Author: yoann besnard

Fiat is planning a factory in the US

In an interview with Automotive News Europe, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has revealed that Alfa Romeo might build a new factory in the US in order to counter-balance the weak dollar. “It was already expensive when the dollar was 1.10 to the euro; now it is more expensive,“ he told the magazine.
He also said that Alfa Romeo will lose money on the American market the first three-four years due to a weak dollar but also to the highly competitive market there. He also gave the reasons why he considered bidding for the Jaguar and Land Rover sale. According to him, the most interesting asset in both companies for Fiat were their large dealer network while Alfa Romeo will have to rely on the tiny Maserati network the first years. The situation might improve if Tata Motors wins the bid. Indeed, the Indian car maker has set up a partnership with Fiat and is being advised on its bid by the Italian car maker.
Before building a new factory, Alfa Romeo has to focus on improving the quality of its products and reduce loss. It has taken a first step by closing Alfa’s main factory at Pomigliano d’Arco in southern Italy for two months beginning in January as an effort to get Alfa Romeo build quality up to German standard. The loss will likely be reduced by the launch of the baby Alfa next year.
December 13, 2007
Ford Mustang Glass Roof

According to a survey conducted by JD Power and Associates, 62% of owners of sports car are interested in a sunroof. So, Ford decided to feature a sunroof on the Mustang, but when you want to stay ahead of the future competition, you have to innovate. Here is the new glass roof option which will be available in next Summer.

Mustang’s Glass Roof is made of tinted privacy glass, which reduces both infrared rays and vehicle cool-down time by 50 percent. A manual roller blind is built in, allowing owners to further control exposure on sunny days. To help improve acoustics and Mustang’s interior quietness, the glass also features a layer of vinyl that reduces noise, vibration and harshness. The technology will cost the owner $1,995. It’s less expensive but expensive enough to be a stumbling block at the time to sign the order form.
With sales down since the beginning of the year, let’s hope this new option will boost sales while waiting for the new model.
December 13, 2007
Spyshots: Renault Laguna coupé

Due to be unveiled at the next Geneva Motor Show, the Renault Laguna coupé has been caught during winter testing.
Underneath, the coupé will share its platform, powertrains and suspension , with the saloon but will feature a unique exterior styling very close to the concept car seen at the last Frankfurt Motor Show. However, it is still unknown wether the coupé will come with a unique interior styling in a goal to move the car upmarket.

The coupé will be powered by finally decent and powerful engines. Expect the Laguna coupé to be equipped with only V6 petrol and diesel engines. It is rumoured that it might feature the small 1-6 litre engine. We hope Renault executive will be clever enough to avoid this petrol engine.
Click here to see all the pictures
December 13, 2007
Bob Lutz likely to retire in 2010

In an interview with Reuters, the car czar, Bob Lutz has revealed he will retire from GM when the Chevrolet Volt hit the showrooms, sometimes in 2010.
The Volt appears to be an obsession for the 75 year old executive who declared that the car is “an absolutely critical product“, but also said that health and board decision will have an impact on his retirement date. “You never know about your health. You never know about the needs of the corporation,“ Lutz continued. “You never know what the board wants to do, or Rick wants to transition to a younger team. All of those things are possible.“
Bob Lutz has been credited for the GM turnaround which presented more appealing models the past few years. Unfortunately, GM sales doesn’t show any improvement, but with the new Malibu aggressively priced and well made, and the crop of future models, the efforts will likely pay at one moment.
December 13, 2007
Next British International Motor Show plans to welcome 550,000 visitors

The first British International Motor Show in 2006 was a milestone for the UK as it was the first time that a British show has had a worldwide stature for a long time. Thanks to the launch of the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, the show got a good press coverage and succeeded in attracting 415,000 visitors.
For the second opus, the organiser plans to attract 550,000 visitors thanks to a bunch of expected world premiere. At this stage, it is still difficult which car maker will take the opportunity to unveil new models although it is confirmed that GM Europe will come with the future Opel/Vauxhall Insignia and the eagerly awaited Saab 9-1 prototype.
Let’s hope that next year, Porsche and Volkswagen will have the decency to come as they ignored the 2006 show pretending it had a poor worldwide appeal. It’s true that 550,000 visitors don’t compare well with the 1.5 million figure recorded by the Paris Motor Show, but it’s the perfect show to be noticed.
December 13, 2007
Honda Pilot to be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show

