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Mercedes-Benz Cars records 11.8% increase in October

The German group Mercedes-Benz has recorded a 11.8% sales increase over the same period last year with 114,600 vehicles delivered. On the year-to-date sales, Mercedes-Benz Cars has delivered 1,056,900 vehicles which is a 1.9% increase compared to 2006.
Smart division recorded the strongest growth with an impressive 28.7% increase. While Smart sold three models last year, only the ForTwo model is available nowadays. Sales of the ForTwo have increased by 92% to 10,700 units.
Mercedes-Benz sales jumped by 10.3% in October thanks to a successful C-Class. More than 130,000 new C-Class have been delivered in the world since its launch in March. Surprisingly, the S-Class is also a hit. The German flagship, with an entry price at £54,117, recorded a strong month. In the year-to-date, Mercedes-Benz delivered 91,300 S-Class. This is higher than the combined sales of all models of directly competing German carmakers.
Germany remains the biggest market with 31,400 delivered vehicles despite a slight increase of 1.9%. The growth comes from the Asia-Pacific region with a 27% increase. There the German carmaker delivered a total of 11,400 vehicles. Western Europe comes second with a 14% increase to 37,800 vehicles. Mercedes-Benz delivered 22,800 vehicles on the US market which is a 11% increase over the same period last year.
November 13, 2007
First shots of the new Murano

Here are the first shots of the new Nissan Murano which will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show. Do not expect big changes. The current Murano sells well and its shape is still appealing despite its age.

With this new Murano, Nissan wants to ride on the success encountered by the current generation. The SUV keeps its original shape, with the main update being to the taillights. For the first time, it also features a panoramic roof.
Regarding the technical details, no information is currently available but it might replace its current engine, the 3.5 litre V6 known as VQ35De, by the updated 3.5 litre VQ35HR. The power would jump from 245 bhp to 315 bhp.
November 13, 2007
20,000 Honda Fit/Jazz already ordered

Encouraging news for Honda: the recently launched Fit/Jazz model has recorded 20,000 sales in the first two weeks following its launch. With such a figure, Honda may claim the title of best-selling car in Japan, currently held by the ubiquitous Toyota Corolla.
Officially unveiled on the Japanese market at the Tokyo Motor Show, the new Fit/Jazz is 55mm longer (3900mm), 20mm wider (1695mm) and has a 50mm longer wheelbase (2500mm) than the previous model, which helps improve cabin space, especially rear legroom.
In Japan, two new i-VTEC engines are available, a 1.3 litre and 1.5 litre petrol. The 1.3 litre produces 99 bhp at 6000rpm and 98lb ft at 4500rpm while the 1.5 has an output of 118bhp at 6300rpm and a torque of 108lb ft at 4800rpm.
The Japanese Fit/Jazz is available with a continuously variable transmission in standard, but the 1.5, dubbed RS, may also receive a five-speed manual gearbox. Both models are available with four-wheel drive systems.
November 13, 2007
Tata leading the Jaguar/Land Rover bid

The Indian carmaker Tata looks set to be the winning bidder in the Jaguar/Land Rover bid if the current situation does not change. The Tata buyout does not really please either Jaguar or Land Rover. If such a buyout happened there is a chance that Tata will take the two companies’ expertise to expand its own company, to the detriment of the two beleaguered American carmakers. Jaguar appears to be the most fragile if we consider that its management admitted profit level will remain negative for several years to come.
Tata might also move their production to India in order to cut costs but such a move might be fatal for both brands. Jaguar just topped the quality benchmarks in the US while Land Rover still languishes behind the competition. Moving the production would irremediably decrease the quality during the first months.
The good news is that Tata is more than just a carmaker. It is a huge conglomerate that produces everything that Indian consumers need in daily life and in many respects has the financial power to rejuvenate a clumsy Jaguar and Land Rover whose future is far from safe due to stricter CO2 regulations.
That said, Jaguar and Land Rover are still hoping that a private equity firm will make an offer that Tata cannot match.
November 13, 2007
Ford Verve SUV for Detroit

Ford will release a 4×4 version of its Verve concept car at the next Detroit Motor Show in January. Like the original Verve concept car, it will share its platform with the next Fiesta, which shares its underpinnings with the recently launched Mazda 2.
The SUV will feature a small-capacity turbocharged engine and is planned to go on sale in 2009.
November 13, 2007
New Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR

Here are the first official pictures of the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR due to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show next week. With this new ACR version, Dodge has focused on weight reduction, with lightweight wheels, lighter Michelin Sport Cup tires and lighter – but equally as powerful – brakes. On the interior, all luxury items have, of course, been removed. Dodge leaves the audio system, the underbonnet sound deadening system, the boot carpet and the tire inflator behind. The interior also features carbon fiber panels to reduce the overall weight.

Technically, the 8.4 litre V10 engine remains unchanged. It still has enough power with just 600 bhp and a torque of 560 ft/lbs. Dodge engineers have put their expertise into offering a package that allows the owner to customize the car settings. The car gets adjustable KW Suspensions race coil-overs, a new front roll bar, a removable 3-inch front splitter and a huge carbon fiber adjustable rear wing.

