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Polestar 1 Production Plant Starts Construction In China

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Polestar 1 Production Plant Starts Construction In China

20 Nov 2017, 13:55 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

Chengdu isn’t just one of the most populous areas in the People’s Republic of China, but it briefly served as the capital of the country from 1949 until the closure of the Chinese Civil War. Chengdu is the region’s equivalent to Silicon Valley in the United States, which might have had something to do with Polestar deciding to set base in this area of China.
21 photosSpun off from Volvo as a standalone brand and controlled by Geely, Polestar announced that the production facility for the 1 plug-in hybrid supercoupe is coming together in Chengdu. By mid-2018, the factory should be completed and ready to start tooling and pre-production tests.
The nine-month construction plan is challenging in its own right, but then again, the Polestar 1 is a plug-in hybrid unlike any before it. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Polestar highlights the plant “will be the most environmentally-responsible car factory in China.” And that’s saying something considering China’s environmental record isn’t all that green.
“We are building a Production Centre that is a reflection of our brand,” declared head honcho Thomas Ingenlath. “A facility that is modern, progressive, technically advanced and environmentally responsible. The Polestar Production Centre will be an embodiment of the Polestar brand.”
Described by its maker as a grand touring coupe, the 1 features a performance-oriented powertrain with 600 horsepower on tap and up to 150 kilometers of electric range. To whom it may concern, that translates to the longest pure electric distance of any hybridized car in the world.
Production of the 1 will start by mid-2019 and be capped at 500 examples per year, with pricing expected to range from €130,000 to €150,000 ($153,000 to $177,000) for the entry-level trim. There’s also the possibility Polestar will adopt the Care by Volvo subscription service introduced by the XC40. It all boils down to a flat fee that covers things such as the cost of the car, insurance, and maintenance into one monthly paid installment.

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Toyota-Mazda Shared Plant To Crop Up In Alabama Or North Carolina

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Toyota-Mazda Shared Plant To Crop Up In Alabama Or North Carolina

15 Nov 2017, 14:32 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

Building and selling cars is big business. And in addition to big, it’s complicated business for one too many reasons, chief among which is legislation. In the U.S., for example, it’s easier for foreign automakers to build cars locally because the state will offer incentives. This, in turn, creates jobs, and the pricing advantage over imports is nothing to scoff at.
9 photos Toyota and Mazda find themselves in this situation, with the two announcing that they’re planning on spending $1.6 billion on a plant in the United States that will create 4,000 jobs. The factory would be operational by 2021, but there’s a catch with this promise. And that catch is, Toyota and Mazda have refused to spell out the location where the plant will be.
The background story originates with Donald Trump, who attacked Toyota with a “big border tax” over the automaker’s plan to construct a factory in Guanajuato, Mexico. There, Toyota would’ve produced the Corolla, but once President Trump got in on the action, the Japanese automaker decided that it would be better to build the Tacoma in Mexico.
Trump’s attack wasn’t in vain, for the POTUS convinced Toyota to relegate Corolla production to the United States, at the factory this story is about. Mazda joined Toyota in its ambitious plan, with Mazda announcing that it'll build “new crossover vehicles” at the yet-to-be-constructed plant.
According to Bloomberg, the search for a location for the Toyota-Mazda plant has been narrowed to two states: Alabama and North Carolina. All that’s left to do now is for state officials to sweeten the deal, with Toyota-Mazda expected to take the better offer as far as incentives are concerned.
Whichever state wins, the shared factory is actually a victory for the Trump administration. After all, it is “the first new auto assembly plant to be announced during the tenure of President Donald Trump,” and that’s good news considering Ford will source the next-generation Focus from China.
Editor's note:

Mazda2 Sedan-based Scion iA pictured.

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Volkswagen Production Milestone: 6 Million Vehicles Manufactured In One Year

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Volkswagen Production Milestone: 6 Million Vehicles Manufactured In One Year

30 Dec 2017, 12:43 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

The Volkswagen Group is the world’s largest automaker by sales volume, delivering 10.3 million vehicles in 2016. Production, as expected, is another area where the Wolfsburg-based company is at the top of its game.
10 photosWith a few days to go until 2017 turns to 2018, the Volkswagen brand (not group) announced that it had produced six million vehicles in the current calendar year. It’s a production record made possible by 50-plus plants located in 14 countries, and a product portfolio of 60-plus models.

