Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann has said many times before that the Italian automaker is dedicated to introducing a new model every year. Following the Reventon Coupe and the Reventon Roadster, Lamborghini is working on the Jota for next year, set to replace the Murcielago. The Jota will get a new a carbon fiber chassis with carbon fiber aluminum body. Power is expected to come from a 6.0L V12 with direct-injection making more than 700-hp.

According to sources, Lamborghini is also planning a model above the Jota, known as the Urus (and no we’re not talking about a production Lamborghini Estoque sedan).

Insiders say that the Urus will come to the market to compete with the Ferrari Enzo. The model will be based on a modified chassis that will underpin the Jota. It will be reworked to be light and dynamic as possible, reports CarUK.net. Power is rumored to come from a V12 making over 800-hp, allowing for a 0-60 mph time in the low 3 second range.

When can you expect to see the Urus? Not until 2011 and don’t expect to see it on the roads until 2012. The Lamborghini Jota will arrive sometime in late 2010.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: CarsUK

You may think that Lamborghini vehicles and Mercedes-Benz’s SLS AMG Gullwing have some exotic styles for their doors. Well, Ferrari is said to be working on a new kind of door that is aimed at improving passenger and driver entry into its vehicles, reports AutoCar.

The publication has acquired some documents from Ferrari’s patent application for a door that shows a part of the front wing and hinges, so that when opened, the driver or passenger can directly place their foot behind the front wheel.

Apparently the move will allow occupants to get in and out of a low-slung Ferrari vehicle easier than before.

The patent application claims that the new door would be “easy and cost-effective to make” when compared to gullwing doors.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoCar

Spyker Cars has announced that it will be moving production of its premium sports car to it supplier CPP Ltd in the UK. The automaker said that by relocating its production line from Zeewolde to Coventry, it will improve efficiency of production and reduce cost.

The move is expected to be completed by the end of 2009. Spyker said that of the 135 Spyker employees in the Netherlands, approximately 45 jobs will be directly affected. It said that engineering, corporate staff functions, sales, marketing and its Works’ GT race team will remain in Zeewolde.

Spyker will continue to look for ways to reduce cost and said that further headcount reduction may not be excluded in its efforts.

Click through for the press release.

Press Release:

ZEEWOLDE, The Netherlands (November 20, 2009) – Spyker Cars N.V., manufacturer of exclusive premium sports cars, announces today that it will relocate vehicle assembly to its supplier, CPP (Manufacturing) Ltd, UK.

By relocating its assembly lines from Zeewolde to Coventry, Spyker will achieve considerable improvements in efficiency and substantial cost-reductions. The relocation is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Of the 135 Spyker employees in the Netherlands, approximately 45 jobs will be directly affected. A full social plan will be prepared in consultation with the trade unions, and Spyker will work with the trade unions to assist the employees concerned in finding a new job. Engineering, Corporate staff functions, Sales, After-Sales, Marketing and “Spyker Squadron”, the company’s Works’ GT race team, will remain in Zeewolde. Management will continue its efforts to reduce costs and further headcount reduction may not be excluded.

Victor R. Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars stated: “In these challenging times, a small manufacturer like Spyker has to find ways to reduce costs as well as improve its efficiency. By relocating vehicle assembly to CPP (Manufacturing), which was Spyker’s very first contracting partner at the inception of our company in 2000 and has been one of our most trusted partners ever since, we secure the future of our business”.

“With approximately half of our vehicles’ parts and components sourced in the UK, and virtually all key suppliers being located there, moving closer to our suppliers and engineering partners will result in substantial savings and tangible efficiency improvements”.

“We realise that jobs will be affected in the Netherlands but we believe this move is necessary under the current economic circumstances and is in the best interest of the company and all of its stakeholders,” he added.

Brendan O’Toole, Managing Director of CPP (Manufacturing), stated: “We have worked closely with Spyker since 2000 when we built their very first prototype chassis, and have grown with Spyker to become one of the leading low-volume manufacturers in the industry. We will maintain the highest standards of quality in the assembly of Spyker vehicles, while at the same time achieving significant cost reductions and operational efficiencies for Spyker”.

- By: Kap Shah

After a pretty dismal October, Chrysler is looking to boost sales with new incentives.

“Chrysler Group is happy to kick-off our ‘Year-end Wrap-up’ just in time for the holiday season,” said Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer–Ram Brand and Lead Executive for the Sales Organization, Chrysler Group LLC. “We want consumers to come into our showrooms and see what the new Chrysler Group has to offer. With great vehicles like the award-winning Dodge Ram truck, four vehicles that earned the top-safety pick from IIHS, competitive prices and a variety of incentives, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram offer customers vehicles that are fun to drive, and get the job done.”

The incentives will kick off today and will be valid until Jan. 4, 2010.

