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Jaguar increases its sales
For years, Jaguar has recorded decreasing sales which brought Ford to sell it. As soon as the British carmaker became Indian, the sales started rising again.
The XF might be the car that will save the British marque according to the latest sales results in Europe. Indeed, Jaguar’s European sales were up 69.6 percent in April, totaling 4,047 units. This is the first sales increase since July 2006. Since the beginning of the year, the company sales have risen by 0.4 per cent.
The new XF is mainly responsible for the sales rise as the new saloon recorded a strong demand in the US but also in Europe. The saloon has received more than 18,000 orders since its launch.
This is good news for the British brand. However, the aging competition might have helped Jaguar to achieve those good results. The next-generation Mercedes E-Class will be launched next year, while the next BMW 5-Series will be unveiled within two years. How will the Jaguar XF compare in term of sales with the two successful German models? Jaguar has won the first set, but the path remains long before the company can claim the XF saved it.
May 20, 2008
Next-generation Saab 9-5 to be built in Germany next year
Will the next 9-5 be unveiled at Paris or at Frankfurt? Latest report suggests Frankfurt with a production moved to Germany.
In its latest edition, Automotive News reveals that the next-generation 9-5 will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Surprisingly, the news contradicts earlier reports claiming that Saab will launch its new flagship at the Paris Motor Show. Perhaps Saab will unveil a concept car previewing the next model like it did with the 9-4X at the Detroit Motor Show?
According to the magazine, the next-generation will feature the in-house XWD all-wheel drive transmission and will be available with a range of flex-fuel petrol engines and a new V6 diesel engine. The diesel unit will likely be the new 265bhp 2.9-litre unit that GM is currently developing for the Cadillac CTS. The topping-engine is rumoured to deliver a power output of 350bhp.
For the first time, the next 9-5 won’t be built in Sweden but in Germany in an attempt for the American group to rationalize production and cut cost. Indeed, the future 9-5 shares its underpinnings with the new Opel Insignia. Dubbed Epsilon II, the platform will be customized for the 9-5 with stiffer suspension set-up and a new steering rack.
May 20, 2008
Next Europran Focus, C-Max and Kuga in the US
After the Fiesta, Ford has plan to sell other European vehicles in the US. The next-generation Mondeo was previously reported to come to the US. Closer to us, the next Focus will be developed in the US and sold in the US.
Ford executives seem to understand that global platform sharing might be its savior as Mark Fields said in an interview with automotive News that the carmaker will bring the next-generation Focus in the US. The current American Focus is still based on the former model platform which makes impossible for the carmaker to bring derived models to the US.
With the next-generation platform intended to be built in the US, Ford will be able to choose and adapt the American range to the economic environment.
The Fiesta will be the first European model to be sold in the US in 2010. In the past Ford imported the Ford Scorpio sold under the Merkur badge, but the European hatchback didn’t generate the expected sales. Ford also developed the Ford Contour on the first generation Ford Mondeo which didn’t convince the American market either.
May 20, 2008
Kia to bring a new model to the British Motor Show
Kia has announced it will unveil a new model at the next British motor show.
In an attempt to impress British customers, more open than Continental Europeans to Asian models, Kia will bring its past concept cars to the British motor show. it will include the Soul Burner, Soul Diva, Soul Searcher, the four-seat Kee coupe and rag-top ex_cee’d. Some observers might say that the company has nothing new to unveil at the motor show, but the carmaker also announced a surprise.
Kia has chosen London to make a very special announcement about a forthcoming product, due on sale in the UK in 2009. Will it be the production version of the Kee coupé?
May 20, 2008
PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi set up a joint venture in Russia
PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi have signed a joint venture agreement to produce vehicles for 3 brands, Peugeot, Citroën and Mitsubishi in Russia.
The assembly plant will be located on the site of Kaluga, 180 km South-West of Moscow. It will produce mid-range SUVs for Mitsubishi, Peugeot and Citroën brands as well as medium size Peugeot and Citroen vehicles, with an overall installed capacity of 160,000 vehicles. The foundation stone of this future plant will be laid on June 10th 2008 in Kaluga. Production is currently planned for 2011 start-up.
The joint venture agreement marks the deepening of relations between the two carmakers for whom Russia constitutes a priority growth region. PSA Peugeot Citroen continues signing partnerships to cut cost and expand its current lineup, which is a smart move. For the two carmakers, the new factory enables them to debut on a growing market without bearing all the costs alone.
