Directory
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Kia will replace its best-selling Spectra this summer with the Forte, a slightly bigger and more powerful sedan. A coupe version of the Forte — Kia's first coupe — will follow in the fall. No hatchback version will be offered in the United States to replace the Spectra hatchback.
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Wandering around the Frankfurt auto show, you might think the electric era of the automobile is at hand. Virtually every automaker is displaying an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid. But behind the enthusiasm for green vehicles lies a sharp split in executives' views of the potential of EVs. Some say EVs will be high-volume second cars for busy families. Others say they will be pricey niche players with limited utility.
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Ford Motor Co. is counting on the launch of the redesigned Fiesta to round out its lineup and boost sales in China, where Ford is playing catch-up. Ford sold 160,000 cars in China last year, down 6.5 percent in a market that grew 6.9 percent overall.
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Cadillac will unveil the sleek 2011 CTS coupe next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. General Motors says the car was designed to become the centerpiece of Cadillac's revised lineup. The car arrives in dealer showrooms in spring 2010, packing a standard 3.6-liter V-6 and a six-speed manual transmission.
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Here is a look at some world debuts this month at the New York International Auto Show.
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PSA/Peugeot-Citroen could delay the introduction of plug-in diesel-electric hybrid cars as it seeks to cut costs during the economic downturn.
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PSA/Peugeot-Citroen could delay the introduction of plug-in diesel-electric hybrid cars as it seeks to cut costs during the economic downturn.
Feb. 5 06:01 CET
Ford Motor CEO Alan Mulally has no regrets about selling Jaguar and Land Rover.
Oct. 7, 2008 11:31 CET
Despite credit crunch, Ferrari's California is sold out
Ferrari is not feeling any effect from the global financial crisis. The Italian sports car maker expects record sales in 2008. Its latest model, the California convertible, already is sold out until 2011.
Oct. 3, 2008 11:03 CET
Chrysler forges ahead with Russia plans
Chrysler LLC expects to complete a deal to build cars in Russia by year end, Executive Vice President Michael Manley said at the auto show here yesterday. Manley said Chrysler will partner with an automaker already in Russia, but he would not give details. He said a partnership provides quick, low-cost entry into the market compared with building a new plant. 11:44 am U.S. ET | Oct. 3, 2008
Opel to get its own version of Volt
General Motors' second extended-range electric vehicle will be an Opel. Opel, GM's European brand, will sell its own version of the Chevrolet Volt plug-in just months after the Volt's promised on-sale date in late 2010, said Hans Demant, managing director of Opel. 11:30 am U.S. ET | Oct. 3, 2008
Fiat ready to exit ACEA
Fiat Group is ready to quit ACEA, the European automakers' lobbying group, people familiar with the matter told Automotive News Europe. Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne told an ACEA board meeting today that the Italian group will exit the association if the interests of all European carmakers are not properly protected. Oct. 3, 2008 17:04 CET
U.S. slowdown hits Valeo
Valeo is hit by the drop in new-car sales in the U.S. and is thinking about its 2010 profit target, CEO Thierry Morin said. "Valeo is sailing on the same troubled seas as everyone else," Morin said at the Paris auto show. Oct. 3, 2008 14:16 CET
Infiniti aims to double Russian sales
Nissan expects to double sales of Infiniti cars in Russia to 11,000 during its 2008-09 fiscal year. Nissan launched its Infiniti luxury brand in Russia in late 2007. It sold about 6,000 Infiniti cars from two dealerships in Moscow and St. Petersburg during its first year in the market, Infiniti Europe vice president Jim Wright said. Oct. 3, 2008 12:34 CET
Ghosn: EU should consider U.S.-style loans
Europe should consider copying U.S. plans to offer carmakers low-interest loans to invest in environmentally-friendly technology, Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said. Oct. 3, 2008 12:18 CET
AvtoVAZ to build new engine factory
