2019 ~ News Of Car

The execs And Cons Of Leasing A automobile

Around thirty % of latest vehicles within the U.S. are leased, in keeping with Statista. That range is up from simply seventeen % in 2002. As automobile leasing becomes additional common, it is important for any potential automobile purchaser or tenant to {understand|to grasp} what it means that to lease a automobile and understand the execs and cons of leasing versus shopping for.

What Is automotive vehicle Leasing?
Traditionally, most Americans have purchased their personal cars. If they can’t afford to shop for the automobile outright, they remove associate consumer loan and pay back each the principal on the loan and interest over time. therein sense, associate consumer loan is analogous to a mortgage therein, once the mortgage is paid off, the customer owns the house.

Leasing is that the comparable to paying rent on a house or lodging. rather than confiscating a loan and gaining equity within the property over time, lessees merely pay a monthly fee to use the vehicle. once the lease is up, possession of the vehicle goes back to the owner.

See also: ten States That place the smallest amount money Strain On yank Earners

The execs of car Leasing
A handful or reasons might justify why leasing has become additional common over the years.

Lower credit necessities. In several cases, the credit score necessities for associate automotive vehicle lease area unit below the standards for a loan on a comparable automobile. automotive vehicle leases usually need very little or no payment. If the automobile of your dreams is outside of your worth vary for associate consumer loan, you would possibly still be ready to drop behind the wheel with a lease.

No depreciation. one in every of the foremost frustrating things automobile patrons expertise is that the fast depreciation within the worth of cars. not like homes, that have values that tend to understand over time, roughly eighty % of a car’s worth is gone when 9 years.

Latest vehicle models. For fashionable drivers WHO invariably need to be seen within the latest and greatest automobile, transitioning from one lease to a different are often as straightforward as moving from a downstairs lodging to a top-floor unit. Lessees don’t have to be compelled to worry regarding marketing or commerce in their vehicle.

Minimal maintenance. Lessees area unit nearly always driving low-mileage cars that area unit but 5 years recent. On average, vehicles tend to need little maintenance throughout these years, and also the possibilities of a breakdown area unit token.

The Cons of car Leasing
Despite the benefits of leasing, there area unit robust reasons why most Americans still purchase.

A chartered vehicle is rarely paid off. Lessees still create monthly payments forever if they merely jump from one lease to following. Once a automobile purchaser pays of associate consumer loan, he or she is liberal to drive the automobile freed from charge till the wheels fall off.

Maintenance prices. each lessees and automobile house owners should pay for oil changes and different normal maintenance. however within the case of backseat spills, upholstery tears, paint scratches and different dings and dents that automobile house owners area unit liberal to merely ignore, lessees usually have to be compelled to pay. They don’t own the automobile, in order that they area unit financially chargeable for returning it to the owner in good shape.

Locked-in contract. whereas leases area unit usually viewed as less of a semipermanent money commitment than associate consumer loan, they'll be very troublesome and dear to exit. Lessees WHO have to be compelled to break their lease before it ends area unit usually hit with steep fees and fines which will quantity to thousands of greenbacks due all directly.

Limited customization. automobile patrons area unit liberal to paint their vehicles lime inexperienced, tint their windows and install the loudest speaker unit within the market. Lessees, however, should come back the vehicle basically within the condition during which it had been received. If you would like to pimp your ride, a lease might dramatically limit the scope of your pimping.

Maximizing worth
For Americans merely wanting to form the neatest attainable money call once it involves shopping for a vehicle, the graph below indicates that there area unit undoubtedly ways to time shopping for and marketing vehicles to optimize worth. the simplest thanks to maximize vehicle worth is to shop for a 10-year-old vehicle and sell it once it’s fifteen years recent. The worst approach buying} a vehicle is purchasing a replacement vehicle and marketing it when 5 years.

If {you need|you would like|you wish} to form a wise money call however don’t want to shop for a decade-old automobile, shopping for a replacement automobile and holding onto it for twenty years continues to be a comparatively affordable choice compared to used automobile patrons with higher turnover rates.

Surge in Used Car Sales Opens Up F&I Opportunities

2019 is already proving to be an interesting year for car sales and it’s barely the second quarter. One trend that could impact F&I is that new car sales forecasts are trending lower for this year. More used units are moving, and dealers are scrambling to find inventory for this increasing need.

New car prices and interest rates are increasing as well, making the used car (and CPO) markets prime for a surge in sales. Buyers are being squeezed out of the market and are looking to less expensive vehicles that are only a year or two out. A glut of vehicles coming in off-lease will present solid opportunities for higher used sales.

So how does a shift in the market like this impact F&I? What changes should your F&I department be looking at in the months to come and how can they capitalize on this sales forecast for the rest of the year?Sell More Extended Warranties – Ok, this one is almost too easy. Everyone knows it can be a tough sell for this on a new car given the OE’s that offer longer warranties right out of the gate. But with more used cars being sold and people now keeping their cars longer, this should be an easier sell than ever. Owners are keeping cars an average of 11 years now and with a solid, consultative sales approach, it should be easy to move more policies.

Level the Financing Playing Field – With interest rates rising on new autos, it may be time to take a more aggressive approach with used auto financing. Work with lenders to see of better buy rates are available and don’t be afraid to compete with local credit unions. That is always a struggle but rates at credit unions are starting to even out with other financial institutions and this gives a better window of opportunity for the dealership to be more competitive.

Tighten Up Training – Making sure your F&I staff is equally skilled with both the new and used car buyer is key during a market shift. A customer buying a new car with a 100k powertrain warranty from the manufacturer has to be approached differently than the customer buying a 3-year-old SUV with 10k miles left on their original warranty. Your staff should be able to adapt easily to the sales process for the used buyer as it comes with different set of challenges. It SHOULD be an easier sell. With the right approach, it is.

Redmi Car, SUV Murah Meriah Besutan Produsen Smartphone Xiaomi

GridOto.com - Siapa sih yang tidak kenal Xiaomi?

Yups, Xiaomi dikenal sebagai produsen smartphone canggih yang produknya sudah ada di mana-mana.

Ternyata Xiaomi tak cuma bermain di bisnis smartphone doang.

Kini Xiaomi bermain di segmen otomotif dengan menghadirkan sebuah mobil SUV bernama Xiaomi Redmi Car.Dikutip dari digitalphablet.com, Xiaomi menggandeng Bestune untuk menciptakan versi terbaru dari SUV Bestune T77 yang telah muncul sebelumnya.

Secara desain Redmi Car tidak kalah menarik dengan SUV lainnya, bahkan dengan buatan Eropa sekalipun.

Mobil ini memiliki ukuran 4.525 mm untuk panjangnya, lebar 1.845 mm, dan tinggi 1.615 mm.

Sedangkan untuk jarak sumbu roda berukuran 2.700 mm.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class review

The progressive metamorphosis of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, from a cleverly packaged box on wheels into a conventionally formed luxury hatch, is no doubt one of calculated execution.

Not only has it seen the original ‘baby Benz’ become increasingly competitive against the established premium hatchback set, but the transformation has also granted its previously unloved B-Class sibling some much-needed breathing room, allowing it to fashion itself a more distinct, confident identity within Mercedes' small-car line-up.The original B-Class of 2005 was, in essence, an extended version of the second-generation A-Class. But as the contemporary A-Class offered a comparatively superior drive with only a small compromise on cabin space, the ill-proportioned B-Class fell flat with critics and buyers alike.

In 2011, the second generation of this compact MPV gained a new platform (later shared with the third-generation A-Class), a boost in premium appeal, a more coherent exterior design and even greater interior versatility. Unfortunately, unimpressive road manners and poor refinement were Now the B-Class is back for a third generation. And while the mechanical similarities to its hatchback sibling are as strong as ever, the chances of that relationship bearing fruit have never been so promising. To say the fourth-generation A-Class is the most convincing iteration of the breed we’ve seen in its 22-year history is no overstatement.

As with its sibling, the B-Class’s cabin has had its luxury credentials amplified, while driver assistance features have also trickled down from the S-Class limousine. Meanwhile, a new platform and engine line-up might just remedy the shortcomings that marred its predecessor. But have these changes finally allowed the B-Class to rise above the relative mediocrity that’s characterised its existence thus far?Mercedes offers seven flavours of B-Class: four petrols and three diesels, all turbocharged and with a capacity no larger than 1950cc.

Unlike in the A-Class, whose more powerful models compete with the best hot hatch rivals, there are no plans to bring an AMG-badged B-Class to market, so the quickest car is the B250, which will hit 62mph in 6.4sec.

That price jump beyond the B200d is because, from the 250 onwards, AMG Line is the most basic trim level and brings an independent rear axle rather than a torsion beam.

2019 Porsche Cayenne review

Porsche is a brand without a present blemish – each one of its vehicles is a standout in its respective class. Sports car enthusiasts invariably find themselves comparing every automotive contender against the iconic and continually evolving Porsche 911, or the spectacular mid-engine 718 twins. Sedan and wagon junkies get their fix with the stylish and dynamic Panamera. Compact crossover shoppers with a taste for driving fun can do no better than the Macan. And then there’s the Cayenne, the vehicle that saved Porsche when it was at its lowest, and has been the brand’s sales leader for years.

Certainly, it’s good to be Porsche these days, but all that esteem comes with a nasty downside: any slip-up, however minor, will have purists shouting that the brand has lost its way. Earlier in 2019, Porsche successfully cleared a big checkpoint with the well-received introduction of its 992-generation 911, but the Carrera will never sell in great enough numbers to float the entire automaker. That burden falls on the shoulders of the Cayenne. Entering its third generation, the mid-size SUV boasts updated styling, features, and performance hardware within deceptively similar bodywork.

Porsche’s unenviable position is this: it must sufficiently advance the Cayenne’s luxury and technology features to stave off refreshed competitors like the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, while retaining the brilliant driving essence that built its brand. A week in the 2019 Cayenne ($66,750) tells all.

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DESIGN

Much like it did with the 911, Porsche took an evolutionary design approach with its new Cayenne. While three inches longer and 1.7 inches wider than the outgoing model, the 2019 Cayenne looks more like a gentle refresh than a top-down rebuild. Visual tweaks include a lower, veined hood, sharper LED headlight signatures, chromed slats across the entire front fascia, new 19-, 20-, and 21-inch wheel designs, and a continuous LED taillight running the entire width of the tailgate. Notably, a short rear overhang and a steeped front overhang mean the Cayenne won’t scrape easily off-road (especially when equipped with the optional air suspension).The modest redesign sufficiently modernizes the Cayenne while retaining its upscale physique. For those wanting to make a bigger stylistic impact with a Porsche mid-size SUV, the Cayenne Coupe will arrive later this year to battle the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.

