Auto News 5

Connectivity and mobility - go back three or four years and they weren't even on the radar. They are now the buzzwords at the Frankfurt IAA. As well as their new products, all the automakers were talking about being connected to keep pace with the new generation of car buyers. The vehicle and the smartphone, it seems, will be inextricably linked in future.

BMW is pushing ahead with plans to expand its i subbrand as competitors threaten to push past the automaker with more advanced EVs.

BMW and Toyota Motor are discussing the possible expansion of their existing alliance, BMW's chief finance officer Friedrich Eichiner said in Frankfurt Tuesday (15 September). The talks between the two automakers come as the global auto industry faces upheaval through the emergence of new technology and increasing regulatory pressure to cut emissions and introduce new safety features in all cars, marketwatch.com reported.

The launch of Jaguar's F-Pace at the Frankfurt show triggers GBP120m of further investment at the Tata Motors luxury car unit Jaguar Land Rover's flagship Solihull manufacturing plant, the automaker said. This third model showcases the flexibility of the GBP1.5bn lightweight aluminium architecture.

Porsche has shown an electric sports car concept at Frankfurt. Porsche says the 'Mission E' concept car shows how Porsche envisions the future of the electric sports car.

Nissan's premium Infiniti brand has revealed its first global entry in the compact segment which is central to its future volume growth plans. Infiniti says the new model will attracts a new generation of premium buyers.

News 15 Sep, 2015

MINI has ruled out launching a new all-electric successor to the MINI E – at least in the short term

News 15 Sep, 2015

German and Japanese firms dominate World car of the Year 2016 nominations, but Jaguar, Bentley and Land Rover make strong Brit showing

Jaguar's F-Pace SUV made its global debut at the Frankfurt show. Finally, full details were available.

Johnson Controls (JCI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Beijing Hainachuan Automotive Parts (BHAP), an auto parts subsidiary of Beijing Automotive Industry Group (BAIC Group), to set up automotive battery sales and manufacturing joint ventures in the world's largest vehicle market. Under the MOU, JCI and BHAP will partner to offer a range of batteries to automakers and service networks under BAIC Group, one of China's largest automobile manufacturers.

News 15 Sep, 2015

The Kia Sportage GT and Kia Optima GT could get over 250bhp with a 2.0-litre petrol engine

Jaguar Land Rover says it expects this year's sales to exceed last year's as the UK, Europe and North America help compensate for a sharp decline in China demand.

Nissan has emphasised a growth strategy for Europe based on product strength in crossovers and electric powertrain as well as the introduction of advanced autonomous drive technologies.

Not wanting to miss out on one of the hottest trends in the industry, Toyota said it will jump into the compact crossover segment next year with a new model it's tentatively calling the C-HR.

News 15 Sep, 2015

Toyota CEO Akio Toyodo confirms that radical hybrid crossover concept is in near-production form

News 15 Sep, 2015

Exclusive: Renault design boss says the new Renault Scenic will play the role of Cupid for stressed parents

The United Auto Workers union said just after midnight Tuesday (14 September) it would extend its national labour agreement with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles on an hour-by-hour basis, signalling hope it could reach a tentative pact on a new four-year deal overnight, marketwatch.com reported though there was no sign of that so far. At 5am EST, the Detroit Free Press' Alisa Priddle tweeted: "...still awaiting UAW deal with Fiat Chrysler."

General Motors chief Mary Barra was very clear last night - there is no deal to be done with Fiat Chrysler. She told a press conference on the eve of the Frankfurt IAA show: "There is no future in discussions. This is not a new topic and we have studied (Fiat boss) Mr Marchionne's proposals in detail and taken outside advice and decided that a deal is not the right thing for GM shareholders.