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  • Singaporean Woman Fined $15,300 Over Lamborghini Sale Featuring Mileage Discrepancy

    Singaporean Woman Fined $15,300 Over Lamborghini Sale Featuring Mileage Discrepancy

    A woman from Singapore, named Virginia Wong, has been mandated by the court to pay SGD20,000 (US$15,300) in damages to dealership Purpose Automobiles due to a discrepancy in the mileage of a Lamborghini Urus she sold them. Wong sold the vehicle to Purpose Automobiles in April 2023, assuring them its mileage was at 9,000 kilometers.

    However, a third-party inspection later uncovered that the actual mileage was over 18,000 km, which was twice the amount initially stated by Wong. Following this discovery, Purpose Automobiles took legal action against Wong, claiming SGD145,500 in damages. They argued that they lost a potential sale due to the SUV’s incorrect mileage.

    Court Finds No Breach of Contract

    On November 17, District Judge Sim Mei Ling found that the failed sale was not a result of Wong’s contract violation. Therefore, Purpose Automobiles was not eligible to receive the profits they might have obtained if the deal had proceeded. The judge pointed out that the potential buyer chose not to finalize the purchase once it became apparent that the car’s warranty had been voided by the authorized dealer.

    Judge Sim clarified that Purpose Automobiles was only entitled to compensation for the losses directly linked to Wong’s breach, and not for damages related to the warranty cancellation. As a result, Wong was instructed to pay SGD20,000 in damages, plus interest. This amount represents the difference in the car’s value once the actual mileage was taken into account.

    Judge Sim also mentioned that there was no concrete evidence showcasing what caused the mileage discrepancy or if Wong manipulated the odometer.

    Dealings & Transactions

    Purpose Automobiles initially acquired the car from Wong, the registered owner, for SGD908,000 in April 2023. In June 2023, a potential buyer expressed interest in purchasing the car for SGD965,000, pending an inspection at authorized dealer Eurosports Auto.

    It was during this inspection that it became evident that the mileage recorded on several independent electronic components, and shown on the diagnostics protocol downloaded during recovery, was twice the amount displayed on the vehicle’s odometer.

    Purpose Automobiles explained that the original sale did not go through, and they were only able to sell the Lamborghini Urus for SGD800,000 in August 2023.

    Questions & Answers

    What was the discrepancy in the Lamborghini Urus’ mileage?

    The car was initially reported to have 9,000 km of mileage. However, a subsequent inspection revealed that the actual mileage was over 18,000 km.

    How much in damages was the seller ordered to pay?

    The seller, Virginia Wong, was ordered by the court to pay SGD20,000 (US$15,300) in damages.

    Why did the potential sale of the car fall through?

    The prospective buyer decided not to proceed with the purchase after discovering that the car’s warranty had been voided by the authorized dealer.

  • Aston Martin Callum Vanquish 25 Production Model Revealed

    Aston Martin Callum Vanquish 25 Production Model Revealed

    Just nine months after announcing the project, the production iteration Aston Martin Callum Vanquish 25 by R-Reforged has been revealed alongside confirmation that customer car build will commence in September. Designer Ian Callum has evolved the concept shown in 2019 with a revised interior, more trim options and definitive chassis and powertrain set up. In fact, Callum talked about this venture even in our exclusive episode of Freewheeling With SVP and gave us a hint that the car is on the way.

    The Vanquish 25 now features over 350 engineerings, material, and design changes that transform the much-loved car into a more practical and relevant GT. Having covered over 32,000 kms of rigorous testing on UK’s broad range of road types and qualities, as well as multiple sessions on both the wet and dry tracks at Michelin’s Ladoux proving ground, engineers carefully determined a crisper set up to amplify the driving experience of a classic GT. Highly tuned rebound and compression of the Bilstein dampers provides composure with noticeably more agility and control. Careful bush selection, stiffer anti-roll bars, a 10mm lower ride height, up to 60mm wider track, and specific Michelin Pilot Sport tire compounds assure linearity in roll and composure without resorting to a rock-solid track feel that contemporary GTs often lean towards. Steering feel, aided by the fitting of a more slender wheel rim, lower seating position, and the suspension improvements, is sharper with more feedback to reward the enthusiast driver. The overall result is a more versatile GT eminently suitable for everyday use.