“More than six million vehicles produced in 12 months – there is one thing that this shows above all: our plants and employees are continually improving their production competence. We have top teams in production which successfully master growing demand from customers,” declared Thomas Ulbrich, whose role is that of Member of the Board of Management of the German brand responsible for Production & Logistics.
Volkswagen highlights that the models which made the production record possible are the Jetta, followed by the Golf, Santana, Passat, and Polo. These are all nameplates with tradition for the brand, though newcomers also had a say in the result, especially the Tiguan, T-Roc, and the Arteon.
This year’s result brings the total number of Volkswagen vehicles produced to more than 150 million since the first-ever Bettle rolled off the line 72 years ago. And thanks to the Transform 2025+ strategy, the German automaker is planning even bigger things in the immediate future.
In the first phase of the plan, Volkswagen intends to strengthen its presence in the sport utility vehicle and crossover segments by introducing 19 new models by 2020. The second phase, meanwhile, will see the brand go on the electric offensive with the I.D. family of models. Underpinned by the MEB vehicle architecture, three models are already confirmed for launch in the first instance: the I.D. hatchback, I.D. Crozz crossover, and I.D. Buzz van.

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2019 BMW X5 (G05) Coming Next Summer, Launching In Q3 2018

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2019 BMW X5 (G05) Coming Next Summer, Launching In Q3 2018

14 Nov 2017, 10:11 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

The X5 is one of the most successful members of the BMW lineup, with the mid-size sport utility vehicle being popular in Europe and the United States alike. Now in its third generation, the X5 prepares to make way for the fourth-generation model in the guise of the G05 X5. According to the latest reports, the newcomer should be presented in the summer of 2018.
31 photosWhat that means is, the F15 X5 won’t live to see the Life Cycle Impulse. And in turn, what that means is that the F15 X5 boasts one of the fastest turnarounds in recent memory for the BMW Group. But then again, it’d be foolish for the Bavarian automaker to milk out the current model as the X3 got overhauled from the ground up and the X7 is right around the corner. The question is, what is there to expect from the G05 X5?
First things first, the modular platform BMW calls CLAR serves as the backbone of the mid-size SUV. Wider and longer than the F15, the G05 will drop a few pounds compared to its predecessor, thus helping with both gas mileage and handling. Engine-wise, nothing much will change from the current model when it comes to the number of cylinders and number of gears in the ZF-sourced transmission. From a four-cylinder turbo displacing 2.0 liters in the xDrive40e plug-in hybrid to the 4.4L twin-turbo V8 in the X5 M, diversity is the name of the game.
From a design standpoint, the G05 X5 borrows styling from the latest-generation X3 and the Concept X7 iPerformance. The upright fascia is complemented by larger kidney grilles, while the roofline and quarter panels at the rear give the next-gen X5 a more hunkered-down stance.
BMW is already testing pre-production prototypes of the G05 at the Nurburgring and on the public roads, so here’s hope the newcomer touches down in the summer of 2018. According to BMW Blog, the current-generation X5 is scheduled to end production at the Spartanburg plant “in July 2018.”

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This Is The Welding Line Where The U.S.-spec 2019 Ford Ranger Will Be Made

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This Is The Welding Line Where The U.S.-spec 2019 Ford Ranger Will Be Made