Russia's largest carmaker AvtoVAZ will build a new engine plant at the company's factory in Togliatti, 600km southeast of Moscow. The plant will make 450,000 engines a year for Lada cars. The factory will build 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter gasoline engines recently licensed from Renault. Oct. 3, 2008 12:40 CET
Henderson: More salaried layoffs are possible
General Motors could resort to involuntary job cuts if a bid to reduce its salaried staff through buyouts fails to generate enough takers. Involuntary cuts are a possibility if GM is unable to reach its target of a 20 percent reduction in salaried costs, COO Fritz Henderson said yesterday at the Paris auto show. That target is the equivalent of a 15 percent reduction in U.S. salaried employees or about 5,000 of 32,000 positions. 10:50 am U.S. ET | Oct. 3, 2008
GM Europe's plan: Don't burn cash
With the western European vehicle market slowing, General Motors has one major charge for its European operations: Get through the difficulty without too much of a cash drain, said GM Europe President Carl-Peter Forster. GM Europe is currently OK on that front, Forster said yesterday at the Paris auto show. 10:47 am U.S. ET | Oct. 3, 2008
Lexus convertible to arrive in spring
The Lexus IS 250C hardtop convertible will appear in European and U.S. dealerships in late spring, but pricing has yet to be announced. The three-piece convertible was designed in-house at Toyota's Tokyo design studio. Its roof opens in 20 seconds, which Lexus claims is the quickest in its class. Oct. 3, 2008 16:14 CET
Kia aims to sell 30,000 Souls in Europe
The new SUV-styled crossover is aimed at urban dwellers and younger buyers. Oct. 3, 2008 15:57 CET
Europe influenced Toyota's new Avensis
The new Avensis is the most European car launched by Toyota, Kazuhiko Miyadera, Toyota Europe's senior vice president of r&d, said. Miyadera said a chief engineer based in Europe helped to develop the upper-medium car, a first for the automaker. Oct. 3, 2008 11:25 CET
Lamborghini studies Estoque production
Lamborghini and parent Volkswagen group have not yet signed off on development of the Estoque four-door sports sedan, although key executives have already begun feasibility studies and tentatively priced the car. If the car is approved for production, it will take four years until Job 1 would roll off the assembly line, said Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann. Oct. 3, 2008 16:07 CET
BMW's X1 concept previews new small SUV
BMW will extend its X-badged models with the X1. The SUV-styled crossover will join the carmaker's X3, X5 and more recently introduced X6. BMW unveiled a concept for the X1 at the Paris auto show. CEO Norbert Reithofer said the concept previews a production model that will be unveiled next year. Oct. 3, 2008 10:17 CET
Ford Fiesta delivers better fuel economy than Ka
Ford's new Ka will have higher CO2 emissions than the larger Fiesta. The most fuel-efficient Ka has CO2 emissions of 112 grams per kilometer. It is powered by a 1.3-liter diesel engine. The most fuel-efficient Fiesta is an ECOnetic version powered by a 1.6-liter diesel engine. Oct. 3, 2008 10:33 CET
Sources: Peugeot could build Prologue in Russia
PSA will build the production version of the Peugeot Prologue concept in Russia, company sources told Automotive News Europe. Oct. 3, 2008 09:56 CET
Paris passion may just win the day
On display at the auto show here is the best that modern car technology and design can offer. Visitors can see an impressive mix of innovative concepts. Arjen Bongard is editor of Automotive News Europe Oct. 3, 2008 12:04 CET
Honda's Prius fighter to be priced around $19,000
The Honda Insight, the automaker's long-awaited challenger to the Toyota Prius hybrid, will get the same fuel economy as the larger Civic Hybrid but will cost less. The Insight's price: around $19,000. The Insight also will sport a 1.3-liter, four-cylinder engine and lightweight aluminum wheels, although it will drop the aluminum body panels used in the Insight's earlier two-seat incarnation. 10:50 am U.S. ET | Oct. 2, 2008
Europe's carmakers can reach 130g/km CO2 target
The top executives from the European automotive industry will meet here Friday for a board meeting of ACEA, their influential lobbying group. It's likely that ACEA will again voice strong opposition to pending EU legislation. Luca Ciferri is chief correspondent of Automotive News Europe Oct. 2, 2008 16:01 CET
Europe will get Prius-based Lexus hybrid in 2010