    Ian Callum, Founder, Callum Designs, said, “The designers, engineers, and craftspeople have poured all their energy into breathing new life into the car, pushing the boundaries of every detail: flawless surface finishes, tight shut lines and a crafted interior I believe you’ll enjoy spending time in. I’m particularly impressed with how it drives. From the lower, more sculpted, and cossetting seat, the crisper steering with enhanced feel to just the glorious way it sounds, I think we have created something quite special.”

    The Vanquish 25 by R-Reforged is offered with eight trim colors, three transmission variants – manual, auto and semi-automatic – as well as three bespoke 20-inch wheel choices. The car’s leather trim is provided by Bridge of Weir Leather Company, while Bremont’s removable pocket watch, an industry-first, remains prominent in the interior that now includes brushed or polished dark chrome details, and a walnut veneer option instead of carbon. Mulberry has developed the luggage to fit snugly in the rear of the cabin.

    R-Reforged has now also revealed revisions to the engine and the engineers have detailed the area with carbon and leather dressing alongside the bespoke carbon intake system and tuned equal length stainless steel primary collectors that create a sonorous V12 howl from the 580bhp engine. The car will be built starting September with initial cars destined for Europe and Latin America.

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  • Tesla Says Will Start Delivering China-Made Model 3s To Public On January 7

    Tesla Says Will Start Delivering China-Made Model 3s To Public On January 7

    Tesla will deliver its first Chinese made Model 3 sedans to the public on Jan. 7 at an event at its Shanghai plant, a representative for the firm told Reuters on Thursday. The Shanghai plant is part of the Silicon Valley automaker’s plans to bolster its presence in the world’s biggest auto market and minimise the impact of the U.S.-China trade war. Fifteen Tesla employees who had purchased a car were the first to receive their Model 3s on Monday after the first China-made vehicles rolled off the plant’s production line in October.

    The deliveries come a year after construction of Tesla’s only plant outside the United States began. Production started in October with a target of 250,000 vehicles a year once the Model Y is added to the line up. The Model 3 is priced at 355,800 yuan ($50,000) before subsidies. Tesla said previously that it wanted to start deliveries before the Chinese new year beginning on Jan. 25.

    Tesla’s China General Manager Wang Hao said the company plans to ramp up Model 3 deliveries in January.

    Tesla executives also told reporters the plant had achieved a production target of 1,000 units a week, or around 280 cars a day, and that sales for the China-made sedan had so far been “very good”.

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  • Audi Introduces 25 Years Anniversary Package For RS Models In Europe

    Audi Introduces 25 Years Anniversary Package For RS Models In Europe

    Audi is celebrating 25 years of its RS models and has announced an exclusive package for its performance models. Audi has released an exclusive equipment package for the Audi TT RS Coupe, RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupe, RS 5 Sportback, RS 6 Avant and the RS 7 Sportback models. It was the RS 2 Avant that kicked off things for Audi in the hot performance segment back in 1994 and every RS model gets some elements both on the outside and inside which are inspired by the RS 2 Avant.

    The anniversary package includes a matt aluminum look with gloss black for the exterior of all models, a front blade for models like the RS 4, RS 5, RS 6, and RS 7*, as well as the inlays in the side sills. The horizontal web of the rear diffuser also features a matt aluminum look. Moreover, the four rings, RS logos and wing mirrors along with the rear wing of the TT RS Coupe are finished in gloss black. An exclusive RS anniversary logo showing the number “25” is projected onto the ground when the doors are opened and is also featured on the hub cap. The wheels itself are designed in a two-color look featuring silver and gloss anthracite.

    The interior is also inspired by the iconic RS 2. The cabin is finished in all black an there are cobalt blue accents in Alcantara on the piping of the floor mats and the 12 o’clock marking on the steering wheel rim. The RS sport seats with a honeycomb pattern in the TT RS, RS 4, and RS 5 are draped in Nappa leather with seat center panels in Alcantara, just like the very first RS 2 Avant had back in the day. The seat upholstery of the RS sport seats in the RS 6 and RS 7 is finished in perforated Valcona leather. A special touch on the inside is the ’25 years’ logo on the shoulder area of the seats, floor mats, and the door trim panels. The anniversary package has only given cosmetic updates to the RS models and mechanically they remain unchanged.

