Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[BMW planning $261 million plant in Brazil]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/24/bmw-planning-261-million-plant-in-brazil/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/24/bmw-planning-261-million-plant-in-brazil/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/24/bmw-planning-261-million-plant-in-brazil/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BMW Emblem

BMW has announced plans to invest 200 million euro ($261 million by current exchange rates) in a facility in Brazil. The move is an effort to counter Audi in one of the world's quickest-growing markets. BMW says it plans to produces upwards of 30,000 units a year at the Santa Catarina factory by 2014, though that number could swell significantly if the automaker sees the demand. Audi, meanwhile is set to build 150,000 vehicles per year at its location in San Jose Chiapa, Mexico. Reports indicate that automakers are looking outside of the contracting European and slowing Chinese markets in search of more sales.

Ian Robertson, member of the BMW board said, "Brazil is a market with tremendous potential for the future for the BMW Group. For that reason, we are strengthening our long-term commitment to this country."

BMW has focused on emerging markets to help step up sales by 20 percent by 2016. The automaker originally announced its plans to build construct a facility in Brazil in 2011, but the move was postponed due to shifts in the country's tax codes. Now Brazil is offering new tax brakes to any carmaker that aims to invest the area.

Scroll down to read the full BMW press release.

Continue reading BMW planning $261 million plant in Brazil

BMW planning $261 million plant in Brazil originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audibmwbrazilsouth americaWed, 24 Oct 2012 08:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20357651/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/24/bmw-planning-261-million-plant-in-brazil/20357651/article-detail.xml 20357651 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/bmw-emblem_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/bmw-emblem.jpg <![CDATA[Fake Kia ads cause uproar, get creatives banned from Cannes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/25/fake-kia-ads-cause-uproar-gets-creatives-banned-from-cannes/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/25/fake-kia-ads-cause-uproar-gets-creatives-banned-from-cannes/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/25/fake-kia-ads-cause-uproar-gets-creatives-banned-from-cannes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



First, Kia Motors Brazil disavowed the ads done in its name by Brazilian agency Moma Propaganda, and now, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is doing the same. If you'll remember, some creatives at Moma put together a rather suggestive, comic diptych to advertise the dual-zone climate control in the Kia Sportage. The ads got people everywhere rather hot - and not in a good way - and the automaker quickly went on record saying that it didn't commission them.

The ads won two Cannes Lions earlier this year - basically, the Oscars of ad agency awards. Responding in its own way to the 'revelations,' the Cannes overseers stripped the five credited creatives of their awards, and banned all five of them from participating in next year's festival. It is the first time in its history that such an action has been taken.

This has nothing to do with Kia Motors America, only Kia Motors Brazil, and the 'ads' never actually ran. They appear to have been created just to win Lions, which is perhaps why Kia Motors Brazil didn't distance itself until after the festival. Or, perhaps not, since according to Ad Age, even after having its name (quite unfairly) associated with the word "pedophilia" for a month now, the Korean firm remains a client of Moma.

Fake Kia ads cause uproar, get creatives banned from Cannes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ad agencybrazilcannes lionsCannes Lions International Film Festival of Creativitykiakia motorskia motors brazilsouth americaMon, 25 Jul 2011 08:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19998676/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/25/fake-kia-ads-cause-uproar-gets-creatives-banned-from-cannes/19998676/article-detail.xml 19998676 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/kiabraziladlions_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/kiabraziladlions.jpg <![CDATA[Chevrolet Cobalt lives... in South America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/17/chevrolet-cobalt-lives-in-south-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/17/chevrolet-cobalt-lives-in-south-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/17/chevrolet-cobalt-lives-in-south-america/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Chevrolet Cobalt Concept
Chevrolet Cobalt Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Cobalt lives. Well, not here in the United States, where the Chevrolet Cruze has thankfully banished all memories of GM's last uncompetitive compact, but at least in Argentina. Alongside the Colorado Rally Concept, Chevrolet is displaying the Cobalt Concept you see here at the Buenos Aires International Motor Show.

We're pretty sure this new Cobalt is a Cobalt in name only, as it doesn't appear to share anything with the previous model that is no longer in production and, though no dimensional details are provided, seems smaller than the Delta platform used by its erstwhile namesake. Perhaps it uses the Gamma architecture used by the new Sonic and global Aveo?

