery specialist and car maker launched F3DM, a plug-in hybrid car, in China late last year. the car is capable of traveling 62 miles on electric power only and the company plans to release two more electric models before the end of 2009.
Nissan Chooses EV Powertrain For Compact Cars: Hybrid Powertrain Limited to Larger Vehicles
Nissan has decided to stay away from hybrid power trains in its compact vehicles and instead employ electric only power trains in the compact and subcompact class of cars.
Though Nissan does make hybrid vehicles, the company intends to reserve hybrid power trains for mid-size and full-size vehicles as well as luxury vehicles. Both Toyota and Honda plan to offer hybrid power trains in their compact vehicles. Toyota will introduce a hybrid Yaris and Honda hybrid Fit in the near future, but Nissan will not follow suit.
Nissan will focus on electric only powertrains in this class of car. The company believes that it is a more persuasive technology and they intend to make EVs work. According to Nissan Senior Vice President Andy Palmer, “We think it’s a more persuasive technology. That’s where we’re directing our efforts. In the small cars, it’s clear we’re going to make the EV… Read the rest of this entry
Confirmed : Audi Q3 Small SUV fight to BMW X1 sale on 2011
AUDI AG: New Q3 SUV generation to be produced in Martorell, Spain as of 2011
* Audi CEO Rupert Stadler: “Consistent strategy of growth and internationalization through this product and production decision”
* Investments of around €300 million, production capacity of up to 80,000 units yearly
A production site for the Audi Q3 was chosen today: the SEAT site in Martorell, Spain. Manufacture will begin in 2011 with an annual production capacity of up to 80,000 units. The total investment will amount to around €300 million.
“Following in-depth consideration of all relevant factors and an extensive international comparison of various sites, we selected Martorell,” explained Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG. This decision enables Audi to continue its strategy of growth and internationalization. Mr. Stadler added: “We are counting on this Spanish site’s efficiency, the excellent quality of the Production department, and its… Read the rest of this entry
Japanese car makers upbeat on 2009 China sales
Japanese car makers are upbeat about vehicle sales growth in China this year even amid the global economic slowdown, as they hope the country’s steady economic growth will help encourage consumers to buy new cars, underscoring a rare bright spot in sluggish Japan’s auto industry.
Toyota Motor Corp. , Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. aim to sell more vehicles this year than last year as they seek to attract customers with new models, and solid demand for small cars due to the government’s measures to spark demand.
The sanguine views come as these top three Japanese car makers are set to report from later this month a sharp drop in profit, or losses for the fiscal year ended March as they are suffering from a sales slump in other major markets such as the U.S. and Japan.
“China’s economy and auto industry are continuing their… Read the rest of this entry
GM pushes China growth despite financial crunch
Dealing with the crisis at General Motors Corp. kept new CEO Fritz Henderson from traveling to Shanghai’s auto show, but executives say the company intends to continue growing in China regardless of how its financial mess is resolved.
“Of course, China remains a key market for GM,” Nick Reilly, president of GM’s Asia-Pacific division, said on the sidelines of the Shanghai Auto Show, which opened today. “We will continue to invest in new products for China, in new facilities and the latest in technology,” he said.
While it scales back elsewhere, Detroit-based GM is aiming to double sales in China to about 2 million within the next five years, whether it ends up in bankruptcy protection or not, said Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China Group.
“It is very important to understand that if there is a court-ordered restructuring, it is different than in some… Read the rest of this entry
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