Inside, Porsche’s changes are more transparent. To reduce clutter along the center stack, Porsche replaced numerous physical controls with haptic feedback sensors along a glass surface. The sheer number of individual settings is still daunting, but the two-dimensional arrangement creates a slicker look.Material quality is exceptional, with a blend of brushed metals, gloss black panels or wood grain trim, soft leather, and delicate accents. While not as overtly luxurious as BMW’s new X5, the Cayenne cabin is pure business class. Eight-way power seats are standard, but we recommend the upgraded 14-way heated chairs that add lumber support. We’ve waxed poetic about Porsche’s steering wheel in other models, and the same praise must be heaped upon the new Cayenne; the design, the soft leather border, and the intuitive controls are above anything in this segment.

Rear passenger space is generous, with enough leg and headroom for two full-size adults (and a smaller human in between). The available panoramic glass sunroof is enormous, and while the integrated shade takes its time to open, the view and ambient light are fantastic. Cargo capacity improves slightly to 27 cubic feet behind the second row and 60 cubes with the rear seats folded. Those figures are less than both the Mercedes-Benz GLE400 and BMW X5.

BMW X7 xDrive30d M Sport 2019 UK review

What is it?
You will have probably formed your own opinion about the way the new BMW X7 looks by now. It’s possible you will have also heard how some of those larger-than-life design cues (you know what I’m referring to) have been introduced to appeal to customers not just in the US but also China and the Middle East. Following this simple logical progression further, you might also have come to the conclusion that motorists in those particular markets lack taste somewhat. But, you know, horses for courses and all that.

Anyway, the X7 is the newest member of BMW’s line-up of luxury cars. The firm will tell you to think of it as a 7 Series that can go off road, as opposed to an X5 that has grown quite a bit larger (at 5.2m long, 1.8m tall and 2.0m wide, it’s now the largest car BMW has ever built).

Nevertheless, its relationship to its smaller SUV sibling remains a fairly close one: it sits on the same modular Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform, uses a similar eight-speed automatic transmission, is available with BMW’s Off-Road package, comes with full air suspension as standard and shares the same line-up of 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Unlike the X5, however, it comes with seven seats as standard.

While the X7 will be offered elsewhere with a mighty V8 engine, in Britain the 394bhp, 560lb ft, quad-turbocharged (yes, four) M50d represents the top of the range. There’s also a 335bhp 40i petrol, while the 30d - which is expected to account for some 60% of the X7’s UK sales mix - develops 261bhp at 4000rpm and 457lb ft between 2000 and 2500rpm.

M Sport trim adds features such as 21in alloy wheels and a sportier bodykit to an already impressive roster of standard equipment that includes Merino leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, a 12.3in infotainment system and heated seats in all three rows. All up, our X7 xDrive30d M Sport test car starts at £72,630.
What's it like?
One benefit of driving the X7 is that from behind the wheel, you don’t actually have to look at it. But to write off this flagship BMW purely because its design is challenging would be a touch unfair.

In all honesty, there’s really very little about the manner in which the X7 conducts itself on the road that’s likely to upset you. But then there's little about its dynamic character that will really get your blood pumping, either – which is unsurprising, given the fact it weighs nearly 2.4 tonnes and is the size of an average bungalow.

Despite its vastness, it’s actually a car that’s relatively easy to place on tighter stretches of Tarmac. Even on the twisting, narrow B-roads that made up our Scottish test route, the occasions where you would instinctively breathe in when faced with an oncoming lorry were few and far between. A good part of this is down to fairly serious visibility. Admittedly, the rear screen seems a very long way away from where you sit, but the view out is commanding.

To say the X7 handles outstandingly would be a stretch, but there is a subtle athletic undercurrent present. Given its sheer weight and inertia, its willingness to respond to changes in direction are actually pretty confidence-inspiring, as is the amount of grip it generates when pressing on. There’s quite a lot of obvious body roll through corners, and you do need to concentrate while directing the X7 into bends, but it arrives in a reasonably gentle fashion. You can feel it loading up the outside wheels as you add on lock, and when it all becomes a bit too much, the resulting understeer is gentle and controllable.Set in Comfort mode, it indeed rides comfortably yet doesn’t feel loose or prone to float over crests. The 21in alloys don’t cause much in the way of questionable secondary intrusions, either (although the same can’t be said of the optional 22in rims). Sport mode tightens things up, but in a car this size, such a feature seems a touch redundant.

The 3.0-litre inline six, meanwhile, doesn’t lend the X7 an incredible turn of outright pace, but it does provide a wealth of torque to get this gargantuan SUV up to speed in reasonable time. It’s a smooth powertrain, too: step-off is nearly seamless, while the 'box deftly swaps cogs as and when is required.And while it’s highly likely that the only off-roading most X7 owners will do is parking on the kerb, a shout-out here is warranted. A locking differential and the Off-Road package allowed our X7 to tackle some impressively rugged terrain despite being fitted with summer rubber. A pinch of salt might be required here, but our guide seemed genuine when he said the X7 was as good over their off-road course as the Range Rovers they usually run. We're inclined to believe him.Should I buy one?
If you really must have an SUV the size of a small county, by all means buy an X7. If you can see past the design (hell, you might even quite like it), there’s very little about the way it drives that will cause grave concern. The fact that it can genuinely fit seven adults in relative comfort is also a neat trick in a world of so-called ‘seven-seaters’ that can only really take children – and small ones at that – in the third row.

Where the X7 does feel a touch disappointing, though, is inside. Don’t get us wrong, it’s impeccably finished and the materials used are wonderful to the touch. But so too are those you’ll find in the X5. In fact, there’s very little that really differentiates the two, at least architecturally speaking. It’s all a bit too derivative. And in the world of flagship luxury SUVs, a world where you could easily spend more than £90,000 once you’ve added a few options, that seems like something of a missed opportunity.

Mercedes-Benz V-Class 300d Marco Polo 2019 review

What is it?
This is a well presented two-bedroom detached house with a newly fitted kitchen and dining area, with yacht wood flooring, situated in the heart of anywhere you care to park it. You get the idea. The Mercedes-Benz V-Class Marco Polo is a bite-size luxury property on wheels, and it’s just had a few updates as part of a facelift for the entire V-Class MPV range.

Chief among them – a very welcome refresh in the engine and gearbox department. The OM654 four-cylinder diesel engine from the E-Class, GLE and CLS, with two power outputs (220d and 300d), is now available, along with Mercedes’ nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Elsewhere in the V-Class lineup, automatic emergency braking is now standard and the styling has been tweaked inside and out. So, is this 2019’s must-have holiday adventure vehicle?What's it like?
Well, it’s not short on passenger space, that’s for sure. It’s more than five metres long and has a three-metre wheelbase, but, when you clamber into the back, you will still be amazed at the amount of stuff they’ve been able to cram in. There’s seating for four, with rear seats that fold down into a double bed, and a pop up roof that allows space for another double bed on the makeshift ‘second-floor’. There's also a full-on kitchen installation with a sink, gas hob, fridge and plenty of cupboards and storage compartments.

The end result is a living space that is significantly more glamorous than most university halls' of residence, and that offers endless opportunities for #lifestyle advertisements that feature handsome windswept blonde couples with guitars and surfboards.

All this will be familiar to anyone with the pre-facelift Marco Polo, though, so what’s actually new? Well, not a great deal. There’s some new upholsteries, a new front-end design, some new paint colours and alloy wheels, but, these days, the dashboard design feels a step behind the flashy widescreen interiors you'll find in Mercedes' new A-Class and GLE. There’s not even the option of a fully digital driver's display. On top of that, the fiddly panel that controls such features as the roof and auxiliary heating feels jarringly ‘retro’, complete with its Nokia 6610-style pixelated screen.

Ohio's Attorney General sues Knox County car dealership over title issues

MOUNT VERNON — Attorney General Dave Yost filed a consumer protection lawsuit Wednesday against a used car dealership and its owner who failed to deliver vehicle titles to central Ohio customers, the state office noted in a press release.

“Bad businesses be warned: my office will not watch from the sidelines as consumers get burned,” Yost said. “This guy ripped off dozens of customers, closed up shop and walked off with their money.

"We’re going to hold him accountable.”The lawsuit accuses Zachary Ross and his business, Ross Premier Motors LLC, of violating Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act and Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title Act. The dealership was located at 219 Harcourt Rd. in Mount Vernon. It is no longer in operation.

Consumers filed 51 complaints against the business with Yost’s office, many of them alleging that Ross never provided titles for cars purchased at the dealership. Ross claimed he could get the money to resolve the complaints but only did so in a few cases.

Yost’s Consumer Protection Section made the customers whole with payments totaling $60,754.88 from the Title Defect Recision Fund, a program that helps used car buyers resolve title problems.The lawsuit filed in the Knox County Court of Common Pleas seeks reimbursement from Ross and an order preventing him from holding a dealer or salesperson license until he repays the fund and complies with Ohio’s consumer protection laws.

2019 Upcoming SUV Launches in India - Hyundai Venue, Tata Cassini, MG Hector and More

It’s no secret, the segment that has been gaining popularity the fastest in India has to be the SUV segment. And as a result, automakers are trying to launch the new and updated SUVs in the Indian market to meet the increasing consumer demand. 2018 witnessed the launch of some really good SUVs and 2019 is expected to be even more interesting. Many automakers have already unveiled their products for 2019 and some have kept it a secret. If you are planning to buy a new SUV that can carry your family in comfort and have an appealing stance, here is a list of top 5 SUVs that will be launched in India this year, including cars like Tata Buzzard, Hyundai Sub-Compact SUV, MG Hector and more.1. Hyundai VenueExpected Price – Rs 7-10 Lakh

Hyundai Motor India recently announced that their upcoming compact SUV will be India’s first connected SUV. To achieve this, Hyundai will offer the Venue along with what they call Hyundai BlueLink. The Hyundai BlueLink is Hyundai’s global technology which will be introduced in the Indian market with 33 features out of which 10 would be India specific features for most practical and holistic connectivity with Safety, Convenience and various Vehicle Management Relationship Services. Hyundai will be giving us a unique preview of the Venue on 17th April 2019 ahead of its global debut at the New York International Auto Show.