Click through to see the list of incentives for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge.

Chrysler Brand:
Beginning today, consumers purchasing select Chrysler vehicles can choose from:

- 0 percent financing for up to 60 months
- Consumer cash of up to $3,000
- All-wheel drive at no cost with the purchase of a Chrysler 300
- A no-cost DVD system with the purchase of a Chrysler Town & Country minivan
- Attractive financing rates and a no-cost service/maintenance program for three years/36,000 miles

Jeep Brand:
Jeep customers can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 60 months, consumer cash of up to $4,000 or attractive financing rates and a no-cost service/maintenance program for three years/36,000 miles.

Dodge Car Brand:
Beginning today, consumers purchasing select Dodge vehicles can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 60 months, consumer cash of up to $2,500 and all-wheel drive at no cost with the purchase of a Dodge Charger.

Ram Truck Brand:
The Ram Truck Brand is offering consumers combinations of attractive financing and/or consumer cash including 0 percent financing for up to 48 months or 2.9 percent financing for 60 months, or consumer cash of up to $2,500.

Ram is also offering consumers 0 percent financing for up to 72 months or up to $5,500 in consumer cash on most 2009 Dodge Ram trucks.

- By: Omar Rana

Two people familiar with the situation told Reuters today that electric-vehicle automaker Tesla Motors is planning to go public soon. The sources said that Tesla is outlining plans to offer an IPO and cash in on investors who are interested in the future of electric-vehicles.

A source said that an IPO filing from Tesla is expected any day; however, the source would not give a specific time frame.

Tesla spokesman Ricardo Reyes declined to comment on the report and called it “rumor or speculation.”

Tesla’s investors include Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Reuters

Michael Schumacher is reported to make a come back to Formula 1 with the new Mercedes team, according to BBC Sport.

“Mercedes want the seven-time champion as their lead driver after taking over title-winning Brawn,” BBC Sport’s Eddie Jordan says. ”The possibility is being actively pursued and I believe it is going to happen.”

Schumacher’s return to F1 with Mercedes GP will reunite him with Ross Brawn, who assisted him with all his seven title wins at Benetton and Ferrari.

41-year-old Schumacher pulled out of a temporary come back to F1 earlier this year to replace Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.

Schumacher’s spokeswoman Sabine Kehm told BBC Sport that a return was “highly unlikely – but never say never”.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: BBC Sport

Volkswagen AG is planning to invest an automotive capital expenditure of around 19.9 billion euros ($29.55 billion) between 2010 and 2012. The German automaker said that an estimated 13.3 billion euros of the total investment will go into property, plant and equipment and will help modernize and expand the company’s product range.

“In the area of powertrains, new engine generations will be introduced that offer additional improvements in performance, consumption and emissions. Automatic gearbox capacity will be aligned with growing demand,” Volkswagen said in a statement. “Because of the high quality and cost targets, the new products require modifications to press and paint shops as well as assembly facilities. Outside manufacturing, investments are planned mainly in the areas of development, quality assurance, genuine parts supply and IT.”

The other 6.6 billion euros will be investing in ”cross-product technologies” in the coming three years.

This investment does not include another 4.4 billion euro earmarked over the same period at its two Chinese joint ventures.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Reuters

Volkswagen’s Supervisory Board  confirmed today that it will buy land, machinery and equipment formerly belonging to Karmann at its Osnabrueck, Germany. Volkswagen said that it will build a new vehicle in Osnabrueck in 2011 but did not specify what the new car would be.

“Volkswagen will begin vehicle production in Osnabrück in 2011,” Volkswagen said in a statement. “According to present plans, this will create over 1,000 jobs by 2014. Ongoing development contracts will continue in effect. Some 200 specialists will already be needed from next year to start production and set up the vehicle project.”

Volkswagen said that employees and former employees of Karmann have extensive experience in the production of small series models, and this experience will be accessed in line with requirements.

- By: Omar Rana

Back in June when Chrysler emerged from a U.S. government funded bankruptcy it terminated nearly 800 dealerships in an effort to keep its network size in line with its U.S. market share. Chrysler came out of bankruptcy court with about 2,400 dealerships and had 2,366 at the end of October. The Auburn Hills automaker is now planning to close another 100 dealerships if they cannot reach a new financing deal with GMAC Financial Services or other lenders.

Chrysler spokeswoman Kathy Graham said that Chrysler was “optimistic” that nearly all dealerships would find financing for their vehicle inventories and other expenses by the end of November.

Around 1,500 Chrysler Group LLC dealerships sought financing through GMAC, which eventually replaced Chrysler Financial as preferred lender to the dealerships in April.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Reuters

The Obama administration’s former auto czar, Steven Rattner, said that the key aim of restructuring Chrysler was replacing the group of top executives and management that was put together by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP.

