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News
30 Jan,
2008
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Mercedes CLC
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As Mercedes had renewed the C-class last year, you may expect its
little brother, C-class Sports Coupe, is also entering a new
generation. At the first glance, it looks so. The front end looks
virtually the same as the new C-class, in particular the grille and
headlamps. However, turn your attention to the side and the tail, you
will see it has a shape identical to the outgoing car. More confusing
is its badge, which says CLC. So what is it ?
In fact, the new CLC is a facelifted old C-class Sports Coupe. This is
obvious from its same width, height and wheelbase. The latter is
2715mm, shorter than the C-class by 45mm. Inside, the dashboard is also
virtually unchanged. Under the bonnet sit almost the same engines: 1.8
supercharged four (143hp for CLC180K and 184hp for CLC200K), 2.2 turbo
diesel four (122hp for CLC200CDI and 150hp CLC220CDI), 204hp 2.5 V6 for
CLC230 and 272hp 3.5 V6 for CLC350. Can it fend off the competition
from BMW 1-Series Coupe ?
2008 just might be the "Year of Facelift" to Mercedes-Benz. It has
already unveiled the facelifted SLK and SL recently.
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26 Jan,
2008
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Israel electric car plan
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The
world's largest scale application of electric cars is going to take
place in Israel. For national security reasons, Israeli government has
long been pursuing alternative energy to oil because oil price is
heavily dependent on its enemy Arabia countries. One of the biggest
headache was how to turn the 2 million cars on its roads to run on
electricity. Electric cars have been notorious for high purchasing
price and long recharging time. Moreover, so far no countries are
willing to invest substantial money to build the necessary
infrastructure - countless of recharging stations covering all over the
country. However, a breakthrough is finally achieved by the cooperation
of the Israeli government, Shai Agassi and Renault-Nissan.
The idea was originated by Shai Agassi, an Israeli software
entrepreneur. Since he quit German software giant SAP, Agassi became an
environmental activist. He realized that, to shorten the recharging
time by only improving battery technology is not enough. The public
wants recharge to be done in a few minutes, just like they get refill
in petrol stations. Agassi therefore suggested, instead of really
recharge the battery, the recharge station should replace the
discharged battery with a fresh battery. This can be done in a few
minutes time. Therefore the drivers no longer need to recharge the car
overnight by themselves or worry of running out of electricity during
driving. Everything works like driving a conventional car. The depleted
battery will be recharged to full in the stations and installed into
another car. Recharge will take place at late night to enjoy lower
electricity rate.
To avoid the high purchasing cost involving expensive batteries, Agassi
suggested a battery service plan like that of mobile phones. Drivers
pay monthly fee to battery service provider to cover the battery cost
and the recharging service. The fee is dependent on mileage. In this
way, the purchasing price of the electric car will exclude the battery,
thus reduced considerably. Agassi has set up a venture called "Project
Better Place" to build the recharging grid in Israel and provide
battery service.
The electric car is being developed by Renault-Nissan. Carlos Ghosn has
already signed an agreement with PBP and Israeli PM Ehud Olmert.
Initially it will supply 10,000 to 20,000 electric cars a year to
Israel. Later on the same concept may spread to London, Paris, Tokyo or
even USA. Israel will be a good starting place because 90 percent of
Israelis drive less than 70 km a day, perfectly suitable to electric
cars. Renault said its car will have a top speed of 110 kph (68 mph),
0-100 kph (62 mph) in 13 seconds and a range of 100 km (62 miles) in
city or 160 km (100 miles) on highway. It will be made by Renault in
Europe and powered by a battery jointly developed by Nissan and NEC.
The car will be available in 2011.
To drive the electric car program, Israeli government will offer tax
incentives on the electric cars and raise the tax for other cars. It is
also building 200MW of regenerative power plants (wind power and solar
power) to provide the electricity necessary. If the plan goes right,
hopefully by 2020 petroleum cars will be history on Israeli roads.