2. Kia SP2iExpected Price – Rs 8-11 Lakh

At the Auto Expo 2018, Kia Motors unveiled its SP Concept, an SUV designed and developed for the Indian market. It will be the first product from Kia to go on sale in the country in the second half of 2019. At the front, Kia SP concept gets a tiger nose grill which is seen in many Kia cars. The SP Concept's lamp design meets slims graphics and functionality through a top and bottom headlamp connected to a wide front grille. The DRLs in high-tech graphics and positioning lamps leading to front grille helps produce differentiated images during day/night. An all-new 1.5-litre diesel engine with BS6 compliance and other improvements could power the Kia SP Concept. The engine is said to have a power out of 115 hp and 250 Nm of torque.

3. Tata CassiniExpected Price – Rs 15-18 Lakh

Tata Motors will launch the 7-seater version of its Tata Harrier SUV, recently named Buzzard at the Geneva Motor Show. However, in India, the 7-seater SUV will be called 'Cassini'. The car has been completely revealed by the company and is based on the IMPACT Design 2.0 philosophy, engineered on the new generation ‘Optimal Modular Efficient Global Advanced’ Architecture, which is derived from the legendary Land Rover D8 architecture and developed in collaboration with Jaguar Land Rover. It will be powered by the Harrier’s Kryotec 2.0 diesel engine that produces 140 PS of power and churns out 350 Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, but Tata may add a 6-speed auto gearbox too. The car gets 3 engine drive modes – Eco, City and Sport that are married to ESP terrain response modes – Normal, Rough and Wet for taking on difficult terrains.

4. MG HectorMG Motor (Morris Garages) had recently showcased their car technology in India with the launch of the iSMART Next Gen, developed in partnership with global technology players. The MG Hector, which will go on sale in June 2019, will come with iSMART Next Gen and will be the first internet car in India. MG Motor says that they have partnered with global tech companies Microsoft, Adobe, Unlimit, SAP, Cisco, Gaana, TomTom and Nuance. The carmaker also unveiled other several industry-first features of Internet-enabled cars that will be available in the MG Hector.

The all-new 2019 Chevrolet Blazer makes a comeback

The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer is all-new this year, marking the return of a much-loved nameplate. The original Blazer was discontinued more than 10 years ago, and fans have been anxiously awaiting its return ever since. This new SUV might have the same name, but don’t expect the same old Blazer. This is a Blazer for today’s driver, and it takes a different approach than the original.

It starts with the design, which aims for a performance vibe. Plenty of SUVs and crossovers are in Chevrolet’s lineup, but that’s not where designers turned for inspiration. Instead, they looked to the Corvette and Camaro, which is especially apparent from the front.The Blazer comes in a range of trims that Chevrolet sees as having three distinct personalities. The base L starts at $28,800 and features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque paired to a nine-speed automatic. It comes standard with front-wheel drive.

Take a few steps up, and there’s an available 3.6-liter V6 with 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque along with all-wheel drive. Add leather trims, and the price tag goes up to $38,695. Those are the base trims that offer a more frugal personality and are competitively priced.Then there’s the RS, which comes in at $41,795. It’s also the sportiest of the lot. There are unique black trims, including the iconic Chevy bowtie on the grille, perforated leather seats with red accents, and the more powerful V6 engine. We spent our time with this version of the Blazer and found it surprisingly fun.

While every automaker proclaims that driving its cars is fun, not every car lives up to that claim, especially when it comes to SUVs. These are vehicles that are about hauling stuff around — whether it’s people or cargo — and getting work done. They must be practical, which is anything but fun, yet the Blazer was a car we enjoyed driving.The V6 engine is peppy and delivers plenty of power when merging onto a congested roadway or passing other vehicles at highway speeds. It handles well, too, with tight, crisp steering that makes the Blazer feel nimbler than it looks. This isn’t a Camaro, but much like it has a hint of that car in its design, there’s a hint of performance in how it drives.

Sitting at the top of the Blazer lineup is the Premier, which is the luxury-minded trim with pricing from $43,895. Instead of the sporty black accents of the RS, there are lots of chrome bits inside and out along with luxury amenities like a Bose eight-speaker audio system.

While the base trims of the Blazer are affordable, pricing creeps up quickly with the RS and Premier. They offer the most interesting personalities of the mix — sporty or luxurious — but there’s still quite a lot of SUV for the money, even in base trims.

The Blazer also offers plenty of room and a comfortable interior, too. It easily seats five passengers with rear seats that can accommodate three adults even for longer trips. Those seats also slide forward to accomodate more passengers or back for more cargo room.

There’s up to 30.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats or 64.2 cubic feet behind the front seats. Those rear seats fold flat, which makes loading longer, heavier cargo an easier task. In need of more room? The Blazer can tow up to 4,500 pounds when properly equipped.

Audi reveals new S6 and S7 Sportback with 345bhp V6 diesel

Audi has released the first images and technical details of the new S6 and S7 Sportback models, with no teasers or build-up.

The range-topping versions of the latest A6 and A7 have switched from V8 petrol power to use a V6 diesel unit mated to an electric compressor and 48v mild hybrid system.

Producing 345bhp in all forms, the new engine is nearly 100bhp less powerful than the eight-cylinder unit in the old S6 and S7. It counters with significantly more torque, putting out a peak of 516lb ft at 2,500rpm.

The electric compressor, also used in the V8 diesel Audi SQ7, is utilised to fill any torque gaps at low revs before the turbo can spool up. Responding in 250 milliseconds, it works up to an engine speed of 1,650rpm and spins up to 70,000rpm.The result is a 0-62mph time of five seconds dead in the S6 saloon, with that time increasing by a tenth of a second in the S6 Avant and S7 Sportback. The top speed is, as usual, limited to 155mph.

Using the now-familiar 48v mild hybrid system found on lesser A6s and A7s, which allows energy recovery under acceleration and stop-start operation below 14mph, the S6 and S7 promise between 43 and 46mpg depending on body style, wheel and tyre choice. CO2 emissions go as low as 164g/km depending on spec.

The S6 and S7’s chassis receives specific sports suspension with adaptive damping and a 20mm lower ride height (10mm lower on S7), with the option of more comfort-focused adaptive air suspension instead. All-wheel steering is also an option, while quattro all-wheel drive is standard.

In fitting with the more subtle nature of S models compared with RS variants, styling tweaks are subtle and include quad tailpipes at the rear, tweaks to the bumpers front and rear and 20-inch wheels. S badging and a redesigned grille also feature, while the interior features sports seats and new trim material options.

Top dependable bangers for under £1500

We found: 2002 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 SXi, £560, 68,000 miles

As one of the UK's best-selling cars there's no shortage of Corsa to choose between. Forever in the shadow of the Fiesta, the Corsa is nonetheless a great small car for new and old drivers alike, and its ubiquity means cheap motoring is guaranteed thanks to low purchase and parts costs.

We've picked a second-generation car here for its simplicity; an older, low-mileage car is likely to be cheaper to run than a high-mileage third-generation car (from 2006 on). Check for tired rear wheelbearings and the electro-hydraulic steering can be weak, plus we'd avoid the 1.0-litre engine as it's hideously underpowered.
We found: 1999 Daihatsu Sirion 1.0 +, £595, 68,000 miles

Daihatsu might be a defunct brand in the UK, but that doesn't stop tiddlers like the Sirion from being a brilliant budget buy. Bought by old people who service them to within an inch of their lives, Daihatsus are reliable and fun, if hardly cutting edge. Your best bet is to buy a three-cylinder 1.0-litre car as the thrum it produces is great fun – just watch out for tired interiors and rotten exhausts along with snapped front suspension springs.We found: 2003 MG TF 1.8, £650, 75,000 miles

Forget the MG's reputation for fragility; properly looked after, these cars will sail past the 100,000-mile mark with ease. The key of course is to ensure the cooling system isn't compromised, and that's easier than you might think. The Hydragas suspension on the F is another potential weakness which is why we've opted for the later TF instead, with its steel suspension.

However, don't dismiss an F if you can find one at the right price; either of these smart-looking MGs will provide fun aplenty, and with values rising for good examples, you'll find ownership can be especially cheap.We found: 2004 Saab 9-3 2.0T Vector convertible, £690, 125,000 miles

Our plan was to track down a tidy 9-3 hatch, but when we saw a very presentable convertible for under 700 quid our heads were turned. After all, what's not to like? You get a smart-looking drop-top with comfy seats, excellent safety credentials even now, a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that develops a healthy 150bhp, but it's unstressed so it should last for years as long as the engine oil is changed regularly.

The Saab isn't the sharpest handler as it's a bit wobbly, but there should be plenty of life left in this one.We found: 2003 Hyundai Accent 1.6 CDX, £695, 72,500 miles

No, we haven't taken leave of our senses. One of the golden rules of bangernomics is to give underdogs like the Hyundai Accent a chance. We're not suggesting this will ever set your pulse racing, but the Accent's simplicity means there's not much to go wrong. Its image means low asking prices and its five-door hatchback configuration ensures practicality galore.

Still not sold on the idea? OK, but if you want to make an anti-fashion statement, few things do the job as well as a Hyundai Accent.We found: 2004 Ford StreetKa 1.6 Luxury, £749, 68,000 miles

The 1.6-litre Ford SportKa was great fun to drive and while its sibling the StreetKa doesn't have quite the same poise or sharp looks, if you want a cheap two-seater convertible for the summer this unusual Ford might be just the job. The image of the StreetKa isn't for everyone, but they're dependable enough and cheap to run in a way that only a Ford can be.We found: 1993 Honda Prelude 2.0, £795, 120,000 miles

We're into modern classic territory here, but that's no bad thing as classic car insurance tends to be cheap. This fourth-generation Prelude still cuts a dash and looks far more appealing than the model that succeeded it in 1997 (we also found one of those for sale for £600). The Prelude's interior is immaculate while the rear wheelarches are crusty, but you could run this for a couple of years then sell it for £300-£400 and you'll still be quids in.You may think that the Almera is synonymous with being boring, but it’s actually not a bad car to drive, even if it is uninspiring to look at. However, the dull image makes the car a great used buy because depreciation has always been savage yet the cars are inherently reliable. They also appeal to owners who mollycoddle them, so there are plenty of cracking low-mileage used examples out there to choose from.

The most likely problems are failed camshaft or crankshaft sensors leading to the car refusing to start. Easily fixed, buy a car with one of these and you could land a real bargain.

