Nissan to build new, $2.0 billion manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes, Mexico, grow capacity in The Americas

Nissan Plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico

• Phase I to enable 175,000 units of small car production capacity in the Americas
• 3,000 direct and up to 9,000 indirect positions will be created in the community

MEXICO CITY : January 25, 2012 - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced plans to invest up to $2.0 billion USD for an all-new manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to support the company’s Americas growth strategy. The facility, which will complement Nissan’s two existing Mexican factories, is scheduled to begin operations in late 2013. During the initial phase of its development, the new complex will support production of up to 175,000 units annually of Nissan’s ‘B’ platform products. Further expansion of the site will be considered in phases as product and capacity needs are formalized.

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The new ABT AS4 is sporty, assertive and chic!

2012 ABT AS4

Congratulations! With the launch of its very latest version, the Audi A4 turns 40! This means a full four decades of success, first for the Audi 80, then for the A4 – and ABT has been part of this success from the very beginning. “The A4 is an important car for us, too. It always re-defines the premium standard for medium-sized cars,” says Hans-Jürgen Abt. The renowned Bavarian tuning company’s CEO is proud to be able to present the newABT AS4 on the occasion of the series model’s fortieth anniversary: “Our AS4 is definitely state-of-the-art. It combines sportiness and assertiveness,” Hans-Jürgen Abt explains. The AS4 is a most dependable car in every situation. But it also means sheer pleasure!

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Prindiville design relaunches in style

The stunning new Prindiville Lamborghini Aventador

London-based bespoke coachbuilder, Prindiville, has relaunched in flamboyant style with a range of stylish visual tuning packages and performance enhancements for three of today’s most iconic cars – the Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari 458 and Range Rover Evoque.

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Toyota is back in Motorsport with TS030 HYBRID - 2012 Le Mans challenger

Toyota TS030 Hybrid

Toyota Racing today announced more details of its forthcoming FIA World Endurance Championship participation, including an intention to race two cars in specific races.

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Volvo part of successful road train test - SARTRE project enters final phase

SARTE test

GOTHENBURG : January 24, 2012 - The SARTRE project (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) - with Volvo Car Corporation as the only participating car manufacturer - has successfully completed the first test demonstrations of a multiple vehicle platoon.   

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2012 WRC : Loeb and Elena win Rallye Monte-Carlo for the sixth time

2012 WRC - Rallye Monte-Carlo winners : Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena - Citroën Total World Rally Team

• Loeb and Elena win Rallye Monte-Carlo for the sixth time
• Citroën Total World Rally Team score a 1-2 finish in the power stage for additional points
• Citroën now lead both the drivers and manufacturers championship standings 

The 80th Rallye Monte-Carlo drew to a close yesterday with victory going to Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, their sixth win in the Principality. The eight-time World Champions enjoyed a clean sweep as they also picked up the three bonus points awarded to the winner of the Power Stage. Fourth overall in the rally, Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen also collected two points for their performance on the final stage. This result means that Citroën Total World Rally Team takes the lead in the Manufacturers’ World Championship.

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Volkswagen presents the four-door version of the up!

2012 Volkswagen up! 4-door

WOLFSBURG : January 23, 2012 - All signs point to a big future for the small up!. In Germany, the two-door city specialist immediately garnered first place in its class in registration statistics. Now Volkswagen is raising the bar by presenting the four-door version of the up!. In May, the latest member of the New Small Family – Volkswagen’s internal name for the model series – will arrive at dealers; advanced sales begin on the 6th of March (both dates for Germany). The four-door car will have launched on the entire European market by early summer.

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100,000th latest generation Cayenne rolls off production line

100,000th latest generation Cayenne rolls off production line at Leipzig plant

STUTTGART/LEIPZIG : January 23, 2012 - The 100,000th second generation Cayenne was assembled in Leipzig on January 20, 2012. At the same time, this production anniversary is the curtain raiser for an eventful anniversary year at Porsche’s Saxony site. “Ten years ago the success story of Porsche Leipzig startet. What was a greenfield site, today ranks among the most modern car plants in the world. 

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BRABUS offers tuning program for the new Mercedes M-Class

2012 BRABUS M-Class

Exclusive, individual and ecofriendly strong in compliance with EURO VI emission standards: these three attributes best describe the latest BRABUS tuning program for the new Mercedes W 166-series M-Class. From a visual standpoint the SUV receives an upgrade with a sporty yet elegant aerodynamic-enhancement program and custom-tailored BRABUS Monoblock wheels with diameters of up to 22 inches. The program also includes engine tuning for the ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC that is as powerful as it is ecofriendly. Further on offer are stainless-steel sport exhaust systems for all models and striking interior designs including an all-leather interior in any desired color. 

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Chevrolet achieves best-ever global sales in 2011

DETROIT : January 20, 2012 – Chevrolet sold 4.76 million vehicles around the world in 2011, setting a global sales record and driving General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) global sales to more than 9 million vehicles, a 7.6 percent gain compared with 2010.

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