Lexus will sell a hybrid car based on the new Toyota Prius in Europe. A new, larger dedicated hybrid model planned by Toyota's luxury brand will not come to Europe. Karl Schlicht, Lexus Europe's president, said the larger hybrid's CO2 emissions would be too high for European buyers. Oct. 2, 2008 11:02 CET
Lamborghini Estoque: Paris sedan suggests daily driver
Iconic sports-car maker Lamborghini could double its sales within four years if it builds its low, ultra-long, super-aggressive Estoque sports sedan concept car. Oct. 2, 2008 08:37 CET
VW boss says car industry will survive market turmoil
Martin Winterkorn, Volkswagen group CEO, said that the car industry would survive market turmoil caused by the global banking crisis. "(The current) financial situation is not good for auto industry," he said. "It has moved now to Europe. We will have to see how it is going on." Oct. 2, 2008 09:52 CET
Audi A1 Sportback concept has hybrid engine
Audi unveiled its A1 Sportback concept powered by a gasoline-electric hybrid engine. Oct. 2, 2008 15:44 CET
Paris flair lifts gloom
Beyond the gloomy outlook for new-car sales in Europe and the US, there was plenty of evidence at the Paris auto show that the industry is as vibrant and dynamic as ever. Here are our tops and flops from the show. Oct. 13, 2008 06:01 CET
Toyota, Audi mull tiny cars for US
Carmakers are on the verge of doing something they wouldn't have considered a few months ago. They are thinking of selling cars designed and developed for Europe in America. Two small cars that debuted at the Paris show are under consideration for the US.
Oct. 13, 2008 06:01 CET
New entries delay Volvo redesigns
Tight budgets and a shift to new product segments and technology have put redesigns of key Volvo vehicles on the back burner. The biggest blow is to the S60 sedan, which debuted in the fall of 2000. The car's redesign has been pushed back to 2010. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 13, 2008
BMW is working on 2 small crossovers
BMW is reacting to the sagging economy and rising fuel prices with two small SUVs, the BMW X1 and Mini Crossover Concept, says CEO Norbert Reithofer. He said the old product plan, which included the X7 SUV, which was canceled, would not have generated sufficient growth through 2013. Oct. 13, 2008 06:01 CET
PSA/Peugeot-Citroen keeps profit targets
PSA/Peugeot-Citroen CEO Christian Streiff said he is optimistic that a product offensive from the Citroen and Peugeot brands will boost sales and solidify PSA's position as Europe's “ecology car champion,” in terms of CO2 emissions. Oct. 13, 2008 06:01 CET
GM Europe's plan: Don't burn cash
With the western European vehicle market slowing, General Motors has one major charge for its European operations: Get through the difficulty without too much of a cash drain, GM Europe President Carl-Peter Forster said. Oct. 13, 2008 06:01 CET
Renault says that growth will continue
Renault said it would continue to grow despite the challenges of a global economic and financial downturn. The carmaker said a focus on environmentally friendly vehicles and its expansion strategy in strong-growth markets would help it weather the financial crisis. Oct. 13, 2008 06:01 CET
Kia aims to sell 30,000 units of Soul in Europe
Kia expects to sell 30,000 of its new Soul SUV-styled crossover in Europe next year. “We don't see the Soul as a volume car but one that will bring new customers to the brand,” said Panu Vainamo, Kia Europe's marketing general manager. Oct. 13, 2008 06:01 CET
Peugeot could build Prologue in Russia
PSA/Peugeot-Citroen will build the production version of the Peugeot Prologue concept in Russia, company sources said. Russian production for the car would be in addition to the Prologue's likely production in France. Oct. 13, 2008 06:01 CET
Ford Fiesta is thriftier than Ka
Ford's new Ka will have higher CO2 emissions than the larger Fiesta. The most fuel-efficient Ka has CO2 emissions of 112 grams per kilometer. It is powered by a 1.3-liter diesel engine. The most fuel-efficient Fiesta is an ECOnetic version powered by a 1.6-liter diesel engine. Oct. 13, 2008 06:01 CET
Cruze may get hatch, wagon, other variants
The compact Chevrolet Cruze will start its life as a sedan but is likely to spawn several variants. Other Cruze body styles could include hatchbacks and station wagons, said Hans Demant, managing director of Opel, GM's European brand, and vice president of engineering for GM Europe. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 13, 2008
A new Mercury from Europe?
