Features
4 Aug, 2019
There are miles and miles of green lanes to explore up and down the country, so we join a GLASS guide for a true off-road adventure
Domestic sales by South Korea's five largest automakers fell by 2% to 131,135 units in July 2019 from 133,792 units in the same month of last year, according to preliminary data released individually by the companies.
It's results season, tra-la, and, in amongst thoughts of losing the will to live if I see another financial statement, have been strong signs 2019 has been pretty tough.
ZF says it is working with neuroscientists from Germany's Saarland region to put the human at the centre of its technology and avoid motion sickness, which can typically induce dizziness, headaches and nausea on long journeys.
News
2 Aug, 2019
Base spec Audi e-tron 50 quattro revealed with less performance, less range and a slower charge time, due to arrive in 2020
Britain's Freight Transport Association (FTA) has criticised the UK Treasury's potential doubling of no-deal Brexit funding for this year as a "damp squib," as debate rages while to the country's preparedness in the event of no agreement being found.
Steep vehicle sales drops in China and India over recent months are serving as a painful reminder that the two world's most populous markets are not living up to earlier heady expectations, a media report said.
The stronger yen currency has resulted in Toyota trimming its annual operating profit forecast despite posting a good set of quarterly results.
ZF has posted first-half sales down 1.7% to EUR18.4bn (US$20.4bn), while adjusted EBIT stood at EUR650m.
Fewer new vehicles were sold in New Zealand in July compared to the same month last year continuing the local Motor Industry Association's (MIA) expectation the overall market for the year will be down on 2018.
Opinion
3 Aug, 2019
New PM Boris Johnson could be the man to put cars, motorists and the road network back on the political agenda, says Mike Rutherford
Dana has recorded second-quarter net income down 45% to US$68m due to a pension settlement, although sales increased by US$253m to US$2.3bn.
BMW doesn't have nearly as broad a range of M models as Mercedes-AMG. What it lacks in line-up, Motorsport division makes up via powertrain choices, with super-torquey diesels offered in relevant countries in addition to the high-power petrol alternatives. Why Daimler hasn't aped this strategy - as Audi has with its S and RS TDI cars and SUVs - is a mystery.
The outlook for auto manufacturing remains negative as global sales of light vehicles are set to keep falling amid geopolitical dangers including the US-China trade conflict and Brexit, Moody's Investors Service said.
It would be fair to summise that BMW AG makes the majority of its profts from sales of SUVs. Former gaps in the numbers line-up have been filled by the X2 and X4 and the range extended at the top end by the X7. The company has also become especially good at bringing down life cycles, as the imminent arrival of the G06 X6 shows, just five years after the launch of the outgoing F16 second generation model.
Profits might be down but there is no doubting the sales success of BMW AG. Cars, not so important in the US market, remain a major part of BMW's growth in Europe and China. The G20 3 Series is this year's stand-out product, particularly in Germany. With the G21 3 Series Touring plus a steady flow of many other new models imminent, Mercedes and Audi have much to worry about.
The European market's C segment has been good to SEAT and Audi, while in the class betwixt this one and the traditional D-sized models, Skoda slays all comers with the Octavia. Now, Volkswagen's high achieving Czech division has a new 4.4m long hatchback. Might the affordable Scala even do damage to Golf sales?
General Motors booked a solid 1.6% rise in second quarter 2019 operating income to US$2.4bn as redesigned light duty pickup trucks found success in North America.