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Tag: car news

  • BMW 4-Series Convertible Unveiled

    BMW 4-Series Convertible Unveiled

    The BMW 4-Series broke cover in June this year and was followed by the M4 earlier this month. Now, we get to see the 2021 convertible version of the BMW M4 which looks even sexier, and somehow the grille looks relatively better on the convertible as compared to the coupe of performance coupe from which it’s been carried over. This time around, the 2021 BMW M4 Convertible gets a soft-top which is 40 percent lighter compared to the hard-top in its predecessor. Now that has also liberated 34 liters more space in its boot at 255 liters and marginally more headroom as well.

    The roof can open or close within 18 seconds and at speeds of up to 50 kmph. The M440i also gets a remote key function for the roof as standard while it’s optional on the 430i. The top is finished in black as standard and you also have the option of a moonlight black top that has a metallic shimmer, which looks more stylish. Other than its marginally reduced height thanks to the soft top, the convertible measures equal to the coupe in other dimensions. Then, BMW has given it some updates to up its torsional rigidity like stiffer side skirts, an Aluminium shear panel at the front, and reinforced transmission tunnel, and a rigid rear floor plate. The engineers also put attention into extra noise reduction with a focus on the intake system, engine cover, and underbody.

    The engines are carried over from the 4 coupe range as well. The 430i gets a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine that belts out 252 bhp 400 Nm of peak torque. The rear-wheel-drive convertible clocks triple-digit speeds in 5.9 seconds while the top speed is limited at 209 kmph which can be further increased to 249 kmph. The range-topping M440i has a 3.0-liter, inline six-cylinder, turbocharged engine which is coupled with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and it develops 377 bhp and 500 Nm. The rear-wheel-drive model clocks triple-digit speeds in 5.0 seconds while even here the top-speed is limited to 209 mph as standard while can be upgraded to 249 kmph. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission while the M440i also gets a M Sport rear differential as standard.

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  • Bentley’s New Engineering Test Facility In UK Nears Completion

    Bentley’s New Engineering Test Facility In UK Nears Completion

    A new state-of-the-art engineering test facility, built at the headquarters of Bentley Motors in Crewe, UK, is nearing completion. In place of the traditional final beam marking the occasion, a native British Oak tree was planted by Members of the Bentley Board for Manufacturing and Engineering, laying down roots for the future. The engineering test facility is the latest phase in on-going development at the Pyms Lane site where all Bentleys are handcrafted. With topping out traditionally celebrated with the final construction beam being fitted, Bentley instead planted a tree to signify the company’s continued commitment to increasing sustainability and developing biodiversity around its site in Crewe.

    Dr. Matthias Rabe, Member of the Board for Engineering commented “This new facility will further enhance our already industry-leading, modern factory headquarters and will enable us to grow as we look towards the electrification of our model range. Additionally, and crucially, it will allow us the independence to test our own engines as we rapidly accelerate our journey towards electrification.”

    The facility will complete full internal construction and open in 2021, covering more than 4,600 square meters over two stories. There will also be a dedicated laboratory to run Real Driving Emissions (RDE) using the latest state-of-the-art portable emissions measurement systems. Bentley’s Technical Conformity department will be based in the test center, with over 100 people working in the building.

    The center will allow Bentley to meet increased consumer demand for its current range of ultra-luxury vehicles, including the performance-orientated Flying Spur, the Continental GT, and the New Bentayga. The British marque has already confirmed that it will offer hybrid or electric variants of all of its models by 2023. It will allow Bentley to carry out the latest WLTP fuel and efficiency test procedures more swiftly in-house.

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  • Driver Arrested For Sleeping While Tesla Was On Autopilot At 140 kmph

    Driver Arrested For Sleeping While Tesla Was On Autopilot At 140 kmph

    A Tesla driver in Alberta, Canada was arrested for sleeping while the car was cruising at 140 kmph on the Autopilot. “Alberta RCMP received a complaint of a car speeding on Highway 2 near Ponoka. The car appeared to be self-driving, traveling over 140 km/h with both front seats completely reclined & occupants appeared to be asleep,” posted the official RCMP twitter account.