23 Dec 2017, 17:00 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

Miss the Ranger? The Ford Motor Company is bringing it back to North America for the 2019 model year, and as the Blue Oval previously confirmed, it will be made in Wayne at the Michigan Assembly Plant. And what you see in the following video is the welding line where the all-new Ranger will be assembled, including the no-nonsense Ranger Raptor off-road sports truck.
86 photosWayne is the place where the body-on-frame Bronco will also be made, following an investment of $850 million in the facility. Production of the Ranger, meanwhile, is confirmed to start in late 2018, with the first pickups expected to arrive in dealership showrooms by the end of the year.
The industrial robots on the Ranger’s welding line are developed by FANUC, an automation products and services company that’s regarded as the best in the world in terms of industrial robots. As for how the U.S.-spec Ranger will differ from the one on sale right now in other countries, Ford will definitely modify the mid-size pickup’s chassis. A stronger frame is utmost important if the Ranger wants to comply with the safety protocol enforced in North America, which recently saw the Dodge Viper go the way of the dodo.
Based on spy photos of pre-production models, the real deal will be a mix of the F-150’s design and the proportions of the T6 Ranger. Think Chevrolet Colorado-sized, which is perfectly-sized even for the most urban of areas. Towing and payload capacities should also be comparable to the Colorado, although the European version of the Ranger is of better reference.
When specified with the 3.2-liter TDCi inline-five with 200 metric horsepower and 4×4, the European Ranger’s maximum towable mass is rated at 3,500 kilograms (7,716 pounds). As for payload, the most capable variant available is the 2.2-liter TDCi 160 PS 4×4, boasting 1,269 kilograms (2,798 pounds).
It remains to be seen if the U.S.-spec Ranger will be offered with a diesel option, which would make sense considering the optional Duramax of the Colorado and Power Stroke V6 of the F-150. As for the dune-bashing Raptor, the most likely powerplant to expect is the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6.
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2018 Ford Expedition Starts Production At Kentucky Truck Plant

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2018 Ford Expedition Starts Production At Kentucky Truck Plant

30 Oct 2017, 16:54 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile

Following an investment of $900 million, the Kentucky Truck Plant is capable of churning out the all-new Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. After the luxed-up Navigator started production on September 25, the Expedition followed suit. One of the first customers of the full-size SUV is Houston pastor Develron Walker (pictured), who received his 2018 Expedition as a gift from FoMoCo.
26 photosWhy’s that? Hurricane Harvey took its toll on Develron’s church and community, as well as his previous car. Walker argues the church was denied both government assistance and a small business loan, despite the fact the pastor and his congregation helped 200 families following the storm. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the narrative behind Ford’s generous benefaction.
“Even while facing extremely tough circumstances, Pastor Walker has shown his relentless commitment to helping those in his community, and we hope the Expedition will help him go further with his ministry as they rebuild,” declared Joe Hinrichs, the Dearborn-based automaker’s president of global operations.
Just like the previous Expedition, the 2018 Expedition is propelled by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. The EcoBoost engine is rated at 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, but there’s a more powerful tune available. Reserved for the Platinum trim level, the more potent EcoBoost develops 400 ponies and 480 pound-feet. Regardless of trim level and drivetrain specification, the newcomer relies on a 10-speed automatic transmission co-developed with GM.
Arriving at dealerships in the coming weeks, the 2018 Ford Expedition is expected to boast best-in-class mileage. What’s for certain, however, is that the redesigned Expedition is the best of its class in terms of towing, being capable of trailering 9,300 pounds (4,218 kilograms). Pricing kicks off at $51,695 for the Expedition XLT. The slightly longer XLT Max will set you back $54,385. At the other end of the spectrum, the 2018 Ford Expedition Platinum Max retails at $75,400.
Those interested in the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, well, the full-sized luxobarge is considerably more expensive. The base model starts at $72,055 while the Black Label retails at $93,705.
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Ford Ramps Up Fiesta Production To Meet Strong Demand In Europe

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Ford Ramps Up Fiesta Production To Meet Strong Demand In Europe

21 Dec 2017, 16:49 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry

The seventh-generation or Mk8 Fiesta, whatever you want to call it, went official in November 2016. And if you were wondering if Ford made the all-new Fiesta an even better car than the previous model, your answer comes in the guise of a production boost at the European Fiesta’s plant.
30 photosLocated in Cologne, Germany, the factory where the Euro-spec Fiesta is made benefits from extended shifts and new Saturday shifts to increase daily production to 1,500 cars. Otherwise put, an extra 100 vehicles are now rolling off the assembly line in Cologne on a daily basis. Increasing demand is what made Ford take this decision, and that’s good news considering subcompact hatchbacks are not as popular as they once were.
“The previous Fiesta was already a much-loved car, and if you add to that the many improvements offered with the new model, including our unique pedestrian detection system, this success is not altogether a surprise,” declared Roelant de Waard, vice president of marketing, sales & service at Ford of Europe. Considering the crossover-inspired Fiesta Active is planned to start production in 2018, demand is certain to increase even more.
Ford highlights that the Fiesta was the best-selling car in the United Kingdom in November 2017 (6,434 registrations) and the best-selling small car in Germany (4,660 registrations). Don’t know about you, but that’s saying a lot about how the Fiesta stacks up against the Volkswagen Polo and other bona fide rivals in the European subcompact hatchback segment.
Available with a choice of three- and four-cylinder engines, the Fiesta boasts 5 stars for safety from the Euro NCAP. Designated best supermini of the year by BBC Top Gear Magazine, the Fiesta lineup will soon welcome the ST.
In stark comparison to the preceding ST, the newcomer is equipped with the most powerful three-cylinder engine ever offered by Ford, packing 200 PS and 290 Nm (197 horsepower and 214 pound-feet from just 1.5 liters.

