Despite weathering a rocky 2010 marked by repeated recalls, managed to remain the world’s largest automaker last year. According to Bloomberg, the Japanese manufacturer saw its sales rise by eight percent to 8.42 million units if you include , Hino and Daihatsu. That figure beat out , which saw its sales increase by 12 percent with 8.39 million units sold.
While Toyota’s sales in the U.S. market dropped by 0.4 percent due to safety concerns, the automaker saw large increases in China. The company’s sales in the People’s Republic jumped by 19 percent, though General Motors saw its Chinese sales increase by 29 percent.
, meanwhile, managed to move 7.14 million vehicles during 2010, cementing its place as the third-largest automaker in the world. That figure marks a 14 percent increase over 2009, and VW says that it fully expects to see sales increase by five percent in 2011.
Toyota is forecasting its sales to hit 8.6 million vehicles in 2011.
2012 Fiat Freemont – Click above for high-res image gallery
has had plenty of partnerships over the years, and as odd as it may have seemed in the beginning, the tie-in with arguably makes more sense than any of those past pairings. Chrysler doesn’t have much of a presence overseas, and Fiat doesn’t in North America. Putting them together, then, could be the perfect formula for global success. The Fiat 500 is coming to North America, and while we’ve been hearing about Chrysler vehicles being sent to Europe for quite some time now, this is the first actual proof.
The vehicle you see here will be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show as the Fiat Freemont. Look familiar? That’s because it’s essentially the with a different badge on the nose. Otherwise it’s essentially the same vehicle, produced alongside the Journey at the same plant in Toluca, Mexico.
The only major difference to speak of is under the hood, where Fiat’s own 2.0-liter MultiJet turbo diesel engines (with 140 or 170 horsepower) will be offered with front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox initially. All-wheel drive, an automatic transmission and Chrysler’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will be offered shorly after the initial launch. The full details are available in the press release after the break, and see the Journey-come-Fiat for yourself in the high-res gallery below.
North American enthusiasts are vocal station wagon supporters, though there’s little to satiate their desires with the V70 out of showrooms in the U.S. Looking longingly at European offerings has taken on extra sting with the recent arrival of the sharp-looking – a five-door version of the – and would be just the thing many Volvo owners and intenders wish to park in their garage. According to , all may not be lost.
Speaking with new Volvo CEO Stefan Jacoby, the V60 may come stateside as a type of “enthusiast vehicle” sporting a unique selling point: a hybrid powertrain. “Enthusiast” in this case doesn’t mean Rat Fink. Rather, Volvo may offer the wagon fans crave along with a hybrid powertrain to speak to the ecological consciousness of both the automaker and the buyer. A lot of the engineering work has already been done with supplier on the V70, which shares its EUCD platform with the S/V60, and it would keep Volvo loyalists out of the clutches of the Prius or Lexus HS250h.
While some automakers – American ones especially – may be consolidating their product line-ups around the world, German automakers seem to be in a constant state of expansion. is no exception, with no fewer, according to Automotive News Europe, than 37 model variants, set to further expand to 42 by 2015. That reportedly won’t, however, include a version of the Volkswagen Up! city car program.
Audi CEO Rupert Stadler was quoted as saying he simply could not picture slotting another small car into the line-up underneath the new A1. The marque could, however, go ahead with plans for a compact SUV to fit in beneath the Q3. The vehicle likely to be called Q1 is apparently under consideration.
As for the A1, Audi still does not plan to bring the premium hatchback to the U.S. market, preferring instead to focus on its current line-up while the Brussels plant tasked with assembling the A1 struggles to keep up with demand. Expanding production, as we recently reported with , will largely depend on the production capacities of the independent suppliers making the components.
Rubens Barrichello tests the Williams FW32 with new Pirelli tires at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi
What’s the best way to make a small fortune in Formula One? Arrive with a large one. Williams has another idea though, and it’s a radical one in the field of motor racing: The British outfit may float shares on the stock market.
