Filed under: Performance, Videos, Middle East, MISC

The Middle East is an enormously vital market for McLaren, and not just because its oil barons have the cash to buy as many MP4-12C supercars as they and every member of their family could possibly want. While the team has only won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix once and has yet to do the same at the Bahrain Grand Prix - the only two in the region (discounting Turkey), the company is part owned by Saudi businessman Mansour Ojjeh, and another part by the royal family of Bahrain.



Little wonder, then, that the upstart McLaren Automotive is setting up no fewer than six dealerships in the Middle East, the first of which has just opened its doors. To mark the occasion, McLaren took its new MP4-12C to the dunes of Abu Dhabi and around the Yas Island Marina Circuit and brought a camera crew - armed with a RED video camera and Canon's new 1DX - along for the ride. The resulting high-resolution images and footage are worth a glance, so check 'em out in the gallery below, the video below that and the press release below them both.

Continue reading Watch the McLaren MP4-12C hit the dunes of Abu Dhabi

Watch the McLaren MP4-12C hit the dunes of Abu Dhabi originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 20:01:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chrysler

Chrysler Group's "Imported from Detroit" ad campaign grabbed top honors Wednesday night in New York City, winning the North American Grand Effie Award as the most effective ad in the nation.



"Imported from Detroit was the Grand Effie winner because they sold the product, the category and the city," said Deborah Sandler, President, Mars Chocolate North American and a Grand Effie jury member, in a news release.



Indeed. The two-minute Super Bowl commercial, titled "Born of Fire", created a huge buzz for the city and for the Chrysler 200. The agencies Wieden+Kennedy and Universal McCann created it and Chrysler capitalized on it.



"The success of this campaign has contributed significantly to the company's sales growth over 2010, and as a result of this success, Chrysler has paid off their government bailout six years early," Chrysler said in its entry.



Other automotive winners at the Effie Awards included Porsche grabbing second place in the automotive category for "How Porsche created new relevance for a revered icon," and Chevrolet taking third for "Chevy Volt, it's more than electric."



Kia also grabbed a third-place honor in the Single Impact Engagement category for its "Not your average slam dunk" commercial.



And for those feeling nostalgic, scroll down and check out the original commercial. It still gives us chills. You can also read more about the Effie Awards in the included press release.

Continue reading "Imported from Detroit" wins Grand Effie award for effective advertising

"Imported from Detroit" wins Grand Effie award for effective advertising originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 19:30:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Technology, Videos, Nissan

Nissan is moving to make its Easy Fill Tire Alert system standard equipment on its 2013 model year vehicles. Taking the federally mandated tire pressure monitoring system to the next logical step, the Nissan system honks the car's horn when you've inflated your tires to the correct pressure. No more reading the tire pressure placard on the door jamb and hunting around in the glovebox for a pressure gauge.



While Nissan actually introduced this feature beginning with the 2011 Quest minivan, its proliferation throughout the lineup makes sense. After all, it's a good idea, and most motorists can't be bothered to care about tire pressure, despite its importance for both fuel economy and on-road safety. If Nissan's system can actually encourage a few of those disinterested drivers to maintain proper tire inflation pressures, it's a win for all.



Scroll down to watch a Nissan-produced video demonstrating the feature on the company's 2013 Altima and read the press release.

Continue reading Nissan's Easy Fill idiot-proofs tire inflation

Nissan's Easy Fill idiot-proofs tire inflation originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 19:01:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Volkswagen

Say what you will about the whole retro design trend that gave us such vehicles as the Mini, the Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Ford GT and the Fiat 500, but it has been (neo Thunderbird notwithstanding) a rather successful formula for several automakers, Volkswagen chief among them. The German automaker is now on its third generation of Beetle, and is preparing to launch the new convertible version at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the fall (previewed by the E-Bugster concept pictured above). And when it does, it is slated to go even more retro.



That much, according to Car and Driver, will come in three special launch editions. Each one will be dedicated to a specific decade from the original Beetle's long history - tipped to center around the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Special touches will be period-specific, including unique colors, seat upholstery and even white-wall tires. We'll have to wait a few months to see how many of these particular details pan out, but recent history has been replete with launch editions from Volkswagen.

Volkswagen to launch new Beetle convertible with three decade editions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 18:32:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Chevrolet

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has expanded its investigation into Chevrolet Cruze engine fires to two model years.



