Archive for November, 2008
The new MINI Convertible : out in the open
Clive Goldthorp MINI has just released details of the new, R57-series, MINI Convertible which will be officially launched at the Detroit Motor Show next January prior to hitting UK MINI Dealers’ showrooms on the 28th March, 2009. Cooper and Cooper S models will be available from the outset while a hot John Cooper Works version [...]
November 29, 2008
· 
Clive Goldthorp · 
No Comments
What an eye-opener
Keith Adams I’ve just returned from a two days of high performance driver training at the Anglesey race circuit and I have to say that it was a real eye-opener. Firstly, it wasn’t the disaster I was expecting it to be but, what really struck me about the whole experience, was just how much more there is [...]
November 29, 2008
· Keith Adams · 3 Comments
MG : Chinese MG 5 production set to commence in 2009
Clive Goldthorp Leading Chinese Automotive Industry website, Gasgoo.com, yesterday reported that construction work on Phase Two of the MG facility at Pukou in Nanjing has now started following a $376.24m investment by parent company SAIC Group. Gao Yunhang, an Assistant General Manager with MG, said that construction would be completed in 2009 and that the [...]
November 27, 2008
· Clive Goldthorp · No Comments
Press Report : Inquiry into MG Rover collapse still rolling on
Nick Huber, Accountancy Age, 27th November, 2008 Three and a half years after the government announced an inquiry into MG Rover, there is still no final report. It is estimated to have cost more than £12m, including tens of thousands of pounds on food and drink expenses and around £100,000 spent on hotels. But, three [...]
November 27, 2008
· Clive Goldthorp · No Comments
My new motor
Keith Adams WHAT have I done? I’ve tried so, so hard to resist the lure of a spare motor and, on the whole, I think 2008 has been better than most in terms of numbers of cars bought. I think it might be less than ten. I think. Trust me, that’s a good score – [...]
November 26, 2008
· Keith Adams · 2 Comments
Press Report : BMW and Vattenfall to test electric car project
just-auto.com Editorial Team, 25th November, 2008 BMW and Vattenfall Europe are to launch a test project for 50 electric cars in Berlin next year. The project will see 50 Mini E cars on the streets of the German capital with public access to recharging points. It is expected to launch as early as spring next [...]
November 26, 2008
· Clive Goldthorp · No Comments
China Watch : BMW-Brilliance begins construction of second plant
just-auto.com Editorial Team, 26th November, 2008 BMW’s Chinese joint venture, BMW-Brilliance Auto, has begun construction of a second plant in China’s Northeast province of Liaoning, according to reports. The Xinhua News Agency said the plant will expand production of BMW-Brilliance, a joint venture between the German group and Brilliance China Automotive Holdings, to 80,000 units [...]
November 26, 2008
· Clive Goldthorp · No Comments
China Watch : SAIC joins venture to make green cars
Jin Jing, Shanghai Daily, 26th November, 2008 SAIC Motor Corp will spend 2 billion yuan (US$294 million) with its parent on a venture making green vehicles. China’s biggest auto maker plans to take 10 percent of the venture, which will focus on the development of hybrid and electric vehicles, according to a statement filed to [...]
November 25, 2008
· Clive Goldthorp · No Comments
China Watch : Honda lifts local content of Jazz built in China
Kevin Huang, Automotive News China, 19th November, 2008 GUANGZHOU — Honda Automobile (China) Co., which produces the Jazz small car in the south China city of Guangzhou for export, has lifted the local content of the car from 60 to 90 percent in value. Masaya Nagai, president of the Honda subsidiary in China, says [...]
November 24, 2008
· Clive Goldthorp · No Comments
So, will they or won’t they?
Keith Adams So the word is out – Jaguar Land Rover is talking to the UK government about a potential bailout plan. With the recession deepening and sales dropping off (all apart from the XF, of course), company big-wigs have approached Whitehall cap in hand, asking for bridging finance to help them through these tough [...]
