Each week, our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental.BMW has sold off Husqvarna to the Austrian Pierer Industrie AG, which owns motorcycle-maker KTM. The Bavarians had bought the (originally) Swedish company in 2008 and never achieved the sales and financial targets that were set with the purchase. Now BMW is serving up a politically correct explanation, saying that the realignment of its motorcycle business without Husqvarna will focus on “urban mobility and e-mobility.” It kind of reminds me of the reasoning in 2009 for pulling out of F1, in which reasons of “sustainability and environmental consciousness” were cited.BMW has announced it is expanding its remaining motorcycle presence with an electric scooter called C Evolution and also talks of “further innovative vehicle … [Read more...] about The Continental: BMW Sells Husqvarna, An Electric City Car, Goodbye to the C6, and a Bad VW Group Decision
Sales university group
Volkswagen Group Up 14.1 Percent In The First Six Months
As we just noticed, the Volkswagen Group gained 5.7 percent in Europe in the first six months of 2011. But that’s only a small part of the story. Globally, the Volkswagen Group delivered more vehicles in the first six months of 2011 than ever. A total of 4.09 million units changed hands, up 14.1 percent from the 3.58 million delivered in the same period of 2010. This according to a communique sent out by Volkswagen today. For you, dear TTAC reader, this is old news however. A few days ago, we told you that we “expect group sales to come in at somewhere around 14 percent and change for the half year.” (In more than 30 years working for the company, some of the clairvoyance possessed by VW’s upper management had rubbed off …) Volkswagen Jan-Jun 2011Jan-Jun ’11Jan-Jun ’10ChangeVolkswagen Passenger Cars2,530,0002,260,00011.8%Audi653,000554,90017.7%Škoda454,700378,70020.1%SEAT186,400181,8002.5%Volkswagen … [Read more...] about Volkswagen Group Up 14.1 Percent In The First Six Months
Dealers Sue to Block Tesla Sales in Missouri
The Missouri auto dealer cartel is on the move, trying to prevent citizens of that state from being able to buy a Model S sedan or (when it finally shows up) a Model X crossover. Automotive News reports that the Missouri Automobile Dealers Association filed a suit late last week accusing the state’s Department of Revenue of violating Missouri law by allowing Tesla to sell its cars directly to customers. Shots fired!The Missouri dealer group claims that, by granting Tesla Motors a license to sell vehicles at its University City location, the Department of Revenue violated state statute. The suit seeks to revoke the license given to that Tesla store (so far, the state’s only Tesla sales facility) and prevent any further licenses from being granted to the electric carmaker. The revenue department has stated that it does not comment on pending litigation.It’s not the first battle against Tesla the state has seen: Automotive News reported in May of 2014 that an … [Read more...] about Dealers Sue to Block Tesla Sales in Missouri
Volvo Concept Universe
Let's get the complaining out of the way. The Volvo Concept Universe unveiled at the Shanghai auto show is styled with all the innovation of a Top 40 pop song. To some, the front end looks like a Swedish take on the 2002 Lincoln Continental concept’s; others see hints of Jaguar XJ in the rear end. Getting past the shape, the Concept Universe communicates two important messages. First, it underscores that by universe, Volvo really means China. The company's new owner, after all, is China-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Volvo's Chinese sales are fairly strong, and the management is desperate to grow its sales in the hot luxo-car market there. That's why Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby says of the Concept Universe, “We will listen very carefully to what the Chinese car buyers think of the design. Later, we will also show the Concept Universe in other parts of the world.” Gee, thanks. Of greater relevance for those of us not residing in the People's Republic of … [Read more...] about Volvo Concept Universe
Help Turn These Awesome Lego Group B Rally Cars and Supercars into Real Kits
In his eponymous film, The Lego Batman Movie, Lego Batman said, “I have aged phenomenally.” And if they could talk, cars like the Bugatti Atlantic, the Lamborghini Miura, and the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 would rightly say the same. A hot-hatch rally car doesn’t typically end up in the same sentence as two of the most iconic cars ever created, but one hopeful Lego designer has submitted ideas for buildable kits for these and several other classic models.The Lego brand has become gearhead heaven lately, taking its vehicular efforts to new levels. With releases of kits for Ferraris including the Ferrari F40 and LaFerrari, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the Ford Mustang and F-150 Raptor, the McLaren P1, and the Porsche 918 (just to name a few), brick fanatics can live out their childhood fantasies—at least on a micro level—of owning and working on the cars that once lived on their walls.Lego also has also allowed fans to get closer … [Read more...] about Help Turn These Awesome Lego Group B Rally Cars and Supercars into Real Kits
