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Sep
1st

Daimler, BASF to showcase new technologies in Smart Forvision EV

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A Smart concept at the Frankfurt auto show will showcase weight- and energy-saving technologies that may be used in future electric cars.
Sep
1st

CHINA: Negotiation needed over 1% slice of SAIC/GM

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SAIC Motor Corp would give up its majority ownership in a car joint venture with General Motors as long as Shanghai GM's revenue can still be included in its books, two people familiar with the matter have said.
Sep
1st

Mini on the verge of new sales record

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BMW's Mini brand will reach an all-time sales record this year, BMW sales and marketing chief Ian Robertson said.
Sep
1st

SLOVAKIA: VW Ups capacity to 400,000 in 2012

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Volkswagen's Slovak plant, home of the Up and various SUVs, will hit planned capacity of 400,000 units in 2012.
Sep
1st

Conti CEO sees car transforming into ‘feel-good zone’

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Cars will fundamentally change in the next few years, said Continental CEO Elmar Degenhart.
Sep
1st

SOUTH KOREA: Chevy Malibu off line soon

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General Motors Korea will start production of the Chevrolet Malibu sedan later this year and will begin exporting the model starting around the end of 2011.
Sep
1st

INDIA: SMI Amtek to spend US$ 21.9m on second forging press line

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SMI Amtek Crankshaft, a JV company owned by Sumitomo Metal Industries, Sumitomo Corporation, and Amtek Auto, is installing a second forging press line in order to respond to rapidly growing demand for crankshafts in India.
Sep
1st

Infiniti FX Vettel

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Special edition SUV celebrates the Infiniti tie-up with Red Bull racing and its world champion F1 driver


Sep
1st

BRAZIL: PACCAR building US$200m DAF truck factory

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PACCAR has announced plans to build a US$200m DAF Brazil assembly plant on a 500-acre site in the city of Ponta Grossa in the state of Paraná, Brazil.
Sep
1st

US: Battery makers ‘face consolidation as glut looms’

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There will be too many companies making too many batteries for electric vehicles by the middle of the decade, according to a study quoted by the Wall Street Journal.
Sep
1st

GERMANY: VW picked as ‘best car company’

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Volkswagen has been selected as the car industry's 'best performer in 2010' by the influential German Centre for Automotive Management. VW as placed ahead of Daimler and Hyundai with BMW in fourth place.
Sep
1st

UK: BMW Plant Oxford builds Mini #2m

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BMW's Plant Oxford in England has built its two millionth Mini and exported over 1.5m to over 90 countries.
Sep
1st

2011 BMW M3 Coupe, an Autoweek Drivers Log Car Review

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EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: A couple of days driving this 2011 BMW M3 coupe and it's easy to see why this is the benchmark by which all other sport coupes are measured.
Sep
1st

Ready for Snow?

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Ready for Snow?
Ready for Snow?
A special section brought to you by Tire Rack

A SPECIAL SECTION BROUGHT TO YOU BY TIRE RACK

Preparing your car for winter isn’t as simple as turning the climate control knob from the blue section to the red and dusting off the heated seat buttons. There’s a whole checklist of tasks to ensure that a safe and simple season lies ahead. Are all your lights—especially the hazards—working properly? Have you checked your car’s vital fluids? How old is your battery? Can your windshield wipers handle the next icy morning? Also, be sure to check the tread life of your tires; the specialists at Tire Rack recommend replacement at 4/32 inch, and if winter for you means snow-covered roads, it would be best to start with “tread depth to dig through snow” of 6/32 inch. Preventive maintenance can save time and headaches later.

Being ready for snow isn’t just about your car, but what’s in it. It’s okay to base your preparedness on your typical driving environment, but at the very least, an ice scraper and a small broom are musts. Visibility is important in any weather condition. If your commute is more remote, consider adding gear like a small shovel, kitty litter for traction in case you get stuck, and even a flashlight, blankets, and high-energy snacks.

Mental preparedness is just as important as having the right supplies. Before winter starts, get in the practice of keeping your fuel tank above half full, and try the same approach for your cell phone battery life. When we move from the warmth of summer to the cold of winter, checking tire pressures regularly is as important as ever. Tire Rack cautions that every ten-degree drop in temperature correlates to a 1-psi reduction in pressure, so the drop from 82°F to 32°F can mean a 5-psi drop in tire pressure. If your car is new to you, take it out in an empty parking lot during the fi rst snow and get used to its dynamics and anti-lock brake action. Even if you’ve been driving the same vehicle for years, a refresher course wouldn’t hurt.

There’s no such thing as the right tire for all conditions, just as there is no single pair of shoes for all occasions. Each and every tire has some trade-off, but when thinking about which to buy, remember that those patches of rubber are the only thing between the vehicle and the road. If your tires can’t get traction, your expensive four-wheel-drive system doesn’t matter. And under braking, drivetrains are all created equal: even the ABS and stability control systems depend on traction to be able to function effectively. When snow starts to fall, a set of four winter tires is the best way to stay in control and on the road.

When considering winter tires, the first thing to remember is that buying only two of them isn’t worth the money savings and split personality your vehicle will exhibit. Put them only on the front, and the back of your car will want to spin; put them only at the rear, and steering ability will be jeopardized. With either arrangement, your car’s stability control, all-wheel-drive, and ABS systems will not operate properly. Buying four matching tires ensures the highest level of safety and control.

The winter-tire market isn’t as simple as it used to be. There are now many different shapes, sizes, and styles. Newer options include tires that provide both traction and performance. These types of tires aren’t ideal for clawing through deep snow, but in regions where temperatures drop close to freezing even though snowfall is only occasional and minimal, they offer added control without the drawbacks of excess road noise and diminished handling. In addition, their “V” ratings allow for higher speeds without the risk of a blowout. For many high-performance cars with big brakes that require large wheels, these types of tires may be the only option. What’s the best choice for your vehicle? There’s no better way to find out than to call a Tire Rack representative who can pinpoint your requirements, or you can visit the company’s online Winter Tire Decision Guide.


Photo Gallery: Ready for Snow?


Sep
1st

Smart Forvision Concept revealed – Smart Forvision Concept revealed

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Frankfurt show car previews next-generation Fortwo and features advanced lightweight materials


Sep
1st

French, Spanish car sales rise in August

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French passenger car sales rose 3.2 percent in August, showing the first increase in five months. In Spain sales rose 5.9 percent year-on-year in August, the first rise in 13 months.
Sep
1st

BMW will fend off challenge for No. 1 spot from Mercedes, Audi, sales boss Robertson says

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BMW aims to keep its position as the world's top-selling luxury brand, selling 2 million cars a year by 2020, up from a forecast 1.6 million this year.
Sep
1st

Volvo and Siemens plan partnership to build electric vehicles

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Volvo and Siemens said they plan a partnership to develop electric vehicles and aim to start testing the autos by the end of this year.
Sep
1st

Cooper-Standard says it is exploring a possible sale

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Auto parts supplier Cooper-Standard said it is looking for a possible buyer more than a year after emerging from bankruptcy and has hired bankers to advise on the process.
Sep
1st

Volvo and Siemens plan partnership to build electric vehicles

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Volvo and Siemens said they plan a partnership to develop electric vehicles and aim to start testing the autos by the end of this year. Siemens, Europe's largest engineering company, will develop electric motors and charging systems with Volvo.
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