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  • BMW Engine Development Expert Duesmann Set To Become Audi Chief In April

    BMW Engine Development Expert Duesmann Set To Become Audi Chief In April

    BMW’s engine development and purchasing expert, Markus Duesmann, is set to become the CEO of Volkswagen’s Audi premium brand, after BMW dropped its opposition to his early departure, a German newspaper reported on Saturday.

    The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung cited a person with knowledge of the appointment as saying Duesmann will start as Audi chief on April 1.

    It said BMW’s board would discuss Duesmann’s planned departure to Audi in the near future.

    Wolfsburg-based VW is on the lookout for clean-engine expertise as it struggles to overcome an emissions scandal that originated in Audi’s engine development department.

    Audi’s current CEO and VW board member Rupert Stadler was forced to step down temporarily after his arrest in June as part of an ongoing emissions investigation. VW is seeking to replenish its senior leadership while Stadler remains in custody.

    VW had said in July that Duesmann will take up his new position as soon as he is able to do so. He will be the second high-profile defection from rival German carmaker BMW after the poaching of Herbert Diess in July 2015.Duesmann’s BMW contract runs until Sept. 30, 2019, and it would also have a non-compete clause that BMW board members are required to sign.

    BMW had said that Duesmann had informed its chairman that he would not make himself available for an extension of his contract because of personal reasons.

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  • BMW CEO Harald Krueger To Step Down From Board

    BMW CEO Harald Krueger To Step Down From Board

    The Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Harald Kruger, gave notice that he will not seek a second term of office. The Supervisory Board will address the matter of a successor during its next meeting on 18 July 2019. Until a decision has been made, Harald Kruger will hold his position as Chairman of the Board of Management. Harald Kruger assumed the position of Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG from Dr Norbert Reithofer on 13 May 2015.

    Under his leadership, the company put forward its new strategy which enabled the BMW Group to actively shape the transformation of the industry and the transition towards sustainable mobility of the future. With the largest model roll-out in the company’s history, vehicle deliveries reached new all-time highs, while at the same time the company systematically expanded its electromobility strategy. By 2023, the BMW Group will have 25 electrified models on the roads.

    As Chairman, Kruger further strengthened the significance of strategic partnerships – particularly in the area of breakthrough technologies such as highly automated driving. Additionally, the BMW Group has successfully merged its mobility services under a new entity. Moreover, the BMW Group significantly increased its role as a global player and, as the first international company, will be able to increase its share in its Chinese Joint Venture, BMW Brilliance Automotive, to 75%.

    Kruger said, “The BMW Group has been my professional home for more than 27 years. After more than ten years in the Board of Management, more than four of which as the CEO of the BMW Group, I would like to pursue new professional endeavours and leverage my diverse international experience for new projects and ventures. Over the last years, the automotive industry has been shaped by enormous changes, which have brought about more transformation than in the previous 30 years. This has demanded tremendous efforts from every employee within the company. For their outstanding commitment, I would like to personally thank each and every one of them. It has always been a true honour for me to work with this tremendous team and to set the BMW Group on a path towards a successful future during the most significant transformation of this industry.”

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  • Honda To Recall 1.6 Million Vehicles, Finish Takata Recalls Early

    Honda To Recall 1.6 Million Vehicles, Finish Takata Recalls Early

    Honda is recalling 1.6 million vehicles in the U.S. to replace potentially deadly Takata air bag inflators, completing its required recalls six months ahead of schedule, the automaker said Friday.

    When the latest recall is done, Honda says it will have recalled or accounted for 22.6 million inflators in about 12.9 million vehicles.

    Takata inflators can explode with too much force and blow apart a metal canister, spewing shrapnel. Twenty-four people have been killed and hundreds injured by the inflators worldwide. Honda was Takata’s largest customer.

    The Japanese company, which was forced into bankruptcy by the troubles, used the volatile chemical ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion and inflate the air bags. But the chemical deteriorates when exposed to high temperatures and humidity and can burn to fast, blowing apart the canister designed to contain the explosion.