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26 Jan,
2008
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Mercedes SL Facelift
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After more than 6 years on the market, the current Mercedes SL-class
has finally received its first major facelift. Here you can see it
returns to a wide and pronounced grille like the 1989 SL, which is also
similar to the new C-class Avantgarde model. The peanut headlights are
also thoroughly reshaped. Front bumper again resembles the new C-class.
In mechanical side, Mercedes' 231hp 3.0 V6 has joined the SL-class as
the base engine (SL280). SL350's 3.5-liter V6 has been upgraded from
272hp / 258 lbft to 316hp / 265 lbft, no longer living under the shadow
of Lexus and
Infiniti's 3.5 V6. The engines of SL500 (SL550 for US market) and SL65
AMG remain unchanged. SL63 AMG has its 6.2-liter V8 replacing the
discontinued 5.4 supercharged V8 in SL55 AMG. In the chassis, the most
notable update is adopting a new variable ratio, speed-sensitive power
steering.
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16 Jan,
2008
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| Volkswagen Passat CC |
We have heard about the "4-door Passat Coupe" long ago. Now it is
finally unveiled. The Passat CC copies the format of Mercedes CLS. It
is dimensioned to be wider (by 36mm), longer (by 31mm) and lower (by
50mm) than the sedan to enable a sleek shape. By keeping the 2709mm
wheelbase and 4 doors, it offers a lot more practicality than
conventional coupes. Its 535 liters boot is even larger than the sedan.
The exterior design was done by the former design chief Murat Gunak. I
am not sure if its conservative front end was out of the hands of Gunak
or modified by the team of Walter de Silva. If it was the former, then
I would say Gunak deserved to be replaced. If the latter, then Martin
Winterkorn had better to think again his appointment.
Although without figures, I estimate the Passat CC will be slightly
heavier than the sedan. Its identical drag coefficient (0.29) is
unlikely to enable higher performance either. However, the engine range
seems to be stronger than the sedan. It starts from 140hp to a full
300hp, including 140hp and 170hp 2.0TDI, 160hp 1.8TFSI, 200hp 2.0TFSI
and 300hp 3.6 FSI VR6. The latter partners with 4motion four-wheel
drive system and DSG gearbox. For America, the V6 produces slightly
less horsepower at 280, but it has more torque (265lbft instead of
258lbft). It mates with a 6-speed Tiptronic automatic, as DSG cannot
withstand the extra torque.
The chassis employs adaptive damping and a fashionable sport/comfort
control system called DDC (stands for dynamic drive control). The
latter offers 3 driving modes – Normal, Sport & Comfort – which
alter the setting of suspension damping, steering assist and throttle
response. In other words, nothing special.
 
What really stand out is the world's first "Lane Assist" system, which
monitors if the car is cruising inside a lane and, if not, steers it
back into the lane automatically. The same hardwares also enable "Park
Assist", which steers the car into parking space automatically.
Besides, the Passat CC has adaptive cruise control, which maintain a
suitable distance from cars in front and behind by applying throttle
and braking automatically. We shall see more artificial intelligence in
cars in the future.
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16 Jan,
2008
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Chevy Malibu won NACOTY !
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Chevrolet Malibu has won the North American Car of the Year award
against Honda Accord and Cadillac CTS. It follows the footprints of its
sister car Saturn Aura, which won the award last year. Among the 3
finalists, Malibu is also my pick.
In the truck side, Mazda CX-9 beat Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Tahoe
Hybrid. Now who says the American build the best trucks and the
Japanese / European build the best cars ?
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16 Jan,
2008
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| Audi R8 V12 TDI concept |
Audi is to show this R8 V12TDI concept car in Detroit motor show.
Externally, the car differs from the production R8 by larger
ventilations, a blackened grille, a fixed rear spoiler and a
roof-mounted intake which draw air to cool the mega diesel V12.
The engine is not new though, as it has been shown in the Q7 6.0TDI.