In any case, this Cobalt, though officially a concept, seems destined for production in South America and possibly other emerging markets around the world. The automaker says it will offer a range of engines from 1.3 to 1.8 liters that will run on either ethanol, gasoline or diesel.

As far as the styling goes, we can see the current Chevrolet design language front and center, with a two-tier grille up front flanked by sweeping headlamps. The flanks are highlighted by downward-pointing swage lines front and rear. Out back, LED lights punctuate some questionably large, chrome-surrounded lamps.

Inside, this Cobalt Concept is impressively finished with leather seating surfaces and door panels. A unique woodgrain accent highlights the steering wheel. LED lighting in a soft blue is a welcome touch, as is the in-dash navigation system and twin seven-inch LCD screens in the headrests, which we doubt would make it into production.

Check out our high-res image gallery for all the pics.

Chevrolet Cobalt lives... in South America originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>argentinabuenos aires international motor showchevroletcobaltcobalt conceptgmsouth americaFri, 17 Jun 2011 16:46:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19969974/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/17/chevrolet-cobalt-lives-in-south-america/19969974/article-detail.xml 19969974 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/chevy-cobalt-argentina-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/chevy-cobalt-argentina-lead.jpg <![CDATA[New car sales on the rise in Latin America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/24/report-new-car-sales-on-the-rise-in-latin-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/24/report-new-car-sales-on-the-rise-in-latin-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/24/report-new-car-sales-on-the-rise-in-latin-america/#commentsFiled under: ,

Brazil traffic jam by Rafael Cavalcante

According to the Los Angeles Times, new car sales in South America are skyrocketing, thanks to wage hikes, more jobs and easy credit terms. Last year, there were 3.5 million new car and light truck purchases in Brazil alone, representing an 86-percent increase over 2006.

While Brazil leads the charge in terms of new car sales numbers, Peru topped the heap in terms of per capita market growth, moving 106,000 new cars in 2010, or three times its 2006 total. Argentina and Columbia also experienced car-buying booms, with their markets growing by 25 percent and 50 percent respectively over 2006.

Despite car-buying increases in Argentina, Brazil, Columbia and Peru, the trend doesn't ring true in Mexico, where new car sales have dwindled. In 2006, Mexicans bought 1.2 million new cars, as opposed to just 820,000 in 2010. Dealers blame the decline on Mexico's opening the market to used American cars. Venezuela saw a decrease, too, after import duties were increased in an attempt to stem inflation.

The trend is obviously good for automakers like General Motors, who move plenty of metal in Latin America, and need all the help they can get from expanding markets. Importantly, the upward trend in new vehicle sales also shows that at least some South American economies are beginning to stabilize. Easy credit, longer loan repayment periods and consumers' increased disposable income indicate that the region as a whole is on the rise.

[Source: The Los Angeles Times |Image: Rafael Cavalcante - CC 2.0]

New car sales on the rise in Latin America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>general motorslatin americanew carnew car buyingsalessales figuressouth americaSun, 24 Apr 2011 15:35:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19921936/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/24/report-new-car-sales-on-the-rise-in-latin-america/19921936/article-detail.xml 19921936 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/brazil-traffic-jam-lead_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/brazil-traffic-jam-lead.jpg <![CDATA[BMW pondering first Latin America plant?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/17/bmw-pondering-first-latin-america-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/17/bmw-pondering-first-latin-america-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/17/bmw-pondering-first-latin-america-plant/#commentsFiled under: , ,

BMW Roundel logoBMW may be planning to set up a new manufacturing facility in Brazil. The automaker currently only sells around 10,000 units per year in the South American country, but BMW has seen sales leap by 50 percent annually in the market for the past few years. According to Reuters, standards of living in Brazil are increasing at a rapid pace as the country prepares to host both the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. Those increases have helped to fuel light vehicle sales, which ticked up by 11 percent in 2010 to 3.33 million units. That figure surpasses even Germany's appetite for passenger cars.

If BMW does decide to set up camp in the southern hemisphere, odds are the company will simply outfit its Manaus motorcycle manufacturing facility to handle assembly of completely knocked-down vehicle kits, at least at first. Should sales increase by leaps and bounds, Reuters reports that BMW would consider a full-fledged manufacturing facility to help satiate demand. The company says that sales of as little as 50,000 units could make such a move worthwhile.