    “The driver received a Dangerous Driving charge & summons for court,” tweeted the RCMP. In a more detailed report on its own website, it was revealed that the driver was a 20-year old whose license was suspended for fatigue. “Although manufacturers of new vehicles have built-in safeguards to prevent drivers from taking advantage of the new safety systems in vehicles, those systems are just that – supplemental safety systems,” Superintendent Gary Graham of Alberta RCMP Traffic Services stated in the RCMP report. It also noted that Tesla’s didn’t come equipped with self-driving systems and onus is still on the driver to drive the car.

    Tesla itself doesn’t allow its users to implement the Autopilot feature for full autonomous use. It also adds a number of safeguards such as reminders and requires the driver’s hand on the steering wheel frequently for staying enabled. That being said, many users have proven the ability to manipulate the system and the same has been pointed out by many on Twitter who noted that this was probably a prank.

    This comes at the backdrop of Tesla’s founder claiming that a big update for its autonomous capabilities is in the works thanks to the neural network it is running on the DOJO supercomputer. The latest Tesla’s run its FSD chips for its autopilot capability while the older ones are based on Nvidia’s semiconductors. Next week, Tesla is also slated to announce some big updates related to its battery tech at its battery day event.

  • Companies Carmaker VinFast posts $284 mln loss

    Companies Carmaker VinFast posts $284 mln loss

    Vietnamese automaker VinFast posted a loss of nearly VND6.6 trillion ($284 million) in the first half, up four times year-on-year.

    The subsidiary of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate Vingroup saw owner’s equity rising 10.8 percent year-on-year to VND28.1 trillion ($1.2 billion) by the end of June. Its asset value by the same date was over VND100 trillion.

    Pham Nhat Vuong, chairman of Vingroup, had earlier said that losses were expected for both automaker VinFast and smartphone producer VinSmart over the next three to five years as they work to increase their market share.

    Vingroup recorded H1 revenues of VND6.58 trillion from cars, electric bikes and smartphone sales, triple that of last year.

    VinFast has recently entered the luxury market with its new SUV, VinFast President. The company sold over 5,100 cars in the first quarter to rank fifth among auto brands in Vietnam.

  • Porsche Panamera Teased Ahead Of Global Debut

    Porsche Panamera Teased Ahead Of Global Debut

    The 2021 Porsche Panamera is already making quite a buzz after it was crowned the fastest ‘executive luxury car’ at the Nurburgring circuit. It went on beating the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S at the Nordschleife in both 20.6 km and 20.83 km stretch. In a new video, Porsche has shown that the new-generation Porsche Panamera has set a lap record of 7:29:81. The company has also teased the new Porsche Panamera ahead of its unveiling on August 26.

    We still don’t have all the details of this upcoming model but the lap record video confirms that the range-topping Panamera Turbo S variant is definitely on the cards. However, the sport bucket seats and roll cage that we have seen on the test mules won’t make it to the production model. The Porsche Panamera isn’t an outright sports car like the 911 range, hence focus will be inclined towards driver’s and passengers’ comfort, at the same time keeping the driving pleasure intact.

    The Porsche Panamera Turbo is also likely to get a hybrid powertrain belting out 535 bhp and 770 Nm of peak torque. The Porsche Panamera Turbo S gets a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 iteration is expected to deliver 616 bhp and 832 Nm of peak torque. Now as far as looks go, it’s very easy for you to mistake it with the Taycan electric unless you spot the air dam at the front and quad exhausts at the rear. Like modern Porsches, even the Panamera will have an even wider track and expect all new elements like the LED headlights and conjoined LED taillights, new Porsche communication management (PCM) and Porsche Active Management System (PASM) among others.

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  • Toyota, Mazda Joint Venture Alabama Plant Will Now Cost $2.3 Billion

    Toyota, Mazda Joint Venture Alabama Plant Will Now Cost $2.3 Billion

    Toyota Motor and Mazda Motor Corp said on Thursday they will invest $2.3 billion (1.76 billion pounds) in a new joint venture factory in Alabama, $830 million more than announced in their original plan in 2018. Production is expected to start next year building up to 150,000 future Mazda crossover vehicles and 150,000 Toyota sport utility vehicles annually. The Japanese automakers are expected to receive $97 million in additional tax incentives for the added investment, a person briefed on the matter said.

    The automakers have faced challenges as they continued construction work during the coronavirus pandemic on the plant, which will now cost about 50% more than first estimated. The companies said the higher investment “accommodates production line enhancements made to improve manufacturing processes.”