    The recalls include many Honda and Acura models from 2003 through 2015. All received replacement inflators made by Takata before February of 2017 and were scheduled to be recalled a second time to replace those with inflators made by another company.

    Affected Honda models include the 2001-2012 Accord, the 2010-2015 Crosstour, the 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, the 2011-2015 CR-Z, the 2003-2011 Element, the 2007-2014 Fit, the 2010-2014 Insight, the 2002-2004 Odyssey, the 2003-2015 Pilot and the 2006-2014 Ridgeline. Acura models include the 2003 3.2CL, the 2013 ILX, the 2003-2006 MDX, the 2015 RDX, the 2005-2012 RL, the 2002-2003 3.2TL, the 2009-2014 TL, the 2009-2014 TSX, and the 2010-2013 ZDX.

    Honda said it has completed repairs or accounted for 83 percent of the, among the highest in the auto industry. Some of the inflators have been found in scrap yards or the vehicles are no longer in use.

    Owners will be notified by letters starting in mid-August, and Honda is urging people to schedule repairs as soon as possible.

    Nineteen automakers are recalling about 70 million inflators in what has become the largest string of automotive recalls in U.S. history. The recalls are taking place on a schedule set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

    The recalls do not include inflators that have a moisture-absorbing chemical. The government will decide by the end of this year whether those should be recalled.

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  • Tesla Model 3 Is Norway’s Top Selling EV Last Month

    Tesla Model 3 Is Norway’s Top Selling EV Last Month

    Almost half of new cars sold in Norway in the first six months of 2019 were powered by fully electric engines, up from just over a quarter in the same period last year, ensuring the Nordic nation retains its top global ranking in electric vehicle sales. Tesla’s Model 3 was Norway’s top-selling vehicle, the Norwegian Road Federation said when announcing the latest sales data on Monday.

    In total, 48.4% of all new cars sold from January to June were electric, surpassing the 31.2% seen for the full year 2018, and making oil-producing Norway the global leader in per-capita electric car sales by a wide margin.

    Seeking to end the sale of diesel and petrol engines by the middle of the next decade, Norway exempts battery-driven cars from the heavy taxes imposed on vehicles powered by fossil fuel. It also offers benefits such as discounts on road tolls. The policy has boosted brands such as Tesla, Nissan, Hyundai and BMW, which all offer fully electric vehicles, rather than hybrids that use electric motors to drive the car but also have a combustion engine

    Brands without fully electric offerings, such as Ford and Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz, have seen sales drop, although Ford and Mercedes are among several automakers that have promised to offer electric cars in Norway from 2020. California-based Tesla sold 3,760 vehicles in Norway in June, for a 24.5% share of all cars during the month, and was also the top-selling brand for the first six months.

    Most of its sales were of the mid-sized Model 3, while the bigger Model S and Model X have seen lower year-on-year volumes.

    The International Energy Agency, which includes the more widely-sold plug-in hybrids when counting electric cars, measured Norway’s share at 39% of sales in 2017, far ahead of second-placed Iceland on 12% and Sweden on 6%

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  • BMW Previews Vision M Next Electric Sportscar

    BMW Previews Vision M Next Electric Sportscar

    BMW today previewed the Vision M Next which offers a foretaste of the BMW M brand’s electrified future and yes, this one places the driver right at the centre of all the action. Hosting the exclusive world premiere of the BMW Vision M NEXT is the new NextGen infotainment platform at BMW Welt. The BMW Vision iNEXT and BMW Vision M NEXT Vision Vehicles represent prototype versions of BMW’s future experience concepts ‘Ease’ and ‘Boost’. Ease encompasses all the experiences during a journey when the vehicle assumes the task of driving, so maximum comfort for users while Boost is all about the ultimate active driving experience.

    The BMW Vision M Next draws its inspiration from the iconic BMW Turbo and of course the i8 plug-in hybrid. It’s low-slung, has a wedge-shaped silhouette, gets gullwing doors and a striking colour scheme while maintaining its sports-car proportions. The front and rear ends are finished in the matt-neon shade orange, producing a vivid contrast against the exterior’s otherwise silver metallic paintwork.