Displacing 5934cc, the aluminum head, steel-graphite block V12 employs
2000 bar common-rail injection with piezo injectors. Twin variable
geometry turbochargers pumps up to 2.6 bar into the combustion chambers
to realize 500 horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque (1000Nm). Gearbox is
a 6-speed manual, as Audi's double-clutch box cannot handle so much
torque. Of course, 4WD is mandatory.
Audi says the car tops 186 mph and accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.1
seconds. Easy job considering those output figures. Will it enter
production ? I doubt. Although Audi is keen to prove the possibility of
diesel technology in sports cars (already shown in its successful Le
Mans race car), a smaller and lighter V8 TDI seems to be more likely
for production.
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16 Jan,
2008
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| Cadillac CTS Coupe |
 
GM surprises us by introducing the coupe version of Cadillac CTS in
Detroit show. Based on the sedan, the coupe has a roof 4 inches lower.
Both windscreen and fastback are steeply angled to the extent that
visibility could be a problem. However, its long wheelbase is
untouched. The show car is said to be powered by the same 304hp 3.6 V6
as the production sedan, but I expect it could also get the same
supercharged V8 as the CTS-V sedan. Owing to the high-level of sharing
with the sedan, production is very likely.
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16 Jan,
2008
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| Lexus LF-A Roadster |
The pictures said it all... still no further news about the production
LF-A, coupe or roadster.
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16 Jan,
2008
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| Mazda RX-8 facelift |
This is the facelifted Mazda RX-8. Apart from the slight cosmetic
changes, the chassis has been beefed up with structural reinforcement,
stronger front tower bar and Bilstein dampers to improve handling.
Disappointingly, the rotary engine remains the same, thus it still
trails rivals for power and especially torque.
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16 Jan,
2008
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| The heavyweight BMW M3 Cabriolet |
This is M3 Cabriolet. Same 420hp V8, of course, but unfortunately its
kerb weight is 1810 kg, compare with the Coupe's 1580 kg. Awful. Blame
to that complicated retractable hardtop. 0-62 mph will be slower at 5.3
sec as a result. I would rather have the old soft top.
BMW also
takes this chance to announce its new Getrag-supplied double-clutch
7-speed gearbox, named "M-DCT", on the M3. Like the old SMG, it
provides 6 manual modes and 5 auto modes with different shift speed and
smoothness for the driver to choose from. In the fastest mode, it cuts
0-60 mph by 0.2 seconds.
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13 Jan,
2008
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| Tata Nano - the world's cheapest car |
The launch of Tata Nano at Delhi Motor Show in India has aroused
interests from all over the world. Aimed at putting Indian people on
wheels like Ford Model T did to American or Fiat 500 to Italian many
years ago, the Tata is sold for as little as 100,000 Rupees, equivalent
to 1700 Euro, US$2500 or £1,300. It is by far the world's
cheapest car. For comparison, Renault's Dacia Logan costs 7500 Euro !
Admittedly, the Tata's price is the pre-tax base price. Most customers
are likely to pay 20-30% more to cover taxes and even more for deluxe
options.
 
The Nano is a no-frill little car. Like the old Fiat 500, it is
rear-engined, rear-drive and powered by a 2-cylinder engine. It is 3.1
meters long, 1.5 meters wide and 1.6 meters tall, slotting between
Smart Fortwo and Mitsubishi i. It weighs only 600 kg, and the low
weight up front means it can save the power steering. Besides, it does
not have power windows, air-con, audio, air bags and ABS. Other cost
saving measures include the lack of rev counter and passenger side
mirror, the use of all drum brakes and only 1 windscreen wiper. The
construction uses as few materials as possible.
The 624 cc twin-cylinder engine produces no more than 33 horsepower. It
employs Bosch's "Value Motronic" management system, which eliminates
some sensors to minimize costs. Transmission is either a 4-speed manual
or a CVT. The Nano's top speed is around 65 mph and 0-60 mph takes...
forget it. It will return 55 mpg and comply with India's safety and
emission regulations. However, the current Indian standards are much
lower than those in other developed countries.