BAC delivers 100th Mono with unique colour and trim

The 100th example of the BAC Mono supercar has rolled off the company’s production line and been delivered to a car museum in Denmark.

But this is no standard Mono. The Mono #100 is finished in British racing green atop visible carbonfibre bodywork. It is the first BAC model to sport such a combination.

This particular Mono also comes with a unique golden plaque built into the driver’s headrest that reads ‘Chassis 100’. The rest of the interior has been given gold stitching to further set it apart.It was acquired by the Strøjer Samlingen car museum in the Danish town of Assens, home to more than 120 esteemed cars, including models from the Danish royal family, McLarens, James Bond cars, Bugattis, Ferraris, Koenigseggs and more. Fittingly, the delivery of the car also marked 10 years since BAC was founded by Ian and Neill Briggs.

Neill Briggs said: “Delivering Mono #100 is a huge milestone in our history, but stay tuned; there is a lot more excitement to come from BAC in the near future.”

First launched in 2012, the Mono is the world’s only road-legal single-seat supercar. BAC now makes three cars a month at its factory in Liverpool.

New plan to lock out used car imports

The Government has proposed a raft of new measures aimed at protecting local car assemblers in what will now make it more difficult and costlier to import second-hand motor vehicles.So determined is the Government to grow the automotive industry to the extent that the Ministry of Industrialisation has proposed developing a financing plan to enable individuals and corporates to buy locally made vehicles.
It is also willing to grant “scrapping rebates” to those willing to dispose of their aged imported vehicles and replace them with newer locally assembled ones.
These are some of the measures proposed in the National Automotive Policy which the ministry has now published for public discussion.
In the draft policy, the ministry said it would eliminate the significant competition that local assemblers face from the used vehicle imports by reducing the age limit of cars coming into the country. The Government plans to reduce the age limit for imported second-hand cars to five years from eight years.
It further proposes to lower this to three years by 2021. They would also be prioritised in government procurement.
“The Government will implement a phase-out plan to reduce the importation of used vehicles in the Kenyan market while facilitating the local manufacturers to bring to the market affordable vehicles for diverse domestic market segments that can replace the shortfall emanating from the reduction in used vehicle importation,” reads the draft policy, in which the State is also eyeing an automotive hub status through increased exports of locally produced units to the region.
The local vehicle assembly industry has been struggling, with the sale of new units dipping despite the increase in the number of firms that have set up vehicle product units locally.
Among the recent entrants in the local production space are Peugeot and Volkswagen which pushed production capacity to 34,000 from an earlier 29,000. This, however, remains largely unutilised.Thus, even after the much-hyped re-entry of the two automakers into the Kenyan market, production has remained low, with the industry churning out 5,490 units in 2017 compared to 2015 when 9,760 units were produced.
The State of the auto industry is a far cry from what the country had in the late 1980s when local assembly peaked at 13,473 units, according to data by the Industrialisation Ministry.
It notes that the installed production capacity can be reached by protecting the assemblers.
“Under the right policy and investment conditions; full capacity single shift production of 34,000 units (which would create over 150,000 jobs) can only replace 38 per cent of total imported fully built units,” says the ministry in the draft policy.

Karma Automotive will introduce new Revero line and new concepts, with possible SUV ahead

The next generation of Karma Automotive was unveiled Tuesday, April 9 as the Irvine-based automaker discussed expansion plans that could bring enhanced economic development and more job opportunities to Moreno Valley.

The Chinese owner of Southern California’s lone automaker is growing the Revero line with as new model that will formally debut in about a week. Executives also hinted at new vehicle types, including an SUV, in the years ahead.

Fans of Irvine-based Karma’s sleek, high-end electric-powered Revero got their first look at the next-generation model when a limited-edition 2019 car was unveiled to a crowd of community leaders and employees at the Southern California facility that produced it.The Revero on display Tuesday was a pre-sold, one-off model. Three models, its 2020 model and two “concept vehicles” will be unveiled later this month at Auto Shanghai, one of the world’s largest car shows. Karma has dubbed its Shanghai showcase its “New Dawn.”

Since the company was formed in 2014, Karma has built a global enterprise with about 1,000 employees. Its vehicles are priced at as much as $135,000. Karma also has its Detroit Technical Center in Troy, Mich., and a design and engineering campus in Hangzhou, China, where the parent company is based.

The automaker partners with dealerships at 19 retail locations in the U.S., Canada and Chile, which includes a company-operated store in Newport Beach. The company hopes to expand to Europe.

Lance Zhou, who took over as CEO of Karma in December 2017, said it is unusual for a company to start making cars in California.

“And this is the toughest market for luxury cars anywhere,” Zhou, a 25-year veteran of the industry who holds a doctorate in engineering, told the crowd. “But if we can succeed, we will ring every bell all over the world.”

Take a peek inside

The assembly floor in Moreno Valley includes the fabrication of pure aluminum into doors, frames, hoods and other body parts. Welders are at work at numerous stations. The Revero bodies are painted in a large, sealed-off room. Parts move from station to station, transported by robotic arms dangling from the ceiling.The assembly lines run for about 100 yards. Then, they bend around second and third corridors, moving the parts like a giant letter “s.”

What is absent from the factory floor is much of the noise that used to be a signature of automotive assembly plants. Mechanics no longer use loud air-powered drills and similar tools. The result is a sort of quiet efficiency.

“We build the most beautiful car in the world under this roof,” said Dennis Dougherty, Karma’s president and chief operating officer. “This facility in Moreno Valley is the result of a $100 million investment. That investment shows we intend to keep great ideas and great craftsmanship right here in Moreno Valley.”

About 200 people work in the factory. When it opened, the Riverside County Workforce Development Board and a sister agency, the Moreno Valley Employee Resource Center, used a federal grant to help recruit, screen and train job applicants.

“These people are making good money and have a good future there,” said Jamil Dada, chairman of the Riverside board. Karma has indicated that they may double the workforce in Moreno Valley in the future. Tuesday the factory was renamed Karma Innovation and Customization Center.

While Karma was able to secure a workforce of people with good tooling skills, one Karma associate said much of the intricacies of assembling an electric car are learned on the job.

Karma once was known as Fisker Automotive, the company that created the Fisker Karma, a luxury plug-in vehicle. Today’s Revero looks much like the very first Karma. Fisker filed for bankruptcy, and Karma was started after Wanxiang Group, a Chinese auto parts conglomerate, purchased some of their assets.

The factory makes about 500 cars a year, said Dave Barthmuss, Karma’s public relations manager. “Our goal is to work at a deliberate pace, make carefully hand-built cars,” Barthmuss said. “That’s why they cost what they do.”

As the company progresses over the next two years, Zhou said that new lines could be released, which could include an SUV and vehicles produced at a faster pace that target more of a mass market audience.

Zhou added, in a discussion with a group of visitors, that this might take partnering with other companies. But he added that Moreno Valley has the capacity to keep up with demand.

“We make our luxury cars here,” Zhou said. “All will be exported from here.”

New Bentley Flying Spur Teased with a Retractable Hood Ornament

The Flying Spur is the second-oldest car in Bentley's lineup, having debuted in 2013, and it even still rides on the same platform as the original 2005 model. It looks and feels pretty dated, which is not helpful against its growing field of competition. But fret not, rich people that want a "small" Bentley sedan: the third-generation Flying Spur is coming this year, and it really will be all new, built on the same platform as the Continental GT that was redesigned for 2019. Ahead of its debut, Bentley has released a teaser video, which showcases an excellent new feature: a hood ornament.

That hood ornament actually is kind of a big deal. This is the first time that the Flying Spur is getting one-in fact, it will be first modern Bentley aside from the Mulsanne to get one-and it will be electronically retractable to deter thievery. And because it just looks cool when it goes up and down. Bentley calls it the Flying B, as it is a stylized version of the letter B (B for Bentley) with wings attached. Those wings are made of some sort of crystal or glass-like material, and they appear to be illuminated. When the B is retracted, a sliver of aluminum trim appears in its place, with the Bentley name stamped vertically on it. Sure, a retractable hood ornament is pretty gimmicky, and Rolls-Royce already does it, but it's still quite fabulous. And how else will people know you're driving a Bentley if not for the Flying B?

Bentley also released a second teaser, a line drawing of the car's silhouette. Compared to the current Flying Spur, the new generation looks longer both in length and in wheelbase. The C-pillar and more glass are more raked, while the front end is more upright. From the sketch, it looks like the new car will have prominent creases above each wheel arch, thick chrome window trim, and large taillights. The exterior styling overall will be pretty evolutionary as is typical for Bentley, but expect the interior to be revolutionary, largely carrying over from the Continental GT's tech-heavy, design-forward cabin.We know that the Flying Spur will be moving onto the same new platform as the Continental GT, which is also shared with the Porsche Panamera. Expect all-wheel drive to remain standard, with a 542-hp twin-turbo V-8 as the base engine. Volkswagen Group's 626-hp twin-turbo W-12 will be the upgrade engine, with more powerful V8 S and W12 Speed models coming later in the car's lifecycle. There's a chance that a longer Extended Wheelbase model will appear to better compete with the EWB version of the Rolls-Royce Ghost, the Flying Spur's main rival.

Bentley says that the new Flying Spur will be unveiled later this year; we could see the debut happening in the fall at the Frankfurt or Los Angeles auto shows, or maybe this summer at Pebble Beach. The company has launched a website for potential customers to register their interest for the Flying Spur. Beyond the typical "Mr." and "Mrs.," two of the options for title are "Lord" and "Sheikh," giving you a good idea as to Bentley's target customer base.

New Range Rover Evoque gets top marks from Euro NCAP

The new Range Rover Evoque has been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating in the latest round of tests by Euro NCAP,

The British-built SUV, which moved into its second generation earlier this year, achieved significantly higher ratings for adult and child occupant protection than the original model received in 2011, even against a tougher testing regime.

An adult protection rating of 94% and a child protection rating of 87% make the new Evoque the safest Land Rover ever tested by Euro NCAP. A pedestrian protection rating of 72% is also strong, as is a safety assist technology rating of 73%. The automatic emergency braking system scored maximum points in tests of its functionality at city speeds. Alongside the Evoque, Euro NCAP tested the new Citroën C5 Aircross. The Seat Ateca-rivalling SUV scored four stars for entry-level European spec models, but all UK cars receive the maximum score as they are fitted as standard with the Safety Plus Pack, which adds a radar sensor to the existing front-facing camera to improve the performance of the automatic braking system and enable detection of cyclists.

