Friday, July 9, 2010
Chevy Camaro arrives in the UK Spring 2011:
Full UK specification will be released nearer to the car's on sale date, but Chevrolet has confirmed the car will come with a full UK warranty. The Camaro muscle car has sold in excess of 200,000 units in the U.S since its launch in 2009. Grey imports start from £28,000 for the 3.6 litre V6, but the depreciation is likely to hit heavily on the £33k price-tag.
Initially, the Camaro will be available in LHD with RHD models arriving later. Prospective customers can register their interest on Chevrolet's official UK website.
The CS kit includes lowered suspension, rear spoiler, and 18” multi-spoke white alloy wheels. Special graphics and tailored carpet mats are also part of the package. The Cruze, in addition to other Chevrolet models will be offered with a 5 year warranty, free servicing, roadside assistance, MOT test cover and vehicle health checks for new car buyers.
“This is, quite simply, the best ever commitment to quality and service ever offered by a car manufacturer in the UK. We’re that confident in the quality of our products that we’re prepared to underwrite our reputation for dependable high value motoring with such a comprehensive, all-encompassing package. We want people to know they can count on Chevrolet. With the 5 year promise, we are looking to transform the way we sell cars as well, with a commitment to our customers, new and returning, that no other manufacturer can match.”
2011 Audi R8 Spyder gets given all-new engine:
The engine is linked to a 6 speed manual, with the option of an R-Tronic sequential manual transmission. German prices start at €121,000.
Pagani looking to develop smaller, lighter V8 car:
Pagani says the will hint at the C9, which is set for launch later this year. This uses the 6.0 litre twin-turbo V12 engine from AMG, with a €900,000 price tag.
Sales sky-rocket in China for GM:
Infiniti to produce compact executive coupe:
The forthcoming coupe will arrive in a form of a hatchback “but not as you know it” and will be primarily for the European market.
“A car can be front-wheel drive and still deliver driving pleasure,” said an Infiniti source. “BMW has shown this with the Mini.”
Toyota to construct new sporty hybrid cars:
Toyota will manufacture 1m hybrid drivetrains this year, to be used in its Prius and Auris HSD models. It is hesitant to develop a new system for future hybrids, given the proven reliability and cost advantages of its 1.8 litre petrol engine/electric motor/nickel-metal hydride batteries system.
Powertrain expert, Gerald Killman, confirmed Toyota would be introducing more hybrids and its current hybrid system could lend itself to sporty driving characteristics.
Toyota has long been believed to be developing a sporty hybrid to rival the Honda CR-Z. The FT-CH concept from the Detroit motor show in January previewed how the car might look. Asked whether new hybrids would also take the Prius name to make a family of cars, Killman said, “That’s for the marketing department to decide.”
New car sales grow in UK:
Car sales in the UK rose by 10.8% year-on-year in June, a figure much high than expected after the Government scrappage scheme ended earlier this year. Upto 195,226 cars were registered in the UK in June; 0.7% of cars ordered under the scrappage scheme, compared to 19.2% in the same period last year. Registrations climbed 19.9% in the first half of 2010 year-on-year, up by 180,000 to 1.1m units and June was the 12th consecutive monthly rise in sales. Paul Everitt, SMMT’s chief executive, is encouraged by the continued growth in sales, but warns that there will be tougher times ahead in the second half of the year.
“The results indicate improved business confidence and a strengthening economic recovery. The industry still expects challenging economic conditions in the second half of the year and government action to improve access to credit for consumers and businesses will be important in sustaining the momentum of recovery.”
Alternatively fuelled vehicle registrations – electric and hybrid cars have matched their biggest ever market share, with a 1.2% market share in June. Demand for diesel was high, with the Nissan Qashqai the best-selling diesel model in June.
The recently-launched Vauxhall Astra was the UK’s best selling car in June, ahead of the smaller Corsa.
1. Vauxhall Astra: 10,525
2. Vauxhall Corsa: 9,642
3. Ford Fiesta: 8,279
4. Ford Focus: 6,895
5. Nissan Qashqai: 5,636
6. Mini: 4,925
7. Volkswagen Golf: 4,486
8. BMW 3 Series: 4,363
9. Vauxhall Insignia: 4,090
10. Volkswagen Polo: 3,923
1. Ford Fiesta: 57,508
2. Ford Focus: 48,314
3. Vauxhall Astra: 46,624
4. Vauxhall Corsa: 44,804
5. Volkswagen Golf: 31,578
6. Volkswagen Polo: 26,484
7. Peugeot 207: 24,252
8. Mini: 22,266
9. BMW 3 Series: 20,432
10. Renault Clio: 20,114
Audi Q5 to be built in India:
Audi’s total production target for India is 6,000 units by 2015; it sells the A4, A6 and Q5 alongside the A8, Q7, TT and R8 and is predicting momentous growth in the market in the coming years. Audi’s sales in India in 2009 were more than 2,400 units, up from 732 units the year before.
“The production of the Q5 is part of our long-term growth strategy in India. The Indian market for automobiles will grow very rapidly, and the Q5 is the right automobile at the right time” said Frank Dreves, Audi board member for production.