Williams insists the idea is being considered in order to secure a long-term future (as its team principals are some of the oldest on the grid) and not as an effort to raise funds in the short term. After part of the team to Austrian investor Toto Wollf, it suffered from the departure of a number of sponsors at the end of last season. But the team insists its budget is secure for the coming championship, having recently announced a deal with Venezuelan oil company PDVSA that followed the of Venezuelan driver and reigning GP2 champion Pastor Maldonado to replace Nico Hülkenberg for next season.
The Williams group consists of more than just the F1 team, encompassing Williams Grand Prix Engineering as well as the hybrid development business used for the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, the development and construction of the and separate operations in Qatar, which would ostensibly all be part of the IPO if the company decides to go ahead with the move. At the moment, however, Frank Williams and company appear to be dipping their proverbial toes in the water. for the official statement.
[Source: Williams Image: Glenn Dunbar/LAT/Williams]
2011 BMW 550i – Click above for high-res image gallery
The China’s Beijing Youth Daily reports that , along with joint venture partner Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd., will develop a -based electric sedan targeted specifically at the Chinese market. The report claims that a battery-powered 5 Series concept will make its debut in China sometime in 2011, likely at the Shanghai Motor Show in April.
BMW Brilliance Automotive Co., the joint venture between BMW and Brilliance, currently manufacturers both the and 5 Series sedans in the Chinese city of Shenyang. In 2010, the BMW Group sold 169,000 vehicles in China, a surge of 87 percent over the sales it tallied in in 2009.
Hundreds of millions of people watch the Super Bowl each year, but the day after, most water cooler conversations are focused on the commercials than the actual game. That’s sure to continue in a few weeks, and hopes it is part of the conversation.
Reuters reports that GM will lead a pack of up to nine automakers buying ad space for the annual football extravaganza. The fact that so many automakers are willing to shell out up to $3 million for a 30-second spot could be considered a sign that the industry is primed for more growth. It surely illustrates that GM is in far better shape than it was in 2009 or 2010, when the Detroit-based automaker avoided the big game all together.
Test Drive Unlimited 2 features character customization – Click above to watch video
Can you think of something missing from the current crop of automotive video games? If you said cosmetic surgery then you must work for Atari. The upcoming is going to let you customize more than you car. Your on-screen avatar can appear exactly how you want it to thanks to numerous facial and clothing options. to see what we’re talking about.
The number of Chinese millionaires is growing rapidly, and women account for a third of that rising, affluent population. This is good news to exotic car manufacturers because wealthy Chinese women are snatching them up like Italian pastries.
Sales of high-end automobiles rose 60 percent last year and analysts are already pegging a 35 percent climb for 2011. reports that 30 percent of its Chinese sales are to women, compared against just 10 percent for European sales. China is now on track to pass Italy as the automaker’s second largest market.
It’s not just Maserati, either; and are being purchased in large numbers. The wealthy women of China account for 20 percent of local Ferrari sales, which is double the global average. The rise in exotic vehicle sales has even gotten the attention of , and the Group is now discussing a potential sales plan for China. Thanks for the tip, Art!
Subaru Trezia hatchback – Click above for high-res image gallery
When we think about - collaboration, the first thing that comes to mind is the highly anticipated rear-wheel-drive “” project. But while the FT-86 and its Subie sibling are first in our thoughts, it wasn’t number one to market.
Automotive News reports that Subaru is set to unveil the Trezia hatchback in March at the Geneva Auto Show. The roomy five-door, which closely mirrors the in most every measurement, will be a near spot-on match of the it’s based on, but with an Impreza-style grille slapped on the front clip and some Subaru badging sprinkled throughought. Both the Toyota Verso (named Ractis for JDM consumption) and Subaru Trezia are being sold in Japan now, and both vehicles are destined for Euro showrooms this spring.
In Japan, the Trezia is powered by a choice of 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter inline-four cylinder gasoline engines mated to a CVT, but in Europe the 1.5 will be replaced with a 1.4-liter diesel. In Japan, the Trezia can be had with all-wheel-drive provided car buyers check off the box for the more powerful engine, which will likely be the turbodiesel in Europe.