Tata hopes the Nano could replace scooters as the basic transportation
for Indian people. If it succeed, sales could reach 500,000 units or
even 1 million units a year.
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13 Jan,
2008
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| Audi TTS |
We love Audi TT, but we used to have some reservation about its engine
choices. In short, we question whether its range-topping engine
should be the 250-horsepower 3.2 V6. That engine was neither powerful
enough nor as lightweight as a 2-liter turbocharged engine can be. The
situation became even more embarrassing when Audi introduced a 265hp
version of the 2.0TFSI engine into S3. Why isn't the TT offered with
this engine ? Now Audi gives us an answer: it is reserved for the
hotter TTS.
Being priced slightly higher than TT 3.2, TTS sits above the latter at
the model tree of TT. Its engine is similar to the S3's unit, but even
more powerful. The 2-liter engine gets reinforced head, block, pistons
and connecting roads to withstand 2.2 bars of turbo boost. Larger
intercooler and modified intake and exhaust complete the
straightforward tuning. The result is 272 horsepower from only 1340
kilograms of kerb weight, some 22 horses more and 90 kg less than the
old range topper. Moreover, most of the weight is saved from the front
axle, making the TTS better balanced front to rear. Maximum torque of
the engine is 258 lb-ft from 2500-5000 rpm, easily eclipsing the V6's
236 lb-ft from 2500-3000 rpm.
With S Tronic (DSG) gearbox, the TTS does 0-60 acceleration in 5
seconds flat. 6-speed manual takes a couple of tenths more. Top speed
is regulated at 155 mph. The TTS is faster than most rivals in its
class, including BMW Z4 3.0si, Mercedes SLK350 and Porsche Cayman. Not
even Nissan 350Z can match its 0-60 mph time, although this is mainly
due to the superior traction offered by the Quattro system. The
four-cylinder turbocharged engine also excels in a class-leading fuel
consumption at 35.7 mpg combined cycle. This is significantly better
than rivals.
In the chassis side, modifications include a 10mm drop of
ride height, stiffer suspension tuning, upgraded brakes, 245/40ZR18
tires and a less intervening ESP setup. Magnetic adaptive damping is
standard. Outside, the TTS can be distinguished from lesser models by
different bumper design, chromed radiator grilles and mirrors and the
use of LED daytime running lamps.
Sounds brilliant it may be, the TTS won't be the ultimate model in the
TT
range. This will be the forthcoming TTRS, a 340 hp model powered by a
turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine. While the TTS is still being
produced in the Hungarian factory, TTRS will be produced by hands in
Germany by Quattro GmbH like other RS models.
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13 Jan,
2008
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| Cadillac CTS-V |
In Detroit auto show, GM will unveil the new generation Cadillac CTS-V.
You might remember the first generation CTS-V stunned for its
combination of European-like handling and American muscle. It was
powered by the contemporary Corvette Z06 engine good for 400 horses.
Surprisingly, the new car is not powered by the current Z06 engine, but
the latest ZR-1 engine. This 6.2-liter supercharged V8 provides not
only higher power but also better torque than the racy Z06 engine, so
it suits the heavyweight (expected 1900-1950 kg) performance sedan very
well.
 
The supercharged V8, codenamed LSA, is a detuned version of the LS9
unit employed by Corvette ZR-1. It has wet sump instead of dry sump. It
employs lower supercharger boost pressure, lower compression ratio
(9.0:1 instead of 9.3:1), cast aluminum pistons instead of forged ones
and sacrifices the expensive titanium connecting rods and intake
valves. Before certification, GM estimates it produce at least 550
horsepower at 6200 rpm and 550 lb-ft of torque. Given the recent track
records, GM's estimation could only be in the conservative side. The
engine transmits its power towards either a Tremec 6-speed manual or
GM's Hydra-Matic 6-speed automatic, both are shared with Corvette.
Compare with European performance sedans like BMW M5 and Mercedes E63
AMG, the Cadillac CTS-V has more muscle. Only Audi RS6 has more power
(580hp), if not more torque (479lb-ft as limited by its transmission).
