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.”
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You might think that as the market shifts its focus to fuel-efficient vehicles, high-performance vehicles are likely to be short-lived. Speaking to AutoWeek, Mark Reuss, General Motors’ vice president of global marketing, said that Chevrolets with the SS badge are safe as long as he’s with GM.
Reuss said that the SS line of vehicles could offer more in the future. He said that he envisions vehicles outfitted on a case-by-case basis, rather than generically adding more output and the red SS badge to Chevrolets across the board.
Reuss comes to GM after leading Holden operations in Australia, the origin of the Detroit automaker’s enthusiast-oriented rear-wheel drive underpinnings known as Zeta.
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Pricing for the 2010 Nissan Cube will start at $13,990 for the base Cube 1.8 model, unchanged from the price-tag in 2009. For 2010, the Cube S and SL models get Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, leather-wrapped steering wheel and steering wheel audio controls as standard options. The S models also get iPod connectivity, MP3 CD-ROM playback capacity, Radio Data System, speed-sensitive volume control and two additional speakers (for a total of six) as standard. A new exterior color, Sapphire Black, is also being offered.
The 2010 Cube 1.8 S Krom Edition gets a new 4.3-inch color audio display with USB connectivity and a RearView Monitor as standard equipment. Both are optional on the SL Preferred Package.
2010 Nissan Cube Pricing (MSRP):
cube 1.8 Base 1.8L I4 M/T: $13,990
cube 1.8 S 1.8L I4 M/T: $15,030
cube 1.8 S 1.8L I4 CV: $16,030
cube 1.8 SL 1.8L I4 CVT: $17,130
cube 1.8 S Krom Edition 1.8L I4 CVT: $20,120
Check out our review of the 2009 Nissan Cube here.
Click through for the press release.
2009 Nissan Cube:
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Acura has released the pricing details on the new 2010 Acura ZDX crossover, which will arrive at dealerships starting Dec. 15. Pricing will start at $45,495 for the base ZDX.
The 2010 Acura ZDX with a Technology Package will run you $49,995 and will ad Acura’s Navigation System with Voice Recognition, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic with Traffic Rerouting, AcuraLink Real-Time Weather with radar image maps, a full VGA display screen and an innovative new multi-view rear camera. It also includes an upgraded Acura/ELS Surround 415-watt Premium Audio System with a built-in 15-gigabyte hard disk drive media storage system, a GPS-linked, solar-sensing, dual-zone automatic climate control system and Keyless Access System.
The 2010 Acura ZDX with an Advance Package costs $56,045 and builds on the Technology Package with a new blind spot information system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigating Braking System, an Integrated Dynamic System active damper system, heated and ventilated front seats with Perforated Milano Premium Leather seating surfaces, premium brushed tricot headliner material and a sport steering wheel.
All 2010 Acura ZDX model are powered by a 3.7L VTEC V6 engine making 300-hp and a maximum torque of 270 lb0ft. EPA-rated fuel-economy comes in at 16/23 mpg (city/highway). All ZDX models also get Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system.
Click here for more news on the Acura ZDX.
Click through for the high-res image gallery.
2010 Acura ZDX:
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Speaking to the folks over at TheDetroitBureau.com, the General Manager of Lexus, Mark Templin, said that the luxury brand is giving some serious thought to launching a new compact luxury model in the United States.
“There is a group of buyers growing up now who won’t buy cars by the pound,” said Templin. “We have already seen a structural shift” to the compact and more affordable models in the luxury market over the past couple of years.
He said that Lexus’ compact model, which will be based on the Lexus LF-Ch Concept that debuted in Frankfurt, “won’t necessarily be targeting the budget-constrained” luxury shopper.
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When Ford first introduced the new Focus RS to the European market, it had planned to produce only 1,200 units. However, due to high-demand, Ford of Europe has decided to build an additional 400 units of the 305-hp Ford hatchback – exclusively for sale in German.
Ford said that this is the final decision and that there won’t be any more Focus RS units build after the 400 units are completed. If you live in Germany and you’re interested, you can order the car now and expect delivery in the early part of 2010.
Click here for more news on the Focus RS.
Refresher: Power comes from a 2.5L 5-cylinder Duratec engine with a large Borg Warner K16 turbocharger. That makes a total of 300-hp and a peak torque.
2009 Ford Focus RS:
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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
Earlier this week, engineers and other members of the Chevrolet Volt team provided the media with an update on the development of the new plug-in hybrid vehicle.
There is less than one year to go before GM starts making the production Chevrolet Volt, according to Vehicle Chief Engineer Andrew Farah. The plug-in hybrid is scheduled to go on sale in Nov. 2010.
Click through to see highlights from the presentation.
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The Cadillac CTS Coupe is going to be released in May 2010 as a 2011 model year and will share all of its engine choices with the CTS and the CTS-V sedan. Bob Lutz confirmed back in July that General Motors was indeed going to offer a CTS-V Coupe, which we just learned will make its debut at the 2010 Detroit Show.
Lutz recently confirmed that GM will also offer a Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon.
Power for the CTS-V Coupe and the CTS-V Sport Wagon will come from the same 6.2L Supercharged V8 LSA found in the CTS-V sedan. Output is rated at 556-hp with a maximum torque of 551 lb-ft.
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