    The signature BMW kidney grille is flanked on either side by triangular elements which are painted in orange. The triangular elements accentuate the air intakes at the sides and the integral headlights. The headlights are positioned on the outer edges of the front end, higher up than the kidney grille. Arranged one above the other rather than side by side and that gives it BMW’s classic four-eyed front end. The black side skirts are made from recycled carbon fibre and make the car look even lower on the road.

    Domagoj Dukec, Vice President BMW Design, said, “The BMW Vision M NEXT is a progressive hybrid sports car that makes a very clear and confident statement, in terms of both appearance and interaction. Where the BMW Vision iNEXT illustrated how autonomous driving is set to transform life on board our vehicles, the BMW Vision M NEXT demonstrates how state-of-the-art technology can also make the experience of driving yourself purer and more emotionally engaging. In both models, the focus is firmly on the people inside. Design and technology make the ‘EASE’ and ‘BOOST’ experiences more natural and more intense,”

    The Vision M Next offers the choice between electric all-wheel drive and pure rear-wheel drive, with either all-electric propulsion or the power of a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. The output stands at 591 bhp and it has a top speed of 300 kmph. 0-100 kmph is done in just under 3 seconds. There is also a BOOST+ mode that puts extra power on tap at the push of a button. The maximum range when driving in all-electric mode is 100 km.

    The rear wheels on the BMW Vision M NEXT measure 22 inches in diameter, making them one inch larger than the front wheels (21 inches) and that gives the car a lovely stance. The design of the rear window takes its cue from the BMW M1. The three-piece louvres are made from glass and emphasise the horizontal focus of the rear-end styling. The rear lights feature the same Laser Wire technology used for the headlights. The two-dimensional reinterpretation of the distinctive pair of BMW roundels from the BMW Turbo and BMW M1 – a gift to BMW aficionados – gives them the impression of floating in the rear lights’ transparent lenses.

    There’s also facial recognition technology in the Vision M Next and his allows the car to unlock automatically as the driver approaches. Pressing the touch sensor on the gullwing doors prompts them to swing open. The cabin is minimalist and revolves entirely around the actively engaged driver, both stylistically and technologically. The seat shells form part of a seat sculpture with a flowing design. They are upholstered in a foam material with shape memory properties that moulds itself to, cushions and supports the body to optimum effect.

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  • BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Revealed

    BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Revealed

    BMW has revealed the four-door 2020 8 Series Gran Coupe. The 8 Series Gran Coupe will be available in the rear-wheel drive 840i, all-wheel drive 840i xDrive and M850i xDrive models. The new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe showcases a sweeping four-door body with wide flanks and sharp creased modern lines. In fact, with a rear track of 1671 mm, the 8 Series Gran Coupe stands on the widest rear track of any BMW automobile; a design criteria which required an update of the Plant Dingolfing assembly line in order to accommodate the new, wider platform.

    From the A-pillar, the 8 Series Gran Coupe design differs from that of the Coupe to both increase interior space and deliver a vehicle with strong presence and authority. The windshield features less rake than in the Coupe to allow the roofline to raise to a higher point above the front seats, providing increased headroom for both front and rear passengers. The roof then merges into the rear trunk lid with fin-like transitional lines to create the visual of a long and flowing body. The rear glass is mounted with increased rake to increase the size of the trunk opening and also acts to from a fixed part of the body’s structure to increase torsional rigidity and reduce noise entering the cabin.

    The standard panoramic glass moonroof stretches from the front windshield all the way back to the rear window and the multi-functional antenna is integrated into the rear glass, eliminating the need for the roof-mounted shark fin antenna, thus allowing for a larger glass roof. The 8 Series Gran Coupe gets Icon Adaptive LED Headlights with Laserlight flank the one piece hexagonal BMW kidney grille surround which frames active air intake slats inside. Large openings in either side of the front bumper give the low-slung front end of the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe an aggressive appearance. Functional Air Breathers let air flow through the front fenders improving both aerodynamics and styling. The Hofmeister kink in the expansive c-pillar ties the flowing side profile lines of the new Gran Coupe to heavily sculptures rear fenders and trunk lid. Slim LED rear lights stand high above trapezoidal twin exhaust pipes.