Despite its power and its track abilities, the SRT-10 ACR remains competitively priced at less than $100,000/ £47,500.
Source photos: Autoblog
November 13, 2007
MG TF delayed (again)

A spokesman for Nanjing has announced that the production of the long-awaited TF roadster is likely to be delayed until the first quarter of next year. By the time the roadster goes on sale, it might be too old to compete with the ubiquitous Mazda MX5.
The new delay would be due to the new merger between NAC and SAIC dictated by the Chinese government. In the muddled Rover collapse, both Chinese carmakers bought a part of the British company. Since then, they have been fighting each other to be the first to relaunch the Rover cars on the Chinese market. SAIC kicked off the battle by unveiling the Rover 75, newly labeled Roewe 750, while NAC presented the same Rover 75, naming it MG7. In the face of such silliness, Chinese bureaucrats banged their fists on the table and initiated the merger.
Despite the new delay, the spokesman also declared that there has been considerable interest in MG products from car dealers. NAC has so far received 100 inquiries and forty have already agreed to sell future products. By the end of 2008, NAC is expecting to have a network of 70-80 dealers. They will have to be very forward thinking to sell the first crop of MG TF. The car will initially be sold first as a limited edition, high spec LE 500 for £15,000. It will be quite a challenge to sell a 13 year old car at this price when Mazda sells the MX5 for £15,730.
November 13, 2007
Renault’s future coupe to get powerful diesel engines

The conservative new Mk3 Laguna looks rather dull. Fortunately, Renault seems to be aware of the problem and unveiled the Laguna Coupe concept car at the last Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The proportions are brilliant: menacing and yet pretty at the same time. Unfortunately, French carmakers suffer from weak engines which can not compete with the German competitors. This situation might change with this sleek coupe according to the recently released technical specifications.
Thanks to its links with Nissan, it is well known that the Laguna coupe will be given the Nissan 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine which will produce more than 240 bhp. It might still not be enough to compete with the Audi A5, the BMW 3-Series Coupe or the Mercedes CLK, but the oil burners are king in the European market. This is where Renault plans to attack. The Laguna Coupe will feature a new diesel V6 engine which will be available in two versions: 230 bhp and 265 bhp. In comparison, the Audi A5 offers two engines: a 180 bhp 2.7 litre and a 233 bhp 3.0 litre. The BMW 3-Series features a unique 3.0 litre inline 6 with three powers: 197 bhp, 231 bhp and 286 bhp. Finally, the Mercedes CLK has a 150 bhp 2.2 litre four cylinder engine and a 224 bhp 3.0 litre V6 unit. With both engines, the Renault Laguna Coupe might get its chance this time.
The Renault Laguna Coupe will also feature the new Active-Drive four wheel steering system which promises very agile handling according to initial feedback. Renault’s system uses a computer to monitor steering inputs, vehicle speed and traction every 10 milliseconds and adjusts the angle of the rear wheels accordingly.
If Renault agrees to feature a bigger petrol engine like the 333 bhp Nissan engine for the benefit of its brand image, it might be rewarded with a bestseller with this coupe.
Source: Auto Motor und Sport
November 13, 2007
Jaguar’s clever new workforce agreement

According to Jaguar’s American dealers, the new XF is generating a strong demand. Customers who order their car now will have to wait until May even though the car goes on sale in March. A long waiting list could scare potential customers at a time where we want to have our new toy within minutes and, unfortunately, the recent lay-offs at Jaguar reduced the size of its labour force. In the current situation, Jaguar may not meet the demand.
Oddly, Land Rover might be the solution. As luck would have it, the off-road specialist owns a plant near the only remaining Jaguar plant in the Midlands. Both manufacturers’ workforces are represented by the same labour union and Jaguar’s management has seized upon this opportunity to sign a rather clever agreement with the union. From now on, employment contracts will include a “mobility” paragraph stipulating that workers can move between the two plants for up to three months at a time.
It is unknown whether Jaguar will use the new agreement for the XF launch, but this is a major selling point for the Ford Group which has put Jaguar and Land Rover up for sale. Likewise for Jaguar, it will give it enough flexibility to meet the market’s unstable demand.
November 13, 2007
Audi RS5 might get a V10 engine

Yesterday I wrote about the future S4 and its possible 3.0 litre V6 engine. Today, the news concerns the future Audi RS5. A three door equivalent of the RS4 saloon, the RS5 should get the same engine as the former, the 4.2 litre V8 FSi. However, the recent Mercedes C63 AMG and its 450 bhp has rearranged the playing field a little. If Audi wants to set a new mark, it has to bang its fist on the table and go somewhere nobody has been before. According to Road&Track and its insiders, the German carmaker is looking to Lamborghini for the 5.2 litre V10 unit used by the Gallardo. Also used in the RS6, the engine produces 500bhp.
In order to feature such an engine, the current S5 would be upgraded with the new Sport Differential Quattro system unveiled last September and would probably feature Brembo brakes like the RS6. If the RS5 features a V10, there is a significant probability that the future RS4 will also feature this large engine. How will Mercedes and BMW react to such a provocation? More power or a different approach?
November 9, 2007