[Source: Reuters]

BMW pondering first Latin America plant? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw brazilbmw manufacturingbmw south americabrazilsouth americaThu, 17 Mar 2011 13:42:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19882584/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/03/17/bmw-pondering-first-latin-america-plant/19882584/article-detail.xml 19882584 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/bmw-roundel-250-1300379146_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/bmw-roundel-250-1300379146.jpg <![CDATA[2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/02/2011-chevrolet-montana-small-truck-unveiled-in-south-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/02/2011-chevrolet-montana-small-truck-unveiled-in-south-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/02/2011-chevrolet-montana-small-truck-unveiled-in-south-america/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Chevrolet Montana
2011 Chevrolet Montana - Click above for high-res image gallery

Say hullo to this little truck: It's the 2011 Chevrolet Montana and it might just make its way up from South America into U.S. dealer showrooms. It's a small two-door, two-passenger ute that rides on the same platform as the Brazilian Chevy Agile, a hatchback city car.

According to Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com, General Motors has no successor planned for the U.S.-version of the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon twins. This car-based, front-wheel-drive trucklet could provide a nice stepping stone into its family of larger pickups. The engine would likely have to be beefed up for this market, since potential truck shoppers might be scared off by the Montana's 1.4-liter four-cylinder (it's good for 97 horsepower, 95 pound-feet of torque, and 30 miles per gallon on the highway). Despite its modest power numbers, the Chevy Montana is capable of hauling 1,671 pounds in the rear cargo area - a number comparable to the payload ratings of several full-size pickups.

Is North America ready for a pint-sized, front-wheel drive truck? That's a tough call, especially one with such Aveo-like unique styling. The 2011 Chevrolet Montana might not arrive in the form you see above (and in the gallery), but it could provide a glimpse at what's waiting down the road.


Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Montana

2011 Chevrolet Montana2011 Chevrolet Montana2011 Chevrolet Montana2011 Chevrolet Montana2011 Chevrolet Montana

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet montana2011 chevy montanabrazilchevrolet montanachevy coloradochevy montanageneral motorsgmgmc canyonmontana pickupram 1500south americauteSat, 02 Oct 2010 11:08:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19657726/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/10/02/2011-chevrolet-montana-small-truck-unveiled-in-south-america/19657726/article-detail.xml 19657726 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011-chevrolet-montana00-1285966417_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011-chevrolet-montana00-1285966417.jpg <![CDATA[Fiat tempts Latin American and European audiences with Strada Cabine Dupla pickup]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/fiat-tempts-latin-american-and-european-audiences-with-strada-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/fiat-tempts-latin-american-and-european-audiences-with-strada-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/06/fiat-tempts-latin-american-and-european-audiences-with-strada-ca/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Fiat Strada Cabine Dupla -- Click above for high-res image gallery

For European and South American markets, Fiat rolled out several versions of its Strada pickup last year. Now, the Italian company introduces a "dual cab" version with two extra back seats - but without two extra doors. Called the Cabine Dupla or Doble Cabina, it's almost as if our long-departed Subaru Brat lives on with a secret Italian identity... and without its four-wheel-drive. The Cabine Dupla has an electronic diff that ought to be passable when things get a little dirty. Our question is: Could this be a future Dodge?


Gallery: Fiat Strada Doble Cabina


Gallery: Fiat Strada Adventure Locker


Gallery: Fiat Strada Trekking 2009


[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Fiat tempts Latin American and European audiences with Strada Cabine Dupla pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 fiat strada2010FiatStradafiatfiat stradafiat strada cabine duplaFiatStradaFiatStradaCabineDuplapickupsouth americaSouthAmericastradastrada cabine duplastrada doble cabinaStradaCabineDuplaStradaDobleCabinaMon, 06 Jul 2009 10:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19083090/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/06/fiat-tempts-latin-american-and-european-audiences-with-strada-ca/19083090/article-detail.xml 19083090 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/fiat_strada_dupla1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/fiat_strada_dupla1.jpg <![CDATA[Parabéns! Fiat Automóveis builds its 10,000,000th vehicle in Brazil]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/parabens-fiat-automoveis-builds-its-10-000-000th-vehicle-in-bra/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/parabens-fiat-automoveis-builds-its-10-000-000th-vehicle-in-bra/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/11/parabens-fiat-automoveis-builds-its-10-000-000th-vehicle-in-bra/#commentsFiled under: , ,



There are milestones, and then there are milestones. Last week, Fiat's Brazilian division celebrated the big mamma: 10 million vehicles produced. The Italian automaker has been building cars and light trucks in Brazil for over 30 years, and today Fiat Automóveis holds a 25.5% market share, making Fiat the largest automaker in Brazil and Brazil the largest foreign market for Fiat.