    The plant continues to target up to 4,000 new jobs and has hired approximately 600 employees to date. “Mazda and Toyota’s increased commitment to the development of this manufacturing plant reiterates their belief in the future of manufacturing in America and the potential for the state of Alabama to be an economic leader in the wake of unprecedented economic change,” Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said in a statement. The companies said the plant’s roofing, siding, floor slabs, ductwork, fire protection, and electrical work is 75% to 100% complete.

    State and local governments in Alabama previously provided more than $700 million in tax incentives. In September, President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe signed a limited trade deal that cuts tariffs on U.S. farm goods, Japanese machine tools and other products but delayed the question of auto imports for future talks. Trump threatened hikes but did not raise current auto tariffs of 2.5% on passenger vehicles and 25% on pickup trucks.

    Japan exported 1.7 million vehicles last year to the United States, making up about 10% of U.S. vehicle sales.

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  • Toyota Vietnam recalls 2,700 cars over faulty airbags

    Toyota Vietnam recalls 2,700 cars over faulty airbags

    Toyota Vietnam is recalling over 2,700 Vios and Corolla sedans for airbag faults that can cause severe damage to users in the event of a crash.

    The recall covers 2,568 Toyota Vios cars assembled in Vietnam between September 2007 and December 2008, and 145 imported Toyota Corolla cars produced between January 2004 and April 2005, according to a statement submitted by the automaker to the Vietnam Register.

    The inflator canister in these vehicles can be penetrated by humidity. In some crashes, the activation of the airbag can break the inflator into pieces. These pieces can be pushed through the inflated airbag, causing serious damage to users, Toyota Vietnam said.

    Customers can bring their vehicles for a free replacement of the faulty parts at Toyota dealers. The replacement should take up to 1.5 hours. The recall will run until August 2022.

    In 2018, Toyota Vietnam recalled more than 11,300 cars with similar airbag faults.

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  • Honda Sees Drop In Annual Profit As Coronavirus Slams Car Sales

    Honda Sees Drop In Annual Profit As Coronavirus Slams Car Sales

    Japan’s Honda Motor Co on Wednesday forecast a 68 percent decrease in annual operating profit to a 10-year low with global demand for cars expected to slide because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The country’s No. 3 automaker expects profit to sink to 200 billion yen ($1.89 billion) in the year to end-March 2021, its weakest since the 2010/11 year, and undershooting analyst estimates.

    Honda is bracing for a 6 percent decrease in annual vehicle sales after a 40 percent plunge in the June quarter, which resulted in a 113.7 billion yen operating loss.

    Global automakers are taking a big hit from the coronavirus outbreak, which shuttered vehicle factories this year and has kept customers out of car dealerships.

    The maker of the CR-V SUV crossover and the Fit compact hatchback expects to sell 4.5 million vehicles this year, versus 4.79 million last year. It predicts a 16 percent sales slide in North America, a key market where the United States is struggling to control a surge in virus infections.

    “If the current situation continues as is, we think the situation will not get worse (than we saw earlier this year), but it will take time for demand to recover to pre-pandemic levels,” Executive Vice President Seiji Kuraishi told a live-streamed briefing.

    Despite weaker sales in North America, Honda expects annual sales in Asia to increase by 8 percent.

    China, one of Honda’s biggest markets, has become a rare bright spot for many global automakers, as demand in the world’s biggest car market has been recovering faster than in other countries.

    Honda sank into the red for the second straight quarter and posted its worst operating loss since the March 2009 quarter.

    Despite its dire outlook, Honda is weathering the coronavirus pandemic better than rivals Nissan Motor Co, Mitsubishi Motor Corp and Mazda Motor Corp, which last week forecast record operating losses for the year.

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  • Jaguar Land Rover Appoints Thierry Bollore As New Chief Executive Officer

    Jaguar Land Rover Appoints Thierry Bollore As New Chief Executive Officer

    British automaker Jaguar Land Rover has appointed Thierry Bollore as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the company has announced. The former Renault executive succeeds Ralf Speth at JLR and will assume office from September 10, 2020. Speth has moved to the position of Non-Executive Vice Chairman at Jaguar Land Rover plc, as previously announced, after serving as the CEO since 2010. Bollore joins the Tata Group company during one of its turbulent times as the British marque is looking at possible solutions to sustain the dynamically changing global automotive landscape.

