Say what you want about Chrysler's new marketing slogan, at least their name isn't Build Your Dreams. Automotive News (sub) reports that the Chinese manufacturer showed their potentially game-changing plug-in, parallel/serial "dual-mode" drivetrain at Geneva, where the reaction was so strong that several European distributors are now negotiating for rights to the brand. Besides operating in parallel and serial hybrid modes as the circumstances require, the drivetrain's recorded 110km range on a plug-in charge is nearly five times the rumored range of the yet-to-be-released Prius plug-in. Plus, BYD has a 248-mile range, all-electric version of its F6DM sedan currently plying the streets of Beijing in taxi form. Of course, as with the development of any new, high-tech drivetrain, the cost is excessive– try a nearly $8k premium over sticker price. BYD says that European distribution depends on finding creative ways to cut costs, and since parent BYD Group has battery manufacturing plants in Romania and Hungary, Euro-market BYDs could be made somewhere in Eastern Europe. European distribution is targeted for 2010, unless of course it is all just a dream.
Category: Overseas
It's a testament to the roaring Chinese economy that A-listed automakers in the Middle Kingdom increased output and sales by about 22 percent but still didn't meet analysts expectations (damn those demanding analysts!). But Manufacturing Business Technology reports that profits didn't rise in concert with sales and production. This sets up the industry for a tough time as commodity prices are expected to rise substantially over the next several years. Runaway steel prices will cost Chinese firms an extra $1.5b this year, and low profit rates mean these costs will likely be handed down to consumers. Against a backdrop of rising inflation for everything from food to fuel, this development will probably hurt sales in China's value-oriented market. All this bad news likely spells industry reshuffling in the offing, as low utilization of production capacity in the automotive sector should fuel a flurry of mergers and acquisitions to allow companies to stay competitive during the projected two-to-three year lull.
Now that Ford has ditched… er, sold Jaguar and Land Rover they're turning their attention to their Swedish marriage from 1999. It seems that Volvo's North American sales slowdown has finally rippled across the pond. Volvo is reporting an 80-day supply of certain models. As a result the Swedes have decided to idle the factory in Uddevalla (a joint venture with Pininfarina) that produces the C70 for two weeks while Ford decides what to do. In addition, the factory in Torslanda will be idled for one week to get inventory down to their target level of 60 days. Obviously they don't have to deal with the UAW.
The rumors around the rumor mill are that the next super-hot version of the Ford Focus – the RS – will get 4WD or AWD and 350 horsepower from a six cylinder engine. If you've been following the development of the RS (and as North Americans, you probably haven't), the story until now was that it would be 300 hp, from a highly tuned 5-cylinder engine, and front wheel drive with a trick diff to tame torque steer. But the latest info seems to take that a step further, with a blogger claiming he has actually seen the rear differential on the RS test car at the Nurburgring confirming its 4 wheel power. Yours truly still doubts the 6-cylinder engine for packaging and weight reasons, but only time, spy shots, and "accidental" PR leaks will tell the full story.
You know how awesome the GMDAT Suzuki Forenza sedan is? Unfortunately, we've never reviewed it here at TTAC, which is mostly due to our intimidation by the 127 horsepower engine. Still, the car has a real global role. In Canada (where it was recently discontinued) it was known as the Chevy Optra. In the UK, the Chevy Lacetti. And in China? It's a luxury car! The Buick brand, very strong in China, is offering this same car as the Buick Excelle, and they've just released pictures of a refresh. What a travesty that they would dilute the absolutely crucial Buick brand name in its only viable market – China – with a car like this. I spoke with Ash Sutcliffe of the China Car Times website, who responded to my brand dilution concerns as such: "…it could be that the Excelle is very cheap, and they feel that they are getting an American car for a Chinese price." In fact Sutcliffe says the price is in the heart of "first new car" territory. It's too bad that what's exciting for the first new car buyer is bad for the guy considering a Chinese Buick Park Avenue that costs 5 times as much as the Excelle.
Citroen's C2, a fairly popular citycar over on the continent, has been refreshed. In addition to a new cutesy front fascia, it will now feature a 110 hp diesel engine (in some countries this has already been available as the "hot" model). There are some suspension upgrades too, but perhaps most important to buyers in this segment is that the C2 with the 1.6 turbo-oilburner will consume only 4.4 liters/100km, or 53 US miles per gallon and yet still cranks 175 lb ft of torque.
