Listing Details
News for the autotech community.
Renault released the new Renault Kangoo Be Bop, which is based on the Kangoo compact concept show car unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car features compact size (length: 3.87 metres), original two-tone colour scheme and exclusive interior appointments. Its extensive glazed area and four roomy seats afford a sense of space and light. Glazed sliding roof and rear tailgate window which slides out of sight offer an exciting open top motoring experience.
In spite of compact exterior dimensions, the car has a generous interior. A lot of emphasis has been given on space and lighting while designing the car. The car includes cruise control with speed limiter, automatic headlamp and wiper activation and a rear parking proximity sensor.
This car is targeted at customers who wish to move away from established automobile cues and who are looking for a vehicle that expresses optimism and joie de vivre without being showy.
The BorgWarner Engine Group supplies systems and components for five of the '10 Best Engines 2009' presented by Ward's Auto World at the North American International Auto Show, including:
-- Audi 2.0L TFSI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (A4 Avant)
-- BMW 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbodiesel (335d)
-- Chrysler 5.7L Hemi OHV V-8 (Dodge Ram/Challenger R/T)
-- Ford 2.5L DOHC I-4 HEV (Escape Hybrid)
-- Volkswagen 2.0L SOHC I-4 Turbodiesel (Jetta TDI)
Turbochargers, engine timing systems, viscous fan drives, glow plugs and control modules, and instant start systems are some of the technologies BorgWarner produces for the engines on the distinguished list.
'Fuel economy, reduced emissions and enhanced performance -- these
important benefits drive advances in BorgWarner's industry-leading engine
technology,' said
Ward's 10 Best Engines program has built a reputation as the auto
industry's annual barometer of powertrain expertise. Nominations for the award
are limited to engines that are available in regular-production, U.S. models
on sale no later than the first quarter of 2009 with a base price of no more
than
Larry Burns, General Motors vice president for Research & Development and Strategic Planning, today called for the creation of a new public/private partnership to rapidly commercialize key U.S. automotive technologies.
In a speech to the Transportation Research Board at the 88th Annual Meeting, Burns said such a partnership should be focused on collaboration to ensure that U.S.-developed technologies reach the commercial “tipping point” where markets will naturally sustain volume growth.
“Markets must ultimately drive the high-volume supply and demand of advanced technology vehicles,” Burns said. “Governments cannot afford to subsidize high volumes, companies cannot afford to price below cost at high volumes, and consumers will not purchase in high volume if prices exceed value. What is needed is a mechanism to share the public/private risks and rewards of transitioning to ‘tipping points’ through early commercialization of transformational technologies.”
Burns said the partnership should include the U.S. government, auto manufacturers and suppliers, the energy and infrastructure industries, and other key stakeholders. He said its focus should be on enabling technologies for electrically driven vehicles such as advanced batteries, electric motors, power electronics, fuel cells, hydrogen infrastructure and storage systems and connected vehicle technologies such as sensors, actuators, wireless communications and GPS systems.
A new automotive technology partnership could:
“The transformation to electrically driven and connected vehicles is
both exciting and necessary,” Burns said. “Amid growing concern about
economic and energy security, sustainable mobility, safety and
congestion, there is an increasing realization that the current
automobile, powered by a combustion engine, is simply not sustainable.
As we electrify and connect our vehicles, we will see a transformation
in the basic 120-year-old DNA of the automobile. A U.S. partnership
focused on the new DNA of the automobile will ensure that the U.S.
continues to be a leader in this vital area of national interest.”
About GM: General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 77 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 252,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 34 countries. In 2007, nearly 9.37 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
TomTom and Renault have teamed up to offer affordable fully integrated navigation solutions to Renault customers. The first application is expected to be on the market in the first half of 2009. The development is in line with explosive growth the market for navigation has been experiencing since the last four years. Navigation devices have become a “must have” item for consumers.
Commenting on the deal, Harold Goddijn CEO of TomTom said, “TomTom is uniquely placed to take advantage of the growth of navigation systems in the automotive industry. We created the in-car navigation category as it’s known today and have become the number one brand of choice by identifying and delivering what customers want and look forward to in navigation. Less than a year ago we significantly expanded our automotive engineering team and we are thrilled to now team up with Renault. This means that a far broader audience can benefit from our easy-to-use navigation solution offering the best maps, routing and traffic.”
Maserati has defied market conditions to
record its third successive record breaking sales year in Australia
and, in doing so, has become the fastest growing car brand in Australia
with a full year sales increase of 50 per cent according to VFACTS
figures released on January 6, 2009.
This has also enabled Maserati to become the first exotic car
brand to sell more than 200 cars in a 12 month period in Australia. Making these figures even more remarkable is the fact that demand
for the Maserati GranTurismo has exceeded supply and deliveries of
Maserati’s key model, the Quattroporte, were severely limited for half
of the year, pending the arrival of the new Quattroporte, which was
launched at the 2008 Australian International Motor Show in October. Australian Maserati importer, European Automotive Imports (EAI),
expects the growth in Maserati sales to continue in 2009, despite
predictions of a slump in the total car market. Demand for the
range-topping GranTurismo S is outstripping supply and deliveries of
the performance version of the Quattroporte, the 4.7 litre ‘S’ version
that will account for the vast majority of sales, are only just
starting. EAI, the Australian car importer and distributor owned by Neville
Crichton, took over distribution of Maserati in 2005 and it has set a
new record for Maserati sales in Australia every year following its
takeover of local distribution. “Maserati’s unique blend of style, performance, exclusivity and
heritage has produced a range of extraordinary cars. In addition,
Australian Maserati owners benefit from a unique level of customer care
provided by our outstanding dealers,” explains Edward Butler, General
Manager of Maserati Australia and New Zealand at EAI. “These are
attributes that cannot be copied and ensure that, along with enhanced
supply of new cars in 2009, Maserati will continue to break records in
Australia during the coming year.” Maserati sold 201 vehicles in 2008, a 50 per cent increase over the
2007 figure of 134, itself a 25 per cent increase over Maserati and
EAI’s first full year figure of 107 in 2006. In 2005 Maserati sold 80
cars in Australia. Maserati’s 50 per cent increase is greater than any
other brand that completed a full year’s sales in 2007.
-- --