    An intelligent mix of lightweight materials helps to reduce weight in the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe. Aluminium construction is used for the doors, hood, roof, front bulkhead, engine subframe and rear bumper support. The trunk lid is made from dent-resistant plastic while the cabin dashboard support is made from magnesium and parts of the center driveline tunnel are made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic.

    The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe seats five people and the longer wheelbase and wider rear flanks of the car have allowed for sizable increases in interior space. Front head room increases by 0.2 inches while rear headroom is up by 3.4 inches. Rear legroom increases by a substantial 7.1 inches while rear shoulder room improves by 7.7 inches. The extended centre console in the 8 Series Gran Coupe is unique to the model and continues into the rear space, dividing the individually-styled right and left seats while still allowing for the rear centre seat space to be used when needed. The rear console offers passengers individual right and left climate controls, air vents, storage tray and USB-C ports.

    The standard heated front sport seats feature integrated headrests and are designed with a thinner profile to allow for greater rear knee space. All four main seats offer generous levels of lateral support so that the performance capabilities of the 8 Series Gran Coupe can be enjoyed by all passengers. The rear seats can be folded down in a 40:20:40 configuration allowing for any variation of passengers and cargo on both short and long trips.

    Under the hood the BMW 840i and 840i xDrive Gran Coupe models are powered by the latest iteration of BMW’s TwinPower 3.0 litre inline 6-cylinder Turbo engine which produces 335 horses and 499 Nm of torque allows the rear-wheel drive 840i Gran Coupe to accelerate from 0 to 98 kmph in 4.9 seconds while the added traction of BMW xDrive allows the 840i xDrive Gran Coupe to reach 98 kmph in 4.6 seconds.

    Both vehicles feature an electronically limited top speed of 209 kmph when equipped with all-season tyres and 249 kmph when equipped with performance tyres.  The new 6-cylinder engine features an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head, a twin-scroll turbocharger with quicker response and direct injection technology working at an increased maximum pressure of 350 bar.

    The BMW M850i xDrive Gran Coupe is powered by the latest generation of the BMW TwinPower 4.4-liter eight-cylinder Turbo engine. Power production is rated at 523 horsepower while torque figures stand at 750 Nm between 1,800 – 4,600 rpm which allow this model to accelerate from 0 to 98 kmph in 3.7 seconds.

    Both engines transfer power to the driveline through the latest improved version of the Steptronic Sport automatic transmission featuring a weight-reducing design, a newly developed controller and a wider gear ratio spread. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional in the 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe combines the latest-generation of the iDrive, featuring a high-resolution digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster display behind the steering wheel and a 10.25-inch centre display diagonally across.

    The system offers many hardware upgrades including new haptic controls on the iDrive controller, an advanced tablet-like touch interface, and stunning visualizations. The multi-modal approach of the iDrive touch controller, large touchscreen center display, cloud-based voice control, and gesture control allow users to interact in the way of their choosing.  Elements of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional are the Navigation Professional system, a hard-drive-based multimedia system with 32 GB of memory and two USB ports, plus Bluetooth interfaces. The driver can be automatically detected and personal settings activated either using the traditional vehicle key or by downloading the driver’s personal settings to the BMW Cloud.

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  • France Ready To Cut Renault Stake To Shore Up Nissan Partnership

    France Ready To Cut Renault Stake To Shore Up Nissan Partnership

    France is ready to consider cutting its stake in Renault in the interests of consolidating the automaker’s alliance with Nissan, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Saturday. He was speaking in Japan after Italian-US carmaker Fiat Chrysler pulled the plug on its proposed merger with Renault, saying negotiations had become “unreasonable” due to political resistance in Paris.

    In an interview with AFP on the sidelines of the G20 finance ministers meeting in Japan, Le Maire said Paris might consider reducing the state’s 15-percent stake in Renault if it led to a “more solid” alliance between the Japanese and French firms.

    “We can reduce the state’s stake in Renault’s capital. This is not a problem as long as, at the end of the process, we have a more solid auto sector and a more solid alliance between the two great car manufacturers Nissan and Renault,” he told AFP.