Praising car makers for rapidly pushing such systems to market, Euro NCAP's general secretary, Michiel van Ratingen, said: "It's good news that some of the basic driver assist technologies will finally be mandated from 2022, but thankfully most vehicle manufacturers are already way ahead of the curve today.”

Bentley hints at next Flying Spur with new images

Bentley has revealed first images and a video of its next Flying Spur, which will be unveiled later this year.

The Crewe-based car maker described itself as “innovating beyond the existing boundaries of performance, refinement and luxury with the introduction of an all-new four-door Grand Tourer”.

The luxury saloon, which is expected to be called by a new name, is the firm’s answer to rivals such as the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Mercedes-Maybach S600.

While it has commonly been known as the four-door sibling to the Continental GT - and will continue to be closely related under the skin - it is understood that the Flying Spur will have a far more distinctive design, intended to make it stand alone as a model in its own right.

As hinted at in the sketch and video revealed today, the model’s styling will follow the themes of the Continental GT but has more distinct surfaces and sharper swage lines.The latest Continental GT launched early last year, and the maker recently unveiled the V8 variant and the GT Convertible.

A full range of engines is expected to be launched on the next Flying Spur, including Bentley’s V8 and W12 petrol options, and a plug-in hybrid based around a V6 petrol engine instead of going down the diesel route. Hybrid options will be key in bolstering Bentley’s sales in China in particular. In time, a Speed variant will crown the range. It will feature a higher-performance engine that will also be used in the Continental GT and GT Convertible.

Once the Continental range has been completed, the firm will turn its focus to what Autocar understands will be a next step in its design, promising a more radical change to something more fresh and modern. It is Bentley’s centenary year, and a host of celebrations in July will include a concept reveal which is expected to showcase this change in design direction.

Bentley, under the tenure of boss Adrian Hallmark, who joined last year from Jaguar Land Rover, is finalising its broader model strategy for the next few years, which is expected to focus on grand touring models and SUVs rather than sports cars.

Bentley model strategy to focus on grand tourers and SUVs

Bentley will finalise its new model strategy by this summer, with a renewed focus on its credentials as a maker of grand touring vehicles and SUVs, and no ‘pure sports cars’.

Werner Tietz, Bentley’s board member in charge of engineering, has revealed that the company has decided not to pursue any of the themes explored by the EXP 10 Speed 6 sports car or electric EXP 12 Speed 6e roadster concepts shown by its former management.

Instead, the Crewe firm, now led by Briton Adrian Hallmark, will look to expand its GT lineup. “The concept positioning was not something that fits with our future strategy now,” said Tietz. “Pure sports cars are not a topic for us now.

“Since joining, our first move has been to work on the current range, and to set a better cadence for launching products at spaced intervals. Now we are looking at what future possibilities there are.”

Tietz declined to elaborate on specifics, but said any new products would need to broaden the firm’s spectrum of buyers, rather than sell additional cars to them.

“The first thing we want to be sure of is that we have a GT car in every segment, and it is not certain if we are there now,” he added.

“There is more potential in that segment, I think. Bentley can offer something unique, particularly around delivering cars with a sport edge that can, at the push of a button, transform into a luxury, refined car.“There is some potential when you look at SUVs too, especially around a car larger than the Bentayga if you consider its value to the Chinese and American markets. So, yes, that is one opportunity we are exploring. Bigger cars are an interesting avenue for Bentley – for now, we are not thinking about doing anything smaller, as that’s not what we’re about.”

Reports had suggested that Tietz was considering a smaller, battery-electric crossover as an urban-focused model, but he said: “We are investigating several concepts for electrification, but for now the promise is that we will offer a plug-in version of every car we have on sale today by 2025. Our research suggests that is what customers want now.

“An electric, city-focused car is one idea we are thinking about, it’s true. But it is just a concept in our minds. But would an electric car have to be a new car line, or a successor to something we already have? What kind of range does an urban car need to have? There are so many directions we need to consider rather than just saying ‘we will make an electric car’.”

Tietz added: “It is by no means certain that battery-electric is the right way to go. One point we see is that some cars in our line-up – the Bentayga, for instance – is used for towing horseboxes and boats. With the current EV technology, that wouldn’t work.

“So we are looking for a step in technology that doubles battery capability. We have looked at solid-state batteries for nearly five years now – they should be able to achieve these goals, but they are not yet ready. If solid state achieves its goals, then it becomes interesting – but only then.

“That’s why we are also evaluating fuel cell technology constantly, even if it is probably 10 years away from reaching a point that it can be practical, and also seeing what possibilities there are with the development of synthetic fuel.”

Tietz highlighted the potential for synthetic fuels to be made using clean energy, such as wind power, as being especially appealing.

“The evidence is that these fuels could be CO2 neutral, and that raises interesting possibilities,” he said. “We see the airline industry looking into this quite seriously – the electric plane doesn’t look like becoming a large-scale reality soon – and that could help us open up possibilities. We have open minds.”

Tietz said Bentley would give clues to its future direction at events coinciding with its 100th anniversary celebrations in July.

Used car WARNING - Shock reason you should never buy secondhand car tyres

Motorists on the roads in Britain are being warned about the dangers of buying used car tyres. Many motorists may opt to purchase secondhand vehicle tyres instead of new ones as they could be perceived to be the most cost-effective. Around one in five vehicle owners have purchased part worn tyres and 10 per cent would do so again. Part of the reason for this could be due to a large proportion of drivers (62 per cent) are unaware of the legal minimum tread depth for tyres.Drivers can be fined £2,500 and land three penalty points for every defective car tyre their vehicle has. The legal minimum tread depth of car tyres is 1.6mm.

A survey by the AA showed four in 10 drivers were unsure that new tyres have 8mm of tread depth while used cars can be sold with as little as 2mm of rubber.

This only leaves 0.4mm of wear before they can be deemed illegal and must be legally replaced.The survey also found that one in five (21 per cent) of car owners believe that used car tyres sold in Britain must comply with the law. A recent study found that 98 per cent of all second-hand tyres aren't compliant.New research by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents suggests that when tyres are worn down to the minimum tread depth can take up to 50 per cent longer to stop on a normal dry road.

AA Cars boss James Fairclough said: “It’s clear that a number of prevailing myths about part-worns continue to underpin their sales.

“The safety case for buying new instead of used tyres is well-documented but it’s important that drivers understand the argument that part-worns offer better value for money is a fallacy, too.

“Second-hand tyres might be cheaper, but the tread left on these tyres is typically less, meaning you’ll be looking for more replacements in no time at all.“It’s also worth considering that a large proportion of the second-hand stock in the UK fails to meet the minimum legal safety standards.”

Fairclough added: “It’s often hard to discern whether tyres are up to scratch, so a few simple checks can put your mind at ease – like the ‘20p test’.

“This helps to establish at a glance the depth of tread left on the tyres as the tread should be above the outer band of the coin when a 20p piece is inserted between the treads of the tyre.

“If you see any bumps or bulges in the sidewall of the tyre, it’s important that you don’t drive the car as these tyres aren’t roadworthy and can be very dangerous.

“Check your car’s tyres regularly and keep them properly inflated to make them as safe as possible.”

Gas-Guzzling SUVs Become Election Battleground in Australia

Faced with an uphill battle to retain power in next month’s elections, Australia’s prime minister has found a new rallying cry: a pledge to protect drivers of gas-guzzling SUVs from a global push to switch to battery-powered electric vehicles.

It’s already set Scott Morrison at odds with a global investor group, a vocal technology billionaire and Tesla Inc.’s Elon Musk.Morrison is attacking the main opposition’s Labor Party’s proposal to boost adoption of EVs, saying it’s an assault on motorists’ freedoms and love of vehicles that have some “grunt.”

“You should be able to have your choice about the sort of vehicle you want to drive, that you want to get around in on the weekend, if you want to put the under-6’s soccer team in the back of your SUV,” Morrison said Tuesday in the town of Gosford, about 90 minutes north of Sydney.

Labor, which is leading in opinion polls and favorite to win the election, wants to accelerate Australia’s sluggish shift away from combustion-engine vehicles. Leader Bill Shorten is aiming for half of new car sales to be electric vehicles by 2030 -- compared to just 0.2 percent in 2017, BloombergNEF data shows. The opposition also plans to strengthen vehicle emissions standards, which currently trail the U.S.

Morrison, whose Liberal-National coalition is seeking a third term in office, says that could see SUVs and utes, vehicles popular with tradespeople, being “ultimately outlawed” -- a claim he hasn’t backed up.

The sharp differences between Labor and the governing coalition on how to tackle climate change are shaping up as a key issue for voters frustrated at a decade of political dithering and policy missteps that have left them with spiraling power bills.

Morrison has dropped plans to legislate the Paris Agreement goal of cutting carbon emissions, and is considering subsidizing a new coal-fired power plant to lower the cost of energy for consumers. Labor is advocating more ambitious emissions targets and wants to tighten standards imposed on the worst industrial polluters.

Read more: The Policies That Will Decide Who Wins Australia’s Election

The “completely ridiculous” spat between political leaders over electric vehicles underscores the challenge for investors from Australia’s chaotic policy on energy and climate change, according to Fiona Reynolds, chief executive officer of Principles for Responsible Investment.

“This whole thing about ‘you won’t be able to drive your ute on the weekend’ rather than thinking about the economic benefits that could come from a new industry, seems very small-minded,” Reynolds, whose group lobbies on behalf of fund mangers including the California Public Employees’ Retirement System and Vanguard Group Inc., said Wednesday in a Bloomberg Television interview.Australia also risks losing out on opportunities from the global shift to EVs to potentially revive its defunct car industry, create new jobs and better exploit the country’s abundance of raw materials needed in vehicle batteries, she said.

Mike Cannon-Brookes, the billionaire co-founder of enterprise software company Atlassian Corp. and an advocate of renewable energy, has taken to Twitter to condemn the government’s lack of support for EVs.His flurry of posts on the issue drew a response from fellow billionaire Musk, who Cannon-Brookes famously challenged in 2017 to install a giant battery in South Australia to solve an energy crisis.

Responding to Cannon-Brookes on Twitter, Musk pointed to Norway’s new passenger vehicle sales, which hit a 50 percent rate for EVs in the first two months of 2019, and argued there’s “no question” Australia could achieve the same well inside the Labor party’s target.