    Speaking on the appointment, N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons said, “I am delighted to welcome Thierry to Jaguar Land Rover. An established global business leader with a proven track record of implementing complex transformations, Thierry will bring a wealth of experience to one of the most revered positions in the industry.  I want to thank Ralf for a decade of outstanding vision and leadership for Jaguar Land Rover and welcome him to his new Non-Executive position in addition to his existing role on the board of Tata Sons.”

    Commenting on his appointment, Thierry Bollore said, “Jaguar Land Rover is known around the world for its peerless brand heritage, exquisite design and deep engineering integrity. It will be my privilege to lead this fantastic company through what continues to be the most testing time of our generation. Renowned for their passion and spirit, the people of Jaguar Land Rover are the driving force behind its success. I couldn’t be more excited to join the team continuing to shape the future of this iconic company.”

    Thierry Bollore has extensive expertise in the automotive sector and has previously served as the CEO of Groupe Renault, as well as in senior positions at global automotive supplier Faurecia. During his stint with the different firms, Bollore has gained extensive experience in conceptualizing and developing a customer focussed strategy, optimizing operations, improving quality control, and more.

    These experiences will be important as JLR looks for a transformative strategy. The automaker that produces about 500,000 vehicles per year is looking at optimizing operations to improve productivity and profitability. It has also been working on new technologies including electric mobility, autonomous tech, and shared mobility.

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  • Volkswagen To Install Porsche’s CEO As Volkswagen Brand Chief

    Volkswagen To Install Porsche’s CEO As Volkswagen Brand Chief

    Volkswagen Chief Executive (CEO) Herbert Diess will promote Porsche CEO Oliver Blume to become head of the Volkswagen brand as part of a broader management reshuffle, Auto Motor and Sport said on Tuesday citing company sources.

    Blume will be moved to the VW brand to help the company get a grip on production issues with the VW ID3 electric car and the Golf 8, the auto industry publication said on Tuesday. Launch And The Volkswagen T-Roc compact SUV has been finally launched and is the brand’s most affordable SUV in India at present. The T-Roc comes to India as a CBU and despite that gets a highly competitive price tag for its fully-loaded variant.

    Bernhard Maier, currently head of VW’s Skoda brand, will become head of Porsche, Auto Motor and Sport said.

    Herbert Diess is currently head of multi-brand Volkswagen Group as well as head of the VW brand.

    Volkswagen declined to comment.

  • Fiat India Brings In Special Finance Schemes To Attract Customers

    Fiat India Brings In Special Finance Schemes To Attract Customers

    Automakers across the board are coming up with unique finance schemes to attract more consumers during these difficult times. If you’re one of those who looking at own any of the SUVs from the Jeep brand then Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) India has also announced a slew of financial packages that will make it slightly easier for you to finalize the deal. The ‘Jeep for All’ aims to reduce EMIs for corporate salaried customers, offer lowest loan interest rates on loans and give 100 percent on-road price funding albeit only for women.

    The schemes also promise coverage in the event of a job loss, critical illness or an accident. In such cases an arrangement assures customers of low EMI in the first 24 months of the loan tenure. Dr. Partha Datta, President, and Managing Director, FCA India said, “We are pleased to announce ‘Jeep for All’ which will offer customers a means to own a Jeep, comfortably within reach. ‘Jeep for All’ adds on to our booking-to-purchase digital retail module with an added sense of reassurance and peace of mind for our customers.”

    Under the scheme salaried customers can opt for a vehicle loan of up to seven years at attractive interest rates. This will offer them a three-month low EMI repayment option every year throughout the tenure of the loan. Customers can choose which months they want to pay lesser EMIs. The company is also promising 90 percent funding of the on-road price of the vehicle which goes up to 100 percent for women buyers. Lastly there’s also an option of availing a step-up loan for a tenure of up to seven years which allows the customers to pay the lowest EMIs for the first 2 years.

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  • Three Hyundai India Workers Test Positive For Coronavirus

    Three Hyundai India Workers Test Positive For Coronavirus

    Three employees at Hyundai Motor Co’s Indian plant have tested positive for the coronavirus, the company said on Sunday, days after the South Korean automaker resumed operations after a near two-month lockdown. Test results of sixteen more workers who possibly came into contact with the infected employees are expected over the next two days, a senior government official told Reuters.