Therefore performance should be astonishing, expect 0-60 mph in under
4.5 seconds and 0-100 mph in less than 10 seconds. Besides, GM tested
the car extensively in Nurburgring track, thus handling and real-world
performance will be guaranteed. The car runs on 255/440ZR19 front tires
and 285/35ZR19 rear tires. Power is laid down to the road via a limited
slip differential and a launch control system called "Performance
Traction Management". Large Brembo brakes employ 6-pot and 4-pot
calipers front and rear respectively. Best of all, the CTS-V includes
Magnetic Ride Control adaptive damping as standard. It provides Sport
and Touring mode for the driver to select.
When it goes on sale later this year, it will be priced at around
US$62,000, undercutting the US$80,000-plus M5 and E63. More bang for
the buck, that's the nicest thing for American muscle cars.
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13 Jan,
2008
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| Hyundai Genesis |
Hyundai unveiled first official info of its new Genesis luxurious sedan
in last March. Now more details and pictures emerge, as it starts
promotion in the USA market. The Genesis measures 5005 mm long and 2935
mm between axles, thus it is larger than the average executive class
sedans (e.g. Mercedes E-class) and almost as big as Lexus LS460 (SWB
version of course). Hyundai claims its engineering is benchmarked
against E-class, Lexus GS and Infiniti M, but its keen prices will
surprise many - V6 models will start from under US$30,000 while V8
model will cost less than US$40,000. This is obviously a bargain
compare with the $50,000 E350 / $60,000 E550, $44,000 GS350 / $53,000
GS460 and $43,000 M35 / $50,000 M45. No wonder the company said it
actually competes with the like of Chrysler 300 and Pontiac G8 in the
US market.
From these photos, we can see the Hyundai flagship has an inoffensive
but hardly impressive look. Its prominent grille (in Mercedes-style)
aims at pleasing conservative customers. I expect it will appeal to
older buyers than BMW, Audi and Lexus, if not Mercedes and Infiniti.
Inside, the cabin is also traditional, with plenty of wood and leather.
There will be some classy equipments, such as Lexicon audio, active
head restraints, XM radio, adaptive headlamps and smart cruise control.
Still, there is no surprises.
The rear-drive Genesis shares platform with Genesis Coupe, of course.
In V6 form it guarantees a good weight distribution of 53:47 front to
rear. Thanks to the use of high strength steel, Hyundai claims its
torsional rigidity exceeds that of BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-class
by 12-14 percent, although the interior is roomier than both.
Suspensions are multi-link front and rear, with mechanical adaptive
dampers called "Amplitude Selective Dampers" like that used by Mercedes
C-class. At such a low price, it could not afford electronic adaptive
damping.
Two V6 engines are available: 3.3-liter Lambda with 264hp / 233lb-ft
and 3.8-liter Lambda with 290hp / 264lb-ft, both have all-aluminum
construction, dual CVVT and variable intake manifolds. Note that their
outputs have been markedly increased compare with the current units
being used by Sonata and Azera. Both engines mate with an Aisin 6-speed
automatic with manual mode.
The 4.6-liter Tau V8 is the first V8 engine from Hyundai. It produces
368 hp and 324 lb-ft, thus is more efficient than all rivals bar Lexus.
It mates with the excellent ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox. In the
future, the Tau V8 can be adapted to larger capacity or forced
induction.
The appearance of Genesis could put threat to the Japanese executive
saloons just like what the latter did to European marques 2 decades
ago. It reflects the Korean's wish to go upmarket as well as the need
to go upmarket - thanks to the rising Korean Won and labour salary.
Again, this sounds like the Japanese story.
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13 Jan,
2008 (updated on 25 Jan)
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| Skoda Superb |
Skoda has released pictures for its second generation Superb large car.
From these pictures, it looks pretty classy and almost like a
mini-Bentley Continental Flying Spur !
