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Author: yoann besnard

  • Mitsubishi to unveil small crossover in Frankfurt

    Mitsubishi to unveil small crossover in Frankfurt

    Mitsubishioutlander
    According to the Dutch magazine Auto Vision, Mitsubishi will unveil a small crossover at the next Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

    The car will be smaller than the Outlander and will be presented as a design study to gauge public reaction. If the reaction is positive, the crossover will be sold in Europe in 2009. This would not be the first time that Mitsubishi has sold a small SUV. In the past it sold the Pajero Pinin. Designed and built by Pininfarina, the SUV did not meet its expected sales figure.

    In Japan, Mitsubishi also offers a small SUV, the Pajero Mini. Set to compete on the Kei car market, its length is limited to 3.395m and its engine has a limited capacity of 660cm3. Turbocharged, it produces 64bhp, just enough to go uphill.

    For PSA, the small crossover may be an opportunity to expand its SUV range. The collaboration with Mitsubishi on the Peugeot 4007/Citroën C-Crosser/Mitsubishi Outlander models has been successful. Why not continue the partnership?

  • Mazda reports 62 percent drop in profit

    Mazda reports 62 percent drop in profit

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    Mazda has reported a 62 percent drop in profit in the second quarter of 2007, compared to the same period in 2006. The company reported a profit that has slipped to £10.3m/€15.3m/$20.8m, down from £27.4m/€40.7m/$55.6m. The drop in profits is due to foreign exchange rates and research investments.

    The gloomy Japanese car market and an expected new Demio/2 model combine to bring about a 7 percent drop in Japan. The next quarter will be better thanks to the new Demio and the Japanese trend towards favouring smaller cars in recent years. Although the U.S. reported a 6 percent increase, the second part of the year may be more difficult due to the next Mazda 6, set to be launched at the next Frankfurt Motor Show but not sold before the end of the year.

    Mazda expects to report a record profit and plans to sell 4 percent more cars globally for this fiscal year ending in March 2008.

  • Ford records profit for first time in 21 months

    Ford records profit for first time in 21 months

    Ford
    After months of bad news, Ford announced an end to 21 months of losses with a recorded profit of £370m/€549m/$750m for the second quarter of 2007. Even the troubled PAG division, which includes Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo, recorded a small profit of £69m/€102m/$140m.

    While the announcement astonished the financial community, Ford CEO Allan Mulally avoided triumphalism. He declared that he did not expect the company to record further profit before the end of 2009. He expects simply to reduce the forecasted loss of £8.4bn/€12.4bn/$17bn.

    It seems like the restructuring is showing signs of success, but the pill was bitter to swallow. Ford sold Aston Martin, closed 16 plants and axed 45,000 jobs to avoid bankruptcy.

  • Wolfgang Bernhard may be next Chrysler chairman

    Wolfgang Bernhard may be next Chrysler chairman

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    The charismatic Wolfgang Bernhard may be set to become the new Chrsyler chairman after Cerberus closes the deal to purchase the company from Daimler-Benz.

    After an acrobatic lay-off from Volkswagen, for which the German carmaker is well known, he joined Cerberus as an adviser on the Chrysler deal. Insiders report that he is currently reviewing the planning of future products.

    Is Wolfgang Bernhard the right candidate to turn around Chrysler? The former Volkswagen’s CEO is charming but his past experiences cast doubt over his abilities. At Chrysler, he was given credit for the turnaround that happened a few years ago but Chrysler’s recent situation seems to prove his achievement is far from successful.

    At Volkswagen, he attempted to restructure the company but met with strong resistance not only from unions but also from Ferdinand Piech, chairman of VW. We will not see the results before next year, when Volkswagen will launch the Golf VI. Wolfgang Bernhard revamped the production system in order to cut costs by £1,300 per Golf VI.

  • VW finalises Proton buyout

    VW finalises Proton buyout

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    Despite its struggle to survive, Proton and its owners, the Malaysian state, are handling difficult negotiations over a buyout, with Volkwagen the only bidder. According to some Malaysian newspapers, Proton, whose situation is becoming worse by the day, is now a bit more conciliatory towards Volkswagen.