German officials have de-boondoggled on the E85 front, withdrawing plans mandating a 10 percent bio-fuel content for the lowest grade unleaded fuel. For some reason, the government didn't check the stats (or did?) before establishing a threshold for making the switch. If one million cars couldn't run on the plant juice blend, they'd hold off on E10. Deutsche Welle reports the numbers: "The [auto industry] sources said that some 330,000 cars made by German manufacturers, as well as more than 2 million imported cars, could not run on the new fuel and that the cars' owners would be forced to fill up with higher octane, more expensive types of gas." The German association for technical inspection (GTÜ) reports [via The Local] that the country's cars may have enough problems without worrying about running on bio-fuels. "A 2007 GTÜ study found that 8 million vehicles were found to have significant problems during general inspections. 'The finding is even more alarming when you consider that many of the vehicles had been repaired just before they were inspected,' said GTÜ chief Rainer de Biasi. His said the findings indicated that every sixth car in Germany poses an accident risk." Sobering stuff. Of course, one wonders about Germany's standards relative to, I dunno, New Jersey.
Ferraristi of the subcontinent rejoice! Come 2010, Indians won't have to go to Singapore to put a prancing horse in their garage, says The Economic Times, as the Scuderia should be in-country by then. Earlier reports had Ferrari pegged to enter the market this year, but there's still work to do. So says Gabriele Lalli, head of Magic India Discover, Ferrari SpA, a curiously-named publicity tour of the subcontinent, which is currently showcasing Ferrari's exquisite 612 Scaglietti Grand Touring model. "(Ferrari) needs to set up a sales and marketing network in India," says Lalli. "For us, customer satisfaction is of prime importance. Hence, we will also have to take care of these aspects before we enter India." Currently only 36 'rrari's. all of which have been specially imported. regularly prowl India's roads. Fiat, who owns the legendary brand, already has a presence in India, building the Fiat Palio in a joint venture with Tata Motors. Incidentally, India's purchasing-power-adjusted per-capita income of about $4,500/year means the average Indian will only have to save for about 45 years to afford a new "entry-level" Ferarri 430. Sounds worth it to us
Legendary automotive atelier Bertone has fallen on hard times, having filed for for bankruptcy protection back in November. Now Automotive News [sub] tells us the gentlemen callers from the world over are lining up, hoping to buy the Bertone name, assets and cachet. Automakers FAW from China, and Mahindra from India, as well as Italian suppliers DR Motor, and German engineering firm PCL Group join former Bertone rival Italdesign in the bidding war. Bertone was responsible for some of the most influential designs in automotive history, having penned Lambo's Miura, Espada, Countach and Diablo, the Ferrari 250 Lusso, the Lancia Stratos and many others. Just how much wedge (sorry) it will take to buy up the design firm remains to be seen. We will go out on a limb and say that of all the competing firms, FAW probably needs a little Bertone styling magic the most. Lets just hope ol' Giovanni Bertone's grave has been properly spin-proofed.
By now you might have heard from Autoblog or Edmunds' Inside Line the shocking, incredible news that Mercedes is developing a blown 4-banger in the C-Class for sale here in the U.S. I say good. Apparently some "other" blogs have forgotten that Mercedes has, until this latest generation, always offered a 4-cylinder engine in the C-Class in the U.S. The last generation had a supercharged 1.8 and a supercharged 2.3 at different times. Before that there was the C230 Kompressor in the first-generation C, as well as the C220 and C230. And of course the original baby Benz, the 190E was named for its little 4 pot, as well as the 190E 2.3. So now that we've got the history out of the way, is this a smart business idea? Hell yes. Buyers of entry luxury cars tend to be wary of running costs — that include fuel consumption — and then there's the importance of appeasing the CAFE gods. Not to mention,there's something nice about a luxury car focused on ride, rather than keeping up with the Joneses (and the Hondas). If/when it debuts, expect the blown 1.4 liter to make 150-170 horses and to come with Benz's 7-speed auto.