The new Superb looks considerably larger than the original car, but
tape measures found it is only marginally longer and wider,
while being slightly lower and shorter at wheelbase. It measures 4838 /
1783 / 1461 / 2761 mm respectively. We expect it will
provide one of the class' largest cabin. Its 565 liters boot is also
class-leading.
Skoda released little details about the car, but as we know it is built
on the Volkswagen Passat platform and shares Volkswagen's transverse
engine / front-drive architecture. There will be the familiar 105hp
1.9TDI and 140hp 2.0TDI diesel engines and a range of turbocharged
direct injection petrol engines (125hp 1.4TSI, 160hp 1.8TSI and 200hp
1.8TFSI). The top engine will be the narrow angle 3.6 FSI V6 with 260
hp.
The most special is the boot lid. Called "Twindoor", the small boot lid
can be opened separately or together with the rear window like a
hatchback.
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13 Jan,
2008
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| Bertone: End of Road ! |
Sad news to our readers: after
95 years as a famous designing house and coachbuilder, Carrozeria
Bertone finally came to the end. Having made €37 million of loss in the
last 3 years and finished the last 2000 Mini GP production without new
contracts, Bertone family had no choice but to sell the company. The
new owner is Domenico Reviglio, founder of Turin-based Gruppo
Prototipo. The latter is an engineering firm conducting pre-production
testing works mainly for Fiat and owning Nardo test track. It is not
known that how the new owner
will use the Bertone name, its design studio and its 70,000
units-strong manufacturing capacity. But for sure, we will always
remember the designer of Lamborghini Miura, Countach, Fiat X1/9, Lancia
Stratos, Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint...
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13 Jan, 2008
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| Industry News |
Toyota sales
overtook GM in 2007
The day arrives finally !! According to the
latest production figures, Toyota overtook GM as the world's largest
car maker last year. It produced 9.51 million vehicles, versus GM's
9.26 million units.
SAIC merged with
Nanjing
After talking for a year, Chinese car makers SAIC (Shanghai Automotive
Industrial Corporation) and Nanjing Automobile have agreed to merge.
SAIC is the largest car maker in China, with production around 1.5
million units last year (mostly through the JV with GM and VW),
while Nanjing is a small player with 100,000 units built last year.
Their relationship used to be intense because of the MG-Rover issue -
SAIC bought the intellectual property rights of Rover 75 and produced
Roewe 750, while Nanjing bought the rights of the MG version and
produced MG 7 - however, under the policy of the Chinese government,
they have to merge in order to be competitive at international level.
This will also settle their conflicts in the MG-Rover issue. According
to the merger agreement, SAIC paid Nanjing around US$300 million plus
4.9% of its shares in exchange for control over the latter. This mean
the ex-Rover Longbridge plant in UK will also go to SAIC.
Currently there are more than 100 car makers in China, most of them
produce laughable quantities of cars by international standard. Without
a reasonable economy of scale, these car makers would not survive in
the future, as the local market will be more opened to foreign
competitors. In the view of this, China government wants to consolidate
the industry, producing only 3 or 4 big players. They are likely to
include the current big 3 - SAIC, FAW (First Automotive Works) and
Dongfeng. Other smaller players will have to either merge or grow
themselves as quickly as possible. Middle-size players like Changon,
Chery, Geely, China Brilliance and Hafei are also at risks.
Fiat switches from
Nanjing to Chery
As a result of the SAIC-Nanjing merger, Fiat has decided to terminate
its joint venture with Nanjing and turn to partner with Chery. The JV
with Chery plans to produce 175,000 cars a year from 2009. It could
also produce Alfa Romeo for the China market.
Volvo also has
dual-clutch gearbox
After Ford Focus, Volvo is also introducing
the Getrag dual-clutch gearbox called Powershift in its S40 / V50 /
C70, which is hardly surprising because they are sister cars to Focus.
The transmission can handle up to 332 lb-ft, thus should feel
comfortable with the 236 lb-ft 2.0 turbo diesel in these cars.
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