Sales Up In August, SAAR Exceeds 16 Million For First Time Since ’07
AutomakerAug. 2013Aug. 2012Pct. chng.8 month20138 month2012Pct. chng. BMW division24,52316,83546%188,997164,63615% Mini6,0235,7185%44,32943,6322% Rolls-Royce84796%6726326%BMW Group30,63022,63235%233,998208,90012% Chrysler Division28,67828,0702%212,495216,616–2% Dodge52,85847,34812%413,258344,55620% Dodge/Ram86,44573,41318%653,985537,50222% Fiat4,1904,1501%29,58528,5664% Jeep46,23942,8398%317,921325,945–3% Ram33,58726,06529%240,727192,94625%Chrysler Group165,552148,47212%1,213,9861,108,62910% Maybach–4–100%–32–100% Mercedes-Benz26,15122,68915%203,147182,08712% Smart USA99375332%6,3126,2811%Daimler AG27,14423,44616%209,459188,40011% Ford … [Read more...] about Sales Up In August, SAAR Exceeds 16 Million For First Time Since ’07
The Not-so-Small Koenigsegg Group AB Puts Saab Back in Swedish Hands
We can understand if you suffered whiplash after double-taking at news of the sale of Saab to Koenigsegg, an eccentric, elusive, and tiny Swedish company. It was sort of like hearing that your local Elks Club had sold enough raffle tickets to purchase the Cincinnati Reds. On closer inspection, it makes a little more sense. The closest connection we can come up with is that Saab is “Born from Jets!” as the ads used to boast, and Koenigsegg is headquartered at a decommissioned Swedish fighter-jet base. Saab’s new owner is actually not Koenigsegg Auto AB, the builder of million-dollar-plus supercars—but rather Koenigsegg Group AB, a consortium of partners that includes Koenigsegg Auto; Alpraaz, a Swedish import-export company; Augie Fabela, a Russian telecom billionaire; Mark Bishop, a San Diego–based investment banker; and Baard Eker, a Norwegian mogul whose Eker Group also owns 49 percent of Koenigsegg Auto. Both Koenigsegg entities are led by … [Read more...] about The Not-so-Small Koenigsegg Group AB Puts Saab Back in Swedish Hands
Sale of Hummer to Chinese Company Fails, Brand to Wind Down
Chances of survival for Hummer—the company first catapulted into the spotlight for the unflinching, survivalist nature of its military vehicles—are grim after an announcement from GM that an attempted sale of the brand to a Chinese industrial group has fallen apart. No timeline has yet been given on the promised winding down and cessation of Hummer operations.GM is sharing no details at this time as to why the deal with Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines failed, but rumors have swirled for some time now that the Chinese government would block the sale. Surprisingly enough, one of the chief reasons cited was environmental concerns—some reports said China wants to limit the number of automakers operating within its borders, and will prioritize those with a better environmental reputation—although doubt of Tengzhong’s ability to properly run a large car company was also proposed as a possible reason. (We also wouldn’t ignore the fact that the … [Read more...] about Sale of Hummer to Chinese Company Fails, Brand to Wind Down
Will EV Sales Growth and Global Spread of Fracking Keep Oil Cheap Forever?
What a difference a few years make.Perhaps you’re old enough to remember when scientists warned us about an impending ice age. Today, climate change concerns have to do with global warming.Just a few years ago, “peak oil” — the theory of terminal decline once we’ve reached the maximum extraction rate from known petroleum reserves — was popular. A couple of recent perspectives, however, indicate that we may not hit peak oil production and consumption for the foreseeable future — and that the price of oil may actually go down long-term.Perhaps ironically, part of the predicted future glut of oil will be due to embracing electric cars. Back in February, Tom Randall of Bloomberg published a lengthy analysis of the sales growth of hybrid and electric cars. He concluded that while EVs don’t make up much of the global automotive fleet today, sales are increasing at double-digit percentages annually and eventually EVs will add up … [Read more...] about Will EV Sales Growth and Global Spread of Fracking Keep Oil Cheap Forever?
German Environmental Group Claims Renault Van Pollutes Up To 25 Times Euro Limit
A German environmental group said Tuesday that its testing has revealed Renault’s Espace, when equipped with a 1.6-liter diesel engine, could emit up to 25 times the allowable limit of nitrogen oxides with a warm engine running on roads — or you know, the real world.According to the New York Times, the Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) didn’t directly accuse Renault of including cheating software in its cars — a la Volkswagen — but said the van polluted significantly less when the engine was cold. The results could show the schism between European testing standards — where tires can be over-inflated, doors taped up, batteries disconnected, seats removed — and real-world conditions.Renault said in a statement Tuesday that its van complied with regulations and that tests done by researchers at the University of Bern “are not all compliant with European regulations.”According to researchers, Renault’s van was selected because … [Read more...] about German Environmental Group Claims Renault Van Pollutes Up To 25 Times Euro Limit