The company's assembly plant in Betim, Brazil, churns out 3000 units every single day, from 15 distinct model lines with variants numbering in the hundreds. Last month, Fiat sold 60,628 vehicles in Brazil, eclipsing Volkswagen, General Motors and all other competitors.

[Source: CarScoop]

Parabéns! Fiat Automóveis builds its 10,000,000th vehicle in Brazil originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10 million10Millionbetimbetim brazilBetimBrazilbrazilfiatfiat automoveisfiat betimfiat brazilfiat latin americafiat south americaFiatAutomoveisFiatBetimFiatBrazilFiatLatinAmericaFiatSouthAmericalatin americanLatinAmericansouth americaSouthAmericaten millionTenMillionThu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19061031/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/06/11/parabens-fiat-automoveis-builds-its-10-000-000th-vehicle-in-bra/19061031/article-detail.xml 19061031 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/fiat-brazil-10mil_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/fiat-brazil-10mil.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Sebastien Loeb does the Gymkhana dance]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/25/video-sebastien-loeb-does-the-gymkhana-dance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/25/video-sebastien-loeb-does-the-gymkhana-dance/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/25/video-sebastien-loeb-does-the-gymkhana-dance/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Follow the jump to watch Sebastien Loeb demonstrate his talents

Sebastien Loeb went to Argentina and did some dancing that wasn't the tango. The WRC champion performed a demonstration with his Citroen rally car that was reminiscent of gymkhana. Although it's a little repetitive and nowhere near as mind-blowing as this other guy's gymkhana session, it is clear that Seb knows his way around the barriers and over the jumps. Follow the jump to check out the vid.

[Source: 0-60 magazine]

Continue reading VIDEO: Sebastien Loeb does the Gymkhana dance

VIDEO: Sebastien Loeb does the Gymkhana dance originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>argentinagymkhanaken blockKenBlockmotorsportssebastien loebSebastienLoebsouth americaSouthAmericavideowrcSat, 25 Apr 2009 09:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1524019/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/25/video-sebastien-loeb-does-the-gymkhana-dance/1524019/article-detail.xml 1524019 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/loeb_gymkh_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/loeb_gymkh.jpg <![CDATA[Bolivia bans most imports to... curb traffic?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/bolivia-bans-most-imports-to-curb-traffic/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/bolivia-bans-most-imports-to-curb-traffic/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/bolivia-bans-most-imports-to-curb-traffic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Outside of a Terry Gilliam film, where else can you see a used car blessing ceremony, a city of one million people with 535 different public bus routes, roadblocks set up by car mechanics, and kids dressed in zebra suits patrolling crosswalks? Bolivia, that's where. The South American nation, attempting to halt an explosion of automobile buying that's clogging their limited road network, has banned importing used cars more than five years old.

The president of Bolivia issued the ban to halt the tide of right-hand-drive cars coming in from Japan. The cars are more reliable than what was on offer before, and so cheap that Bolivians have been buying them up, painting "Taxi" on the sides, only to sit on traffic-choked roads. Shutting down the import trade brings Bolivia more in line with its South American neighbors, and it could open the roads up a bit as well and curb air pollution issues. The mechanics who convert right-hand drive cars to left-hand drive have protested and blocked roads, arm-in-arm with the used car dealers who sell them.

Bolivians who wanted the used cars are losing out twice: Used cars less than five years old usually don't make it to Bolivia, and they will be denied "the road trip to bless a new used car at a popular Catholic shrine on Lake Titicaca -- where proud owners splash their new wheels with beer and tape flowers to the side mirrors -- has become a regular rite of passage." Oh, and the kids dressed up as zebras? They get paid by the city to to scold drivers that block crosswalks. It's probably not a bad gig unless you get run over on your first day and spend three days in hospital like one zebra in La Paz. Ah, Bolivia...