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BMW i3 Production Hits 100,000 Units, i8 Roadster To Be Made In Leipzig

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BMW i3 Production Hits 100,000 Units, i8 Roadster To Be Made In Leipzig

30 Oct 2017, 14:15 UTC · by Mircea Panait
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Inaugurated in 2010, the Leipzig plant in Germany is where BMW manufactures the i3 and i8. The former celebrates a production milestone after the 100,000th i3 rolled off the assembly line, while the i8 family will usher in the Roadster in 2018. And similar to the coupe, it will also be built in Leipzig.
85 photosThese announcements were made by plant director Hans-Peter Kemser and chairman of the Board of Management, Harald Kruger, as the launch of the BMW Battery Storage Farm. Essentially a storage unit comprised of 700 batteries sourced from used i3s, the eco-friendly setup is connected to the plant’s wind turbines, and it’s integrated with the public power grid of Saxony.
Moving back to cars, the i3 is currently produced at a rate of approximately 120 vehicles per day. In regard to production, the number of i3s manufactured in 2016 totals 26,631, sensibly more than the 2,783 i8s built in the same period. The ratio will likely soldier on in 2018, when the i8 Roadster will be added to the range, breathing new life into the brand’s plug-in hybrid flagship.
According to Kruger, BMW will offer no less than 25 models with electrified drivetrains by 2025, including the long-anticipated i5 and the iNext. “With BMW i as our spearhead, we intend to remain the leading premium supplier of electro-mobility going forward,” declared the official. Speaking of electro-mobility going forward, the 530e iPerformance is the first BMW to be offered with wireless charging capability, a feature that’ll become available next year.
While the i8 Roadster is too expensive for the reach of mere mortals who want to go green, the i3 is more than adequate for those in the market for a premium-oriented EV and range-extended electric vehicle. According to an undisclosed tipster, the i3 will receive a battery upgrade sometime in 2018, which is expected to offer 42.5 kWh capacity and a much-needed boost in driving range.

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Maserati Cuts Production for a Month Due to Lack of Demand

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Maserati Cuts Production for a Month Due to Lack of Demand

19 Dec 2017, 20:18 UTC · by Mihnea Radu
/ Home / News / Car Profile

While most car manufacturers are talking about all-time high sales and employee bonuses for 2017, Maserati's people will be taking a month-long siesta.
5 photosMore specifically, the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans will stop being made between December 15 to January 15. Meanwhile, the Levante, which is doing slightly better, will be out of production from December 20 to January 15. And as for the GranTurismo and GranCabrio, they will be out from December 15 to January 8th, according to Automotive New Europe.
“It is clear that production is slowing down and investment in new models are on hold,” union boss Federico Bellono told the publication.
On paper at least, adding an SUV to the roster seemed like the perfect solution to Maserati's slow sales. However, competition is harsher than ever, and the V6 engine just couldn't do a good enough job to hide the Levante's flaws.
About a year after the Quattroporte was launched, it because clear that Maserati was going to continue struggling, as production was slowed. In 2017 alone, the automaker shut down the line on two other occasions.
Problems with the Chinese economy are mostly to blame now. However, the country, which is now the world's largest producer of solar energy, has also become unwelcoming for gas guzzling cars. Meanwhile, the Levante PHEV is nowhere to be seen.
It's important to understand just how small the Trident brand is right now. Back in April, it delivered its 100,000 cars. So there are fewer Maseratis in the world then there are W222 Mercedes S-Class sedans.
In 2016, Maserati's sales volume in China broke 12,000, which marks an increase of 120 times over the 100 sales made in 2004, the company's first year operating there. Today, Maserati has around 30,000 customers in China, 38 percent of whom are women. So there's still room to grow. But we're not sure the new coupe models being planned are what people want.

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