In April, NHTSA began investigating two complaints concerning fires erupting in 2011 Cruze engine compartments. Now, Reuters is reporting that the government agency has added 2012 Cruze models to the list, upping the number of total vehicles from 177,000 to 370,000.



General Motors told Reuters it has cooperated with investigators and there have been no reported injuries or accidents related to the probe.



According to a pair of complaints filed on NHTSA's website, two Cruze sedans were on the the open road when smoke began streaming out from under the hood. A few minutes later, the cars were ravaged by fire.



"In two minutes, the car was fully engulfed and flames were 15-feet high," one complaint said. "GM needs to find out and correct this problem before someone get [sic] seriously hurt."

NHTSA broadening Chevy Cruze fire probe to 370,000 sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 18:01:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, BMW, Luxury

The engorged dimensions of the BMW 3 Series have been a source of enthusiasts' ire for years now. The 3er's growth isn't all that shy, especially of late: the sedan is 10.6 inches longer and 8.3 inches wider than it was in 1975, or for a more modern perspective, the brand new 3 Series is 6.5 inches longer than it was in 2002. It took 27 years to gain 4.1 inches, but only 10 years to stretch another 6.5. To address the size and heft, a report in Autocar says BMW is planning a rear-wheel-drive 1 Series sedan to be "the spiritual successor to the E30-generation 3 Series four-door."



Talk of 1 Series models being spiritual successors to 3 Series models isn't new - part of the clamor around the 1 Series M was that it channeled the light flickability of the first M3s. A 1 Series sedan would serve three purposes: get a light, small, RWD model back in the lineup, give the company a clear competitor to the upcoming Audi A3 sedan and Mercedes-Benz CLA, and help BMW get closer to its sales target of two million cars in 2020.



The sedan would sit on a derivative of the platform used in the current 3 Series, and be different from the front-wheel-drive platform underpinning the forthcoming 1 Series GT. Four- and six-cylinder engines and BMWs xDrive AWD system are in the planning mix, as is an electric version. Autocar says 2015 is a potential sale date for the sedan, which would put it one year after the next-generation coupe and convertible officially bow.

BMW 1 Series sedan detailed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 17:30:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford

If you're wondering what the 2013 Ford Fusion has to do with techno music... well, join the club - we have no idea. We'll defer to an expert, musician Joshua Harrison:

   

      "Techno music, by its nature, is very similar to the makeup of a car... In both cases, there are lots of little pieces mechanically put together. Just like a car, a Techno song has many elements that serve their own small purpose, and the masters of the craft are those who can put it all together and make everything work as one solid piece."

Who are we to argue?



In any case, Ford has used an old trick in a somewhat new way in conscripting artists to create techno tracks using sounds made by its Fusion, in this case a 2.0-liter Hybrid model. Listen to the three resulting tracks, then scroll down below to watch a video explaining the process and showing the musicians working their magic.



Even if you don't like techno, it's at least interesting to hear how each track is so wildly different from the other two. And if you do like what you hear, maybe you should consider attending the Movement Electronic Festival in Detroit, May 26-28.



Sounds of Fusion Track 1 by Joshua Harrison by fordfusion

Sounds of Fusion Track 2 by Keith Kemp by fordfusion

Sounds of Fusion Track 3 by Tom Newman by fordfusion

Continue reading 2013 Ford Fusion does the techno sound collage music thing

2013 Ford Fusion does the techno sound collage music thing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 16:58:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc.

Matte. Mirrored chrome. Gold-plated.



You can now add diamonds to the growing list of ostentatious and extravagant finishes being applied to cars these days. Longtime Porsche tuner Gemballa has announced a new automotive finish that literally uses diamonds to create its million-dollar sparkle.



The German-based company claims its new diamond finish is the first of its kind to ever use the actual gem rather than other reflective ingredients like metal pigments, glass fragments or crystals. The trick was grinding the diamonds down to a size small enough that they could be applied like paint, which Gemballa says also helps increase the refractive qualities of its shine.



There's no mention of price or other specifics like how many precious stones are sacrificed per gallon of twinkle juice, but you can imagine as well as we can what kind of premium it will command. With any luck, Justin Bieber can't afford it.

Continue reading Gemballa debuts real diamond finish for cars

Gemballa debuts real diamond finish for cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 16:29:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Volvo

There are several things you might think of when Volvo comes to mind, but performance isn't necessarily one of them. Volvo is working on that image, however, and Polestar is a big part of that.



