Only the Ministry of Transport, now the prosecutors: The prosecutor’s office is concerned with the emissions allegations against BMW. The car maker rejects the allegations. BMW headquarters in Munich Wednesday, 06.12.2017 17:52 clock In the exhaust scandal is now BMW Investigated by the investigators: The Munich prosecutor announced that they had “initiated a preliminary investigation… Continue reading Prosecutor’s Office is considering allegations against BMW
Tag: VW
Ministry of Transport has allegations against BMW test
The German environmental aid accuses BMW of having manipulated in the exhaust gas cleaning. The car maker rejects this. Now the Federal Ministry of Transport has joined. BMW headquarters in Munich Tuesday, 05.12.2017 18:30 clock The diesel scandal has BMW Achieved: The Federal Ministry of Transport is investigating allegations against the carmaker, exhaust gases are… Continue reading Ministry of Transport has allegations against BMW test
EU investigators also visit Daimler and VW
The allegations of antitrust-relevant collusion, the EU investigators now go directly to Daimler and VW. They examine documents of the car companies – as before at BMW. Mercedes E coupe Monday, 23.10.2017 6:00 pm Investigations by the EU Commission regarding cartel allegations against German carmakers are gaining momentum. After last week already BMW had visit… Continue reading EU investigators also visit Daimler and VW
“Unannounced exam” at BMW
In the course of the cartel allegations against the German auto industry uncovered by SPIEGEL, auditors of the EU Commission have made representations to BMW. Meanwhile, Daimler admitted that it had applied for leniency. The headquarters of the car manufacturer BMW in Munich. Friday, 20.10.2017 18:22 clock In the case of a suspected cartel against… Continue reading “Unannounced exam” at BMW
Skoda Expands Karoq Production To Second Plant
autoevolution
cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green
Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms
Masthead
RSS Feeds
More on this:1 Skoda Fabia Geneva Debut Teased by Official Sketch2 Skoda Yeti 1.8 TSI Doing 4×4 Snow Drifts Is Just Weird3 Skoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150 HP Acceleration Test: Slightly Faster Than Claimed4 Skoda Fabia WRC Special Editon Has Green Wheels and 1.4 Turbo5 Skoda Remembers 1100 OHC Racing Car On Its 60th Birthday
Up next
Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche 911 GT3 RS Has 918 Spyder Liquid Metal Chrome Blue Hue
Skoda Expands Karoq Production To Second Plant
23 Jan 2018, 9:57 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile
Mlada Boleslav may be the stomping ground of Skoda, but the Karoq’s place of origin is Kvasiny. But as demand for the compact-sized crossover keeps on growing, the automaker sees fit to add the all-new Karoq to the Mlada Boleslav plant too, effective January 2018.
33 photos“We are proud to have established Mlada Boleslav – beside Kvasiny – as a further production site for the Karoq in the Czech Republic,” declared Michael Oeljeklaus, board member for production and logistics at Skoda Auto. “The high demand for our SUV models underlines the fact that we have launched the right vehicles at the right time.”
When all is said and done, the Karoq is more appealing than the Yeti it replaces, whichever way you look at it. With pricing from less than €20,000 for the front-wheel-drive model with a manual transmission and the 115-horsepower 1.0 TSI, the newcomer bridges the gap between the best-selling Octavia and Kodiaq. A smaller crossover (subcompact in size), based on the SEAT Arona, will be added to the lineup in 2019.
To keep up with demand, Skoda poured lots of money into Mlada Boleslav to sustain production. On full song, the factory is capable of producing 320 examples of the Karoq on a daily basis. The fact of the matter is, no other Skoda except for the Karoq is made in two Czech plants, and that’s saying something about the model’s commercial success.
In addition to value for money and ample space, the Karoq is gifted with Kodiaq-infused styling and the dynamic capabilities of Volkswagen’s MQB platform. Customers who want the best Skoda can offer are offered optional extras that include LTE connectivity with Wi-Fi hotspot, a fully customizable digital instrument cluster, and the seven-speed DSG gearbox.
At the present moment, the most powerful Karoq is the 1.5 TSI and 2.0 TDI, both rated at 110 kW. Research and development head Christian Strube is advocating for a hotter Karoq, though it remains to be seen if the higher-ups will give him the go-ahead for the RS.
Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed
New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1
On Electric Harleys and New Generations
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing
Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends
Who's Your Number One?
