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The slowing American economy obliges Toyota to delay the launch a new US plant expected to produce the Highlander model.

Located in Tupelo, Mississippi, the new facility was destined for the Highlander’s production, but the downturn in sales for SUVs pushed Toyota to reconsider its plans. However Toyota executives are optimistic about the future and expect the factory to be launched when the growth is back, in 2010 according to the Japanese carmaker.

However, Toyota has already decreased the future production capacity by 30,000 from 150,000 to 120,000 units. The facility will employ around 2,000 workers.

This isn’t the first time Toyota has to revise its plans or decreases production of its SUVs. The company had cut the production of its Tundra and Sequoia models.

Nissan announced that it global sales of its CVT equipped vehicles topped one million with sales during 2007.

The Japanese carmaker has accomplished its 2010 target of selling of 1 million vehicles equipped with a CVT gearbox per year. The target was part of the Nissan Green Program 2010 environmental plan announced in 2006. Currently, CVT represents approximately 28.6% of global sales, compared to 7% in 2004. CVT penetration varies across the regions, with the highest rate in North America and Japan at 47.4% and 43.8% respectively.

The first CVT was introduced in March 1992, and Nissan has continued to integrate it on several models. In 2002, Nissan engineers found a solution to adapt CVT to high-torque engines and delivered the world’s first CVT for large displacement engines up to 3.5 litres.

Among the 10 best-selling automotive manufacturers in Europe, Fiat recorded the lowest average CO2 emissions value for vehicles sold in 2007, according to a recent analysis by JATO Dynamics.

The JATO analysis placed the Fiat brand (137.3 g/km) ahead of Peugeot (141.9 g/km), Citroën (142.2 g/km), Renault (146.4 g/km), Toyota (148.8 g/km), Ford (149.1 g/km), Opel/Vauxhall (152.9 g/km), Volkswagen (161.7 g/km), BMW (176.7g/km) and Mercedes-Benz (188.4 g/km).

“The results of this important analysis reward Fiat’s ongoing commitment to finding innovative solutions to reduce levels of polluting emissions and CO2,” explains Lorenzo Sistino, managing director of Fiat Automobiles. “Fiat’s aim is always to stay as close as possible to people’s real needs, and its commitment does not end here.  Irrespective of what is decided by European politicians, our aim is still to achieve the lowest average adjusted level of CO2 emissions for Fiat cars by 2012,” he added.

As it continues its quest for alternative fuels, Fiat will continue downsizing its diesel and petrol engine vehicles, as seen on the new 1.4 T-Jet and 1.6 MultiJet
families. In particular, the adoption of new-generation turbochargers, combined with smaller capacity engines, will likely allow the carmaker to achieve performance levels that are comparable to or even better than higher capacity power units, but with lower fuel consumption and emissions.

After launching the Focus RS that Petrol-Head reported in a previous post, Ford plans to sell a hot Fiesta under the RS moniker.

Like the Focus, the new Fiesta will get a ST version, but Ford would also launch a high-performance RS according to AutoExpress. The car would be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine delivering a power output of 200bhp. The planned RS would compete with the Renaultsport Clio 197 Cup and would likely offer similar figures with a top speed of 140mph and a 0-62mph in less than six seconds. The Mini John Cooper Works and the Vauxhall Corsa VXR will also be close rivals. Along with the powerful engine, the Fiesta Rs is rumoured to get suspension tuning to give the RS a sportier handling and the usual sporty glitches such as race seats and a body kit. Teh Fiesta RS is expected to be launched by 2010

This is not the first time, Ford is seriously considering building a hot Fiesta as the carmaker revealed the previous-generation Fiesta RS at Geneva in 2004. Unfortunately, the project to move the concept car to production stage didn’t succeed as Ford would haven’t made a profit on it despite selling the car in Europe.

The malaysian carmaker has unveiled a new model, the GEN-2 Persona which is the four-door version of the company’s five door hatchback.

Like all company’s models, the new saloon fights on a competitive equipment-to-price ratio. Starting at £10,795, the GEN-2 Persona features climate control with pollen filter, front and rear electric windows, flat-folding 60:40 rear seats, and an integrated Blaupunkt radio/CD player, with an MP3-capable CD player and four way speaker system. On the safety side, the new model comes with and ABS, an EBD, driver and passenger airbags, side impact protection bars, power assisted steering and reverse distance sensors.

The GEN-2 Persona is powered by a 1.6 litre Lotus engineered Campro engine which delivers a maximum output of 110bhp and a torque output of 109lb ft. The engine can be hooked up to a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic gearbox (£1,000 more expensive). The GEN-2 Persona can reach a top speed of 118mph.

Peugeot is never short of a good joke. The carmaker launched the 607 or offered us a reincarnation of Hannibal Lecter under the form of a 4007. This time, Peugeot has launched a range of ‘Sports’ accessories for the 207 Van.

The range of accessories cover everything from an iPod docking kit to a full body kit, 17” alloy wheels, or an exterior stripe kit. All accessories can be fitted at any Peugeot dealer or by a competent owner.

