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30 Jun, 2009
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| Citroen C3 |
Citroen has unveiled the new generation C3. Having abandoned the
2CV-inspired cartoon car styling, the new C3 adopts a more matured yet
stylish shape like the recent C3 Picasso. Both exterior and
interior are claimed to be made with much improved build quality and
materials. This is important because the previous car had always been
criticized for poor build.
As expected, the bread-and-butter hatchback is built on a modified
version of Peugeot 207 platform. Its length and width are increased by
8 cm and 4 cm respectively compared with the old car. Although
wheelbase is unchanged, the occupants sit higher in the cabin, so they
will find 80mm and 20mm extra legroom front and rear respectively.
Visibility is boosted by slimmer pillars and a panoramic windscreen
that runs up to the middle of the roof.
Mechanical details have yet to be released, but you can expect the same
engines as C3 Picasso - 95hp 1.4, 120hp 1.6 Valvetronic, 90hp 1.4HDi
and 110hp 1.6HDi. Probably also 150hp 1.6THP from Peugeot 207. Citroen
claims the torsion-beam rear suspension is heavily revised to improve
NVH and reduce body roll, although the C3 is still designed to be a
comfortable car in first place.
As you would expected, the new C3 is much cleaner than the old one. Its
0.30 Cd, auto start-stop function and more efficient engines all
contribute to lower emission. In particular, the 90hp HDi engine will
emit just 99 gram of CO2 per kilometer.
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24 Jun, 2009
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| US green car aid announced |
Back in the Bush government era the US passed a legislation
to fund development and production of green cars. The resultant
“advanced technology vehicles manufacturing program” has US$25 billion
to assist those planning to build fuel-efficient vehicles in the USA.
Yesterday the Energy Department has announced the first round of grant
– Ford, Nissan and Tesla will get $5.9 billion, $1.6 billion and $465
million respectively. Ford will use the fund to convert two of its
truck plants to build fuel-efficient Focus (petrol or electric
powered). Nissan will build its first mass production electric car as
well as Li-ion batteries at its Tennessee plant. Tesla is given the
money it desperately needed to turn its Model S electric sedan into
reality. Besides, Energy Department also revealed that it is in talks
with the bankrupted GM and the just reborn Chrysler, so expect the
remaining $17 billion will have little trouble to find homes. The US
Federal government is so generous…
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24 Jun, 2009
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| BMW upgraded 3.0 turbo diesel |
BMW has upgraded its 3.0 twin-turbo diesel
straight six. Its maximum output has been raised from 286hp to 306hp,
and max torque increases from 428 to 442 lb-ft. This is primarily due
to a higher pressure common-rail injection (2000 bar by means of piezo
injectors). The variable twin-turbo system is also said to be more
efficient than before, although the press release gave no details about
that. Fuel consumption is reduced by 4 percent.
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17 Jun, 2009
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| Saab to be sold to Koenigsegg !! |
No, this is not an April Fool's joke. General Motors has announced that
it is going to sell its Saab division to Koenigsegg !! This seems even
more incredible than Porsche’s takeover of Volkswagen group last year.
Koenigsegg is a tiny supercar maker with only 45 employees. Last year
it built only 18 cars and generated a turnover of US$14 million. In
contrast, Saab employs 3400 people and sold 93,000 cars last year (no
revenue was released as Saab is counted as part of GM Europe). I really
doubt if Koenigsegg had the necessary power and skill to turnaround
Saab. It seems that GM just wants to offload its Swedish trouble as
soon as possible, so whoever the buyer is not important.
Saab 9-X BioHybrid
concept
Details of the preliminary deal are yet to be unveiled, but it is
believed that GM will not ask for any money. Koenigsegg’s bid is known
to be backed by Norwegian investors. However, most of the investment
will come from the US$600 million loan by European Investment Bank and
guaranteed by the Swedish government. This sum could sustain its life
for the next couple of years, but I seriously doubt if Saab could fund
the development of its next generation models. Even if it managed to do
so, how can it achieve the necessary economy of scale to compete with
its much higher volume rivals ? I suspect Koenigsegg will convert Saab
into a smaller scale, niche car maker for environmental-friendly
electric or hybrid cars. Remember the Quant concept car Koenigsegg
showed in this year’s Geneva show? It has been planning to put the
4-seat electric performance car into production by 2012. The
availability of Saab could help it realizing the car, and probably
other new models in the future. For sure, the road ahead of Saab will
be bumpy.