[Source: CBS]

Bolivia bans most imports to... curb traffic? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boliviagovernmentimport carImportCarimported carsImportedCarsimportsJapanese carJapanese carsJapaneseCarJapaneseCarsLa PaLa PazLake TiticacaLakeTiticacaLaPazlegalsouth americaSouthAmericaused carsUsedCarsMon, 22 Dec 2008 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1407150/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/12/22/bolivia-bans-most-imports-to-curb-traffic/1407150/article-detail.xml 1407150 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/boliv_ucb_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/boliv_ucb.jpg <![CDATA[Coming to America? Peugeot entering new segments, markets]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/coming-to-america-peugeot-entering-new-segments-markets/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/coming-to-america-peugeot-entering-new-segments-markets/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/coming-to-america-peugeot-entering-new-segments-markets/#commentsFiled under: ,

Peugeot is a long way off from its ambitious target of selling 4 million units annually by the end of the decade. This year its sales projects put it at 2 million, but chief executive Jean-Philippe Collin has a plan in place to reach the targets set out by parent company PSA.

The plan involves expansion on two fronts. Firstly, Peugeot plans on developing new models to compete in segments where it currently does not compete. Collin figures the French automaker currently competes in 72% of market segments, but wants to get that figure up to 90%. Despite Peugeot's sportscar racing program, the company is not prepared to build a pure sportscar any more hardcore than the upcoming 308 RC Z sports-coupe. It is pursuing government funding to develop a diesel-hybrid drivetrain, however, which might be key to its expansion.

Peugeot is also planning on pursuing new markets, namely in China, Russia and South America. However, while a return to the North American market is being considered, especially in light of the weak American dollar, Collin maintains that such a move would still be several years off.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - subs. req'd]

Coming to America? Peugeot entering new segments, markets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinanorth americaNorthAmericapeugeotpsapsa peugeot citroenPsaPeugeotCitroenrussasouth americaSouthAmericaWed, 27 Aug 2008 09:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1295525/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/08/27/coming-to-america-peugeot-entering-new-segments-markets/1295525/article-detail.xml 1295525 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/peugeo-logo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/08/peugeo-logo.jpg <![CDATA[Fiat considering plant in Mexico]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/13/fiat-considering-plant-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/13/fiat-considering-plant-in-mexico/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/13/fiat-considering-plant-in-mexico/#commentsFiled under:


Click above for a high-res gallery of Fiat's Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

As the dollar weakens, European manufacturers continue to scramble for manufacturing opportunities offshore to salvage profits. Fiat is the latest to jump into the fray. Company sources are saying the Italian automaker is currently considering Mexico as a production site -- with their eyes on an existing plant that could be tooled up for 150,000 cars a year. With their Alfa Romeo brand launching in the United States next year, and Fiat sales up significantly in South America, a plant in centrally-located Mexico could easily supply demand for both markets. If approved, the Mexican plant would start building Alfa Romeos and Fiats in 2011.

Gallery: 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

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

Fiat considering plant in Mexico originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 May 2008 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfa romeoAlfaRomeofactoryfiatmanufacturingmexicosouth americaSouthAmericaunited statesUnitedStatesTue, 13 May 2008 15:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1192580/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/05/13/fiat-considering-plant-in-mexico/1192580/article-detail.xml 1192580 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/8c_competizione_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/05/8c_competizione_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford Edge headed to Brazil]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/ford-edge-headed-to-brazil/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/ford-edge-headed-to-brazil/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/ford-edge-headed-to-brazil/#commentsFiled under: , ,



It seems like America is the only place where American cars aren't popular. Buick has huge numbers in China, and Ford's having a lot of success in Brazil. Sales of the Fusion sedan took off to the point that it now leads the midsize segment there. Riding high on the Fusion's success, Ford's sending the Edge below the equator. The Edge will join a lineup that includes the new Ka compact, the EcoSport small 'Ute, and the Fiesta.

Ford's also pumping $1 billion into it's Brazilian operations to keep the stampede going. Ford do Brasil has had 15 quarters of profit and earnings are up 72-percent over last year. The infusion of cash will go into Ford's local products, which will help the rest of their lineup come closer to the Edge's excellence.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Gallery: Ford Ka


Gallery: Ford EcoSport


Gallery: Ford Fiesta ST Mototune

Continue reading Ford Edge headed to Brazil

Ford Edge headed to Brazil originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brasilbrazilecosportedgefiestafordfusionkasalessouth americaSouthAmericaThu, 17 Jan 2008 07:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1089041/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/01/17/ford-edge-headed-to-brazil/1089041/article-detail.xml 1089041 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/edge_brazil_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/edge_brazil.jpg <![CDATA[Dakar looks at alternatives, South America tops list]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/dakar-looks-at-alternatives-south-america-tops-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/dakar-looks-at-alternatives-south-america-tops-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/15/dakar-looks-at-alternatives-south-america-tops-list/#commentsFiled under:

Following the unfortunate cancellation of this year's Dakar rally, race organizers are examining a number of potential alternatives to permanently move the race away from northern Africa. Last year's race had stages canceled due to security considerations, but this year's event, which would have been going on right now, was the first to be cancelled in the rally's history. With reports now suggesting that the French foreign ministry's urging to cancel was based on direct threats from Al Qaeda to the Dakar rally itself, last year's modified race will likely have been the last to run the traditional, if oft-modified, route.

ASO - the French outfit that organizes the event, along with the famous Tour de France bicycle race - has considered a number of alternatives, including Dubai, Australia, and even running the distance from Paris all the way to Beijing, but reports are now suggesting that following the offer from the Chilean tourism minister, a deal has already been signed to hold the rally beginning next year on a route from Argentina to Chile and back.

Although the South American rally likely won't happen this year, when it does it will likely revert to Dakar's traditional January 1 starting gun and take the place of the Pampas Rally in the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup.

[Source: Autosport]

Dakar looks at alternatives, South America tops list originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>al qaedaAlQaedaargentinacancelledchiledakarlisboalisbonmaghredpampasparisrallysouth americaSouthAmericaTue, 15 Jan 2008 19:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1087433/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/01/15/dakar-looks-at-alternatives-south-america-tops-list/1087433/article-detail.xml 1087433 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/laspampas-alphand_e5_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/laspampas-alphand_e5.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler and Chery resume talks to build cheap cars in China]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/04/chrysler-and-chery-resume-talks-to-build-cheap-cars-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/04/chrysler-and-chery-resume-talks-to-build-cheap-cars-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/04/chrysler-and-chery-resume-talks-to-build-cheap-cars-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Carlos Ghosn recently said that Renault/Nissan is developing a $3K car with Indian partner Tata. Honda said it looked at the same idea, but that it couldn't build a car with Honda values for that money. Chrysler has put itself in the Honda camp, ruling out the creation of a $3K car with Chinese partner Chery. Instead, Chrysler is working on a two-tier system that will build basic, inexpensive vehicles for developing countries and full-fat premium cars for the US, Canada, and Europe.

Chrysler's tie-in with Chery was put on hold when DaimlerChrysler put Chrysler on the block. Now that everything is settled with Cerberus, Chery is ready to sit down at the table again. Nothing's been signed and no timetable has been announced, but it appears that Chery-built Dodges (and possibly Chryslers) could appear before the end of the decade. Still, Frank Klegon, Chrysler's exec VP of product development, said he couldn't get a car built for less than $5,000, even in China. In response to Renault and Nissan's plans to build a $3K car for the Indian market, Klegon said "I have seen what you and I wouldn't necessarily call cars."

[Source: Autoweek]

Chrysler and Chery resume talks to build cheap cars in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cherychinachryslerdeveloping marketsDevelopingMarketsindiasouth americaSouthAmericaWed, 04 Jul 2007 16:34:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/932639/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/07/04/chrysler-and-chery-resume-talks-to-build-cheap-cars-in-china/932639/article-detail.xml 932639 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/chrysler_chery_back_on_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/chrysler_chery_back_on.jpg <![CDATA[India is Toyota's litmus test for inexpensive cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/10/india-is-toyotas-litmus-test-for-inexpensive-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/10/india-is-toyotas-litmus-test-for-inexpensive-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/10/india-is-toyotas-litmus-test-for-inexpensive-cars/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Last month we reported how Toyota Motor Corp. found itself at a disadvantage in emerging markets such as Brazil and India where cost is a top priority among buyers.

Toyota, the automotive equivalent of an irrresistable force, is not deterred. The newspaper Nihon Keizai reports the company has plans to launch a compact car in the Indian market by 2010. Other markets on the table are Central and South America and Europe. The new car, to be co-developed with subsidiary Daihatsu Motor, would cost $7,165. When Toyota was asked about the report, a spokesperson said no decision has been reached in any detail.

[Source: Nihon Keizai via NDTV Profit]

India is Toyota's litmus test for inexpensive cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 May 2006 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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