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Rolls-Royce names a new CEO
Rolls-Royce has announced that Tom Purves will join the company as its new CEO leaving its position of Chairman and CEO of BMW US.
This is a come back for Tom Purves as the newly appointed CEO started his career as an apprentice engineer at Crewe in 1967. His role with the company evolved to include several management positions in various fields including sales in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Purves joined BMW as sales director in 1985 in Great Britain and was appointed Managing Director in 1989. During his tenure, the company became the second largest BMW export market after the USA. In 1996 he became a Rover Board member, where he oversaw the global sales and marketing of Land Rover, MINI, MG and Rover before his move to North America in 1999. Purves was responsible for the successful launch of Mini in North America.
“It has been a pleasure to see Rolls-Royce flourish under the ownership of BMW Group,” Purves commented. “I am delighted to be taking the helm at Goodwood as the company continues to develop with the upcoming launch of the Phantom Coupé and, most significantly, the introduction of RR4 in 2010. I have always felt a special connection with Rolls-Royce, having started my career in the car division.”
As planned, Ian Robertson will join the BMW AG Board of Management but remains Chairman of Rolls-Royce.
April 26, 2008
Volkswagen rules out Mexico and Canada for its future factory
According to company sources, the German carmaker has ruled out Mexico and Canada as location for the future factory.
Volkswagen sales suffer from the strong Euro and can’t compete with the Japanese models built and sold in the US. The only solution the carmaker found is to build there its models destined for the US market. a new milestone has been passed as a company official has revealed that Volkswagen has ruled out Canada and Mexico as a possible location. The US is the elected country, and Georgia and South Carolina are the favourite to get the future factory.
Volkswagen wants the factory to be ready by 2011 and has decided to speed up the decision process to meet the deadline. In addition to this new production line, the German carmaker will also build another plant to produce engine and transmissions.
April 26, 2008
Th!nk wants to conquer the US
Th!nk has announced it will launch its City model on the American market next year with the long-term target to sell between 30,000 and 50,000 vehicles per year.
The American marker seems to be finally ready to welcome small cars at a time when a gallon of gas hits the $3.50 mark. The Norwegian is determined to hold a share of the future market segment. Backed by American investors, the company will start selling its unique model, the City from next year. Final specifications still need to be decided but the company’s CEO Jan Olaf Willums has revealed in an interview with Automotive News that the City is expected to cost between $15,000 and $17,000. As British consumers, we have the right to be upset when the same car is expected to be sold at around £15,000 in the UK.
With such a competitive price compared to the UK, Th!nk hopes to sell between 30,000 and 50,000 units per year. If the $17,000 price tag looks appealing for US, the situation is different in the US. A Chevrolet Malibu able to sit five passengers starts at $20,295. General Electric has invested £2 million in Th!nk, and Rockport and Kleiner Perkins have joined the list of investors.
April 25, 2008
Volkswagen’s designer talks about the Scirocco
The German carmaker has released video showing the Scirocco’s head designer March Lichte trying to convince us that the latest German coupé is as sexy as a German sausage.

April 25, 2008
Subaru gets worried about its future
The new coupé developed for Toyota and also sold under the Subaru badge cause concerns for the future of the Japanese carmaker.
The new coupé currently in development might become a marketing nightmare for the tiny carmaker. Until now, Subaru differentiates itself by featuring unique technologies on its models such as all-wheel drive transmission and boxer engines. Subaru Australia even promotes the all-wheel drive architecture in its slogan. How to justify the difference for the future coupé when it will also be sold by Toyota?
Company executives are aware of the problem. In an interview with Automotive News, Fuji Heavy Industries overseas sales chief, Mat Nagato, said "We may lose our long standing territory, or we may lose the great niche brand image. The potential risk is there. We have to be very smart on marketing strategy."
The coupé might become the beginning of the end for the Japanese carmaker.
April 25, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live : Chery Faira
While most carmakers unveils a few models, Chey has unveiled a family of small vehicles: BB, NN, HH, JJ and YY.
The Faira family is Chery’s serious attempt to drown the small car market segment with a single platform and a single engine, but with a raft of variants as the Faira models will be powered by a 1.3-litre petrol engine.
The BB is a small three-door hatchback roomy enough for two persons which will compete with the Great Wall Bubble and perhaps the Smart which will arrive in China next year.
The NN is small car available in three door and five door variants. This model offers similar dimensions to the Twingo’s.
The HH is an attempt to add a saloon to the lineup and competes with the QQ6 also built by Chery.
The JJ is a SUV variant. One doesn’t expect this model to have off-road credentials. However, Mitsubishi sells the Mini-Pajero in Japan which as good mud abilities.
The YY is the sporty model which is available as a coupé and a convertible.
April 25, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live : Citroën C-Elysée
Citroen has unveiled a new iteration of the C-Elysee which is based on the old ZX.
Already reported by Petrol-Head, the Elysee is a more luxury version of the Fukang. Despite sharing the same platform, the Elysee takes its styling cues from the C5 model. On the inside, Citroen kept the dashboard of the Xsara, but added wooden panels that Chinese customers cherish.
Citroen also displayed a gas-powered version at Beijing.
April 25, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live : Nissan Livina C-Gear
Nissan has unveiled the Livina C-Gear at Beijing expanding its lineup in order to boost its sales in China.
A five-seater, the C-Gear is sportier than the normal Livina and comes with large plastic wheelarches and a new front bumper. On the inside, the C-Gear features a black interior with silver panels. the boot has a capacity up to 383 litres.
The Livina C-Gear is powered by a 100bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine which can be hooked up to a five-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic gearbox.
Inported in Europe, the Livina C-Gear would be a cheap competitor to the Renault Scenic Conquest and the Volkswagen CrossTouran, but Nissan will only sell it in Asia and in South Africa.
April 25, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live: FAW-VW New Bora
FAW-VW has unveiled its latest creation, the new Bora saloon set to compete with the new SAIC-VW Lavida.
Chinese car sector is a very complex business where it’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Volkswagen has two joint ventures with SAIC and FAW which competes with each other. Unlike the Lavida which is rumoured to share its underpinnings with the Passat, this Bora is based on the Polo platform.
Surprisingly, the VW-FAW Bora retains the same wheelbase as the Lavida, but it’s shorter by 54 mm at 4,540 mm. The exterior styling is also different as the Bora takes its styling cues from the Jetta.
Like its VW Shanghai counterpart, the new Bora will be available with a choice of two 4-cylinder petrol engines that can be paired to either a manual or a six-speed Tiptronic gearbox. The new Bora will be available in China in two trim levels "Trendline" and "Comfortline".
Standard features include ABS, front passenger airbags, power steering, power windows, climate control system and a CD-Radio. The top version Comfortline adds 15in alloy wheels, sliding sunroof, chrome package, anti-theft warning system, and cruise control and parking sensors.
April 25, 2008
Beijing 2008 Live : ChangAn CV8
Along with the new V101 and V802, ChangAn also displayed the CV8 model, the company’s flagship.
The CV8 was unveiled last year at the Shanghai Motor Show. This saloon is powered by 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine which delivers a power output of 150bhp. The equipment includes navigation system, electronic suspension and rear view camera.

April 25, 2008