Sports Front Bumper Conversion kit: £430.13

Fog Lamps: £92.57

‘SP’ Body Kit  (inc mesh radiator grille): £989.68

‘RC’ Stripe Kit: £180.79

Four x 17” Alloy Wheels excluding tyres: £579.08

Sports Gear Knob: £41.80

Sports Handbrake Lever: £32.71

Sports Exhaust Kit: £112.12

iPod Docking Kit: £180.62

Stainless Steel Sill Guards: £42.22

Bluetooth Kit: £158.71

Sports Interior Trim: £6.24 for air vent trims, £10.81centre fascia trim and £10.05 for centre console trims

Stefan Jacoby, president of Volkswagen of America, has detailed the company’s plans to sell one million vehicles on the American market per year by 2018.

The German carmaker has set an ambitious plan to boost its sales to one million units per year in the US by 2018. In 2007, it sold 230,572 vehicles in 2007, representing a decrease of 1.9% from the 235,140 units sold in the prior year. The one million figure will be comprised of 800,000 Volkswagens and 200,000 Audis.

On the Volkswagen side, the company plans to downsize the Passat model that will also lose its nameplate. It will decrease its selling price from about £12,000$24,000 for the entry model today to £10,000/$20,000 similar to that of the Chevrolet Malibu and slightly more expensive than that of the Toyota Camry saloon. The carmaker realised that its strong brand image in Europe didn’t cross the ocean. Drivers are not ready to pay a premium for a Volkswagen model. In the same way, the next-generation Jetta will be less expensive with a targeted price of £7,500/$15,000.

Volkswagen will also boost its sales by expanding its lineup. To the ten models offered today, the company will add new models, a pickup and a compact model based on the Up! concept cars. The Phaeton will also return on the American market as a smaller a cheaper saloon than the unsuccessful current Phaeton. Some versions of the next-generation Polo might also be sold there.

Volkswagen also plans to increase its share of diesel cars. Indeed, a recent J.D. Power report said that diesel sales were expected to increase from 3% of vehicles to 7% in the US, Stefan Jacoby wants the company to lead the market.

The other major part of the plan is a possible factory built in the US. The carmaker hasn’t given the green light yet although the company has already entered into talks with a few states to determine the best location. A plant in the US would enable the company not to be penalized by the weak dollar.

Here are the first pictures of the Seat SportCoupe Bocanegra that previews the eagerly-awaited next-gen Ibiza.

As explained yesterday, the Ibiza will feature the company’s DNA for the next-generation models. On the menu, a German design with ‘Mediterranean’ flavor. The Bocanegra illustrates the new styling direction. The overall design has still some German influences,but the concept car comes with a unique aggressive look. Without a doubt, the next Ibiza will likely be one serious competitor on the small car segment.

Sharing its inner structure with the Skoda Fabia, the Bocanegra is powered by the 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine whose power output is between 170bhp and 200bhp. The future Ibiza will spearhead a revival of the Spanish brand in Europe after the failure encountered by the Leon/Altea/Toledo trio. Several options have been considered for the brand’s future including the possibility of selling it. If the next-generation Ibiza fails, the future of Seat is more than uncertain.

Toyota plans to increase production capacity for its luxury brand Lexus to meet a strong demand in emerging countries.

The Japanese built 518,000 Lexus last year and is expected to boost its production to 850,000 by 2009, a 35% increase in two years. The luxury brand is meting a string demand from countries such as China and Russia.

By flooding the new markets with more vehicles and new models, the company wants to counter-attack the European offensive. Audi and BMW are getting serious at conquering China, Russia and India. Mercedes should soon declare its commitment to the new markets now it got rid off Chrysler.

Will the new markets accept the brand as the US did twenty years ago? Nothing is certain. Toyota launched the Lexus brand in Japan in 2005 and still underperforms there while the company struggles to establish itself as a competitor in Europe. From China, a European brand has certainly more appeal than a luxury brand form Japan.

Our eyes are focused on the Geneva Motor Show, but another show has opened its doors, Melbourne Auto Show. The national brand, Holden has unveiled a coupé to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

The concept car features an aggressive look thanks to its enlarged wheel arches, huge 21in wheels, large air intakes at the front and an air diffuser at the rear end. The coupé is powered by a 6.0-litre unit whose power remains unknown. The engine comes with Active Fuel Management, calibrated for E85 Ethanol fuel and it’s hooked up to a 6-speed manual transmission.

On the inside, the Coupe 60 is roomy enough for four people in an ambiance that combines black leather, red stitching and carbon-fiber. The seats made of carbon-fiber comes with a mix of suede and leather upholstery. All seats feature four-point harness to hold passengers in it. However, the dashboard structure looks two step away from production. The Coupe 60 is a concept car that seems to be ready for production.

At this stage, Holden has no plan to put the Coupe 60 into production, but a return of the Monaro based on this Coupe 60 would be a great news.