The newest Mercury vehicle probably will be developed and engineered in Europe -- a market that doesn't even sell the brand. Ford Motor Co. has said it will introduce a compact car for Mercury in 2010. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 13, 2008
GM plans more Europe engines
General Motors will use more small-displacement European engines in U.S. vehicles, company executives said here. "You will see more 2.0-liter turbos with 200-plus horsepower," said Carl-Peter Forster, GM Europe president. "You'll see more four-cylinders." 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 13, 2008
Henderson carries ball for GM
General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner, normally quite visible during product introductions and industry events, took a pass on the Paris auto show. And Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, usually a major presence on press days, stayed home to recover from kidney stones. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 13, 2008
Toyota, Audi mull tiny cars for U.S.
More than one European carmaker is on the verge of doing something it wouldn't have considered a few months ago. They're thinking of selling very small and fuel-efficient cars to Americans -- cars designed and developed with only Europe in mind. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 6, 2008
Coupelike styling is back in a big way
It was Fashion Week at the auto show, and coupelike shapes on sedans and wagons were the really hot outerwear. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 6, 2008
BMW is working on 2 small crossovers
BMW AG is reacting to the sagging economy and rising fuel prices with two small crossovers, the BMW X1 and Mini Crossover Concept, says CEO Norbert Reithofer. He said the old product plan, which included the now discontinued X7 SUV, would not have generated sufficient growth through 2013. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 6, 2008
Honda Insight target price: Around $19,000
The new Honda Insight, the automaker's long-awaited challenger to the Toyota Prius hybrid, will get the same fuel economy as the larger Civic Hybrid but will cost less. The Insight's price target: around $19,000, the company said. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 6, 2008
Mercedes plans U.S. sales of hybrids in S, E, C classes
In the next several years in the United States, Mercedes-Benz will sell a hybrid powertrain vehicle in each of its three major volume lines, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said. The company also will sell an electric version of the Smart ForTwo. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Oct. 6, 2008
PSA touts its hybrids
France's PSA/Peugeot-Citroen will use its home show to make a statement about how it plans to maintain its leadership in low-CO2 cars. Peugeot and Citroen each will show hybrid concept cars at the Paris auto show next month. Sept. 15, 2008 06:01 CET
Toyota will debut third-generation Avensis at Paris show
Toyota will unveil the third generation of its European flagship model, the Avensis, at the Paris auto show early next month. The Japanese carmaker has given the new Avensis a sleeker, more dynamic design that resembles the Lexus IS and GS models. Sept. 15, 2008 06:01 CET
Mini unveils concept for SUV-styled crossover
Mini unveiled a crossover concept that hints at the BMW-owned brand's planned sports activity vehicle. The Mini crossover is due in the second quarter of 2010. Austrian contract manufacturer Magna Steyr will build the car. Sept. 15, 2008 06:01 CET
4-door Audi A1 concept in Paris
Audi will show a concept version of its A1 entry-premium car in Paris next month. The car is a further development of the Metroproject Quattro concept that debuted at the Tokyo auto show last autumn. Sept. 15, 2008 06:01 CET
Brilliance touts BS4, de-emphasizes BS6
Brilliance Jinbei Automotive has shifted the company's focus in Europe to the BS4 lower-medium sedan from the disappointing BS6. The BS4 will compete in the same segment as the Volkswagen Jetta and Skoda Octavia. Sept. 1, 2008 06:01 CET