With its roomy interior and diminutive footprint, the Trezia will likely do well overseas. But will we ever see Subaru’s Fit-fighter in North America? With gas prices once again on the rise, it might not be a bad idea.
Infiniti EX30d Black Premium – Click above for high-res image gallery
Buying a luxury automobile these days is as much about the “customer experience” as it is about the actual vehicle. has shown its aptitude in delivering that experience as well as its rivals have – arguably better – particularly in Europe, where Nissan’s luxury division is a relative newcomer.
Its latest offering comes in the form of the Black Premium. Based on the diesel-powered EX30d GT Premium trim, the Black edition features (you guessed it) black paint (metalic Malbec, in Infiniti parlance) with graphite leather interior plus 19-inch alloys, a sunroof, aluminum roof rails and a Bose sound system.
That covers the vehicle. As for the experience, Infiniti has thrown in a night for two – fine dining included – at any of the hundreds of luxury hotels associated with the Relais & Château group, as well as membership in its exclusive Club 5C. Only 500 examples of the Infiniti EX30d Black Premium edition will be offered across Europe, at about a $5,000 premium over the standard top-spec model. Full details are in the press release after the jump.
Thousands of football fans will soon converge on Arlington, Texas for Super Bowl XLV. Those visitors will fill area hotel rooms and jam eateries and pubs. That’s good news for local businesses, but thanks to impossible traffic it’s a bum deal for anyone who travels through town. And since the Super Bowl also brings massively increased security, many streets will be closed so police and private security details have fewer avenues to inspect. Thank goodness for GPS, right? Not so much.
Super Bowl organizers have asked that game attendees skip the GPS in favor of the directions printed on their parking passes. That’s an awfully analog process for our digital world, but owners of OnStar-equipped vehicles can still receive turn-by-turn directions. Subscribers will be have “special access” to routes and road closures relayed by specially trained OnStar advisers during the event. You won’t need to have the turn-by-turn subscription package to receive this service, either; GM is providing it free of charge just for the big game. Hit the jump to peruse the official OnStar press release.
Open-wheel racing fans may recall A1GP, self-styled as the World Cup of Motorsport. The spec racing series pitted national teams against each other in identical machinery – the final iteration having been developed and powered by – on circuits across Europe and around the world. It was a promising idea (at least once organizers positioned it as a viable step on the ladder to F1 and not as a rival series), but financial troubles saw the series liquidated by the end of 2009.
Reports of A1GP’s revival have been ever since, but according to Autosport – the publication of record when it comes to international motor racing – the series will be back by next fall.
Few details were revealed, except to say that a “leading motorsport figure” (we’d guess a former F1 champion) will head the group of investors behind the effort, and that it will be renamed the A10 World Series (which hopefully won’t be confused with the World Series by Renault).
While the previous A1GP series was balanced between European and overseas races, the new one will reportedly focus on emerging motorsport markets. So, figure on an Asia-heavy calendar with a number of races in the Gulf emirates and the Far East. As for the machinery, the new series could adopt the abandoned Ferrari chassis or go with a different design altogether.
from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pending litigation from a number of private individuals and insurance agencies and the haven’t managed to impact Toyota’s bottom line all that badly. According to the Standard & Poor’s Valuation and Risk Strategies group, Toyota still has the most cash reserves of any automaker in the world. The total? Well over $48 billion.
In fact, is listed as having the second largest-cash pile of all companies, regardless of what market they play in, though Apple would push Toyota to third if S&P counted the tech giant’s money differently. Other automakers with lots of dough on hand include (seventh), (eighth) and (thirteenth). For what it’s worth, General Electric tops the list with enough coin to keep Scrooge McDuck busy for days.
2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery
With fuel prices anticipated to rise, anticipates increased demand for the . To stay ahead of the game, the automaker reportedly plans to double production capacity for the plug-inhybrid.
Production was originally pegged at 10,000 this year and 60,000 next year, but if the increased capacity comes to pass, those figures could increase to 25,000 this year and 120,000 units next year. This strategy depends on parts availability, however, and if the outsourced parts necessary to build more Volts can’t be ramped up by OEM suppliers, the plans could be cut short.
