Author: yoann besnard

Piero Ferrari and two others to invest in Pininfarina
After Tata, Piero Ferrari has announced it will buy a stake in the Italian coachbuilder.
The son of Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari, Piero Ferrari has announced it will buy a stake in Pininfarina along with two other investors involved in automotive industry: Alberto Bombassei, chairman of Brembo, and the Marsiaj family, founders of seatbelt maker Sabelt.
if those investors are all Italian, it’s not pure hazard. With Tata buying a stake in Pininfarina, the three investors want to ensure that Pininfarina won’t become Indian or absorbed by a larger Automaker like Tata. The situation happened in the past with Ghia bought by Ford. The Italian coachbuilder which designed the incredible Ford Focus concept car joined the forgotten pages of the car history books.
April 30, 2008
Renault-Bajaj small car in first half of 2011
Renault CEO confirmed at the shareholder general assembly that emerging markets were a priority and that Renault was putting its efforts on the future £1,200 car.
Renault expects growth to come from emerging market such as Russia, Brazil and India which are enjoying double digit growth. "The growth of the automobile market will come via emerging countries," Ghosn said, adding that the Renault would nonetheless continue to be active on "mature markets," even in a "defensive" capacity.
Ghosn also said that the carmaker will release the £1,200 car developed in collaboration with Bajaj in first half of 2011. India is a market where Renault wants to be a major player and plans to keep up with the carmakers already there by building a factory in Chennai.
April 30, 2008
Video: BMW’s Head Designer Shows us the M1 Homage Concept
Here is a video of BMW’s Design Director, Adrian van Hooydonk, showing us the M1 Homage concept unveiled at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2008.
Adrian van Hooydonk confirms that the German carmaker has no plan to bring the concept car to production and sees it more like a celebration of its heritage.
April 30, 2008
Lada unveils the 2116
Lada has unveiled an all-new model, the 2116, due to be launched this year in Russia and in Europe by 2010.
Codenamed “silhouette”, the 2116 is a saloon developed in collaboration with Porsche. Compared to the other models built by the Russian carmaker, the new 2116 is a huge step forward. The cars looks tame but features modern lines.
The 2116 is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine. A diesel and hybrid-powered models will be launched later.
April 30, 2008
Renault-Nissan won’t forge an alliance with Chrysler
Despite rumours that promotes an alliance between Chrysler and Renault-Nissan, Carlos Ghosn said at the shareholder general assembly that troubled American carmaker isn’t interested in an alliance with Renault or Nissan.
"I don’t think the opportunity is there today," he said. "We are not in a hurry."
He also ruled out a future collaboration on purchasing, explaining that both carmakers would need common platforms. However, he said that Renault and Nissan were ready to sign more joint ventures and partnerships with Chrysler and other carmakers.
After GM and Chrysler which refused an alliance with Renault-Nissan, Ford is the last American carmaker available for an alliance. Last year, Bill Ford repeatedly said he wasn’t opposed to an alliance. A few days ago, Tracinda Corporation owned by Kirk Kerkorian bought a major stake in the carmaker. Kirk Kerkorian had pushed GM CEO, Rick Wagoner, to meet Carlos Ghosn for a potential alliance.
April 30, 2008
next-generation BMW Z4 on Nurburgring
Here is a video of the next-generation Z4 around the Nurburgring that BMW will launch next year.
The next Z4 will grow in size and will be more expensive in an attempt to compete with the Porsche Boxster and the future Nissan 370Z. This market move will also enable the carmaker to make room for the rumoured small Z5. Unlike the current model which features a soft top, the next Z4 will come with a metallic folding roof like the Mercedes SLK.
The next Z4 is expected to take its styling cues from the CS concept seen at Geneva last year and will likely feature a larger front grille and LED rear lights. A M version is rumoured to be powered by turbocharged inline-six petrol engine with a power output of 350bhp.

April 30, 2008
Subaru unveils accessories for the new Forester
Only weeks after going on sale, Subaru is bringing accessories to the new Forester.
In Japan, when you buy a car, you generally have a look at the accessories brochure and buy a few of them to personalise your tame new toy. The Forester has for example a 20 pages brochure devoted to accessories ranging from navigation system to wooden panels. Subaru GB decided to import some accessories to our shores.
Typical style-orientated accessories include a front under guard for £350, rear under guard for £275 and roof spoiler at £240.01. Other items range from fog lamp mouldings for £35 to door mouldings at £195. Popular on the previous model was the stainless steel bumper protector at £85 and foldable cargo tray at £60. Other items include towbars and carpet mats and carry a full and comprehensive three-year warranty.
April 30, 2008
Last Australian built Mitsubishi auctioned for £48,000
Mitsubishi has announced announced that it will close its Australian factory at the end of April. The last Australian built Mitsubishi was auctioned for £47,000.
The last Australian built is a silver platinum 380 model which was auctioned last week. The winner is John Hughes who bought the last saloon for £48,000. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to charities.
The 380 model was a saloon launched in 2005 which shared its underpinnings with the Mitsubishi Galant and Endeavor. A front-wheel drive, the 380 was powered by a 235bhp 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine hooked up to either five speed-manual gearbox or a five-speed sequential automatic gearbox. When the 380 went on sale, it sold in lesser numbers than expected and Mitsubishi announced that voluntary redundancies would be offered to 250 production employees in January 2006. In March 2006, the plant closed for three weeks.
April 30, 2008
Volvo recalls 65,000 V70 & XC70 Cars in Europe
Volvo recalls 65,000 V70 and XC70 models due to a faulty software that delays the triggering of the side airbags.
The recall affects 2008 models such as the V70 and XC70 and they were sold primarily in Europe, Volvo Cars spokeswoman Maria Bohlin said in a statement.
Volvo will recall the affected vehicles to fine-tune the software that triggers the release of the inflatable curtain.
"Now we will send letters to all the owners of the affected cars and tell them to take the car to a mechanic to get this upgrade," said Volvo Cars spokeswoman Maria Bohlin.
April 29, 2008
US to be biggest market for Volkswagen CC
Volkswagen is expecting the US to become the largest market for the new Passat CC.
In an interview with Automotive news, VW of America head of marketing, Detlef Wittig said that the German carmaker expect the CC to make 60 per cent of its sales on the American market. Volkswagen plans to produce 300,000 units over the next seven years. Compared to our European version, the American Passat CC will feature less equipment in order to offer a price tag below $30,000/£15,000, while the European Passat CC is expected to cost around £22,000.
The Passat CC is part of an ambitious plan set by VW to unveil models intended especially for the American market. The German carmaker wants to increase its sales there in an attempt to boost its global sales. After the Passat CC, VW is expected to launch a pickup and two other exclusive models for the American market.
April 29, 2008