France will become the centre of electric vehicle developments and future models for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. The company will invest over a billion euros in Douai platforms manufacturing; Flins ZOE production; Cleon electric motor assembly and Maubeuge CV production. Opel/Vauxhall will take on the global responsibility for the development of the next-generation of … [Read more...]
What to expect in three years – and 30 years
AXA Insurance and Burges Salmon have published the third and final Venturer report, creating the blueprint for bringing driverless cars to the UK’s roads by 2021. After just three years, Venturer has not only created a realistic environment where driverless simulations can be tested, but also provided suggestions for new legislation on Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs). These are now … [Read more...]
Suzuki Jimney for 2019 revealed
Suzuki has released official images and very brief details of its fourth generation best-selling Jimney compact 4WD. Suzuki put the Jimney into production as a compact 4WD model in 1970 and the three generations since have seen 2.86 million sold in nearly 200 countries. For the newcomer, it retains an overall boxy style but gets a new grille and lights, and inside the fascia displays a … [Read more...]
Kia keeping eyes on balls and other things
As the World Cup kicks off this week, David Miles looks at the rise of one of its major supporters and a global player among the car makers- Kia. Brand awareness through sponsorship is vital in these days of a very competitive and sometimes struggling new car market with diesel emissions and uncertainty over Brexit the latest issues to unsettle buyers. Kia, founded in 1946 in South … [Read more...]
Investment growing in automotive sector
According to the latest data, annual EU investment into R&D by the automobile and parts sector has risen by 7.4% to reach an all-time high of €53.8 billion. This, and many other facts about the industry, were compiled by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) in its ‘Automobile Industry Pocket Guide’, published on the occasion of the association’s Annual General Meeting … [Read more...]
Off-road sales drive gains traction
An innovative initiative designed to put the versatile and reliable Can-Am All Terrain and Side by Side Vehicles at the forefront of farmers and utility users’ minds when they come to purchase a new bike is being implemented by BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) this summer. The Can-Am Conquest Tour will be visiting 20 livestock sales and auction marts, including Gisburn, Bentham, … [Read more...]
Diesel-gate recall, executives questioned, sales slow
It has been a bad week for German car makers and it could get worse over coming months. German prosecutors this week widened an emissions cheating probe into Volkswagen’s luxury carmaker Audi and Chief Executive Rupert Stadler is among suspects accused of fraud and false advertising. In 2015,Volkswagen admitted falsifying U.S. diesel emissions tests. Munich public prosecutor’s office said it … [Read more...]
Hundreds of jobs go as Discovery production goes abroad
Hundreds of jobs will be shelved in the Midlands after Land Rover today announced plans to move Discovery production to its new Slovakian plant early next year. The Solihull plant employs 10,000 people and will be cleared out to make way for a new range of electric models in the early part of the next decade which will use a multi-mode platform for Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models, so … [Read more...]
Tradelines 6 June
The government is awarding £25 million this week to as many as six projects that will research and test autonomous vehicles on highways and on trials of remote-control parking. It's the second competition in a program that Richard Harrington, the UK's automotive minister, predicts will lead to driverless cars in production within the next decade. German media report transport minister … [Read more...]
Britain’s future on the road outlined tomorrow
The future of the car, including how it is designed, manufactured and driven, will be debated at The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Open Forum, taking place on 5 June at Automechanika Birmingham. Vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and technology innovators will come together at the half-day conference to discuss the latest trends shaping the future of mobility and the supply chains … [Read more...]