Autoblog

Mini investing $387M in manufacturing, looking for even more capacity

Zach Bowman — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, BMW, Mini, UK

BMW has announced it will invest around $386.9 million in its United Kingdom operations. The cash will be divvied up amongst its Oxford manufacturing facility, Swindon steel body pressing plant and its Birmingham engine facility, all in order to help Mini keep pace with a new global growth strategy. BMW says the investment will allow Mini to maintain larger production volumes while simultaneously rolling out up to 10 new models in the near future. While that figure likely includes models like the Mini Paceman, BMW is keeping details on any other future models to itself for the time being. The investments are planned to be completed by the end of 2015.

All told, BMW has invested more than $2.7 billion in the company's UK manufacturing network since 2000, though Mini will likely still need even more production capacity to keep up with the brand's planned growth. While the manufacturer wants to contract that volume out to a satellite builder, no final decision on who that partner will be has been made just yet. Check out the full press release below.

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Mini investing $387M in manufacturing, looking for even more capacity originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China's SAIC sets up shop in suburban Detroit

Zach Bowman — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:16:00 EST

Filed under: China, GM

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation has opened a new North American headquarters in Birmingham, Michigan. The Chinese automaker says the facility will help build a stronger connection and further cooperation between U.S. manufacturers and their Chinese counterparts.

SAIC refurbished a 30,000-square-foot building for its new HQ, which should employ around 100 people. Specifically, the location will help SAIC purchase the parts it needs from the strong base of local suppliers in the area while also coordinating import and export operations. The Chinese automaker says the facility will also house some technology and engineering research development, as well.

SAIC said the company chose Birmingham for the city's proximity to partners like General Motors as well as numerous parts suppliers. Michigan's pro-business environment didn't hurt the decision either. SAIC is the largest automaker on the Chinese stock market. Take a look at the full press release below for more information.

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China's SAIC sets up shop in suburban Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat Professional reveals new Punto panel wagon

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Work, Hatchback, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Fiat

There's little doubt that commercial vehicles are almost as vital to an automaker's sales figures as passenger vehicles are, and to that end many have dedicated commercial vehicle operations. The Fiat group's is called Fiat Professional, and it's just rolled out its latest offering.

Called the Punto Van, it is, as you might have guessed, a Punto hatchback, stripped down and fitted with body panels where the windows usually go. Capable of carrying 35 cubic feet and 1,150 pounds of cargo, the Punto Van is powered by a 1.3-liter MultiJet II diesel in three states of tune (75, 85 or 95 horsepower), two trim levels and three colors.

Taking the place in its line-up where the previous versions of the Grande Punto and Punto Evo sat, Fiat Professional just took the wraps off the new Punto Van at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, England, with order books opening later this month. Scroll down for the official press release.

Continue reading Fiat Professional reveals new Punto panel wagon

Fiat Professional reveals new Punto panel wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus designs a pair of new test tracks for Top Gear Live

Noah Joseph — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: UK, Event Alert

Few circuits in the world have gained as much notoriety as the Top Gear test track in Surrey, England. The show's private playground plays host to the best performance machines and biggest celebrities. But Clarkson and company didn't design the track themselves, it was set up by Lotus.

Now, Top Gear has again turned to Lotus to design two new tracks for the Top Gear Live traveling show. The courses, B20 Raceway and Docklands GP, will be set up at the NEC in Birmingham and the ExCel center in London, respectively, where thousands of fans will gather for the veritable automotive circus. Each circuit is set up differently, and the corners will be individually named, with an opportunity for fans to vote on the names of one at each track.

Clarkson, Hammond, May and The Stig will perform, of course, as well as Ring-mistress Sabine Schmitz, rival presenter Tiff Needell and five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell. An array of celebrities will battle for the top spot in the on-site Star in a Reasonably Priced Car competition. The highlights of the show, however, are sure to be supercars like the McLaren MP4-12C, Lamborghini Aventador and Ferrari 599 GTO, classic Group B rally cars and F1 racers past and present.

Follow the jump for the press release and check out the track layouts in the gallery.

Continue reading Lotus designs a pair of new test tracks for Top Gear Live

Lotus designs a pair of new test tracks for Top Gear Live originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Jul 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen unwraps new Caddy Racer at Birmingham van show

Noah Joseph — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Racing

2011 Volkswagen Caddy Racer - Click above for high-res image gallery

Vans may have about as much business on a race track as an Adam's apple does on a working girl, but bizarre though they are, once in a while they pop up just the same. Case in point: the Volkswagen Caddy Racer.

