Infiniti has revealed the car that previews its next generation of styling cues. Previewed with a teaser last month, the Q Inspiration Concept is the basis for a whole new breed of Infinitis. The Japanese premium brand is slowly creeping closer to where it needs to be if it wants to succeed in Europe, having already driven a thick wedge into the North American market. This looks to be another big step in the right direction. Under the long bonnet is the 2.0-litre variable-compression turbocharged engine from the QX50, backed in this case by the same ProPilot semi-autonomous driving technology already put to use in the latest Nissan Leaf. We’re not totally sure about the back end of the Q Inspiration, but the front is pretty spectacular. If Infiniti sticks close to this design when it next hits us with saloons and coupes, we can’t see it going far wrong. … [Read more...] about This Stunning Concept Previews Infinitis That Europe Will Finally Love
Europe
Ford boss: no plans to follow GM and leave Europe
Ford CEO Jim Hackett doesn’t believe his company should follow General Motors and depart Europe, because of its depth of history there and the fact that “Europe has the second biggest GDP".Speaking to Autocar at the Detroit motor show, Hackett said: "We've made a big commitment in Europe, and it looks as if Brexit is reaching some kind of resumption. Jim Farley, who headed our operations in Europe, helped us learn many things about that region. Ford wants to be a leader”.Hackett also believes Europe’s position as an early adopter in the electrified, autonomous businesses creates another reason for Ford to stay."The electric movement in Europe has helped us see the power challenges," he said. Ford CEO Jim Hackett: "We need smart vehicles for a smart world" Hackett explained that “new cars with no pedals and no steering wheel” have, in his opinion, proved to be less productive. He said: “There's a likelihood of scaring people - they'll feel … [Read more...] about Ford boss: no plans to follow GM and leave Europe
Stephen Odell: the man who saved Ford in Europe
Don’t doubt the long-term potential of the traditional global car giants, says Stephen Odell, Ford’s retiring executive global sales and marketing boss – even if it’s fashionable to do so in a world increasingly focused on autonomous and electrified vehicles.The winners, Odell believes, will be the companies that pay attention to the fast-changing requirements of customers – and he numbers Ford among them. The task will be to make “frenemies” of the emerging connectivity and data companies, as people adopt and use the new transportation and mobility services. Perhaps you’d expect a top-notch Ford retiree to spread love and optimism as he departs, but Odell is special.He’s the “tough but fair” Romford-born Brit who led the downsizing of Ford’s European business, starting in 2012, that closed two UK plants and one in Belgium, and scaled down Ford’s operations in Germany, Russia and Romania, dramatically … [Read more...] about Stephen Odell: the man who saved Ford in Europe
Europe’s Growing Distaste for Diesel Is Great News for Hybrids – and an Opportunity for Toyota
In the first half of last year, the number of new vehicles sold in Europe with a diesel engine under the hood (or bonnet, depending on your port of call) fell below that of gasoline-powered vehicles.Spurred on by various tax incentives aimed at boosting national fuel economy, diesel’s popularity hit a high water mark in 2011, with 55.7 percent of all passenger cars sold in Western Europe that year leaving the lot with a compression ignition powerplant. However, since Volkswagen’s debacle, automakers, governments, and consumers are having second thoughts about the fuel.After seeing the diesel take rate fall 17 percent in 2017, Britain anticipates the overall market share for oil burners could hit 15 percent in 2025. Germany, birthplace of diesel fandom, saw sales sink 7 percent last year, now standing at 38.8 percent of new vehicles. The French take rate is now below 50 percent, as well.Replacing the incentivized high-torque engines isn’t a job that can be handled by … [Read more...] about Europe’s Growing Distaste for Diesel Is Great News for Hybrids – and an Opportunity for Toyota
How Chinese car makers can succeed in Europe
"Make the brand instantly recognisable. That will be the key to our success.” There’s a blueprint for how China’s car makers will be able to crack mature markets overseas such as Europe and the US, according to Borgward design chief Anders Warming.He should know a thing or two about building brands, having joined Borgward, the old German marque rekindled under Chinese ownership, from Mini, where he was part of its shift upmarket. Whatever you think of Mini’s cars, the sales suggest the brand repositioning has had strong early success. What was clear from walking the halls of the Guangzhou motor show last year was how serious China’s car makers are about going global. Korean and Japanese brands were name-checked as targets by China’s car makers, who for the first time spoke with some authority and logic on how they could get there.Now the fast-improving cars need strong brands to support them – brands with substance that must be … [Read more...] about How Chinese car makers can succeed in Europe