Autoblog

New Datsun models to be based on Lada platform

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 07:59:00 EST

Although we haven't heard much official news about the return of the Datsun brand since Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn made the announcement back in March, we now have a little more information about Nissan's new budget brand. Automotive News Europe is reporting that the new breed of Datsun products will go on sale by the end of 2013 and will be based on cars from the Russian automaker, Lada, which is currently part of the Nissan-Renault family.

With a goal of creating low-cost cars for emerging markets like Russia, India and Indonesia, the unknown Datsun models will reportedly be produced in Togliatti, Russia, alongside Lada cars as well as the Nissan Almera (the Russian version of the Nissan Versa sedan). Since these cars will be focused mainly on price, it's more likely that they will be basic vehicles rather than more stylish products like the Lada Xray Concept. Either way, the report says that Datsuns will look different than its Lada counterparts despite using the same underpinnings.

Initially, Datsun will launch with just two cars with a third model planned for 2015, and as far as pricing goes, the report says that the brand will be targeting a starting price of just 2,300 euros (around $3,000 USD) to compete with low-cost Chinese cars.

New Datsun models to be based on Lada platform originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Porsche be forced to use next-gen Audi R8 platform for Ferrari 458 rival?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi, Porsche, Rumormill, Luxury

In 2010, Porsche and Audi were both understood to be vying for the chance to provide future sports car platforms for the entire Volkswagen Group. Not to take anything away from Audi, but few would be surprised to learn that Porsche was chosen for the task.

It seems that Porsche had plans for the platform as early as March of 2011, considering it might underpin a Ferrari 458 competitor that would slot in between its own 911 and 918 Spyder. If such a car is made, what it is based on now seems to be a matter of timing: if Porsche produces its new model soon, a report in Autocar says VW wants it built on the next-generation R8 chassis that will also support the coming Lamborghini Gallardo. The overlords apparently feel that the aluminum and carbon fiber structure will be good enough for Porsche's light heavyweight challenger.

That might not be good enough for Porsche - at least according to Autocar, which suggests that Porsche might wait all the way until 2020 to produce its rumored supercar. By then, all of the group's sports cars will be on Porsche-designed platforms, so the Stuttgart firm won't need to accept one from across the aisle.

Will Porsche be forced to use next-gen Audi R8 platform for Ferrari 458 rival? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zetsche reportedly says Daimler to pick new compact car partner by mid-2010

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Renault, Rumormill

Despite rumors of Daimler and Renault collaborating on a four-door Smart model, no official tie-up between the two companies has been announced. That could change next year when Daimler will reportedly decide who its small-car partner will be. Daimler is getting even more heavily into the development of small cars, both with its Smart brand and the Mercedes-Benz A- and B Class offerings that might one day make it to America.

Renault is planning a line of ultra-cheap small cars and is putting together a range of electric vehicles that will certainly feature new, small platforms. Like Daimler, the French automaker is talking to other companies about joining forces to save money on developing small cars, so a Daimler-Renault alliance isn't a fait accompli. According to Automotive News, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says the company will announce its chosen partner by the middle of 2010.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Zetsche reportedly says Daimler to pick new compact car partner by mid-2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Bugatti and Bentley join forces to battle Rolls-Royce

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Supercars, Bentley, Bugatti, Rumormill

The whisperers have it that Bugatti may be borrowing from Bentley for a new sedan. What they can't seem to pinpoint is exactly what kind of sharing the two marques will be doing, and whether or not the resulting super Bug will be a supremely high-powered four-door to compete with the Rolls-Royce Phantom. If the two brands do indeed share something, like the next Arnage's platform, for instance, that might make sense. But just a few months ago, Bugatti said that its next product would be even more expensive than the Veyron, and lead man Josef Paefgen has also said that there will be no inexpensive Bugatti.

A $400,000 sedan wouldn't be inexpensive, true, but compared to $1.6 million for a Veyron, it's a flat-out bargain. Besides, the $242,000 Arnage T, after all the bespoke options, would come perilously close to a $400K Bugatti in price, and the next Bentley Arnage is growing in order to fight the Phantom. So if a Bugatti sedan with Bentley underpinnings were that close in price to a Rolls Phantom... then who's Bentley meant to get in the ring with?

[Source: TopSpeed via German Car Blog]

Rumormill: Bugatti and Bentley join forces to battle Rolls-Royce originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW and Porsche can't get along, risk future tech and product plans

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen

In the land of mergers and acquisitions, there are takeovers, there are hostile takeovers, and then there are I'm Gonna Git You Sucka No Matter What takeovers. Porsche's increasingly acrimonious battle to swallow VW is becoming that third option, and the brawl might threaten the short term plans of Porsche, VW and Audi. Porsche wants access to Audi engines and electronics, but VW, which owns more than 99-percent of Audi, won't allow it.

Porsche has de facto control of VW, with a 35.1-percent share. The so-called VW Law, which allows the government of Lower Saxony ultimate veto power even though it has only a 20-percent share, has been the broadsword that both VW and Germany have been using to keep Porsche at bay. The law has been struck down at least three times by the EU Commission and a German Court, only to have politicians figure out how to rewrite it without changing the substance of it.

