Nissan remains committed to its long-term electrification objectives but will work to offer a ‘flexible’ mix of powertrain technologies in response to wavering global demand for electric cars. That’s according to CEO Makoto Uchida, who opened the 2024 Financial Times Future of the Car conference with an overview of Nissan‘s global performance and evolving electrification progress. … Continue reading Nissan CEO: Powertrain ‘flexibility’ key as EV demand fluctuates
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Ford Focus will not live beyond 2025 despite drop in EV demand
Ford will not extend the Focus’s life cycle beyond 2025, despite the widespread drop in electric car demand that has prompted some rival manufacturers to slow the phasing out of their combustion cars. Ford announced in 2022 that it would shut down the Focus production line in Saarlouis, Germany, in mid-2025. It has so far been… Continue reading Ford Focus will not live beyond 2025 despite drop in EV demand
Inside one brand’s struggle to stay alive in China’s cut-throat car market
Male workers stopping for a pee break at Zeekr’s impressive new factory in Ningbo, south of Shanghai in China, are faced with a motivational poster that reads more like a threat. “To live, to win it all, what does it mean? It means that even a small mistake is not allowed in 2024!” Above the… Continue reading Inside one brand’s struggle to stay alive in China’s cut-throat car market
New Kia EV3 set for full reveal this month
The new model will sit alongside the Niro EV, which uses a multi-powertrain platform, and will serve as an indirect replacement for the Soul EV. Unlike those models, the EV3 will use the Hyundai Motor Group’s bespoke electric E-GMP platform, which should enable it to be offered with a range of powertrains and battery sizes.… Continue reading New Kia EV3 set for full reveal this month
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 cabriolet guns for BMW M440i
The cabriolet has also been given a raft of styling upgrades to match its AMG billing. Its flared front wheel arches accommodate a front track that’s 58mm wider than the standard CLE’s and there is an AMG-specific front grille, deeper front and rear bumpers, enlarged air intakes, quad exhausts and new alloy wheel designs –… Continue reading Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 cabriolet guns for BMW M440i
New hot Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio to focus on driver engagement
“I don’t want to become an SUV brand even if the world is switching to SUVs,” Imparato added. The Giulia will reintroduce several design cues from historic Alfa Romeos, most notably including the abrupt ‘Coda Tronca’ rear end. Nonetheless, it will remain a thoroughly modern proposition. Design boss Alejandro Mesonero-Romano warned: “We have to be… Continue reading New hot Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio to focus on driver engagement
Cybersecurity regulations: Are non-compliant cars more vulnerable?
To achieve this level of access and convenience, data and cyber protection will need to be in place at every stage of a car’s design and production. It’s this level of protection that cars such as the 718 and Macan lack. However, Porsche insists the models are secure. A spokesman said: “Although the processes now… Continue reading Cybersecurity regulations: Are non-compliant cars more vulnerable?
From the archive: the ill-fated communist car revolution
In the late 1980s, the Eastern bloc’s communist governments realised their countries’ potential for car making and owning and strove to supersede their terrible old smokers with modern metal. “We’ve decided to increase our car production from 1.3m in 1987 to 2.5m by 1995,” said Valentin Morozov, the car industry’s first deputy minister in the… Continue reading From the archive: the ill-fated communist car revolution
Audi CEO on his biggest challenges: “I’ve never seen anything like it”
When Gernot Döllner arrived in Ingolstadt in September last year to start his new role as CEO and chairman of Audi, he probably found quite the to-do list in a bulging in-tray. Shortly before Döllner’s appointment, Volkswagen Group chair Oliver Blume described Audi as “lagging [behind] the competition”. That’s why the job had become vacant… Continue reading Audi CEO on his biggest challenges: “I’ve never seen anything like it”
Why the return of Caterham’s Drift Experience is a good thing
After a four-year absence, Caterham has revived its Drift Experience. The clue is in the name to what happens: it’s a day spent learning to drift, in a Caterham. While it’s rear-wheel drive, a Seven isn’t the most natural car in the world in which to drift. These are light cars with short wheelbases and… Continue reading Why the return of Caterham’s Drift Experience is a good thing