The tuning firm and racing garage has been partnering with Gothenburg on several fronts, not the least of them being the company's officially sanctioned touring car team whose latest S60 racer is pictured above. Those efforts have also been seeping into the Swedish automaker's publicly available road cars, but nothing has approached the kind of levels that AMG applies to Mercedes-Benz or the M division does with BMW vehicles.



That's been long rumored to be in for a change, however, and the latest reports give us a sneak peek at what the two firms have in store. According to Swedish car mag Teknikens Varld, Volvo and Polestar are working on a full-scale assault on the territory held by the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and BMW M3, among others.



The donor vehicle would be the S60 sedan, but the question remains just what would motivate such a beast. Sources suggest the Yamaha-built V8 from the XC90 could be employed. In stock form it produces 315 horsepower, but Noble uses it in the M600 with a pair of turbochargers that boost output up to 641 hp. A nice, round 400 hp should be well within reason, then, and Polestar's considerable capabilities.



The S60 Polestar could, however, go with modifying an engine already available in the stock S60. For its C30 concept, Polestar bolted a bigger turbo onto the 2.5-liter five for 411 hp, and recently managed to squeeze 325 hp out of the stock turbo six with just an ECU reflash. Whatever the engine, we're told to expect a Haldex all-wheel-drive system, Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes stuffed into 19-inch BBS alloys wearing Pirelli PZero rubber. Consider our interests piqued.

Polestar working on Volvo S60 to take on M3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 16:01:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Renault

Renault has turned over a few more photos of its all-new Alpine A110-50 ahead of the machine's debut at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. The new shots show off the sports car's rear end for the first time. The total package looks more than a little like the Renault DeZir concept, though we're told the chassis is borrowed almost entirely from the company's Megane Trophy.



If the two machines share more than bones, that means we can expect to see a 3.5-liter V6 engine mounted mid-ship. The powerplant churns out 360 horsepower in standard guise, though the A110-50 is said to clear over 400 horsepower.



In addition to the few photos, Renault also served up a brief teaser video showing the covered machine as it is being unloaded from a transport. Check it out for yourself, and stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Continue reading Renault Alpine: New images and teaser video surface [w/video]

Renault Alpine: New images and teaser video surface [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 15:31:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: China, Etc., Videos

We feel there's no shame in admitting we would have more than a little hesitation about jumping into rush-hour traffic in China, but that's exactly what one three-year-old boy did. A grandmother in China had a scare after she turned around to find her grandson missing. The toddler had managed to hop on his toy motorcycle and head for the horizon. Unfortunately, his path took him directly into the middle of a busy intersection during rush-hour traffic.



Despite buses and cars hurling past in every direction, the child seemed unphased, and the drivers on the road managed to keep away long enough for a police officer to spirit the child to safety. No one was harmed in the incident. Check out the nail-biting video for yourself.

Continue reading 3-year-old drives into middle of Chinese rush hour traffic

3-year-old drives into middle of Chinese rush hour traffic originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 14:59:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Earnings/Financials

Nearly everyone in America with a car loan is making the payment on time, the Detroit Free Press is reporting.



A scant .36 percent of people with a car loan are 60 or more days behind on making their payment, according to a TransUnion report looking at the January through March quarter of auto loan payments. That means more than 99-percent of customers borrowing cash for cars are on time.



The tiny percentage, which represents a drop of about 27 percent year-over-year is the lowest since TransUnion started tracking it in 1999.



The fall in loan delinquency, however, may not be great news for banks overall. TransUnion attributes some of the on-time payments to recession weary consumers placing a priority on their car payment while foregoing payments on credit cards and underwater homes.

More Americans paying their car loans on time originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 14:31:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Sedan, Paris Motor Show, Peugeot

Where automakers could once get by selling in a handful of specific markets, these days, they need to grab as much market share as they can around the world. That's particularly true for a brand like Peugeot that's missing out on one of the largest markets in the world - this one - and so it is ramping up its assault on developing markets with vehicles like the one you see here.



Called 301, the approximately Focus-sized sedan is intended for markets that we once considered the second or third world - markets like Russia, Africa and the Middle East. So not only is it positioned as a more budget-friendly proposition, it's also been developed to deal with a greater range of climates and with poor road conditions that often exist in developing markets. Buyers in these markets will be able to choose engines ranging from 71 to 115 horsepower and benefit from similar levels of features and safety equipment you'd expect to find in wealthier markets.