    “The state’s policy is to not let the industry stall,” said P Ponniah, the top bureaucrat in the Kancheepuram district of southern India where Hyundai’s plant is located. “We will ensure the areas inside the plant visited by the COVID positive employees are sanitized,” he said, adding that until such time workers would be barred from working in those areas.

    Hyundai, which restarted operations at the plant on May 8, said the three employees started showing mild symptoms of coughs and colds in the first week of restarting and were tested positive. They are being treated, Hyundai’s India spokesman said in a statement.

    “All the necessary measures are being taken for contact tracing, self-isolation, and complete sanitation,” he said, adding the well-being of employees was a priority.

    The cases at Hyundai, India’s second-largest carmaker by market share, come as bigger rival Maruti Suzuki India said late on Saturday that one employee at its plant in the northern city of Manesar tested positive and there may be the possibility of a second case.

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    The cases expose the risks and challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government faces in restarting automobile production in an effort to kickstart the economy after a near two-month lockdown to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus.

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  • Nissan India Introduces New Finance Schemes And Pick-Up & Drop Service

    Nissan India Introduces New Finance Schemes And Pick-Up & Drop Service

    Nissan India has introduced a new car finance schemes and pick-up & drop service to ensure customers don’t need to come to visit dealerships and workshops and avoid physical contact. The Japanese carmaker has partnered with various financial institutions and is now offering a range of schemes offering paperless payment of car loans, special offers for women car loan applicants and professional based products for salaried, self-employed, Government & Public Sector Units (PSU) employees, police and the agriculture sector.

    Rakesh Srivastava, Managing Director- Nissan Motor India, said, “With innovative financial schemes and initiatives including ease of financing and convenience in getting their car serviced, Nissan India will enrich the customer experience at each step, which is especially important in such challenging times.”

    The first of its kind finance and insurance scheme also include job Loss Protection’ on EMI’s covering loss of job and medical emergencies including Coronavirus, optional payment from January 2021 on select products and zero-mile car product has been introduced looking at the opportunities in the used car business. Nissan India also announced the launch of its new pick-up & drop service. It is offering an end-to-end hygienic pick-up & drop solution including a standard sanitization process for all frequent touchpoints in the vehicle such as door handles and gear lever. Drivers delivering the vehicles will also follow full hygiene regulations between the customer location and Nissan workshop. The complimentary pick-up & drop service is available in all major cities while customers in other locations can also avail of this service at a minimal charge.

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  • Fiat Chrysler, Peugeot Decide To Withhold 2019 Dividend Payout

    Fiat Chrysler, Peugeot Decide To Withhold 2019 Dividend Payout

    The boards of automakers Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. and Peugeot S.A said on Wednesday it would not pay an ordinary dividend for 2019 this year due to a collapse in consumer demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The health crisis has thrown the global auto industry into the worst tailspin since the 2008-09 financial crisis. Consumer demand for vehicles has plummeted as governments across Europe and the United States have enforced lockdowns.

    Fiat has already finalized a plan in overnight talks with Renault, and the deal would be discussed at a meeting of Renault’s board on Monday.

    The two companies also confirmed that preparations for their merger are advancing with respect to antitrust and other regulatory filings.

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  • Mazda Motor Seeks $2.8 Billion In Loans To Ride Out Pandemic

    Mazda Motor Seeks $2.8 Billion In Loans To Ride Out Pandemic

    Mazda Motor Corp has sought loans totaling about 300 billion yen ($2.8 billion) from Japan’s three megabanks and other lenders to ride out the coronavirus epidemic, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Saturday. The megabanks – Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group – along with the Development Bank of Japan, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings and others are set to agree, with some already having extended the loans, the person said, declining to be identified because the information is not public.

    All three megabanks declined to comment on the loan request, which was reported by the Nikkei business daily earlier. Mazda did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Mazda, like most other automakers, has reduced or halted production at factories around the world for the past few months as governments try to limit the spread of the new coronavirus.

    Mazda’s car sales and balance sheet had been weak even before the virus slammed the brakes on demand, with its interest-bearing debt of 650 billion yen far exceeding its cash and cash equivalents, according to the Nikkei. Mazda is scheduled to announce its financial results for the year ended in March on Thursday.