The new race-prepped utility van has just been unveiled by Volkswagen at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC Show in Birmigham, England. It takes the form of the new Caddy panel van introduced late last year and replaces the previous-generation Caddy Racer. Underneath the commodious bodywork sits a 2.0-liter gasoline-burning four with 270 metric horsepower driving the front wheels through a six-speed competition-spec gearbox. The rear axle has been replaced by the Golf's multi-link suspension, with adjustable dampers up front, a Milltek exhaust system and 18-inch alloys housing ventilated brakes discs and wearing Hankook racing slicks.

Like the model it replaces, the new Caddy Racer will be driven by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles director Simon Elliott in the Volkswagen Racing Cup, dicing it with the likes of Sciroccos, Golfs, Beetles, Jettas and Polos of various generations across Britain's finest racing circuits (plus a trip to Zandvoort in Holland) in support of the British Formula 3 and GT championships. Check out the details in the press release after the jump and scope out the images in the gallery below for a closer look.

Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Caddy Racer

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen unwraps new Caddy Racer at Birmingham van show

Volkswagen unwraps new Caddy Racer at Birmingham van show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford powers into Birmingham with one-off Transit SuperSportVan

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Performance, Work, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Diesel

2011 Ford Transit SuperSportVan - Click above for high-res image gallery

While the latest hot Mustang, Fiesta and Focus models may garner most of the attention from Ford and its performance divisions, back in the UK, the Blue Oval gives delivery boys and construction workers something to dream about with the occasional souped-up Transit. The last such SportVan it rolled out packed a 18-inch alloys and white stripes over red paint, but only a 140-horsepower turbodiesel engine. The model you see here, however, is another beast entirely.

This one-off Transit SuperSportVan packs a 200-horsepower, 3.2-liter turbodiesel five with a six-speed into the short-wheelbase 260 chassis. Upgraded aero package, rolling stock and classic blue stripes over white body are also part of the package, all to show the competition who's boss.

Unfortunately, just a concept, the Transit SSV was prepared for the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham, England. It follows a long line of hot panel wagons from Ford UK that traces back to the 1971 GT40-based Transit Supervan, the Coworth V8-powered Supervan II of 1984, the '95 Supervan III that packed a 650hp Formula One engine and the Y2k Ford World Rally Transit complete with Martini racing stripes.

Follow the jump for the full press release, and scope out the photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Transit SuperSportVan

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford powers into Birmingham with one-off Transit SuperSportVan

Ford powers into Birmingham with one-off Transit SuperSportVan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen launches new Crafter work van

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, Diesel

2012 Volkswagen Crafter - Click above for high-res image gallery

Big vans are the workhorses of countries like the UK, and Volkswagen is keen to take a bigger slice of that particular pie with its new Crafter. Unveiled this week at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the Birmingham NEC, the new van is an update on the previous model that was unveiled at the same expo five years ago.

The Crafter was co-developed with Mercedes-Benz and is once again based on the Sprinter chassis, but the driveline (as well as the new front-end styling) are Volkswagen's. The new range of engines are lighter, more fuel efficient, less polluting and altogether cheaper to run, allowing for increased payloads in the process.

Follow the jump for the full press releases, and click on the thumbnails below for high-resolution images.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen Crafter

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen launches new Crafter work van

Volkswagen launches new Crafter work van originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Radical Sportscars previews SR3 SL ahead of Autosport debut

Noah Joseph — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, UK, MISC

If you're looking for a bare-bones, no nonsense roadster, the upcoming Autosport International motorsport show in Birmigham, England, is the place to be. That's where Caterham is set to unveil an all-new vehicle, and where Radical is also planning to debut its latest street-legal race car.

Now, that term is used to describe many performance automobiles, but if anyone can lay claim to it, it's Radical. The company makes Le Mans Prototype-style cars that are nominally street legal, but every bit the purebred racers they look like. The SR8 holds the lap record at the Nürburgring, and is soon to be joined in the Radical lineup by the SR3 SL. Fully street legal, the SR3 SL is aimed at track-day enthusiasts looking for a car they can drive to the circuit, lap to their heart's content and then drive back home... just like in the good old days.