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History
Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century
German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America
SKODA models:SKODA Karoq Small SUVSKODA Citigo 3 doors MiniSKODA Citigo 5 doors MiniSKODA Octavia Combi RS MediumSKODA Octavia Combi 4×4 MediumAll SKODA models
BMW M8 Confirmed For Debut In 2018, EV Offensive Goes Crazy
autoevolution
cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green
Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms
Masthead
RSS Feeds
More on this:1 Audi RS3 Vs. BMW M2 Is an Uneven Drag Race with Even Results2 Spyshots: 2019 BMW 8 Series Shows More Skin, Prototype Has Imposing Stance3 It's Fast, But Has the 2018 BMW M5 Lost Its Character?4 2018 BMW M550d xDrive (G30) Is a Fast Quad-Turbo Diesel in POV Test Drive5 Carbon Fiber Rocket Bunny E46 BMW M3 Is Another Kind of Restomod
Up next
2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Daily Driver Is a Dusty Devil
BMW M8 Confirmed For Debut In 2018, EV Offensive Goes Crazy
6 Dec 2017, 15:18 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile
When BMW took the veils off the Concept 8 Series, a few jaws dropped for at least two reasons. One of them is the return of the 8 Series, and the other is the get-up-and-go the M8 promises from the 4.4-liter V8 engine.
17 photosExpected to develop more suck-squeeze-bang-blow than the 600-horsepower S63B44T4 in the F90 M5, the twin-turbo eight-cylinder plant will give the German automaker’s flagship the performance one would expect from a luxurious grand tourer with sporting credentials.
So when will we get to see the M8 doing its best to fend off the Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe (and Cabriolet)? According to Harald Kruger, the chairman of the board of management at BMW, sometime next year production of the all-new 8 Series Coupe and M8 will kick off at the automaker’s Dingolfing plant in Germany.
Kruger also confirmed the X7 for 2018, the company's largest sport utility vehicle to date. “These are our goals for the luxury class,” further added the official, referring to “a higher segment share. A significant increase in sales and revenues.”
BMW also has big plans for the i brand, with the iX3 already confirmed on a previous occasion. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Here’s Kruger again: “We have not only secured the naming rights for BMW i – from i1 to i9. We also hold the rights for BMW X – from iX1 to iX9.”
If that sounds like overkill, it probably is. But when you think about it, securing your intellectual property is the safest thing to do as an automaker, even if some of those models are far off from production reality. The i9, iX8, iX9, all three of them serve as perfect cases in point.
The strategic focus for the BMW Group is electrification, with the Bavarian automaker expecting to deliver its 100,000th electrified vehicle before Christmas, adding to a figure that totals close to 200,000 cars. By 2025, BMW will offer 25 electrified models, of which 12 are all-electric vehicles.
Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed
New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends
German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America
On Electric Harleys and New Generations
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing
Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History
Who's Your Number One?
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1
Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century
BMW models:BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (F45) CompactBMW 2 Series Active Tourer (F45) CompactBMW i8 Roadster Roadster & ConvertibleBMW i8 CoupeBMW M3 CS (F80) MediumAll BMW models
Maserati Cuts Production for a Month Due to Lack of Demand
autoevolution
cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green
Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms
Masthead
RSS Feeds
More on this:1 Lamborghini Urus Police Car Looks Really Threatening2 New Maserati SUV Reaffirmed By Chief Executive Officer3 New Maserati SUV Coming By 2020 With Alfa Romeo Underpinnings4 Ferrari Utility Vehicle (F16X SUV) Confirmed By Vow-Breaking Sergio Marchionne5 Dodge Challenger SRT-R Hellcat Racecar Rendering Is a Supercharged Offender
Up next
2018 SEAT Leon TGI Acceleration and Fuel Consumption in the Real World
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.
On Electric Harleys and New Generations
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History
Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America
Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed
New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1
Who's Your Number One?
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends
German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing
Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century
MASERATI models:MASERATI Ghibli GranLusso LuxuryMASERATI GranCabrio Roadster & ConvertibleMASERATI GranTurismo CoupeMASERATI Ghibli LuxuryMASERATI Quattroporte VI LuxuryAll MASERATI models
New Aston Martin V8 Vantage Is Almost Sold Out For The First Year Of Production
autoevolution
cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green
Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms
Masthead
RSS Feeds
More on this:1 2019 Aston Martin Vantage Volante Rendering Looks Spot On2 Aston Martin Vantage GTE Is the Sexiest Endurance Racer Yet3 2019 Aston Martin Vantage Is a Bond Car for the Masses, Starts at $149,9954 2019 Aston Martin Vantage Specifications Teased: M177 V8 Develops 500+ HP5 2019 Aston Martin Vantage Drifting Teaser Is Slow-Motion Goodness
Up next
Aston Martin Official Bashes The Volkswagen Group With The DBX
New Aston Martin V8 Vantage Is Almost Sold Out For The First Year Of Production
23 Nov 2017, 15:01 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Car Profile
At $149,995, the all-new Aston Martin Vantage is more expensive than the model it replaces. But despite the price hike, the automaker has trouble with satisfying the demand for the British sports car with a German heart.