Koenigsegg Quant concept
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5 Jun, 2009
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| Peugeot 5008 |
With the introduction of 3008 crossover and 5008 MPV, Peugeot has
finally caught up its European rivals. Like 3008, 5008 is also derived
from the platform of 308, sharing the latter’s suspensions (strut and
torsion-beam, though reworked), steering (electrohydraulic assisted),
engines (120hp 1.6VTi, 156hp 1.6THP turbo, 110hp 1.6HDi, 150hp 2.0HDi,
163hp 2.0HDi and gearboxes (6-speed manual and auto). The luxury
dashboard and equipments (e.g. HUD and entertainment) are shared with
3008.
However, 5008 is a proper mid-size MPV in the same way as Renault Grand
Scenic and Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. It measures 4.53 meters long and
1.63 meters tall. There are 5 and 7 seats configuration on offer, both
share the same bodyshell. The interior is spacious and airy (thanks to
large glass and panoramic roof). The 2+3+2 seating is as flexible as
any rivals – the three individual seats in second row can slide,
recline and fold flat, the two rear seats and front passenger seat can
also fold flat to form large cargo area. Besides, the outer seats in
middle row operates like cinema seat to aid access to rear seats – in
one easy action, the seat cushion lifts and seat back moves forward.
Because of the excess weight and height, we don’t expect it to be as
good to drive as 3008, especially it does not offer the active
anti-roll hydraulic system of its sister car. Nevertheless, the 5008
body is remarkably smooth, with a drag coefficient of 0.29, which
should cut fuel consumption at cruising. No wonder Peugeot compares it
to TGV high-speed train.
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5 Jun, 2009
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| GM is selling Hummer to Chinese
company |
Yes, selling, not sold. As part of its bankruptcy
announcement, GM has to give the public an indication of what will
happen to its loss-making Hummer division, even though the talks are
yet to conclude. The likely buyer is Sichuan Tengzhong, a Chinese
state-owned heavy industrial machinery manufacturer which has no
experience at all in car production. The bidding price is expected to
be between US$150m and $250m. GM said Sichuan Tengzhong will keep the
US factory of Hummer and its 3000 employees, but I would say eventually
the production will move to China.
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1 Jun, 2009
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| The Empire bankrupted ! |
American automotive history will remember this day forever. On the 1st
of June, 2009, General Motors filed for bankruptcy protection.
Application documents state that the company has US$173 billion in
debt, out-weighing its net assets of US$82 billion. This is the third
largest bankruptcy in the history of United States, just after Lehman
Brothers (2008) and WorldCom (2002).
GM was the pride of America. It was the world's largest car maker for
an incredible 78 years (1927-28, 1930-2006). At its peak from mid-1950s
to early 1960s, it controlled 51 percent of the US market and employed
850,000 people worldwide. These figures dropped to only 22% and 250,000
people last year. Outdated products and poor quality were the most
obvious reasons. Behind that were bureaucracy and high labour costs.
Perhaps Obama is right. Bankruptcy restructure is the fastest and only
way to resurrect GM. It will help the reborn company to get rid of
debts, unreasonable labour contracts, excessive staffs, excessive
capacity, excessive dealers, excessive brands, excessive models... and
all the historical burdens.
Bankruptcy protection doesn't mean the end of GM. On the contrary, its
business will run as usual. Staffs and suppliers will be paid from the
US$30 billion government loan. Production and development will
continue, although at a slower pace. The bankruptcy procedure could
take 3 to 6 months, during which the good assets like competitive
brands and plants will be sold to the "new GM". The US Federal
government will hold 60% stakes in it - which means General Motors
could become "Government Motors". Canadian government (including
Federal and Ontario province) will take 12.5%, as it will contribute
US$9.5 billion for the restructuring. UAW workers union and bondholders
will share 17.5% and 10% respectively.
If everything goes according to the plan of Obama, the new, leaner and
downsized GM will be competitive again. Then the government will sell
its stakes back to the public. The question is, how many customers are
willing to buy cars from a bankrupted company ? Nobody can answer.
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