Auto News 5

BMW and Toyota have deepened their collaboration with the signing of binding agreements to jointly development a new sports car, fuel cell systems and lightweight technologies.

Russia's car market is forecast by consultants PwC to rise by around 5% in 2013, continuing the growth trend of recent years.

News 25 Jan, 2013

First look at the facelifted Volvo S60 and XC60 ahead of Geneva

GM and PSA said Thursday they will build all three planned joint vehicle programs using underpinnings from the French automaker. The first vehicles from the tie-up are due in 2016.

General Motors and PSA will build joint vehicle programs using underpinnings from the French automaker. The first vehicles from the tie-up are due in 2016.

A123 Systems says it is preparing for a closing of transactions in its asset purchase agreements with Wanxiang America and Navitas Systems that could take place next week.

Tata Motors' unit Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has started assembling an entry level Jaguar XF model at its Pune factory which has built the Land Rover Freelander since May 2011.

TRW Automotive says a resurgent US economy is aiding its performance, particularly with new products as the country bounces back from industry-wide turmoil only a few years ago.

Following high demand for the new Golf throughout Europe, with more than 100,000 orders, Volkswagen is planning additional shifts at its main plant in Wolfsburg.

Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn said the automaker must take action to increase productivity. 'The best thing we can hope for is a market stabilization' in Europe, he said.

Toyota and BMW are tightening technical ties with plans to jointly develop a sports car platform, lithium-air batteries and new lightweight materials.

Toyota and BMW are tightening technical ties with plans to jointly develop a sports car platform, lithium-air batteries and new lightweight materials.

Plenty of people were surprised this week that the original Batmobile sold for $4.6 million* at Barrett-Jackson.

Volkswagen plans to invest 785 million euros ($1 billion) over the next 5 years in a plant in northern Spain that builds the subcompact Polo model. VW is the third carmaker in recent months to boost investment in the recession-hit country.

Jaguar Land Rover said fiscal third-quarter profit growth probably stalled because of currency shifts and its cheaper Evoque SUV model attracting a higher share of buyers.

Faced with steep sales declines, Renault may dare the previously unthinkable: Closing unproductive car plants in France.

Volkswagen says it is planning additional weekend production to meet demand for the latest version of its best-selling Golf which went on sale at the end of last year.

In a time when baseball stadiums have a useful life of 20 years or so there's nothing far out of order concerning a design dating back 55 years. Or perhaps it's really a time for a change.

During the NASCAR Media Tour in Charlotte, Daytona International Speedway's President, Joie Chitwood, revealed some artist renderings which are the prototypes of a proposed redevelopment project.

Photo: Daytona International Speedway

The proposed project is designed to provide a better overall race experience for fans, including upgraded concession areas, entrances, ticket gates, grandstands and seating, as well as interactive common areas that allow for opportunities to watch a race from several vantage points.

Photo: Daytona International Speedway

Photo: Daytona International Speedway

Bryan Herta's team, Barracuda Racing announced Thursday morning that Canadian Alex Tagliani will return to the team as driver of the No. 98 Honda-powered Dallara.

A veteran of the IZOD IndyCar Series, Tagliani clinched a pole position at Texas and led laps in five of the fifteen scheduled races in 2012.

"The 2012 season was strong for us, despite the challenges we faced, and the results don't reflect all our successes," said Tagliani in the team's press release. "In our second season together at Barracuda Racing, we can only climb upward as a team."

"I really think that with Todd engineering, and the experience that Bryan [Herta] and Steve [Newey] bring to the table, our car will be even more competitive. It will be great to show that we are a factor, that we are moving up in the field."

Photo: Bryan Herta Autosport

The 2013 IndyCar season will feature plenty of opportunities for Barracuda Racing to achieve success in the team's Honda-powered, Dallara DW12. Tagliani has already been mentioned as a favorite for the return of the Triple Crown trophy and oval championship. In addition, his sights will be set on a third consecutive pole at Texas Motor Speedway and his life-long goal of winning the Indianapolis 500.

Not only is Tagliani returning with Barracuda Racing, the team takes pride in the return of their entire No. 98 crew for a second year. To lead engineer Todd Malloy, this component is an integral part of a smooth transition from last season.

Two months from today, on March 24, 2013, the IZOD IndyCar Series season kicks off on the streets of St. Petersburg.

BMW and Toyota, which announced a strategic deal on fuel cell technology last June, could make it official as early as tomorrow.

The plan is for Toyota to provide BMW with drivetrain and hydrogen storage solutions. The German automaker will use them to build a prototype vehicle by 2015 and possibly enter production around 2020, according to Japan's Nikkei.

As you probably know, fuel cells typically convert hydrogen into electricity to power vehicles, allowing them to run five times longer than battery electric cars. Moreover, it takes just a few minutes to fill a tank with hydrogen, whereas charging a battery requires several hours.


Source: Automotive News