Bad news for automakers: people want to hear a familiar voice assistant in their car

Car companies are hoping to capitalize on the growing popularity of voice recognition systems like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant by developing their own in-car voice assistants that drivers can use. But that effort may be a huge waste of money: car owners increasingly prefer familiar voice assistants, like the ones they use in their homes, over those designed specifically by automakers.

According to a new survey by JD Power, 76 percent of car owners are interested in having the same brand of in-home voice service on their next vehicle. The reasons for that are pretty obvious: they don’t want to learn a new technology and would rather just carry over their preferences and the consistency of experience from their home to their car. The report, which was sponsored by Amazon, surveyed 5,000 people who own a voice-enabled device.

THAT’S GOT TO BE FRUSTRATING FOR CARMAKERS
This news has to be frustrating for carmakers, especially the ones that have been pouring millions of dollars into developing their own in-car voice assistants to compete with Amazon, Google, and Apple. In recent months, major automakers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW have introduced highly functional voice assistants with deep control over the vehicle’s functions.

For years, automakers feared handing over control of the dashboard screen to major tech companies. That was evident in the foot-dragging that was on display when it came to giving permission to Apple and Google to operate their respective in-car infotainment systems alongside the cars’ own native vehicle operating systems. But that battle is largely over; even major holdouts like Toyota have acquiesced.

But the auto industry isn’t going down without a fight. Major carmakers like Ford and Daimler are confident that they have the money and technical know-how to compete. They are investing millions of dollars in building their own digital experiences, including smartphone apps and voice recognition systems, so they can wield control over the process and ultimately reap all of the profit. These data-driven products could create as much as $750 billion in new revenue by 2030, including from location-based advertisements and predictive car maintenance, McKinsey & Co. has estimated.

Of course, consumers will have the ultimate say, and many of them have already made up their minds. Almost 60 percent said that “availability of the same in-home voice service on their next car would increase the likelihood to buy from a specific car company,” according to the JD Power survey.

ALMOST 60 PERCENT OF PEOPLE SAID THEY’D BE MORE LIKELY TO BUY A NEW CAR IF IT HAD THEIR PREFERRED VOICE ASSISTANT
Arianne Walker, chief evangelist at Alexa Automotive, said that one of the things that stuck out to her from the survey was “frustrations” that people have with in-car voice assistants. “It does require the customer to know exactly what terms to say, and in the right order, and the right command structure to actually get it to work,” she said. This is why most people prefer a familiar voice assistant.

Consumers prefer a more “natural and organic way of interacting” with voice assistants, using natural language understanding and automatic speech recognition, Walker said. They want “to be able to bring that much preferred in-home experience into their vehicles,” she added. “We heard that loud and clear from consumers and that’s really what we’re focused on doing for the industry.”

Amazon is hoping to use this new data to convince more automakers to let it integrate Alexa into their vehicles. Only a few — Toyota, BMW, Ford, and, most recently, Audi — have announced direct Alexa integration with their infotainment systems, and not all of them struck deals for every model.

Not every automaker is going to acquiesce to Amazon’s integration demands. For drivers of those vehicles, Amazon offers an aftermarket device called the Echo Auto. The credit card-sized gadget sits on your dashboard and brings Alexa capabilities to your car via an auxiliary jack or over a smartphone’s existing Bluetooth setup. Amazon recently said it had received over a million preorders for the device.

ALL OF THIS MAY SOON BE MOOT, THOUGH
“Our North Star is really about an embedded experience into the head unit of the vehicle,” Walker said, “making that experience really sort of easy and seamless for consumers.”

All of this may soon be moot, though. More and more vehicles are shipping with name-brand voice assistants, and analysts predict that more are on the way. According to ABI Research, a market-foresight advisory firm, 20 million vehicles shipping in 2023 are expected to enable one or more of these assistants. That could represent a major coup by Silicon Valley, said Shiv Patel, a smart mobility and automotive analyst at ABI Research.

“Overall, these partnerships represent a significant step forward for Amazon and Google as they could pave the way for them to eventually displace OEM-branded assistants in-vehicle altogether and be the sole voice assistant in the vehicle, extending their brand and providing access to new in-vehicle data,” Patel said.

Skoda's 2018 sales harmed by lack of production capacity

Sales of new Skoda cars were held back by around 10 per cent last year because its factories were working flat-out and couldn’t produce more cars.

“We would have been able last year to sell nearly more than 100,000 vehicles than we did because of a lack of production capacity,” says company chairman Bernhard Maier.

Skoda was short of body building and final assembly capacity at its two main plants in the Czech Republic — Mlada Boleslav and Kvasiny — where it assembles around 800,000 cars a year. A third plant in Slovakia makes the Citigo city hatch.

Models affected include the Fabia, Rapid, Octavia and Superb and the hot-selling Karoq and Kodiaq crossovers.

The loss of 100,000 cars is not far off the total number of Karoq SUVs built last year – an indication of how significant the lost volume is.

Skoda had hoped to increase output at its Czech plants by adding weekend working, but unions vetoed the plans.

Knowing that a crunch point might be coming in assembly capacity, Skoda is looking at opening a third plant in the Czech Republic.

The new plant would be “multi-brand” and a decision is imminent.

“By the middle of this year we have to decide whether to push the button,” said Maier.

Which models the plant would build has yet to be decided, although Maier describes it as “a completely different product line-up”.

Although the new plant will take some years to come on stream, in return for creating more jobs in the Czech Republic, Skoda hopes unions will agree to weekend working as soon as possible.
Skoda has also had to work around shortages of some petrol and diesel engines due to the difficulties re-homologating for the new WLTP regulations, but Maier pins the bulk of the lost capacity on a shortage of body and final assembly.

Power league: The 1000 horsepower club

The idea of a road car with 1000 horsepower seemed faintly ridiculous not long ago, but now there’s a growing number of members in this exclusive club.
Many far exceed that entry requirement and plenty have help from electric motors, pointing to the direction hypercars are taking.

Here’s our list of those that make the grade in ascending order of power output - we also state the year the first car became available:Lucid Air - 1000bhp (2018)
The Lucid Air might only just scrape into the 1000bhp club, but it does it with no tailpipe emissions due to its lithium-ion batteries and twin electric motors. This is the version to have to keep company with other 1000bhp+ cars, though Lucid does offer a mere 400bhp model. Choose the more potent version and it sees off 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds and tops out at a restricted 217mph.

Impressive stuff for a four-door saloon aimed at the luxury end of the market. Just as relevantly, the Air can manage up to 400 miles between recharging halts and rapid charging means you can be ready to go in 30 minutes. And Lucid Air wants more than just hypercar customers to own the Air, so the price for the entry model is $52,500 (£43,000) in the USA, though you'll only get 400 horses for that. The company is based in California-based, and recently received a $1 billion investment from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.SVE Stage II Yenko/SC Corvette - 1000bhp (2018)
Speciality Vehicle Engineering has a background in drag racing in the USA, so building a 1000bhp Corvette is well within its usual sphere of work. The Stage II Yenko/SC uses a much modified 6.8-litre Chevrolet engine with a supercharger added to gain that magic four digit power figure.

It works through a seven-speed manual gearbox as standard, with a ticket price of $68,995 (£53,000) over and above the cost of buying a Corvette. That makes this possibly the best value 1000bhp car on offer today.

The Yenko Corvette also has uprated brakes and suspension to cope with the power, but if that sounds like too much to handle the company also makes one with 835bhp. Or you can have a Camaro with the same choice of engines.Cadillac CTS-V HPE1000 - 1000bhp (2018)
The power-crazed folk at Hennessey don’t just limit themselves to bespoke hypercars: they’ll build you a 1000bhp Cadillac CTS-V called the HPE1000.

This four-door luxury saloon offers 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds and 200mph top speed. All of this is thanks to the hand-assembled 6.2-litre V8 and supercharger, and it comes with a two-year, 24,000-mile warranty.

The Cadillac CTS-V HPE1000 retains the Cadillac’s automatic gearbox, suitably upgraded to cope with the power, and it’s rear-wheel drive. As a four-seater, the Hennessey’s power and performance make it an unusual choice if you can afford the $159,000 (£122,000) entry price.Zenvo TS1 GT - 1104bhp (2017)
The Zenvo name may not be familiar to many, but its TS1 GT commands attention thanks to its many large numbers. They start with the 1104bhp from the twin-supercharged 5.8-litre V8 engine, which is generated at 7100rpm. There’s also 840lb ft of torque to hand to help see the Zenvo to 233mph and 0-60mph in 3.0 seconds.

Then there’s the £1.2 million ($1.56 million) asking price for a car made in Denmark that very few people have ever heard of. This might explain the much smaller number intended for production with a total of 15 TS1 GTs planned at a rate of five per year.Aston Martin Valkyrie - 1160bhp (2019)
It didn’t take Aston Martin long to shift all 150 road-going Valkyrie cars as customers clamoured for the V12-engined hypercar. With 1160bhp, it’s easily the most powerful car the company has ever produced and the quickest too. Aston says the car can lap the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in the same time as a current Formula 1 car thanks to its huge amounts of downforce that allow for high cornering speeds.

The 6.5-litre V12 petrol engine is sufficient to see the Valkyrie into the 1000bhp club, while the electric motor adds 160bhp to the mix. To build these engines, Aston sought help from Cosworth for the V12 and Rimac for the electric motor, and combined they offer more than 1bhp per kilogramme thanks to the car’s 1030kg (2266 lb) weight.Bugatti Veyron Super Sport - 1184bhp (2010)
The Veyron may have been usurped by the Chiron now, but Bugatti’s original hypercar remains the most recognisable and the Super Sport was its ultimate incarnation. Its 1184bhp was some 198bhp more than the standard Veyron’s and pushed top speed up to 268mph while lowering the 0-62mph sprint to 2.5 seconds.

Only 25 Super Sports were made at a price of £2 million (US$3 million). If the price seems steep, it’s worth considering the engine could drain its 100-litre tank in less than eight minutes if driven flat out.Mercedes-AMG Project One - 1231bhp (2020)
The idea of a Formula 1 car for the road has never really been realised, but Mercedes-AMG gets closer than most with its Project One. Using an F1-derived hybrid power set-up, the Project One comes with a 1.6-litre V6 petrol engine and four electric motors to deliver up to 1231bhp.