Now if you're thinking that the last 300-series model from Peugeot was the 308 and were wondering what the marketing gurus at PSA headquarters were planning to do when they got past 309, wonder no more, because they've modified their naming scheme. The first digit (3 in this case) represents the class of vehicle, the 0 (or 00 for crossovers and minivans) remains a constant, and the last digit will either be an 8 (for mainstream products) or a 1 (for emerging markets). Got all that?



The 301 will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, after which production will commence in Spain for rollout around the world. Scroll down for the pair of press releases and scope it out in the high-res image gallery.

Continue reading Peugeot rolls out 301 (and new nomenclature) for emerging markets

Peugeot rolls out 301 (and new nomenclature) for emerging markets originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 14:00:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Aston Martin, Misc. Auto Shows

As much as it pains us to say it, the current core range from Aston Martin has grown a little stale. But fret not: a new model is just around the corner.



Snapped undergoing testing at the Nürburgring in this latest batch of spy shots is what looks to be a new and nearly complete V12 GT from Gaydon. Code-named AM 310, it could be a successor to either the DB9 or DBS - or could carry a different nameplate altogether and replace them both.



While the engine and platform carry over as modified versions of the existing building blocks, sources anticipate just about everything else in the new sportscar will be new. The bodywork - styled as something of a blend between the current DBS and the top-of-the-line One-77 - is tipped to be made up almost entirely of aluminum and carbon fiber, reducing the weight for the 6.0-liter V12 engine - anticipated to come with a 55-horse boost over the current DBS for a solid 565 horsepower. That ought to be sufficient to propel the rakish coupe to highway speeds in under four seconds.



An even lighter version clothed entirely in carbon fiber is also said to be in the works, but we may not have to wait that long, as the AM 310 may debut as soon as this weekend at the prestigious and glamorous Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.

Aston Martin DBS/DB9 successor caught at the Ring preparing for Villa d'Este debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 13:31:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Saab, Luxury

The all-but-lifeless corpse of Saab continues to stagger forward in hopes of finding a juicy investor to sink its teeth into. Autocar reports that National Electric Vehicle Sweden is currently close to buying the brand's remaining assets. The freshly minted electric car consortium is helmed by none other than Karl-Erling Trogen, the former head of Volvo Trucks. Beyond that, few details are known about the company or its plans for Saab. National Electric Sweden is owned by two bodies, Sun Investment and Mikael Kubu, the president of law firm Ac-Gruppen.



We can only speculate about what the consortium wants with Saab, though fan site SaabsUnited reports the company may have its eyes on an electric rear axle program developed with in conjunction with eAAM. Whether that means we'll see electric or hybrid Saab models whirring around in the future is still uncertain. If we did, it would probably take quite a while. As SaabsUnited notes, "Saab, the company, right now has nothing in it, no dealership network, no finance structure, no personnel-structure, no communications network, nothing... everything needs to be completely rebuilt from scratch, which will take a huge amount of time."



At this point, we'll just be pleasantly surprised if the Griffin brand gets a new owner at all.

Saab to be saved by mystery Swedish electric car company originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 13:02:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Performance, Europe, Videos, Crossover, Nissan

There's something about the boffins over at Nissan - particularly those working at its racing headquarters in the UK. We're not quite sure what it is. Oh, right: they're bonkers. Absolutely off their rockers, in the best way possible. How else would you explain the decision to take an entry-level crossover and swap out its powertrain for that of a supercar?



We're talking, of course, about the Juke-R, the 480-horsepower demon cockroach from hell. After racing it against a field of supercars in Dubai, Nissan has taken the Juke-R to a decidedly different setting - an ice track near the former Winter Olympics site in Lillehammer, Norway - and set it loose.



And if that wasn't quite enough, the Japanese automaker didn't put it in the hands of an veteran ice racer - say, the four-time Formula One World Champion who drives for its sister company in the Andros Trophy, they gave it over to its gamer-turned-racer Lucas Ordonez who, being from Spain, had never driven on ice before. Sounds sane to us. Scroll on down to see the results in the brief video clip.

Continue reading Nissan Juke-R goes ice fishing in Norway

Nissan Juke-R goes ice fishing in Norway originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 12:32:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Infiniti, New Car Reviews, Luxury

Better Fuel Economy At Any Cost







Brands like Infiniti built their empires convincing the world that the badge on the hood shouldn't matter nearly as much as the bones underneath, but Japan's cadre of luxury brands isn't the only group peddling bang for the buck these days. Manufacturers from Kia to Volkswagen now come with cabins packed with luxury amenities. Even the lowly Ford Fiesta can offer buyers high-quality leather seating and enough technology to put the subcompact into geosynchronous orbit. So why bother stepping up to the mid-level luxury league at all? What differentiates a nice car from a fine automobile beyond a little inflection and a lot of marketing?



European brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz happily prattle on about pedigree and superior engineering, but at the end of the day, a luxury machine simply has to feel special. Foodies often speak of the fifth flavor, umami. Directly translated, the word means "good taste" with an element of savoriness, and automotive luxury is built on that same intangible sensation. Perhaps better than either Acura or Lexus, Infiniti has become a master of that something special, offering its customers elegant style, well-crafted interiors, innovative technology and a superb driving experience. The 2012 Infiniti G25 looks to add superior fuel economy to that list, but can it do so without losing its luxury essence?

Continue reading 2012 Infiniti G25

2012 Infiniti G25 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 11:57:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Chevrolet

General Motors has announced the automaker is recalling certain 2013 Chevrolet Malibu models for a potential sensor failure. Under hard braking, the vehicle's sensing and diagnostic module may reset itself, and if that occurs just before an abrupt turn, the vehicle could trick itself into sensing a rollover. In that event, the roof rail airbag could deploy outside of a crash situation. What's more, the seat belt pretensioners could then fail during a severe crash. Needless to say, it could be a dangerous situation.



The recall covers a total of 4,304 units manufactured between October 24, 2011 and March 31, 2012. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, GM will notify owners and reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The campaign is set to get underway on June 1. Check out the full recall notice for yourself.

Continue reading Chevy recalls 2013 Malibu Eco over unintended airbag deployment fears

Chevy recalls 2013 Malibu Eco over unintended airbag deployment fears originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 11:28:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Suzuki, India, Tata, Fiat

Fiat and Tata has reportedly stepped away from a tieup in the Indian market that saw Fiats being built in India, using engines shared with Tata and Maruti models, and being sold through Tata dealers. Neither company commented, but according to analysts, the issue was that in addition to Tata was simply too busy with its other endeavors, especially Jaguar Land Rover, to attend to the Fiat deal. Sales of the joint-venture vehicles have declined by more than 20 percent year-on-year.



The Fiat-Tata union isn't binding, and talk has now centered around Fiat snuggling up with Suzuki. Suzuki has a huge position in Asia, Suzuki-Maruti being India's largest carmaker and the Japanese firm having sold more than half its cars in the Asia region, excluding Japan, over the year that ended March 31. Fiat, on the other hand, only sold three percent of its wares in Asia in 2011.



There is debate about how beneficial a Fiat-Suzuki tieup would be. Suzuki's position is facing pressures, but some observers say the Japanese firm has all the strengths and, at most, would benefit from "a timely supply of engines," but possibly confuse customers by adding Fiat to its distribution channel. Others think that it would be a good union, with Fiat providing "a sound name" and a technology exchange.



Such a venture would rely on Suzuki extricating itself from its still-binding union with Volkswagen, an adventure that has probably soured Suzuki on the phrase "technology exchange" for a bit. Among the problematic issues, Suzuki has accused VW of breach-of-contract by not sharing VW technology and not initiating any of the joint projects that were Suzuki's reason for the deal. Suzuki and Fiat presently collaborate on the Fiat Sedici/Suzuki SX4, and when Suzuki bought diesel engines from Fiat instead of VW, the German company accused the Japanese automaker of breach-of-contract. Both parties are in arbitration over the matter; last we heard, Suzuki wants its 20-percent stake returned, while VW is still in favor of the partnership. A VW victory would nix the kind of Suzuki deal with Fiat being speculated now.

Suzuki cozying up with Fiat? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 10:58:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, BMW, Design/Style

With BMW putting its Chris Bangle days behind it, one name that has emerged as a dominant force in the design of German luxury sedans has been Karim Habib. The Canadian-Lebanese designer and engineer rose up through the ranks of the BMW Group design offices, styling among other vehicles, the current 7 Series. A few years ago, Habib defected to arch-rival Mercedes-Benz, but was lured back to Munich to head up the brand's exterior design department.



Now BMW has promoted Habib to design director, putting him in charge of all aspects of vehicle design - both inside and out - for the BMW brand specifically (discounting Mini and Rolls-Royce). In his new capacity, Habib will report to Adrian van Hooydonk, who continues to oversee all design for the entire BMW Group as senior vice-president. Find the official announcement below.

Continue reading BMW names Karim Habib new design chief

BMW names Karim Habib new design chief originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 10:29:00 EST.  Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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