Volkswagen Tiguan launched in Russia

2008 Volkswagen Tiguan

Wolfsburg, 01 August 2008 - Russian customers can now also purchase the Tiguan, which, like the Passat and Jetta, is produced at the Volkswagen plant in Kaluga. "The decision to build the Tiguan locally is an indication of the strategic importance of the Russian market for the Volkswagen brand," Frank Wittemann, Head of the Volkswagen brand in Russia, said.



Two model versions of the Tiguan - the Track & Field and the Sport & Style - will be available at market launch, giving buyers a choice between an off-road and a city vehicle. Both versions will come with a 1.4 TSI (150 PS) entry-level engine and at a price tag of 904,000 ruble. The top model, the Tiguan 2.0 TSI (170 PS), will be available for 1,053,550 ruble.

"For our customers the production of the Tiguan in Russia means shorter delivery times, same-quality standards and a very attractive price," Wittemann said. Delivery figures for the Passat produced in Russia already prove the success of locally-built Volkswagen products. A total of 6,047 vehicles were delivered in the first six months of 2008, representing a 37 percent increase compared with the same period in the previous year.

At the same time as the product range in Kaluga is being expanded, the dealer network is also being systematically established and extended. "It is our goal to expand our network from the present 63 active retailers to about 120 over the long term," Wittemann explained. "We will not only be focusing on achieving a good level of representation in urban centers such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, but we will also be reviewing possible locations in other regions of the country. This year will add another 17 retailers in total to our network."

The recently opened Volkswagen retail training centre in Moscow plays an important role in the company's sales initiative. The "Group Academy", the biggest training centre in the Russian automotive industry, provides training for employees from all the Group brands active on the Russian market: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Audi and Skoda. The premises (3,000 square meters in size) accommodate 24 different training classes headed by 21 trainers. 2,500 days of training, or 160 people per day, have been scheduled for this year. The curriculum includes instruction in subject areas such as technology and vehicle repair, new models, communications and management. The centre will provide training for the entire dealer workforce: managers, sales and service staff, sales managers, customer service assistants, mechanics, spare parts specialists and service office assistants. The main focus of the training, around 60 percent, is on practical exercises. "This top training for dealers means customers will receive not only top-quality automobiles, but excellent sales and service assistance as well," Wittemann commented.

Images : 2008 Volkswagen Tiguan







[Source : Volkswagen]

Production resumes at Longbridge

Full-scale car production has restarted at the former MG Rover plant in Longbridge

MG TF LE 500

Shanghai Automotive (SAIC) said it had sold 70% of the orders for its new model, the MG TF LE500.

The company has 55 dealers across the UK and believes the first cars will be with customers by next month.



MG Rover collapsed in 2005 with the loss of about 6,000 jobs. It was bought by Nanjing Automobile Corporation for £53m but they were taken over by SAIC.

There are currently about 165 workers at Longbridge but the figure is likely to rise, according to the company.

'Looking forward'

SAIC said it hoped to produce 700 of its sports cars by the end of the year. The model will cost nearly £16,500.

Eleanor De La Haye, of MG UK, said: "We are delighted to have reached this important point and are looking forward to seeing the cars in showrooms shortly."

Birmingham City Council leader Mike Whitby said: "This is truly an historic day for our city and our region and it points towards a much brighter future.

"Combined with Tata's recent collaboration with Jaguar and Land Rover this is bringing the rebirth of our automotive industry one step closer to reality."

Longbridge was opened in 1905 by motoring legend Herbert Austin.

As well as producing cars, it was used as a munitions factory during both world wars and began production of the iconic Mini in 1959.

It also produced the popular Metro and Rover 200 models before the Rover company was bought by BMW in 1994.

BMW subsequently sold the firm to the Phoenix Consortium, under whom it went into administration in 2005.

[Source : BBC]

All New FORD KA : Fresh, Funky and Fun

The all new Ford KA

The all-new Ford Ka brings new levels of style and enjoyment to affordable city cars.

• Paris Show debut for all-new Ford Ka
  
• Bold, fashionable and stylish design
  
• Full of youthful and cheeky Ka spirit
  
• Exciting successor to the iconic original
  

Brentwood, August 1, 2008 -- The exciting new Ka, Ford's fresh, fun and funky small car, will take centre-stage at the 2008 Paris Motor Show in October.



Twelve years after the original Ka was launched to great acclaim, its successor captures the same youthful and cheeky spirit. The new model retains all of the qualities which made the Ka so popular -- its compact size, great looks, lively dynamics and fun personality -- but presents them in a fresh new package.

Stylish Inside and Out
Ford designers have given the new Ka a fashionable, modern appearance based around the company's 'kinetic design' form language. A number of visual cues provide a connection to the original Ka, but with its distinctive face and chunky proportions the new model has its own unique character.

The interior of the new Ka also has a stylish, dynamic design, combining bold contrasts and expressive colours which reflect the more adventurous tastes of the typical Ka buyer.

Rebirth of a Design Icon
The new model is destined to continue the considerable success of the original Ford Ka, which is widely considered to be an automotive design icon. Launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1996, the Ka was immediately praised for its exciting "New Edge" styling and class-leading driving dynamics.

Throughout its 12-year life the Ka has remained tremendously popular among small-car buyers, inspiring fierce loyalty from its owners. In total, Ka production has exceeded 1.4 million vehicles.

"We are very excited about the launch of the new Ka", said Roelant de Waard, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford of Britain. "The original has been a huge hit in the UK with a sales record of over 480,000 -- 80 per cent of which have been to retail customers, and many of those first-time buyers. I'm confident that the latest design will prove just as big a hit", he added.

Further information on the new Ford Ka range will be released in time for the Paris Motor Show in early October 2008.

Images : All New Ford KA




[Source : FORD]

Datsun Returns !!! : XLink Concept

Datsun Xlink Concept

The Datsun name is most famous for the sports cars referred to as the Fairlady roadsters and later the Fairlady (240Z) coupes. The Datsun brand was discontinued in March 1986. The decision was made to stop using the brand name Datsun worldwide, in order to strengthen the company name Nissan.

The Datsun XLink is the final thesis project of Benjamin Nawka, a German car design student at Pforzheim University.


The concept was developed at the Yulon Nissan Design Center in Taiwan under the supervision of Koju Huang, Toshiyuki Shimazaki and Yusuke Kojima, and in cooperation with Taiwan based modeling company San Yuan.

The goal was to interpret a possible re-introduction of the Datsun brand, with the first C-segment four-door coupé which "combines a unique and fresh design language as well as a number of features and marketing ideas."

The car fits four passangers, has a 380 liter trunk and is powered by a Two-Mode Diesel Hybrid.

The design is inspired by aircraft (winglets) and architecture, therefore the generous usage of plexi-glass.

The winglets distinguish this car from any other and are loaded with functions: DRL lights, LEDs for mood lighting, integration of dead angle and rear mirror cameras; and "it makes this car after-market-parts ready from the very beginning."

Another feature of the car is the XLINK Experience communication system, that allows different XLINKers to connect with each other in order to share a vehicle or a ride. It also offers a "coincidence mode" navigation system that suggests random destinations to entertain you, if demanded.

Since this car is supposed to be sold globally, it features a height adjustable chassis that makes it possible to use bad roads and paths. "It's not an SUV, but it can drive on pretty bad roads." Targeted competitors are brands such as Scion, Mini and Alfa Romeo.

image : Datsun XLink Concept






[Source : Car Body Design via NIHON Car ; Images courtesy of Benjamin Nawka]