“We wanted to have a completely fresh management team (at Chrysler),” said Rattner. “You can’t come to any conclusion that management is not a huge ingredient, a huge determinant of success.”

The U.S. government allowed Fiat SpA to take 20 percent of Chrysler and allowed Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne to become the head of Chrysler Group LLC.

Rattner, who left the auto task force in July, said that the main reason behind support the Chrysler/Fiat alliance “was frankly to get new management and to get what we thought was one of two or three best management teams in the world.”

Former CEO Bob Nardelli left the company along with Tom LaSorda. Jim Press will leave by the end of the month.

Chrysler had no comment on Rattner’s remarks.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News

General Motors’ new Chairman, Edward Whitacre, is asking its engineers to call a couple hundred customers who are returning or exchanging their GM vehicles under the company’s 60-day money-back guarantee program. Mark Reuess, GM’s vice president of global engineering said today that he is personally calling customers.

Reuss said that this evening he will call a customer who returned a Chevrolet Malibu sedan and a Chevrolet Silverado pickup. He said that the new effort is a prime example of how product development is changing under the new GM.

“It was a really good idea,” Reuss said. “First, the customers are thrilled the engineers and vice presidents are calling them. But it’s also about as direct and unfiltered consumer feedback channel as any we’ve done.”

Of the 220,000 vehicles have been sold under the 60-day money-back guarantee and about 653 customers opted for the return program instead of the $500 cash rebate. It is reported that of the 653 customers, about 140 have asked to return or exchange their new GM and 53 have completed the return or exchange process.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoObserver

China based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has made it known that they intend to keep Volvo production a European affair should it purchase the Swedish automaker.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier in the month however, that Geely would be building a new Volvo plant in China with the ability to put out 300,000 vehicles per year. They also said that within four or five years, Volvo’s annual sales rate could reach 1 million vehicles, compared with a recent rate of 400,000.

Though neither party involved has disclosed a sale price, media reports are suggesting a price closer to $2 billion; $4.45 billion less than what FoMoCo had actually paid for the swedish automaker.

A point of concern while hashing out this deal, has been the transfer of Volvo’s intellectual property rights. A Ford spokesman had commented earlier this week however, that they were confident that to was an issue that could be overcome, as it had been in Ford’s sale of Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors Ltd.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Reuters

Daimler AG announced today that it has kicked off production of its new Smart ForTwo electric-drive EVs at the company’s plant in Hambach, France. The first 1,000 units produced will go to customers participating in various pilot programs across Europe and the United States.

The Smart ForTwo electric-drive will be available to the general public by 2012.

Power for the Smart ForTwo electric-drive comes from a 40-hp electric-motor (fitted at the rear) with a peak torque of 89 lb-ft. 0-37 mph comes in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 62 mph (hold onto your butts). When fully charged, the electric Smart can offer an expected driving range of 75 miles. A quick charge will allow you to travel a total of 25 miles.

The electric-motor gets its power from a lithium-ion battery that is provided by Tesla Motors.

Click through for the press release.

Smart ForTwo electric-drive:

Press Release:

Production of the smart fortwo electric drive Begins in Hambach

- Production of 1,000 units begins
- First European electric vehicle fully operational in everyday use
- Available to the general public as of 2012

Hambach, France / Stuttgart, Germany – This week, Daimler AG started production of the smart fortwo electric drive at the smart plant in Hambach, France. In a first step, 1,000 vehicles will be provided to customers participating in various mobility projects in major cities in Europe and the U.S., in order to generate broad feedback on electric driving under everyday conditions.

Marc Langenbrinck, Managing Director of the smart brand: “With the start of the series production of the smart fortwo electric drive, the Hambach plant enters a new era – at the same time, the smart fortwo emphazises its pioneering role on the way to individual mobility with local zero-emissions in cities and urban areas. Its innovative battery-electric drive makes the smart fortwo electric drive the ideal vehicle for the city: it combines responsibility to the environment with driving fun and joie de vivre in a virtually perfect manner.”

The second-generation smart fortwo electric drive started now is equipped with the most modern lithium-ion-battery. As of 2012, the smart fortwo electric drive will be produced as a regular part of the smart product portfolio and will regularly be sold through the smart sales network.

First Milestones in 2007 and 2008

The smart brand has taken a pioneering role in electric mobility since 2007. Back then, 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation went into practical customer operation under everyday conditions of city traffic in London. Feedback from this project has been very positive right from the start and confirmed the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.

Just one year later, the company introduced the second generation – which is now being produced – with an even more advanced electric drive and an innovative, highly efficient lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including higher performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. In addition, a smart fortwo electric drive can be charged at a regular household power outlet.