In comparison, Renault has bought a stake in a local carmaker, AvtoVaz. Future will say which way is the best. Partnership or alliance?
May 20, 2008
GM rumoured to unveil the Volt at Paris
According to the latest information, GM might unveil the eagerly-awaited Volt at the Paris Motor Show.
The news is surprising as the Volt will only be sold on the American market at first. Bob Lutz even said the Volt might be only sold in selected states at launch. Behind the Volt, the American group wants to unveil the new Delta compact platform which will be share by the future compact models of the group: Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Pontiac G5, Saturn Ion and the future Saab 9-3.
The first model to feature the new platform will be the next-generation Lacetti that GM will also unveil at Paris. But the new Lacetti won’t be enough to attract media attention and customers to the Chevrolet stand. With the Volt, The American brand is ensured to attract visitors to see the new Lacetti.
May 20, 2008
Ford considers building a smaller pickup
Ford is seriously considering creating a new pickup truck positioned below the top-selling F-150 in an attempt to maintain its sales in the shrinking heavy SUVs and pickups market segment.
Known internally as P525, the future pickup will share its underpinnings with the F-150 to cut cost. However, with the P525, engineers will focus on weight reduction and fuel efficiency. it is unknown whether it will be powered by V8 engines or not.
The P525 might be called F-100. Inded this moniker was used for an-entry level F-Series until 1983. It will also have for mission to replace the Ford Ranger whose production ends next year.
May 20, 2008
Spyshots: Maserati Quattroporte
The car you see here is the facelifted Quattroporte that Maserati will likely unveil in 2010.
It’s hard to tell, but the Quattroporte is four years old and time has come for this limousine to get a revamp. The first spyshots reveal a more extensive facelift than expected.
Designers seem to have focused on the front fascia of which spyshots suggest it will sport the new corporate’s grille that appeared on the GranTurismo. In the meantime, there will also be new headlights to accommodate the new nose. The rear end will be revamped and will feature a new bumper and LED rear lights.
At this early stage, secrecy surrounds the specifications although some observers believe that the revamped Quattrporte will be powered by the more powerful yet economical 4.7-litre petrol unit unveiled in the GranTurismo S.
The facelift is programmed to arrive on time when Aston Martin and Porsche will reveal their new sport-luxury saloons before the Italian marque unveils the next-generation in 2012.
Click here to see the spyshots
Source: Autocar, MotorAuthority
May 20, 2008
Audi to launch 15 new models by 2011
With the aim of selling 1.5 million cars by 2018, Audi plans to expand its already wide lineup by unveiling 15 new models or versions within three years.
The most important model for the carmaker will be the small A1 expected to take on the established Mini in the small car segment. Sharing its inner-structure with the VW Polo, the A1 is rumoured to offer an all-wheel drive version.
On the compact market segment where Audi dominates the German clique, the carmaker will continue to multiply variants with the launch of the Q3 SUV in 2010. Expected to be 4,300 mm long, it will be 300 mm shorter than the new Q5 and will only be available as an all-wheel drive model. Power output will range from 168 to 349bhp. The three-door A3 will be renewed one year later, while the Sportback variant will be launched in 2012.
The next-generation A6 will be launched in 2011. It will be the first high-volume Audi model to come with an aluminum structure. However, the masterpiece in this segment will be the future A7 set to compete with the top-selling CLS-Class. This four-door coupé will be followed by the new A8.
With the R4 cancelled, the R8 supercar will be the only sporty model in the range. Audi will expand the R8’s range by launching the V10-powered version and the first diesel supercar. There will also be a roadster version which will be launched this year.
May 19, 2008
Spyshots: Hyundai Genesis LWB
Here are some spyshots of the long-wheelbase Hyundai Genesis destined for the Asian market.
Spotted during testing in Germany, the long-wheelbase variant will be lengthened by an additional eight inches over the normal version. The additional length will be highly appreciated by in China and South Korea where the genesis will be sold at first. It is indeed common for owners of premium models to be driven.
Codenamed BHL-VI, the lengthened Genesis is rumoured to drop its moniker to adopt the i70 name. The long-wheelbase Genesis will likely be an opportunity for Hyundai to launch an updated version of the 4.6-litre Tau V8. This upgraded engine will feature direct-injection, cylinder deactivation and forced induction technology.
Will Hyundai bring the long-wheelbase Genesis to Europe? Probably not. BMW is selling a lengthened 5-Series in China which will never be imported to our shores. Why would Hyundai with no brand image waste its time?
Click here to see the spyshots
May 19, 2008