Honda has released a sketch of the Pilot concept car which will preview the next-generation Pilot due to be on sale from 2009. From the sketch, it appears that Honda designers took inspiration from Jeep models.
The SUV will share its underpinnings with the current Acura MDX, renewed this year, but will be less aristocratic and “will emphasize authentic SUV styling, clever interior packaging and advanced technologies for safety, fuel efficiency and convenience.“ according to the press release.
The SUV will likely be powered by the 300bhp 3.7-litre V6 tuned already seen in the MDX unless the car maker wants to differentiate more both SUVs and fit the Pilot with the current 240bhp 3.5-litre V6 petrol unit.
December 13, 2007
Porsche Leipzig factory tour

Yesterday, we mentioned the Nissan GT-R factory tour. As the GT-R took the Porsche Turbo as a reference and might steal sales from the German car maker, it is fair to have a look at how Porsche builds cars. The factory tour is not the Zuffenhausen’s plant but the Leipizig built for the Cayenne model.
December 13, 2007
November sales for the French market

Once again the 207 topped the French chart for November with 10,307 vehicles delivered. The Renault Clio III ranks second while the Citroen C4 Picasso finished third. Renault delivered 8,915 vehicles. The detailed statistics reveals that the 207 alone scored 7,858 but once the SW and the CC models added, the small French car’s sales increase by 31%. When the Renault Clio III estate hits the showroom, the overall range will likely overtake the 207. The third position is very good news for Citroen as the compact MPV overtakes the ubiquitous Renault Scenic for the first time with 8,577 vehicles for the former and 6,725 for the latter.
Among imported cars, the Volkswagen Golf ranks first and arrives at the ninth position in the market thanks to a 14.5% increase to 3,641 vehicles. Niche models performs well as the new Mini arrives thirty-second with 1,599 vehicles and the iconic Fiat 500 takes the forty-fifth rank with 1,189 vehicles just four months after its launch. Oddly, the former Clio II scores better than newer foreing rivals as the small car launched in 1998 has been sold at 2,089 units.
Among the new models, the Renault Laguna III doubled its sales over the previous month with 3,418 vehicles and is ahead of the Peugeot 407 whose sales decreased by 40%. The future C5 officially launched in next January will likely be a tough contender and might threaten the 407.
December 13, 2007
Aston Martin Vantage RS with a V12

Aston Martin has unveiled the Vantage RS model. Powered by a 600bhp V12 6.0-litre borrowed from the DBRS9 racecar, the car runs the 0-62 in less than four seconds and hit a top speed of 200 mph.

Engineers worked hard to reduce weight. The car features a new new carbon fiber pieces for the hood and boot lid. The Vantage RS features a front bumper which has cooling ducts for the carbon ceramic brakes, and a retractable rear spoiler. Despite its heavier engine. the RS saves 220 lbs compared to the standard DB9 and weighs 3,520 lbs. The car has a power-to-weight ratio of 375bhp-per-tonne. That’s better than a Porsche 911 GT2 and Ferrari 430 Scuderia, and only marginally worse than a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera.

Aston Martin will build the Vantage RS if there is demand for it.
December 12, 2007
Toyota wants to save £1.3 billion annually

Volkswagen wants to catch up with Toyota in 2018, but the Japanese is determined to rest on his laurels. Toyota CEO Katsuaki Watanabe wants the company to save £300 billion/£1.3 billion annually.
Toyota has targeted cost reduction as an essential contributor to a sustained 10% operating profit margin while it nearly reached this target last year with 9.3%. Dubbed “VI” for Value Innovation, the new cost saving strategy will focus on lumping components into modules or systems. The first car to The first car to incorporate the new scheme will be the Crown saloon expected to be launched on February 18 next year. Volkswagen also plans to use the strategy to cut cost.
The Japanese carmaker had already realised a similar plan under the leadership of Watanabe when he was Toyota’s purchasing director. called CCC21 for Construction of Cost Competitiveness in the 21st Century, it achieved £4.5 billion of cost savings over five years.
In the meantime, Toyota plans to invest ¥1.5 trillion/£6.5 billion in future models and production facilities. It’s less than the amount invested by Volkswagen, but still enough to give headaches to American carmakers.
December 12, 2007