    Last week, FCA stunned the auto world with a proposed “merger of equals” with Renault that would — together with Renault’s Japanese partners Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors — create a car giant spanning the globe.

    The combined group would have been by far the world’s biggest, with total sales of some 15 million vehicles, compared to both Volkswagen and Toyota, which sell around 10.6 million apiece.

    But the deal collapsed suddenly on Thursday, with FCA laying the blame at the door of Paris.

    “It has become clear that the political conditions in France do not currently exist for such a combination to proceed successfully,” FCA said in a statement.

    Le Maire said Renault should concentrate on forging closer ties with its Japanese partner Nissan before seeking other alliances.

    Things need to be done “in the right order…. First the alliance (between Nissan and Renault) should be consolidated and then consolidation (more generally) and not one before the other.”

    “Otherwise, everything risks collapsing like a house of cards,” he warned.

    The minister said it would be up to the bosses of Renault and Nissan to decide how to push the alliance forward as ties between the two firms have been strained after the shock arrest of former boss Carlos Ghosn.

    Renault is pushing for a full merger between the pair but there is deep scepticism of the plan at Nissan.

  • MG eZS Electric SUV Will Be Made In India

    MG eZS Electric SUV Will Be Made In India

    MG Motor has announced that it will be manufacturing its pure electric SUV, the MG eZS, in India, at its plant in Halol, Gujarat. The MG eZS will be one of the first ever fully electric SUVs in India when it is launched. The eZS will be MG’s second launch in India after the upcoming MG Hector. The company further said that its electric vehicles will get over-the-air (OTA) technology and would go over 300 km in a single charge from its lithium-ion battery. MG is yet to announce the exact specifications for the eZS.

    By the end of 2019, MG Will have a total of 120 sales and service outlets across India and the company said it will also reach out to Indian target audience and educate them about electric vehicles and look to address issues such as range anxiety and charging infrastructure. Like the MG Hector, the eZS will also feature MG’s iSmart Next-Gen connected technology.

    “The MG eZS, as one of the first locally produced global EVs, will mark a new chapter in environment-friendly mobility in India. We are delighted to be one of the first carmakers to enter this space in India. We aim to bring accessible electric motoring to the customers in India upon its introduction by the end of this year,” said Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India.

    Till date, MG Motor India has made an investment of ₹ 2,200 crores at its Halol plant. The company has installed an all-new assembly line, a press shop, a body shop, a parts distribution center, a testing track along with a new training facility in the plant. MG has also set up a vendor park in and around the plant so as to increase the localization content for upcoming MG models.

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  • Hyundai Registers 5.6 Per Cent Sales Decline In May 2019

    Hyundai Registers 5.6 Per Cent Sales Decline In May 2019

    Affected by the slump in the Indian auto market, Hyundai Motor India’s domestic volumes witnessed a decline in May 2019 at 42,502 units, dropping by 5.6 per cent as against 45,008 units sold in May 2018. Exports, however, saw a major increase in volumes by 50.8 per cent with the company shipping 16,600 units last month, as against 11,008 units in May last year. Despite the poor domestic performance, the automaker’s overall volumes for the previous month still over the red line. Hyundai sold a cumulative (domestic+exports) 59,102 units last month, growing by 5.5 per cent over 56,016 units sold during the same period last year.

    The drop in domestic volumes isn’t too different from other manufacturers that have reported a steeper decline in sales for the last month. Both Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors registered double-digit de-growth, while Mahindra sales dropped by just one per cent. Meanwhile, sales for Hyundai are expected to improve in the coming months, backed by the strong demand for the newly launched Venue subcompact SUV. With booking numbers at 20,000 and counting, the new offering is off to a good start and will help stabilise the Korean auto giant’s falling numbers.

    With the elections have come to a close and the new government in power, the buyer sentiment is also expected to see a favourable change towards the purchase of new vehicles. The auto industry is also looking forward to a normal monsoon this year to boost growth in rural areas. Hyundai also has a few new products lined up for a launch this fiscal that will include the Kona Electric SUV and the Tucson facelift. The automaker has also repositioned itself as the country’s first smart mobility solutions company, diversifying its presence in other vehicle categories.

