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A Daimler plant in Romania

Daimler is seriously considering opening its new factory in Romania instead of Poland as it was initially planned. The future factory will aim at building the next-generation A-Class and B-Class models.
Daimler executives seem to have set their heart on Romania to build the company’s plant which would be located in the city of Jucu where Nokia inaugurated its latest factory last week.
Poland seem to have been moved away due to higher production costs than in Romania. A Romanian worker’s hourly rate can be £26 less expensive than a German worker’s. Daimler would invest £297 million to build the new factory which will be able to produce between 130,000 and 150,000 vehicles per year.
February 14, 2008
GM to recall 180,000 Chevrolet HHR

General Motors has announced the recall of 181,516 units of the HHR model due to a head injury risk. The problem occurs only with vehicles not equipped with the optional head curtain side air bags.
The concerned vehicles don’t meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, ‘Occupant Protection in Interior Impact.’ Only 2006-2008 model year HHRs seem to have te defect. GM will install an energy-absorbing plastic piece to the headliner trim on all affected models. The recall is expected to start next month.
The HHR is a retro-styled estate launched in 2006. It is available with a choice of three petrol engines, a 149bhp 2.2-litre unit, a 172bhp 2.4-litre engine and the topping 260bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre unit.
February 14, 2008
New markets to count for half of car sales in 2012

George Magliano, Insight’s North American automotive research director, said at the NADA that emerging markets such as India and China will count for half of all car sales by 2012.
At this moment, Western Europe and the US account for 75 per cent of all global car sales but with the recession in the US and slowly growing market in Western Europe, the fast growth recorded by emerging markets will change how the pie of car sales is shared in the world.
China, India, but also Brazil, Russia and Eastern Europe will be the winner. According to Insight’s forcasting, car makers will build 82 million vehicles in 2012.
Source: Just Auto (registration required)
February 14, 2008
Subaru to unveil the world’s first boxer diesel car at Geneva

Subaru will display the world’s first boxer diesel-engined passenger car in the form of the Legacy varied variants, saloon, estate and Outback.
The new 2.0 litre horizontally-opposed turbo-diesel will have an output of 148bhp and will emit 151 g/km CO2. The engine is reported to be extremely compact and light with a low centre-of-gravity which will likely make the Legacy one of the most pleasant diesel to drive on the market.
The new engine will help the Japanese car maker to boost its sales in Europe where it has been rather quiet and not to rely only on the Impreza WRX model anymore.
February 13, 2008
The Peugeot 308 travels round the M25 on less than a ‘tenner’

The day has gone when you can drive very far on a tenner’s worth of fuel. With the average cost of fuel going well beyond £1.00 a litre, drivers are constantly reviewing their driving lifestyle. Fortunately, Peugeot is our savor thanks to the 308 HDi 90 which consumes petrol like a camel needs water.
A five-door Peugeot 308 S HDi 90 has just travelled the 117 miles round the M25 on less than a ‘tenner’ – £9.95 to be exact. Complete with two passengers and starting with the weight of a full tank of diesel fuel, the 308 returned an impressive 58.8mpg. And the car averaged slightly over 50mph.
The 308 S HDi 90 costs less than £15,000 and thanks to its CO2 emission figure of 120g/km is exempt from Congestion Charging. Suddenly, the frugality takes over the Gallic roots and the camelish 308 appears to be a tempting offer.
February 13, 2008
Toyota to unveil the production iQ at Geneva

The expected production version of the iQ concept car seen at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show will arrive at Geneva.
Like the concept car, the final iQ will be roomy enough for three people plus one child or a luggage despite being only shorter than 3m. Set to compete with the Smart, the iQ will offer a more conventional design.
Technical details remain unknown although insiders in Japan revealed that the car would likely be powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine. It is unclear whether this is the specification for Japan or Europe. Indeed, Toyota has no interest to feature a 1.0-litre engine as the iQ would not be considered as a Kei car there and fiscally penalized. A 0.66-litre petrol unit seems more likely in Japan. However, Toyota plans to sell the car as an upmarket model in Europe more expensive then the Aygo model. It might also be the case in Japan.
The iQ will be manufactured in Japan at rate of 100,000 units per year.
February 13, 2008
Spyshot: Nissan Maxima

If the Nissan Altima has been renewed in 2007, the Maxima is still waiting for its replacement which will be unveiled at the next New York Auto Show. The car has been shot during winter testing.
Guessing the design of the next-generation Maxima will be a difficult exercise although the exterior styling should take its design cues from the Intima concept car seen at Tokyo last year. Secrecy surrounds the exact specs of the car although it is possible to think that the next Maxima might be powered by the V6 3.5-litre VQ35HR petrol engine which as an output of 306bhp or even by the V6 3.7-litre VQ37HR which delivers 330bhp.
If information remains scarce regarding the petrol units, it is certain that a diesel engine will join the range in 2010-2011. This diesel engine will likely be the same engine that will power the eagerly-awaited Laguna Coupé. A V6 unit, it is rumoured to deliver 265bhp.
The next Nissan Maxima will also offer a hybrid version in its range. The hybrid system will be familiar as it will be derived from the Toyota’s hybrid system.
Click here to see all the pictures
Source: Leftlanenews
February 13, 2008
Baby Rolls to feature an unknown engine

Rolls Royce officials have gave some details to Inside Line about the future baby Rolls. The car will be a bit less expensive than originally thought.
Indeed, it was initially reported that the RR4 would be sold at a price tag between £160,000 to £180,000, but the latest information suggest the car will be cheaper and will cost between £120,000 and £140,000. In other words, Rolls Royce plans to take on Bentley. The RR4 will likely compete with the Bentley Continental Flying Spur.
Inside Line also reports that the future small Rolls won’t share its engine with the Phantom or the BMW 7-Series, although it has been confirmed that the car will host a lot of BMW components, including suspension. However, it hasn’t been confirmed whether the RR4 will share its inner structure with the next-generation 7-Series which will go on sale next year.
February 13, 2008
Renault executives to seat on AvtoVaz board

According to the Russian business newspaper Vedomosti, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan and Renault, and four other Renault managers will likely seat on AvtoVaz board.
“The ideology is — all board and management positions which have to do with technology and cost cutting will be granted to representatives of Renault, “ a source told the newspaper. Renault will take a 25% stake in the Russian car maker this year. Renault wants AvtoVAz to build the Logan and Megane intended to be sold on the Russian market.
Carlos Ghosn hopes to get a large pie of the Russian market which will become according to him the most important auto market in Europe within the next two years.
Source: Reuters
February 13, 2008
Lamborghini to show a redesigned Gallardo at Geneva

Lamborghini will unveil a revamped Gallardo at the next Geneva Motor Show with more power and an improved gearbox.
The facelifted Gallardo will get a new name, LP550 whose number will be the new power delivered by the 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine. It is 30bhp more than the current model and the torque will gain 15 lb ft at 390 lb ft.
Along the engine, the gearbox will also be improved and will be able to send more torque to a lightened all drive transmission.
The exterior styling will evolve with a more aggressive look. The front and rear ends will be redesigned. On the other hand, the interior styling won’t change.
Source: Autoblog.nl
February 13, 2008