News
18 May, 2017
The Skoda Karoq has just been revealed but a hot Karoq vRS version could be hot on its heels along with Sportline, Scout and PHEV models
For its first attempt at a bespoke hybrid car, Kia came up with a crossover. Even if sales are nowhere near the level of the Prius, the Niro does seem to have found itself an ever expanding pool of keen buyers.
Skoda is making big money and ever more vehicles, while extra models - including more SUVs - are on the way. There is no doubting the steady rise in sales and ROI, but the question needs to be asked: does the new Kodiaq offer the value for money which has hitherto been one of the main reasons for the company's success?
BMW Group, which built 2.37m vehicles in 2016, has an internal target of expanding this to three million by 2020 and in so doing outpace Mercedes-Benz. Mini has a supporting role in the plan but the heavy lifting will have to be done by the BMW brand. Which means the heavy lifting will fall mainly on the shoulders of multiple as yet unseen SUVs.
Due to Audi's now resolved dispute with its Chinese dealer network, BMW Group recently became the biggest premium manufacturer in the world's largest market. Cash-rich yet needing to be cautious due to its relatively small size compared to Volkswagen AG and Daimler AG, BMW is pouring money into renewing both its global model range and trying to create sub-segments which it could dominate in the 2020s.
This is the second BMW Group feature on the topic of current and future models. The first looked at BMW brand passenger cars. Now, it is the turn of Mini, Rolls-Royce and a joint venture Chinese brand, Zinoro. The third feature will concentrate on BMW SUVs as well as the brand's electric models.
Four automakers agreed to a $553 million settlement to address class-action claims covering owners of nearly 16 million vehicles with potentially defective Takata airbags.
The Trump administration took its first formal step toward renegotiating NAFTA, setting the stage for talks that could have a major impact on automakers and suppliers.
Audi's CEO pledged full transparency as the company recovers from its diesel emissions fraud but shareholders pressed managers to disclose more about the scandal.
News
18 May, 2017
Bespoke Bentley Bentayga arrives with unique falconry kit and inspired makeover, undertaken by Mulliner
The Justice Department is preparing to file a civil suit against Fiat Chrysler for selling 104,000 vehicles that emit excess diesel emissions, according to several reports.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles shares fell over 3 percent in early U.S. trading on Thursday on reports the Justice Department is preparing to file a civil suit against the automaker for selling 104,000 vehicles that emit excess diesel emissions.
The horses in the auto industry are running free. If a 1976 driver were to somehow get behind the wheel of a 2017 car, whiplash would likely result. Horsepower in the U.S.
PSA says it has other suppliers lined up should stamping supplier, GM&S enter liquidation next week after a fraught stand-off which has seen footage of disgruntled staff destroying plant machinery and attaching gas cylinders to a factory tower.
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30 May, 2017
Do you know your carburettors from your cranks shafts? Time to put your mechanical know-how to the test
Following on from the start of production of the redesigned Fiesta, Ford of Europe has now begun right-hand drive output in Cologne, Germany.
A Volkswagen AG joint venture in China, FAW-Volkswagen Automobile, will recall 577,590 Golf and Sagitar cars in the country because of a headlight fuse defect that may lead to potential safety risks, the state's quality watchdog was cited as saying.