51 photos
Bloomberg had a chat with Dr. Andy Palmer, the architect behind Aston Martin’s “Second Century” plan and the man who OK’d the way the all-new Vantage looks. And according to Palmer, “most of our production for next year is already sold out,” which means the waiting list is growing with each and every day that passes. This, however, is good news for AM.
The 2005 Vantage was a huge hit, selling 21,500 examples over the course of 12 years. With the incredible demand the all-new generation was met on its world debut, color us surprised the succeeding model won't outsell the forerunner in a few years' time. After all, it targets a completely different audience compared to the former-gen Vantage.
Did you think the unconventional looks are a coincidence? Think again, for Palmer made it clear the V8 Vantage is “aspirationally younger, cooler, better.” You know, the sort of customers who don't want an Aston Martin because James Bond has one, but because the Porsche 911 is too generic for their liking.
The M177 engine, which doesn’t come from the Mercedes-AMG GT, sweetens the deal with 510 PS (503 horsepower) and 685 Nm (505 pound-feet) of torque. Not only does it give the DB11 V8 a run for its money, but the Vantage also happens to be developed from the get-go to be as sporty as possible without making too many compromises in terms of comfort.
Next year will see the introduction of the manual-equipped V8 Vantage, and later on, Aston Martin will expand the lineup with the V12 Vantage. The ultimate expression of the smallest model in the range will borrow the 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 from the DB11. The AE31 will take on the almighty Ferrari 812 Superfast in the next-generation Vanquish, which is currently testing on the Nurburgring within an inch of its life.
On Electric Harleys and New Generations
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History
Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing
German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends
Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America
Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century
Who's Your Number One?
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed
New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1
ASTON MARTIN models:ASTON MARTIN Vantage CoupeASTON MARTIN DB11 Volante Roadster & ConvertibleASTON MARTIN V12 Vantage AMR CoupeASTON MARTIN DB7 Zagato CoupeASTON MARTIN Vanquish S ExoticAll ASTON MARTIN models
Sluggish Sales Equal Production Slowdown For Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep, Fiat
autoevolution
cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green
Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms
Masthead
RSS Feeds
More on this:1 2018 Lamborghini Urus Partially Revealed On The Assembly Line2 BMW In Talks With Great Wall To Manufacture MINI Vehicles In China3 Volkswagen Pulls The Plug On The Scirocco, Mk4 Reportedly In The Offing As An EV4 Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² Production Coming To An End5 Groupe PSA Will Add New Models To French Production Facilities In 2020
Up next
2018 Honda Civic Si vs. Hyundai Elantra Sport: Which Is the Best Sports Sedan?
Sluggish Sales Equal Production Slowdown For Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep, Fiat
19 Oct 2017, 14:42 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry
Bad news, fans of Fiat Chrysler’s most Italian of brands! Both Alfa Romeo and Maserati are not doing great regarding sales, the reason why FCA decided to cut production for both automakers. And the reason for this slump in demand? Apparently, new Chinese import rules have hit Fiat Chrysler hard, especially the two brands.
36 photosAlthough China faced criticism in the past for being too lenient on emissions and pollution, the People’s Republic is working hard on addressing these issues. Collateral damage comes in the form of increased restrictions for automakers, mostly because China follows the model set by France and the UK, countries that will ban the sale of fossil fuel cars and SUVs by 2040.
By August 2017, China had reached its 2020 target for solar energy installation, which makes the People’s Republic the largest producer of solar energy in the world. Large-scale carbon capture plants are also on the way, with the first of a planned eight currently being built. The bottom line is, China’s government is very focused on reducing the carbon footprint.
And as a result of these policies, imported automobiles are not exactly welcome in the Middle Kingdom unless they’re hybridized or electric. Alfa Romeo and Maserati don’t have such vehicles in their lineup, and that’s the gist of it. According to Automotive News, FCA declined to comment on the matter, but the cited publication has the numbers to back up its claims.
The Levante plant in Mirafiori will shut down for two weeks between October and November, with sales in China now averaging 350 examples per month compared to more than 800 units per month in the first half of the year. Over at Alfa Romeo, the Cassino plant in Italy now builds 265 vehicles per shift instead of 300. This decision follows four Fridays that were hampered down by production stops, totaling a loss of 2,000-plus Giulias and Stelvios.
From 2,666 Stelvio units delivered in China in July, Alfa Romeo slumped to 227 examples in August. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade have both seen production reductions at the Melfi plant in Italy. From the report: “Workers at the plant have been temporarily laid off for 21 days this year, including 11 days in the third quarter. As a result, production of the two models was down 25 percent in the quarter.”
Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century
On Electric Harleys and New Generations
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1
New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends
German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History
Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America
Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing
Who's Your Number One?
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed
ALFA ROMEO models:ALFA ROMEO MiTo MiniALFA ROMEO Stelvio Quadrifoglio Medium SUVALFA ROMEO Stelvio Medium SUVALFA ROMEO 33 Stradale CoupeALFA ROMEO Giulia Veloce MediumAll ALFA ROMEO models
BMW In Talks With Great Wall To Manufacture MINI Vehicles In China
autoevolution
cars
moto
news
car reviews
spyshots
driven cars
newspaper
green
Compare Cars
BAC Calculator
Editorial
Coverstory
Motorsport
Testdrives archive
Auto Shows
Tuning
Car Finder
Photo of the Day
Glossary of automotive terms
Masthead
RSS Feeds
More on this:1 MINI One Gets More Interesting With 1499 GT Special Edition2 MINI Electric Concept Is Proof the Carmaker Can Adapt to the Changing Market3 Chinese Carmaker Great Wall Wants to Snatch Jeep from FCA's Portfolio4 FCA Receives Chinese Takeover Bid and Promptly Rejects it5 Haval Wants to Conquer Australian SUV Market With the H6
Up next
Report: Volkswagen Working on 2019 T-Cross Subcompact Crossover
BMW In Talks With Great Wall To Manufacture MINI Vehicles In China
15 Oct 2017, 21:38 UTC · by Mircea Panait
/ Home / News / Industry
At the present moment, MINI operates a production plant in Cowley, UK, with a remainder of production attributed to VDL Nedcar in Born, Netherlands. In the coming years, however, the BMW-owned British automaker might expand outside of Europe thanks to the helping hand of Great Wall.
23 photosReports in the Chinese media suggest BMW is in early talks with Great Wall to create a joint stock company incorporated in the People’s Republic with limited liability. In a statement released on behalf by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Great Wall has confirmed the talks, providing clarifications.
From the statement: “As of the date of this announcement, the Company and BMW have not entered into any legal documents for the establishment of a joint venture in China.” There’s no deal on the table just yet, but the offer is too good for BMW and Great Wall to take a step back. “Both parties entered into a confidential agreement on 18 April 2016 for the feasibility of research and development of battery electric vehicles and traditional power vehicles.”
Upon discussion, BMW and Great Wall signed an agreement on February 21, 2017, “for discussion and evaluation on the feasibility of cooperation for vehicles of MINI brand.” It’s extremely clear, then, that intentions are strong from both parties. But until the two automakers agree to create a joint venture in China, there’s still a whole lot of talk and feasibility evaluation to be done.
BMW is already present in China with the help of Brilliance, an alliance that started in 2003 and is responsible for the local production of the 1 Series, 2 Series Active Tourer, 3er, 5er, and X1. Great Wall, on the other hand, doesn’t have any joint venture to speak of at the present moment. The Haval sport utility vehicle brand sold better than the rest of the Great Wall lineup in 2016, but a joint venture has the potential to be a more lucrative business.
When rumors emerged of the MINI-Great Wall potential tie-up on Wednesday, October 11, shares of the Chinese automaker jumped 13 percent, then were suspended from trading on Thursday. Shares have resumed trading on Monday, 16 October.
Download attachment: MINI-Great Wall joint venture statement (PDF)
Shell Angry at Bans on Fossil Fuel-Burning Cars Because of Course They Are
Euro NCAP Testing Procedures Explained
The Hackrod Future of Car Manufacturing
German Combustion Engines Have Six Years To Walk The Plank
NHTSA and IIHS Crash Test Scores Explained
Coolest Obscure Mercedes-AMG Models in History
New Year's Resolutions for Carmakers
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part Two (Final)
Headwave TAG Helmet Music and Navigation System Reviewed
On Electric Harleys and New Generations
Hybrids, Plug-Ins and Electric Cars: Which Batteries Are Best?
Top 10 Cars That Define the United States of America
Who's Your Number One?
The Dos and Don’ts of Washing a Motorcycle, Part One
1990s Cars That Created Ongoing Market Trends
Could Volkswagen Group's Electric Plans Include Ducati?
Ford's Autonomous Police Car Explained
The Biggest Anticipations in Motorcycling for 2016, Part 1
Elon Musk Is Not the Manipulative Mastermind Everyone Takes Him for These Days
Autonomous Driving Levels Explained
Electric Car Charging Plugs, The Beta vs. VHS Battle of the 21st Century
MINI models:MINI Convertible CompactMINI Hatch 5 Doors CompactMINI Hatch CompactMINI Countryman CrossoverMINI Convertible CompactAll MINI models