The Dacia Spring – Europe’s cheapest electric car – will be heavily restyled for 2024 to help it fend off competition from newer, European-designed affordable EVs. Based on the Chinese-market Renault Kwid K-ZE, the four-seat city car is “lacking a bit of modernity”, according to Dacia design boss David Durand, and it “needs to be… Continue reading Dacia Spring city EV due significant makeover for 2024
Category: US Motoring Press
Alfa Romeo Giulia coupe in line for SZ design appeal
A long-awaited replacement for the Alfa Romeo GTV coupé could arrive as soon as 2026, with the brand’s chief designer confirming design work is continuing behind the scenes. Although not officially part of Alfa Romeo’s product plan, the GTV could be considered for release in 2026 or 2027 if the firm’s corporate fortunes continue to improve as they have… Continue reading Alfa Romeo Giulia coupe in line for SZ design appeal
Editor’s letter: Will convicted ex-Audi boss tell all about Dieselgate?
Some eight years after the Dieselgate scandal started to rock the automotive world and beyond, the first Volkswagen Group executive has been convicted following an admission of guilt – of sorts. Rupert Stadler was Audi boss for 11 years from 2007, the last three of which were served with a brass neck, the scandal having… Continue reading Editor’s letter: Will convicted ex-Audi boss tell all about Dieselgate?
BMW X7 xDrive40d M Sport
BMW increasing the power output of the straight-six diesel in the X7 (badged xDrive40d) from 335bhp to 347bhp might sound about as necessary as nicking your friend’s last chip when you’ve just ordered a super-size Mac Whopper meal. However, the point was not making this humongous SUV a microsecond faster to 62mph but reducing its… Continue reading BMW X7 xDrive40d M Sport
‘Localisation is a priority for Sona Comstar’s biz’
It is clearly Advantage India as companies look for alternatives to China as part of the China Plus One strategy, and localisation is the way ahead for the automotive industry. That’s the word coming in from Sunjay Kapur, Chairman of Sona Comstar, one of India’s prominent Tier I automotive and EV component makers. “Localisation is… Continue reading ‘Localisation is a priority for Sona Comstar’s biz’
Suzuki unveils 25th anniversary edition of flagship Hayabusa, over 200,000 sold worldwide
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its flagship and iconic motorcycle, the Hayabusa, Suzuki Motor Corporation’s has introduced the 25th anniversary model, which will be sold globally from July, including in Japan. The special features for the 25th anniversary model include an orange-and-black-based body, and special colours for the drive chain adjuster and front brake disk inner.… Continue reading Suzuki unveils 25th anniversary edition of flagship Hayabusa, over 200,000 sold worldwide
Hatchbacks continue to lose ground at Maruti Suzuki as SUVs scale new peak
With the rising volumes of SUVs, Maruti Suzuki, the country’s largest car maker, will see the share of hatchbacks – its core pillar – drop below 50 percent for the first time ever this fiscal year. And this would mean, the share of hatchbacks for the overall market would also have dropped to a third of… Continue reading Hatchbacks continue to lose ground at Maruti Suzuki as SUVs scale new peak
EV sales in India charge past 700,000 units in first six months of 2023
Retail sales of electric vehicles in India have charged past the 700,000-unit mark in the first half of calendar year 2023. As of end-June 2023, as per Vahan data referenced on July 1, total sales were recorded at 721,971 units, which is already 73% of India EV Inc’s record sales in CY2022. As is known,… Continue reading EV sales in India charge past 700,000 units in first six months of 2023
Under the skin: How tyres are changing for electric cars
Are EV tyres all that different from what went before? Or will any old tyre do? A lot of drivers will just want the cheapest deal, despite all the evidence that in terms of grip, handling, braking distance, comfort, noise, economy, performance in the wet and wear rate, a premium tyre will outperform those from… Continue reading Under the skin: How tyres are changing for electric cars
Free Press Flashback: Lee Iacocca and Henry Ford II were a match made in hell
Legendary news anchor Walter Cronkite told his millions of viewers on the CBS Evening News that “it all sounds like something from one of those enormous novels about the automobile business.” The drama in Dearborn on July 14, 1978, made headlines in news outlets across the country: Ford Motor Co. Chairman Henry Ford II had… Continue reading Free Press Flashback: Lee Iacocca and Henry Ford II were a match made in hell