VW's supverisory board recently declared it would need to approve any sharing between Porsche and Audi, and at the moment, Porsche can't overrule that decision. Ferdinand Piech, the head of VW, is in a battle with the Porsche family and Wendelin Wiedeking, the CEO of Porsche, over control, and neither is expected to budge. The risk is that since no one knows how this is all going to play out, a battle of egos and punitive reactions could interrupt development of and platform sharing between - and therefore the profits of - all three manufacturers' future products and technology.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]

VW and Porsche can't get along, risk future tech and product plans originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler's next sedan could be a Nissan Altima (or a Fiat)

Chris Shunk — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Chrysler, Nissan, Fiat

Motor Trend is reporting that Chrysler is considering a few different options now for its 2012 midsize offerings. The first option is to stick with Project D, which is gobbling up engineering and design resources. Option two is to use either Fiat's premium midsize platform or the Nissan Altima platform, and design and engineer the rest of the vehicle from scratch. Chrysler can also decide to badge-engineer one of the vehicles, which would be a far cry from the original plan to have many vehicles spawned off one platform.

Since Fiat currently doesn't have any infrastructure in the U.S. and Nissan already has ties with Chrysler (Dodge will be building the next Nissan Titan and Nissan will be building the Hornet out of Versa parts), the Japanese automaker makes more sense.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Chrysler's next sedan could be a Nissan Altima (or a Fiat) originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW and Fiat teaming up for new small car platform

Chris Shunk — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, BMW, Mini, Fiat, Rumormill

Fiat wants to become the platform-sharing kings of Europe, and with deals with Tata, Suzuki, Ford, and PSA, the Italian automaker is well on its way. Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne told Automotive News Europe that another cooperation would be announced tomorrow, but details were scarce. Suppliers in the know are saying that a new deal is imminent to share the next generation Punto platform with BMW. The platform would be used to underpin the third generation MINI, which would help keep BMW engineers out of the FWD business and cut costs for Fiat at the same time. Fiat has been trying to produce a competitor to the popular MINI Cooper, and now it appears the Italian automaker will be working with an even playing field when it comes to platforms.

[Source: Reuters]

BMW and Fiat teaming up for new small car platform originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW, Porsche fighting over timetable of next Touareg, Cayenne

Chris Shunk — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:07:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Porsche, Volkswagen

To the victors go the spoils, and with Porsche currently holding majority ownership of the drastically larger VW, the folks from Stuttgart get to call the product plan timing shots. The Touareg and Cayenne were launched together in late 2002 and refreshed for the 2008 model year, but Porsche wants the redesign of their best-selling product to arrive early in 2010, many months ahead of the Touareg. The problem, however, is that the two products are competitors.

If it doesn't seem like a VW and Porsche could ever compete head to head, this is the one obvious exception. Of course, both vehicles sit on the same platform, but the two SUVs also share a V6 engine, and the diesel Touareg can cost you over $75,000, which is definitely Porsche territory. AutoWeek quotes one executive as saying that if the situation doesn't get ironed out, the CEOs would have to "hammer this out." We don't find it surprising that VW is feeling a bit slighted here, because six or seven months can feel like a lifetime in product development, and the two SUVs already have an abnormally-long first generation lifespan. It'll be interesting to see who wins out in this battle.

[Source: AutoWeek]

VW, Porsche fighting over timetable of next Touareg, Cayenne originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM to give Chrysler some GMT900 love?

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:25:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Chrysler, Daimler, GM

Last evening, a source privy to the talks between Chrysler and GM, revealed to the New York Times that the General may be sharing its GMT900 SUV platform with the American half of the German-American hybrid.

Since Chrysler doesn't have a large SUV in its line-up (the Durango doesn't make the cut), the rumored platform sharing could make a bit of sense - for Chrysler. As for General Motors, the automaker's turnaround plan is in full effect and the only upside we can see is that a little extra cash in the coffers certainly wouldn't do any harm, as long as it doesn't cut into their highly-profitable SUVs.

Talks between the two automakers have supposedly gone on for about six months, which leads us to believe that some partnership between the two automakers is forthcoming. Naturally, when the NYT contacted a spokesperson for Chrysler about the leak, the response was "no comment."

Ready, set, speculate...

[Source: New York Times via Jalopnik]

GM to give Chrysler some GMT900 love? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DaimlerChrysler won't share Mercedes platforms

Scott Davis — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:07:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, SUV, Wagon, Plants/Manufacturing, Earnings/Financials

Brand-conscious DaimlerChrysler managers in Germany are very vocal about the fact that they're not interested in any platform sharing between the Mercedes brand and the others under the corporate umbrella. "A Mercedes will remain a Mercedes and will not share a platform with anyone," said Dr. Ruediger Grube, Board of Management, DaimlerChrysler Corporate Development. "We will leave that to the others," he added. The concern is that cost-savvy shoppers would eschew the flagship Mercedes brand if they felt they could spend less to get fundamentally the same vehicle with another corporate sibling's badges on it.

Dr. Grube told labor union leaders in Stuttgart that the manufacturer would have to look for opportunities to cut costs in other places, such as small parts that are under the skin and through efficiencies in purchasing and data systems.

[Source: just-auto (Sub req'd)]

DaimlerChrysler won't share Mercedes platforms originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM plans to axe $1 billion out of mid-size car budget

Erin Mays — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 07:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM, Saab, Earnings/Financials

General Motors says it will eliminate $1 billion from its spending on mid-size cars by sharing more parts, designs and factories to get 'er done. If this involves a little process called "badge engineering," we urge GM to beware of the inevitable onslaught of negative comments following this post.

Ahem. The platform used for the Chevrolet Malibu, for example, will be shared with Saab convertibles among the plants in North America, Europe and elsewhere. The idea is part of a larger plan to get the General, which lost buku bucks last year (try $10.6 billion), back to profitability as competitors such as Toyota Motor Company suck market share away from them. GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner plans to reduce annualized spending by a total of $9 billion by the end of this year.

[Source: Bloomberg]

GM plans to axe $1 billion out of mid-size car budget originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Aug 2006 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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