    The biggest stumbling block was the stake demanded by Volkswagen. The German carmaker asked for 51% while Proton refused to offer more than 49%. Finally, a new company will be set up with 51% owned by the German carmaker. This new company will hold the Proton assets. In exchange, Volkswagen will bring its technical knowledge in the form of platforms and engines for future models. It will also take charge of the Proton distribution network worldwide, while Proton will keep its network in Malaysia.

  • Spyshots: Mercedes SL

    Spyshots: Mercedes SL

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    The redesigned Mercedes SL unveils a little bit more of itself every week. Up until now, there has been much speculation surrounding the biggest change: the front face. Thanks to this close shot we can guess what the facelift will look like.

    Like the new C-Class in its sporty variant, the SL will receive a more simplified grille that will feature a bigger Mercedes logo and bigger stripes. The headlights will be replaced with a new design which takes inspiration from the look and feel of the CLS. Even if it suits the four door coupé, we are not sure the boomerang headlamps will fit the SL-Class design as its original design is already six years old.

    Under the bonnet, the redesigned SL-Class will feature new engines with direct injection, just like the first SL in 1955. The entry-level will start with the 350 CGI which produces 278bhp/272hp. The SL will be the first one to receive the 5.5 litre V8 equipped with a direct injection. These new engines will allow Mercedes to reduce its CO2 emissions. Finally, the charming SL55 will be replaced with a SL63 that will feature the 6.2 litre V8.

    Source: Worldcarfans

  • Sales record for Bentley

    Sales record for Bentley

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    There was a time when Bentley could barely sell its cars. Then, almost ten years ago, Volkswagen bought Bentley. Since then and the launch of the Continental GT, the British carmaker has broken its sales records every year. 2007 promises to be the best year yet. Indeed, Bentley sold 5,600 cars in the first semester or 2007, 18.8% more than the previous year over the same period. But the most impressive is the March sales figures. Bentley sold 1,200 cars in one month. With an entry-level starting at £117,500, it is hard to imagine.

    Thanks to its sales, the company reported a turn over of 739 million euros and a record profit of 85 million euros compared to 26 million euros in the first half of 2006. The company met growing demand in Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as significant demand in emerging markets such as China and Russia.

  • Volvo to recall 42,000 XC90

    Volvo to recall 42,000 XC90

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    Volvo is recalling 42,000 XC90 SUV sold in 2005 due to a suspect battery switch. The recall will only concern the U.S. as only American XC90 are equipped with the battery switch. The faulty switch may create a short circuit.

    There have been no incidents reported so far but Volvo has opted to fix the fault to avoid the chance of a serious mishap occurring.

  • Audi A7 sketches

    Audi A7 sketches

    Audia7
    The Mercedes CLS-Class success makes other carmakers jealous, especially an aspiring luxury brand like Audi. The latter will unveil at the 2009 New York Auto Show its interpretation of the 4 door coupé. Thanks to Car Magazine and its smuggled sketches, we can catch a glimpse of the future model.

    Based on the Audi A6 platform, the A7 will sit between the A6 saloon and the more exclusive A8 model. Like the CLS, it will feature a slopping roof and the interior will be more luxurious than the A6. The rough sketches does not say a lot about the A7 design unfortunately.

    Obviously, the car will receive a similar engine range to the A6. Expect to see V6 and V8 engines but also a possible RS7 which will feature the V10 engine. Due to appear in the next Audi RS6, ti produces more than 500 bhp.

    Last week we reported the rumour of an A5 Sportback. As Audi seems to build a four door coupé range, might we expect soon some information regarding an A7 Sportback?

  • Tajima’s monster hillclimb video

    Tajima’s monster hillclimb video

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    After 12 appearences the head of Suzuki Sport, Nobuhiro “Monster” Tajima, finally broke the Pikes Peak record, reaching the summit in 10:01.408 minutes. This was three seconds less than the previous record achieved by Rod Millen in 1994. Here is a video of his crazy journey to the top!