The SR3 SL is powered by a 300-horsepower version of the Ford EcoBoost five found in the Focus ST, optimized in-house by Radical. It's mated to a six-speed paddle-shift sequential gearbox that automatically blips the throttle on the downshift, and with a curb weight under 1,500 lbs, is sure to be a serious thrill ride.

[Source: Radical]

Continue reading Radical Sportscars previews SR3 SL ahead of Autosport debut

Radical Sportscars previews SR3 SL ahead of Autosport debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shades of Champ Car/IRL: Birmingham exits Dream Cruise, starts own same-day event

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Government/Legal, Misc. Auto Shows

At first blush, the city of Birmingham's decision to pull out of its official relationship with the Woodward Dream Cruise doesn't strike us as a big deal. After all, 40,000 or so classic cars are expected to descend on the historic Woodward Avenue just south of the Motor City whether Birmingham has representation on the Dream Cruise's Board of Directors or not. Officials representing the Cruise, though, don't quite agree with this assessment.

The Detroit News reports that Dream Cruise board President Greg Rasse sent a not-so-friendly letter to Birmingham City Manager Tom Markus requesting that the city cease-and-desist using Woodward Dream Cruise logos and event name when promoting its own event, which is scheduled to run concurrently with the official Dream Cruise. Not terribly surprising, given that Birmingham's departure from the Dream Cruise Board means that the city is not paying the Board or its Executive Director any money.

No matter what happens, the show must go on, as they say, and we'll be there as always this August with digital SLRs in tow and live streaming video of all the action. We don't imagine that many of those attending the Cruise in 2009 will notice the difference, and we hope the organizers and the locales involved can get along well enough not to ruin an enjoyable event.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Shades of Champ Car/IRL: Birmingham exits Dream Cruise, starts own same-day event originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Detroit businesses lining up to court Fiat execs with... $1,600 sandals?!

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Fiat, Lifestyle

It is estimated that up to 200 Fiat executives would relocate to Michigan if Fiat ends up owning Chrysler, and the city of Birmingham, Michigan wants them. It's gearing up for something like an Olympic bid to attract prosperous Continental types, and is joined in the effort by nearby city Bloomfield Hills. The two cities are regular landing spots for top level execs -- Zetsche, Wagoner, Henderson and Nardelli, among others -- with beautiful real estate, high property values, and a high school founded to serve transplanted kids.

A Birmingham real estate agent is planning to present its relocation services to the local Italian consulate. and the Bloomfield Hills International Academy is considering an Italian extracurricular program. To sweeten the deal, the owner of a boutique shoe store pitches the fact that only she and the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas sell $1,595 Chrissie Morris high heeled sandals. No, it's not Turin and the surroundings are the Piedmont -- but a fresh million in Birmingham will get you 3,000 square feet more living space and a yard, and if you're going to be in Michigan anyway...

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Detroit businesses lining up to court Fiat execs with... $1,600 sandals?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford celebrates 45 years of the Mustang at Barber Motorsports Park

Chris Tutor — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Ford, Shelby

It's been 45 years since Ford introduced the Mustang, and the Blue Oval chose Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL as ground zero for the big pony car celebration. Track officials estimated more than 38,000 people came out to see about 2,000 Mustangs on display from 15 different countries, and Autoblog was among the revelers.

The Mustang Club of France showed up with a dozen or so 2010 Mustangs they'd rented, Steve Saleen was signing autographs, Ford CEO Alan Mulally made a surprise appearance and the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge had two rounds of competition. There were fully-restored, low-mileage Mustangs trailered in from as far away as California and one dirt-encrusted, 1966 GT350H brought in straight from its 29-year stint in an Alabama shed. All three levels of the track's paddock area were full of Ford's iconic muscle car, as were the grassy fields normally reserved spectator parking.

When the track wasn't being used for racing, vintage and late-model Mustang owners got the chance to see what their cars could really do. The distinctive whine of Roush superchargers melded with bassy roars of 40-year-old small-blocks for a pulse-quickening aural collage, providing a singular soundtrack for the event.

Looming clouds began to gather on Saturday afternoon, but only a few sprinkles had fallen by mid-day Sunday. For the most part, temperatures in the upper 60s made walking around the landscaped track a truly memorable experience.

Happy Birthday, Mustang. Here's looking forward to another forty five!

Gallery: Ford celebrates 45 years of Mustangs

Ford celebrates 45 years of the Mustang at Barber Motorsports Park originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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