"It's raining cars in the Indian automobile market," says The Economic Times. Credit the increase in Indian auto sales to a four percent cut in the excise duty. Hyundai Motor India Ltd. has experienced a record 52.3 percent sales boost, and managing director and CEO H. M. Lheem says "The high sales have come on the back of good demand for our small cars." Meanwhile in Thailand, the theme at the 29th annual Bangkok International Motor Show is "The Environmental Auto Globalization" (i.e. surprise: green is in!). Organizers point out that the major cause of global warming "includes vehicle and fuel energy," and automakers have rolled out plenty of hybrid and electric cars. Anyway, the show is dominated by Japanese carmakers. "[T]hey sort of dominate eyespace," says reporter Meenakshi Verma, adding that it's "hardly surprising Bangkok's roads already seem dominated by pickups from that country." He points out that Thailand is "the second largest market for pickups after U.S." And after leaving the show, the Times reporter says he ended up "right in the middle of one of Bangkok's infamous traffic jams," where his informal "straw poll of the cars stuck on the road," confirmed that "pickups are the favorite mode of transport in Bangkok.
We've never known quite what to make of the A3. Sure, sure, it's a great car with the DSG and the AWD and the big engine, but then the price tag can bump $40k and well, STI please. Those in the know also know that underneath the A3's pretty skin sits the guts of a Volkswagen Golf, er Rabbit. Even at "just" $25K, that's expensive. However, those that don't know, don't care and the A3 has been selling well. Well enough in fact that Motor Authority is reporting Audi will be developing a number of A3 variants. These include but are not limited to a 3-door hatch, a convertible, an S3, a wagon, a small sedan, a sportback and an A3 Allroad. Also, one can never forget that Audi is a German company, meaning that each successive must be bulkier than the previous. And since the new A4 has swelled to nearly BMW 5-Series proportions, expect the 2011 A3 to compete size-wise with the Bavarian 3-Series. If not price-wise, too.
About a month ago, SEAT showed a concept car for the Geneva Auto Show, previewing the replacement for its crotchety Ibiza compact car. SEAT has unveiled (or someone leaked, you be the judge) pictures of the new Ibiza production car, and it's another great looker. After new subcompact cars like the new Fiesta have been revealed with sheet metal that has some style and flair, this market segment is really heating up in Europe. Until now, SEATs were just cheaper, often bizarre-looking rebadged VWs with interiors straight from Audi's 1992 parts bin. In the theoretical board room, SEAT is meant to have some sporting intent according to VW's brass, and this Ibiza has it. Is it true to SEAT's tagline "Auto Emoción?" Not with the range-topping 1.6 liter 105 hp engine, but good fuel economy and slick looks will at give the Spanish-German compact a fighting chance. (And yes, a 150-200 hp hot version will eventually be built).
When the E63 platformed 645i first debuted I personally had high hopes. Like all car guys, I irrationally loved the 633CSi. In my mind's eye, I pictured a lean, mean touring machine. Instead BMW dished out an average-powered porkapotamus with very questionable looks, awkward handling and far too many electrical gizmos and doodads. And guess what? They've sold over 80,000 of them and the E64 convertible. Not wanting to mess with (relative) success, Motor Authority is reporting that the next generation 6-Series will have it's shark-suit looks toned down. While the face will look more like the CS Concept, much of the Bangle will be brushed out. They also claim that the new 6 will be longer and lower than the current car. Expect an 8-speed tranny with (of course) paddle shifters and the usual litany of iDrive-themed overkill. One last thing — the next M6 should get a twin-turbo 5.0-liter V10. Insert Tim Allen-like snorting here.
Click here for TTAC photochopper Andrei Avarvarii's take on the next 6-series
New car sales in Japan have dropped for the fifth straight year, to their lowest level since 1975. Thomson Financial (via Forbes) cites a Japan Automobile Dealers Association study which points to high gas prices as the prime culprit in recent sales losses. Even Japan's 660cc kei car category is feeling the hurt, dropping for the twelfth straight month. Japanese automakers have been fighting sliding sales aggressively, rolling out new models and pouring money into marketing gimmicks like Toyota's Auto Mall . But there's nowhere to run in such a saturated market. Honda, Nissan, Subaru and Suzuki posted modest sales gains in March, while Lexus dropped nearly 18 percent, Isuzu dropped 12 percent, and Mitsubishi lost nearly 14 percent of sales. The biggest losers? Truck manufacturers, who saw between 12 and 27 percent losses. If economic misery loves company, America and Japan could be best of friends.
Recent Comments