A story of success: The smart Plant in Hambach

The smart plant in Hambach was inaugurated in 1997. Since 1998, it has produced the smart fortwo, since 2007 in its current generation. In 2008, more than 800 employees of the plant and some further 800 people employed by seven system partners produced about 140,000 units of the smart fortwo. In September 2008, the brand celebrated its tenth anniversary along with the 1-millionth smart fortwo produced at the Hambach plant.

The Hambach plant has represented an innovative production concept since its beginning: The assembly line in the shape of a plus sign has been designed to optimally meet the demands of assembly and logistics and ensures highly efficient production processes. This principle enables the system partners to supply modules directly to the assembly line, which reduces transport and logistics efforts to a minimum and hereby also provides an advantage regarding ecological aspects. In addition, the environmentally friendly and cost effective paint shop, an energy concept with numerous savings opportunities and the construction principle of the vehicles ensure that the ecological product responsibility of the smart brand is translated into the production.

- By: Kap Shah

When most of us play video games, we never really think about how much work goes into producing one that is as close to reality as possible. Take car racing games for example – capturing sounds of tire screeches and engine noise seems like a tedious task since its difficult to isolate one from the other.

Thanks to the Tesla Roadster electric-vehicle, that problem has been solved. Microsoft recently borrowed the very silent Tesla Roadster to capture sounds including tire squeal and other audio components of driving without mixing any engine noise in the process.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: CrunchGear

We’ve heard about Rolls-Royce working on an electric version of the Phantom many times before. According to AutoCar, Rolls-Royce could have an electric Phantom on the roads within 12 months. That would be just in time for the car to make its debut at the 2012 London Olympics, which are being sponsored by parent company BMW.

Boss Tom Purvis has previously said that he wishes to produce an electric version of the Rolls-Royce Phantom to cushion the company from a possible future ban on big-engined sedans in urban areas and avoid tough CO2 regulations.

Insiders have said that the excess weight of a lithium-ion battery is the least of Rolls-Royce’s concerns since the Phantom already weighs close to three tons with its V12 engine.

Rolls-Royce is also reported to be working on an hybrid version of the new Ghost sedan, which should improve fuel-economy by 15 percent.

2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoCar

Renault/Nissan CEO, Carlos Ghosn, said that General Motors Company would have been better off if it had formed an alliance with his companies in 2006. GM and Renault/Nissan called the talks off in October 2006.

“Without any doubt,” he said during a forum sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations. “We knew fundamentally that this would work, but only if it was a collaborative effort.”

Ghosn said that there was huge “possibility to create something that would be extremely competitive.” He said the alliance would have allowed both companies to share technology, practices and a common approach.

When asked if he was happy that the alliance with GM fell through, Ghosn said: “When you see the disaster and the waste of energy and skills and talent, nobody can be happy.”

He went on to say that the auto industry had become much more interconnected.

“When General Motors was in danger, everybody was scared. We were scared. Because some of our suppliers are big suppliers of General Motors,” Ghosn said. “If they go down, we would not have been able to assemble any single car in the United States.”

- By: Omar Rana

Photo Copyright © 2009 Jack Rosenfeld – egmCarTech.

Source: Detroit News

The Obama administration is drawing a bright line between their preference for electric vehicles and their responsibility to manage the tax payers stakes in GM and Chrysler, according to Reuters. “We obviously would be very happy if Chrysler and GM were making lots and lots of high mileage cars. It’s not a prerequisite. It’s not an obligation,” Ron Bloom, head of Obama’s autos task force told Reuters on Tuesday.

Both companies however, do intend to release more fuel efficient vehicles and lines of smaller cars. The Chevy Volt, due out by GM next year is the company’s spear head in this fuel-efficiency movement, while Chrysler sidelined its plan for a similar vehicle seeing as how such a car would be inconsistent with their five-year business plan released earlier this month.

Both automakers have applied for billions of dollars in Energy Dept. loans for assistance in equipping their factories for output of more fuel-efficient vehicles. Bloom has said however that the Energy Dept. will retain complete autonomy in the decision process regarding who receives loans and who doesn’t.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Reuters

Former Fiat SpA marketing executive and Italian businessman Gian Mario Rossignolo plans to revive the De Tomaso sports car brand, reports Automotive News. Rossignolo plans to build 8,000 De Tomaso cars a year in a former Pininfarina factory near Turin.

79-year Rossignolo said that he plans to offer a three-model range of aluminum premium vehicles. He bought the brand from a Modena bankruptcy court earlier this month.

Originally, the De Tomaso company was founded in Modena in 1959 by Alejandro De Tomaso, a former Argentinean race-car driver. The company closed its doors and filed for bankruptcy in 2004, a year after De Tomaso’s death. The brand had three popular coupes in the 1960s and 1970s including the Vallelunga, Mangusta and the Pantera.

- By: Omar Rana