November 24, 2008
· Keith Adams · One Comment
China Watch : Downturn squeezes small automakers
Yang Jian, Automotive News China, 19th November, 2008 SHANGHAI – With the economy slumping at home and abroad, China’s auto industry is looking at slower growth — or no growth at all. At greatest risk are small domestic automakers laboring to establish their own brands. The major state-owned automakers are protected by their overseas partners [...]
November 24, 2008
· Clive Goldthorp · No Comments
Press Report : JLR tight-lipped over reports of £1bn bail-out plea
Alun Thorne, Head of Business, Birmingham Post, 24th November, 2008 Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has refused to be drawn on speculation that it is in secret talks over a Government bail-out but admitted it was facing some of its toughest ever trading conditions. According to reports, the luxury car group – owned by Indian conglomerate [...]
November 24, 2008
· Clive Goldthorp · No Comments
Sad news
Keith Adams I WAS saddened to hear that the Zastava marque has come to the end of the road after being in business for 30 years. Although never particularly liked or respected in the UK, these cheap rehashed Fiats had an honesty about them that endeared them to more people than you’d imagine. They first [...]
November 23, 2008
· Keith Adams · 4 Comments
Press Report: Electric MINI lease pricing announced in USA
Bettina Mayer, Automotive News Europe, 19th November, 2008 LOS ANGELES — The 500 motorists selected to be part of BMW’s electric Mini test program in the US will pay a monthly leasing rate of $850 (about €1070). A BMW spokesman told Automotive News Europe at a media event here that the rate covers all [...]
November 23, 2008
· Clive Goldthorp · No Comments
Press Report : Jaguar CEO – Consumer confidence is what’s missing
Tony Lewin, Automotive News Europe, 19th November, 2008 LONDON — The recent substantial cuts in interest rates may not be enough to help the auto industry out of its slump, said Jaguar Land Rover’s new CEO. In an interview with Automotive News Europe, David Smith said governments needed to decide quickly about future vehicle taxation [...]
November 23, 2008
· Clive Goldthorp · No Comments
Could recycling have saved Rover?
Keith Adams LAST year, the Audi A4 production line was lifted-and-shifted to Spain, where the five-year old car was slightly revised to become the SEAT Exeo - and, in doing so, continue to generate income for the Volkswagen-Audi Group. It’s a devilishly simple plan and one that clearly demonstrates the excellence of cars produced in the last [...]
November 22, 2008
· Keith Adams · One Comment
My BMC story
Paul Cowie, South Africa I GREW up on the Copperbelt in Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) where the Austins and Wolseleys were kings of the road! Ours were built from CKD packages in Umtali, Southern Rhodesia (Mutari, Zimbabwe) and I think had slightly different spec to the British ones… they all had leather and Wooden dashboards for [...]
November 20, 2008
· Keith Adams · No Comments
Made in England
Canio Gigante, Italy You may ask why I don’t own a modern Fiat or why I don’t own a Classic Alfa Romeo or Lancia being based here in Italy. The answer is simple: there were both MADE IN ENGLAND and, as I was born in England, the reason might just be sentimental. I’m a [...]
November 20, 2008
· Keith Adams · One Comment
Calling all Mini owners
Keith Adams A German production company is looking for input from Mini owners across the world for a short film which will be launched to coincide with the car’s 50th birthday next year. Production assistant, Stephanie Guttenberger, told AROnline: ‘I am looking for all kind of Mini enthusiasts, lovers, freaks and interesting characters who would [...]
November 20, 2008
· Keith Adams · No Comments
Bond’s Esprit is up for grabs
Keith Adams With Bondmania hitting new heights with the release of the truly insipid Quantum of Solace, it’s understandable that collectors and owners of Bond artifacts are taking the plunge and selling their wares. We were, though, surprised to see that the Lotus Esprit used in The Spy Who Loved Me has gone on sale – [...]
November 18, 2008
· Keith Adams · No Comments