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  • BMW 1 Series Breaks Cover

    BMW 1 Series Breaks Cover

    The BMW 1 Series has been one of the most fun to drive hatchbacks over the previous generations and the automaker has now released the all-new generation of the model. The 2020 BMW 1 Series is quite literally all-new, having been built from the ground up and shares little details with its predecessor. The biggest change by far comes with the front-wheel-drive (FWD) set-up on the third generation that replaces the rear-wheel-drive architecture, which made it such a hoot to drive in the first place. The new 1 Series also comes with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) on the top trims. As a result, the new BMW 1 joins the automaker’s smaller set of FWD cars including the X1, 2 Series and the 1 Series sedan.

    The third generation BMW 1 Series is based on a completely new platform and the design language is also all-new and must we say more proportionate too over the older version. Most prominent are the larger kidney grilles up front that mimic the newer Beamer models, while the bonnet length is long yet in-line with the rest of the body. The headlamps are smartly designed bringing a fresh look and can be had with adaptive full-LEDs that are available as optional. At the sides, the flat beltline on the 1 Series is now slightly raked and the Hofmeister kink gets a subtle update. The rear sports a more athletic appearance with the sharply styled bumper, raked windscreen, and roof spoiler, while the massive wraparound LED taillights to look bold. A first on the new 1er will be the addition of a panoramic sunroof while wheel sizes will range between 16-inch and 19-inch depending on the variant you choose.

    With respect to dimensions, the 2020 1er is 5 mm shorter at 4319 mm (170 inches), whereas the width has increased by 34 mm at 1799 mm. The height is up by 13 mm to 1434 mm, with the wheelbase now shorter by 20 mm and sits at 2670 mm. Nevertheless, the FWD set-up has helped liberate more room in the cabin. You get 33 mm of additional knee room at the rear along with 19 mm of extra headroom and 13 mm of elbow room. The luxury hatchback can also take up more luggage than its predecessor with a cargo capacity of 380 liters, which can be expanded to 1200 liters with the rear seats folded. The automaker says the boot is also wider than before that makes it easy to load and unload luggage, while the tailgate is now electric.

    Inside, the 2020 BMW 1 Series replicates the familiar design language from the larger Beamer models. The car comes with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with gesture control and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The instrument console is fully digital and gets a 10.25-inch screen that displays all the necessary information.

    Under the hood, the third generation BMW 1 Series will get two petrol and three diesel engines. The most powerful version will be the M135i xDrive with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged motor tuned for 301 bhp and 450 Nm of peak torque. The range-topping model can sprint from 0-100 kmph in 4.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph. An optional M performance package will further shave a tenth of a second on the hatchback. Other engines will range between three- and four-cylinder versions churning out as low as 115 bhp. All units will come paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch or 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. There’s a 6-speed manual available as well.

    The new 1 will also come with a host of electronic aids including Lane Departure Warning with active lane return, Active Cruise Control, Lane Change Warning system, rear collision warning and crossing traffic warning. The car also comes with Park Assist, while features like VDC (Variable Damper Control) and  ARB (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation) technology, further improve the car’s handling capabilities. Customers can also opt for the BMW Digital Key and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant on the new 1 Series.

    The all-new BMW 1Series will make its debut in Munich from June 25 to 27 as part of the #NextGen event, while a public showcase has also been planned at Frankfurt in September this year. The previous version of the 1 Series was sold in India, but it’s unclear if the new one will actually make it here. Globally, the car will lock horns against the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Audi A3 Sportback, Volkswagen Golf and the likes

  • Fiat Chrysler Confirms Merger Talks With Renault

    Fiat Chrysler Confirms Merger Talks With Renault

    Fiat Chrysler has made a “transformative merger” proposal to French peer Renault, the Italian carmaker said on Monday, in a deal which would create a world leader and help address some of the weaknesses in both Renault and Fiat.

    Fiat said the combined business would be 50 percent owned by FCA shareholders and 50 percent owned by those of Renault.

    Pressure for consolidation among carmakers has grown with the challenges posed by electrification, tightening emissions regulations and expensive new technologies being developed for connected and autonomous vehicles.