Electricity isn’t just for the quadruple motors either as the Project One V6’s turbocharger is electrically powered to get the most from every drop of fuel. As a result, we're promised that this Mercedes will cover 0-62mph in less than 2.5 seconds and won’t stop till 217mph is registering on the speedo.SSC Ultimate Aero XT - 1300bhp (2013)
The SSC Aero kickstarted this Corvette-powered hypercar line with 782bhp and the Ultimate Aero finished it with 1300bhp. Twin turbochargers helped the XT almost double the starting horsepower of the car and saw top speed reach 256mph, though wind tunnel testing suggested it could manage 273mph in favourable conditions.

The XT was the only Ultimate Aero to use a 6.9-litre Chevrolet V8 motor and during testing for its top speed runs it was reported to generate wheelspin at 190mph. With that sort of power on demand, it may explain why only five of the $740,000 (£568,000) XTs found buyers.

Kia Soul EV 64kWh 2019 review

What is it?
We have previously driven the all-new electric Kia Soul in Korea, but this is our first taste of the third-generation compact crossover in its European spec.
Since it was launched in 2009, the Soul has found more than 1.6 million customers, although the vast bulk of those are in the US, where the machine was designed and styled. It has never been taken to heart in quite the same way by Europeans, even if the previous electric version, which arrived in 2014, did reasonably well, outselling combustion-engined versions in the UK last year.
So while some markets, such as the US, will get petrol-powered versions of the new Soul, Kia will only offer it in Europe only in electric form, with the same powertrain as the hugely successful e-Niro and sister firm Hyundai’s Kona Electric.
Our tests of the e-Niro have shown the strength of that system, particularly its compelling – and game-changing – range of 282 miles on the WLTP test cycle. Despite it being smaller than the e-Niro, the Soul’s boxier design means its range is slightly reduced to 280 miles, but that’s a vast improvement on the original Soul EV's 132 miles and more than enough to make this a car that can be used in virtually any situation.
When it goes on sale in the UK at the end of the year, the new Soul will be offered in a single guise, featuring an 'SUV pack' that adds a few styling tweaks, including a skidplate and some 'rugged’ trim panels.
The question is whether a smidgen more space and a whole heap of extra practicality, thanks to a greatly improved drivetrain, will help the British public find a place in their hearts for a bit of Soul.What's it like?
Kia describes the Soul’s design as 'iconic', which decidedly stretches the definition of an already much-misused word. Still, the new model undoubtedly has character and a certain charm, with the front end shaped by the narrow lights and trapezoidal grille. The rear now features an LED light strip that wraps almost all the way around the rear screen. It’s certainly distinctive, and a bold attempt to inject some design vibrancy, although this tester isn't entirely convinced by its effectiveness.
The Soul’s boxy shape is harder to mask from the side, where it’s also easy to spot the size increase over the old model. At 4195mm, it’s 55mm longer, with its 2600mm wheelbase 30mm larger. It’s also 1605mm high and 1800mm wide.
A more relevant comparison is with the e-Niro, which is 180mm longer and 5mm wider but 130mm lower. Perhaps the biggest difference between the two is at the back: the e-Niro has a 451-litre boot, while the Soul’s is just 315 litres. It does feature a clever twin-level design with a floor under which the charging cables are neatly stashed, though, and its narrow, deep design at least makes much of that space usable.
But while the e-Niro scores on practicality, the interior of the Soul shines brighter. It features the newest version of Kia’s infotainment system, with a bright 10.3in central touchscreen. There’s also plenty of safety tech, including a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and blindspot monitoring. The new infotainment also syncs with a new Kia app that enables owners to check their Soul's battery charge on their smartphone, pre-charge it and control its heating system remotely.
With its high roof, the Soul also feels airy and spacious, although the high-riding, upright style makes it very clear that this is never going to be a hot hatch to drive. Not that the Soul doesn’t have decent performance; the 64kWh model (the sole version to be offered in the UK at launch, while a 39.2kWh model will be sold elsewhere) has virtually identical performance to the e-Niro, with 201bhp, 291lb ft of torque, a 0-62mph time of 7.9sec and a top speed of 103mph.The Soul makes good use of that power, too, with direct and responsive steering that allows you to zip in and out of traffic in urban situations, while also offering strong response when you get onto Germany's more flowing rural roads. On the autobahn, it remains comfortable to drive even approaching its top speed, although the wind noise does become somewhat noticeable.
The Soul’s suspension, aided by dynamic dampers, does a good job of masking its 1682kg kerb weight, and it rides both bumpy city streets and flowing lanes with decent pliancy and balance.
As with the e-Niro, the strongest point of the Soul's powertrain is how adjustable it is, with four different driving modes (ranging from Eco+ to Sport) and the ability to customise the amount of regenerative charging the car undertakes while braking.
That system can be controlled through steering column-mounted paddle shift-style controls, and once you’ve adjusted to it, it's intuitive and simple to use. It’s more easy to adapt to your own driving style than, say, the ‘magic pedal’ in the Nissan Leaf.Should I buy one?
As the e-Niro and Kona Electric have already shown, the electric powertrain fitted to the Soul should remove any symptoms of range anxiety: for the majority of people, 280 miles is absolutely enough for just about any purpose.
The Soul is also easy to drive, practical and comfortable. The key question is likely to be the price: while yet to be set in the UK, it will be a few thousand pounds cheaper than the £32,995 e-Niro. That saving comes at the expense of some practicality, but the Soul should appeal to those seeking a bit more character and charm from their electric Kia.
Due to limited battery availability, Kia currently can’t produce the e-Niro fast enough; the waiting list in the UK already stretches into 2020. On evidence of our first taste on European roads, the Soul could prove just as popular.

Best Used Buy: BMW M3 vs Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Ever since the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio debuted, it’s been endlessly tested against the BMW M3, it’s main rival. The results have been a bit mixed, with some reviews claiming the Alfa the winner due to its superior driving dynamics and some giving the Bimmer the nod for being the better overall machine. Still, it’s hard not to love both of these cars. However, what happens when they get a bit older, a have a few miles put on them first? Which car holds up better over time and is the better used car buy? WhatCar found out.

Let’s face it, buying performance cars new isn’t a great financial idea. They depreciate so quickly that it’s often better to wait a few years and buy one second hand. What’s interesting is how the value proposition changes on the used market. In the UK, the BMW M3 was more than the Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio when new (the M3 isn’t on sale anymore). Second hand, though, a comparable M3 is actually a few grand cheaper on average. So which is worth choosing?According to WhatCar, it’s the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. It’s the faster, sharper and more engaging car to drive. Its engine is a sweetheart and its steering is light, lively and accurate. It’s also the more comfortable car on the road, especially on rough UK roads. It does have its downfalls, such as a cheap feeling interior and lacking technology. I also fear how its quality will hold up over time, as even when we tested it brand new it had some quality issues. However, if the car was well maintained and in good shape, it’s an excellent used performance machine.

As for the BMW M3, it’s also an excellent buy, especially at a few thousand pounds cheaper. Its performance is almost on par with the Alfa’s and it’s also an extremely fun car to drive. WhatCar’s main issues with the M3 was that you seem to have to really push the M3 for it to feel special and that its suspension is a bit too stiff in everyday driving. Though, its tech and interior build quality are superior to the Italian’s.Personally, it’s hard not to agree with WhatCar’s assessment if it’s not your money you’re playing with. There are horror stories of Alfa owners having their cars live at dealerships, getting near-constant repairs. While brilliant to drive, I’d honestly be afraid to own one after the warranty was up. I always said, if given a choice of keys for a weekend blast through the canyons, I’d choose the Alfa every time. But to actually own, with my money, I’d go with the BMW M3. So even on the used market I’d choose the Bimmer. But I can understand the temptation to go Italian. Especially at a much lower price than when new.

Ford Ecosport to Skoda Kodiaq: SUVs with the biggest discounts in April 2019

The Navratri season is on and the festivities are pretty high as usual. Auto manufacturers too have billed out different discount offers and schemes on their model lineup in order to attract customers towards their dealerships. Among the various auto segments in the market, the SUV segment is among the fastest growing one and for the same manufacturers are also offering good discounts on the SUVs in the lineup. If you have been planning of buying an SUV anytime soon, here is a list of top 11 SUVs with discounts running on them this April.
Ford EcosportFirst on the list is the Ford Ecosport, which is being offered with discounts and schemes worth more than Rs. 50,000. The Ford Ecosport rivals the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and the Mahindra XUV300 among others in the segment. Talking about the discount scheme, Ford is offering a 6.99% rate of interest upon financing the car from Ford Credit). Apart from this, there are saving up to Rs. 28,000 to be made on the vehicle this April. Ford is also offering an exchange bonus on the Ecosport currentlyThe sub-4 meter SUV is not only the best seller in its category but the whole SUV segment. The total discount scheme on its head this month totals to Rs. 33,000. This includes consumer offers worth Rs. 15,000 along with an exchange bonus worth Rs. 15,000. Topping off the whole package are an additional Rs. 3,000, which are available as a corporate discount with the car this month.The Tata Nexon has been a success story ever since its launch and has been a major turning point for Tata in many ways. As for the discount, India’s only 5 star Global NCAP safety rating holder is being offered with a total discount worth Rs. 35,000. For the petrol powered variants, the company is offering only Rs. 15,000 in the form of an exchange bonus. However, for the diesel models, Tata is offering Rs. 15,000 as direct cash discount along with Rs. 20,000 as exchange bonus, which makes it a good option this month.

Mahindra TUV300

Max Discount Value: Rs. 54,500The TUV300 is being offered with a maximum discount of Rs. 54,500 this April. The sub-4 meter SUV rivals the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford Ecosport and Mahindra’s own XUV300 in the segment. The discount scheme running on the vehicle currently includes a direct cashback worth Rs. 35,000 along with an additional exchange bonus of Rs. 15,000. Apart from this, Mahindra is also offering an additional Rs. 4,500 as a corporate discount on the SUV this month.

Mahindra TUV300 Plus

Max Discount Value: Rs. 54,500Bigger brother to the TUV300, the TUV300 Plus is being offered with a maximum discount of Rs. 54,500 this April. The discount scheme includes a direct cashback worth Rs. 35,000 along with an additional exchange bonus of Rs. 15,000. Apart from this, Mahindra is also offering an additional Rs. 4,500 as a corporate discount on the SUV this month. All these discount schemes make it a decent option to buy if you are looking for a spacious yet affordable SUV.