As has been reported, in addition to the Volt itself, GM is evaluating possibilities to apply the car’s gasoline-electric drivetrain to a range of additional products across different GM brands.
1963 ChevroletCorvette Custom Coupe at Barrett-Jackson 2011 – Click above for high-res image gallery
The 1963 Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car. The split-window coupe is instantly recognizable and serves as one of the symbols of Zora Arkus-Duntov’s legacy with . Up for auction at is a re-imagining of classic , and it’s been brought to the modern era while keeping its memorable lines.
Described as “the car Duntov would have built to win Le Mans”, this 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Custom Coupe has a secret hidden under its bodywork. The engine isn’t in the front but rather it’s been relocated to the middle of the car. Actually, that’s not accurate… the original engine could be on a shelf somewhere because it’s been replaced with a twin-turbo LS V8. This eight-cylinder monster has been tested on the dyno and the numbers are staggering. Producing 1,000 horsepower and 915 pound-feet of torque, this ‘63 Vette runs from 0-60 miles per hour in under three seconds and probably goes through tires like fire through paper.
Also, be sure to get a load of those crazy doors, which open kind of like drawers with an ingenious scissor mechanism.
This will be one to watch as it rolls across the stage (you can ) because the crowd is now “properly medicated” and winning bids are climbing. Plus, it’s one of , and you can join us in making an estimation on what this custom mid-engine ‘Vette will finally sell for. We know it’ll be triple digits…
2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca in Grabber Blue – Click above for high-res image gallery
We eagerly await the day someone hands us the keys to a . When that day arrives, we know the color of the .
Regular production versions of the car will only be offered in either black or silver with red accents… and that’s a darn shame – we can say with certainty that the Boss 302 here at Barrett-Jackson looks damn good in Grabber Blue. All proceeds of the sale above the car’s MSRP will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.
Click here to read everything you need to know about the Boss 302 Laguna Seca, then check out our high-res image gallery below.
If you’re not playing , now would be a good time to start – this Mustang is the current vehicle online users are bidding on, and you could end up winning a prize, like an Apple iPad.
*Update: The winning bid was a staggering $450,000.
Gallery:
Photos copyright 2011 Jeff Glucker and Jeremy Korzeniewski/AOL
Big Toe Monster Bike – Click above for high-res image gallery
Here we have another one of Speed’s Fantasy Bidding Game machines. if you’d like to test your auction pricing mettle by guessing what this monster motorcycle will end up bringing at the auction block – you could end up winning a prize, like an Apple iPad.
Tom Wilberg, the Swedish creator of this machine, named it Big Toe, and it is indeed a chip off the old block… that is to say, Bigfoot, the most famous monster truck known to man. Clever, no?
We’re not going to argue with Wilberg or The Guinness Book of World Records when they claim that Big Toe is the World’s Tallest Rideable Motorcycle, but we do have to wonder if our definition of the word rideable differs with theirs.
In any case, this larger-than-life, tractor-tired, 5.3-liter V12-powered motorcycle is getting ready to roll across the auction block here at the in Scottsdale, and you can . Check out our high-res image gallery of the machine below.
*Update: Check out the video of the Monster Bike being auctioned .
2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca in Grabber Blue – Click above for high-res image gallery
We eagerly await the day someone hands us the keys to a . When that day arrives, we know the color of the .
Regular production versions of the car will only be offered in either black or silver with red accents… and that’s a darn shame – we can say with certainty that the Boss 302 here at Barrett-Jackson looks damn good in Grabber Blue. All proceeds of the sale above the car’s MSRP will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.
Click here to read everything you need to know about the Boss 302 Laguna Seca, then check out our high-res image gallery below.
If you’re not playing , now would be a good time to start – this Mustang is the current vehicle online users are bidding on, and you could end up winning a prize, like an Apple iPad.
Gallery:
Photos copyright 2011 Jeff Glucker and Jeremy Korzeniewski/AOL