Renault Duster

Max Discount Value: Rs. 25,000 + 0% Interest Rate calculated on loan of Rs 7.27 Lakh for 18 MonthThe Renault Duster was once the best selling vehicle in the compact SUV segment but the increasing competition has lead to its sales being diminished. It chiefly rivals the likes of the Hyundai Creta and the recently launched Nissan Kicks in the segment. Coming to the discounts, the Renault Duster petrol is being offered with Rs. 5,000 benefit at dealer level. The diesel variant, on the other hand, gets free first-year insurance which is around Rs. 20-25,000 along with 0% interest rate calculated on loan of Rs 7.27 Lakh for 18 Month.The good old rugged Scorpio is being offered with discounts up to Rs. 55,000 this month. However, all the discount offers and schemes are available only on the S5, S9, and S11 variants. The discount scheme offered on the Scorpio includes Rs. 25,000 cash discount as well as exchange bonus of Rs. 25,000. Apart from this, Mahindra is also offering an additional Rs. 5,000 in the form of a corporate discount on the Scorpio this April.

Tata HexaThe current flagship vehicle of Tata, the Hexa is an SUV-crossover design vehicle that comes with a 4×4 drivetrain option too. As for the discounts, the company is offering discounts up to Rs. 50,000 on the Hexa this April. The discount scheme includes a direct cashback worth Rs. 20,000 along with an exchange bonus worth Rs. 25,000. The flagship status of the Hexa will move to the Cassini when it gets launched by the end of this year.

Mahindra XUV500The Mahindra XUV500 is one of the most preferred SUVs in its segment but has been getting tough competition from the Tata Harrier since some time. As for the discount schemes running on the vehicle this month, the XUV500 is being offered with a total discount of Rs. 59,000. The discount scheme includes a direct cashback worth Rs. 25,000 apart from an exchange bonus valued at Rs. 25,000. Additionally, the company is also offering a corporate discount of Rs. 9,000 on the car currently.

Groupe PSA to grow supplier base in India

The PSA Group has officially announced its entry into the India market through the Citroën brand. The French carmaker is targeting two percent of the Indian passenger vehicle market by 2024. Last week, there was an India Suppliers Summit held, which drew over 500 automotive component vendors and both Tier I and Tier II suppliers. It is learnt that PSA has already chosen 150 Indian suppliers from these.

The PSA group is implementing its 'Push to Pass' strategy to increase its sales outside Europe by 50 percent. For the Indian supplier fraternity, business from the PSA Group presents a huge opportunity. Supplier selection and retention in Groupe PSA's global supplier base are guided by corporate and social responsibility. As a result, the selected suppliers will have access to all of the PSA Group's business opportunities worldwide – which totalled to a humungous 42 billion Euros (Rs 3,24,702 crore) in 2018.

The PSA Group's localisation goals

Groupe PSA sourced made-in-India components worth 250 million euros (Rs 1,911 crore) last year. When asked if five years is a realistic timeline for the sourcing figure to touch a billion euros (Rs 7,644 crore), Michelle Wen, executive vice-president, Global Purchasing and Supplier Quality, Groupe PSA, said that she would like it to happen much earlier.

Export of made-in-India Citroëns will play a big role for the PSA Group to achieve economies of scale to justify localisation of over 90 percent from the start of production. This will involve a very high 98 percent localisation for the vehicle and 90 percent for the C5 Aircross engine.

Groupe PSA has two joint ventures in Tamil Nadu with the CK Birla Group for vehicle assembly at Thiruvallur, and a powertrain plant with AVTEC, which was inaugurated on November 22, 2018. These will help the company achieve this high level of localisation.

Year five of straight growth

The PSA Group will globally launch 116 new cars across its five brands – Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Vauxhall and Opel – by 2021, as part of its 'Push to Pass' strategic plan.

The 'Push to Pass' strategy was unveiled in 2016 and is designed to turn the company into a “global vehicle manufacturer.” Groupe PSA has completed the first phase by recording its fifth consecutive year of growth since the first plan was launched. In this time, PSA has acquired Vauxhall and Opel – which posted a profit in 2018 for the first time in 20 years.

The second phase of the plan runs from 2019 until 2021, and aims to grow the company’s global presence with entry into several new markets, including India. Expansion of its product range and a focus on electrification and digital technology are some of the manufacturer's goals in the upcoming phase. In fact, the brand plans to accelerate the electrification of its model range and launch Peugeot in the North American market during this period.

At the Supplier Summit, Michelle Wen – along with Emmanuel Delay, executive VP and Head of India-Pacific, Groupe PSA and Gillies Le Borgne, senior vice-president, Engineering & Quality, Groupe PSA – presented the group strategy for India as well as for global programs, including electric and hybrid vehicles at the Supplier Summit.

Quality, cost and delivery performance, TCO

Michelle Wen, executive vice-president, Global Purchasing and Supplier Quality, Groupe PSA, said: “In a context of fierce competition, purchasing has a key role to play in terms of performance for projects and serial life production phases. We are looking for ‘QCD’ (Quality, Cost & Delivery) performance, not only the lowest cost per part, but also TCO (Total Cost of Ownership). The Monosokuri approach, gathering engineering, manufacturing and purchasing will make the difference towards competitors, and our sourcing with Indian suppliers will lead to newer verticals and opportunities to meet customer needs and respond to the technological shift. This summit also focuses on developing and integrating a broad network of Indian suppliers through encouraging collaborative product development, orchestrating and connecting information across the supply chain, and understanding an ecosystem of suppliers and partners within it.”

The ethical, environmental and social criteria are crucial for the selection of a new supplier – criteria regularly assessed by a third party. This assessment covers environment, labour practices, fair business practices, and sustainable procurement and is used for the risk identification as well as for the selection of sites to be audited. Each supplier assessed receives a score card that covers all relevant aspects of the evaluation.

James Ruppert: the case for low-mileage retro models

PSA Group boss Carlos Tavares says that he would consider a merger or acquisition with Jaguar Land Rover – as long as it wouldn’t distract the French firm.

Tavares has been open about looking to expand PSA – which currently comprises Citroën, DS, Peugeot and Vauxhall/Opel – through acquisitions or partnerships with other car firms. Tavares led PSA’s purchase of Vauxhall/Opel from GM in 2017.

In an exclusive interview with Autocar India, Tavares was asked about rumours of interest in Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Indian firm Tata Motors. He said that it would be good for PSA to have a luxury brand, and that the company was “considering all opportunities,” adding he would be interested “as long as it’s not a distraction.”

Tavares said that there had been no discussions with Tata Motors about Jaguar Land Rover yet. He also said that “we don’t have a specific target but if there are opportunities, of course, we will consider it.”

Asked further about adding a luxury brand that would sit about DS, Tavares said: "Why not? Why shouldn’t we discuss it? It depends on what kind of value creation we could generate."

Jaguar Land Rover has struggled in recent months, hit by falling demand for diesels and the decline of the Chinese market. Recent heavy losses, including an asset writedown, also caused the Tata Group to post a quarterly loss.

Tavares cited PSA’s success in turning around Vauxhall/Opel, which posted its first profit in 20 years recently, suggesting it could have a similar impact on the strugging British firm: “With Opel, we have demonstrated that we can turn around a company that was in the red for 20 years, in 12 months. So this is something we know how to do.”

Tavares said the group’s current focus was on its ‘Push to Pass’ strategic grValuing used cars, especially when they are oddities, is always something of a coin toss. Indeed, that’s the case with absolutely every old car: they are all unique in their own way, be it paint colour, random dents or the mileage. There are a lot of things to consider and there are no hard and fast rules, just rough guidelines.

It was interesting, then, to get an email from Edward, who has a 2003 Volkswagen Beetle 2.0-litre petrol in silver. In his own words, it is “nothing special but it is immaculate and has done just 25,000 miles. This is genuine. I have the sales invoice from 2004. The mileage is shown then as under 11,000.” It belonged to a friend who did only a few hundred miles a year and sadly passed away, but there is a full service history, plus, as a precaution, Edward had the timing belt and water pump replaced at 18,000 miles. So here you have a new Beetle that is as original as you would ever care to find.

The great thing about Edward is that he is prepared to be realistic about the price. Trouble is, so many owners have unrealistic expectations. Ask any car dealer at part-exchange time. In this case, the new Beetle, although cancelled and potentially making a comeback as an electric one, is a future classic and you might get £2000-£3000 for a mint one like this. Ideally, you need to find a ‘Beetleist’ who wants to make it part of their collection, or maybe use as a daily driver.

That means the rest of us who aren’t bothered can find some low-mile gems. Well, you might not call a Rover CityRover a gem, but I came across a 2005 1.4 Select model with 12,000 miles and presumably owned by some old person. The asking price was still a quite stiff £1499, but I think the dealer would have taken much closer to a grand. Future collectible right there, possibly.
Perhaps a not rusty Ford Ka would be a much better bet. So a 2008 Studio with 10,000 miles might be good. It’s rather more iconic even at £2120, although if you said you were interested in it just as a runabout, you ought to get it way below £2000. Rather more likely to hold and make money could be another retro wonder in the shape of an original BMW Mini. Try a 2004 One with barely 5000 miles at £2995. It would be better if it was a Cooper but, then again, maybe not. In the future, everything will be Cooper-ised so the basic One will be the rarity.

Low-mileage early-2000s retro models. Buy those. You read it here first. Toyota Camry 2.4 CDX: It’s so below the radar that there’s even a chance London’s congestion zone cameras won’t notice you in a Camry. Apart from those who knew it to be a reliable and safe saloon, it barely caused a ripple among new car buyers. The 150bhp 2.4 auto is reasonably quick and does 30mpg. This one’s a 2004/53- reg with 100k miles for £2495.

Tales from Ruppert’s garage

BMW 320, mileage - 82,928: My double garage is rather chock-full at the moment. Two Minis, a BSA Bantam and a ride-on mower. The Baby Shark usually shares that confined space, but an arrival of stuff on the back of a lorry has meant four pallets have taken its place. Exposure to the elements has revealed that the boot isn’t that watertight. Indeed, the boot has popped itself open on a few occasions. When I bought it, I noticed the offside profile is slightly raised so presumably there had been an incident. At the moment, the floor is damp and contents soggy. Not the end of the world.owth strategy to expand the company’s global presence, including expansion into the US, Russian and Indian markets.

In a statement to Autocar India, Tata Motors said that Jaguar Land Rover was not for sale. A spokesperson said: “There is no truth to the rumours that Tata Motors is looking to divest its stake in JLR.”

News Of Car