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Oct 25, 2012

CARMAKERS NEWS * WORLDWIDE

* Michigan / USA - Firms work to cut car weight. Manufacturing process is key, analysts say

Detroit,MICH,USA -The Detroit News, by Karl Henkel -October 25, 2012: -- As automakers prepare to meet strict fuel-efficiency standards, some have already ditched ashtrays, CD players and spare tires to reduce weight... But the body, which makes up most of a typical car's weight, will be the area where automakers will have to shed the most poundage if they want to meet upcoming Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards... Some automakers have turned to materials like aluminum, which is considerably lighter but more expensive than steel. Thirty percent of the industry's automobile hoods are now made of aluminum... But most buyers won't notice how automakers are trimming pounds by changing the processes in which parts are made...  Ford Motor Co., for instance, is the first automaker to use an advanced form of stamping known as hydroforming on the steel structural pillars of its new 2013 Fusion. The process sheds 18 pounds from each car... Analysts say manufacturing processes will play an important role in weight reduction in coming years, but few automakers have changed those processes so far...
* Michigan / USA - Chevy shows off a preview of what's to come at SEMA 

Detroit,MICH,USA -Gizmag, by Dave LeClair -October 22, 2012: -- Chevy has already shown off most of its SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) lineup, although it did leave a couple of surprises for the show, which kicks off on October 30th in Las Vegas... Chevy's SEMA lineup is showing a major focus towards smaller cars... The automaker will present a car known as the Spark Z-Spec concept, which follows the small tuner style...
Chevy has also announced the Cruze Upscale, which is a higher-end version of the Cruze and comes with a tan leather interior and some extra style appointments...  
One of Chevy's biggest potential show-stealers for SEMA this year is the Malibu Turbo Performance Concept. It features a 2.0L turbocharged engine that pushes 20 pounds of boost and 259 horsepower. Chevy is claiming that it can hit 0 to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) in 6.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph (249.5 km/h)...
Chevy looks to have a strong showing for SEMA this year...
* Michigan / USA - Subcompact Sonic Dusk takes cue from larger cars

(Photo from GM: The Chevrolet Sonic Dusk, which will be on display next week in Las Vegas, will soon start production and be available in 2014) 
Detroit,GM,USA -The Detroit News, by Melissa Burden -October 25, 2012: -- General Motors Co. said Thursday it is adding a Chevrolet Sonic Dusk production vehicle to its lineup in 2014, giving buyers a choice for a more sophisticated vehicle in a small size... The subcompact features an ashen gray exterior, black leather-trimmed seats with suede accents, a rear spoiler and pearl nickel finished 18-inch aluminum wheels. The grilles, door handles, rings of the headlamps and fog lamps and rear license plate trim also have a matte appearance...

 * Germany - VW to build new SUV in U.S. 
Wolfsburg,Germany -The Detroit News (USA), by Christine Tierney -25 Oct 2012: -- Volkswagen AG is stepping up investments in the United States as demand for its vehicles is flagging in the European market... VW Chief Executive, Martin Winterkorn, said the company expects to build an all-new SUV in the U.S. designed for American customers after the success of the new Passat sedan. A final decision is expected next year... Strong demand for the Passat, also designed for Americans, has transformed the U.S. into a growth hub for VW, which faces rough conditions in Europe...
 
* Japan - Four-wheeled Carnivàle: Nissan reveals EXTREM concept in Brazil

(Photo: The EXTREM blends rugged utility with distinct looks) 
Nishi-ku,Yokohama-shi,Kanagawa,Japan -Gizmag, by C.C. Weiss -October 23, 2012: -- A few days ago, Nissan teased not just a new car, but a new genre of cars. That car is the EXREM, and the genre is something that Nissan calls an urban compact sports car. Nissan designed the new concept car specifically for the Brazilian market and introduced it at the São Paulo Motor Show... While the car itself may not manifest into a production model, Nissan suggests the styling cues may show up in future products, both in and beyond the Brazilian market...


* Germany - Volkswagen unveils Taigun compact SUV concept in Brazil

(Photo: The Volkswagen Taigun compact SUV concept is likely to go into production if the public responds favorably to the design)
Wofsburg,Germany -Gizmag, by Darren Quick -October 22, 2012: -- Volkswagen has taken the wraps off its latest concept vehicle at the São Paulo International Motor Show in Brazil. Built around the Volkswagen Group’s New Small Family (NSF) platform used on the Volkswagen up!, the Taigun is a compact SUV concept vehicle styled after its bigger brothers, the Tiguan and Touareg. VW plans to gauge public reaction to the Taigun before making a decision on whether to put the vehicle into production...


* Italy - Said to weigh tax rebates on exports in bid to help Fiat 
Rome,Italy -Bloomberg News/The Detroit News, by Chiara Vasarri and Tommaso Ebhardt -October 24, 2012: -- Italy's government is considering tax rebates for export goods to help Fiat SpA with its strategy of building cars in the country to sell in North America, three people familiar with the matter said... The measure has been discussed in government-sponsored talks on productivity between labor unions and employers lobbying groups, said the people, who asked not to be identified because decisions are not yet final. Rebates would be aimed at boosting productivity in the country and would be applied to all export goods, not just automobiles, according to the people...


* Germany - Porsche introduces Panamera Platinum Edition sport sedan

(Photo: Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition exterior in mahogany metallic) 
Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen,Germany -Gizmag, by Dave LeClair -October 23, 2012: -- Porsche's Panamera sport sedan is already loaded with premium features. Never one to sit back and be content with what it has, however, Porsche has just announced a new trim package for the Panamera called the Platinum Edition. The new trim will be available on both rear- and all-wheel drive versions of the sedan...  The premium Platinum Edition features include Bi-Xenon headlights, with Porsche's dynamic light system. Also included are 19-inch wheels with a Porsche emblem plastered in the middle. Parking assist comes standard along with a 300-hp V6 engine. That engine is the only option available with the new trim, so you won't be grabbing the 500-hp engine of the Turbo S...


* South Korea - Hyundai goes snowboarding with the Veloster Alpine concept

(Photo: The Veloster Alpine will be on display at the SEMA Show)
Seoul,S:K. -Gizmag, by C.C. Weiss -October 23, 2012: -- A joint project with Korean aftermarket performance parts manufacturer ARK Performance and several other partners, the Veloster Alpine proves that Hyundai has more than one SEMA vision...  The car looks like a highway iceberg thanks to its glossy pearl white and blue paint job. ARK caresses 232 horses out of the 1.6-liter engine with its own performance exhaust system and oil cooler, along with outside upgrades like BTRcc engine bay parts and tuning and a K and N intake system...  This ode to the extreme winter sports lifestyle gets upgrades under the hood and around the interior and exterior...


* Japan - Stunning Lexus LF-LC Blue sports car concept

(Photo: The Lexus LF-LC Blue concept vehicle in front of the Sydney Opera House) 
Nagoya, Japan -Gizmag, by Vincent Rice -October 24, 2012: --  One of the stars of the Australian International Motor Show this week is this piece of automotive sculpture called the Lexus LF-LC Blue...   While Lexus shouldn’t have any trouble selling the 500 that they expect to make, the Lexus LFA supercar wasn’t exactly a surprise when it arrived in 2010 as there had been concept vehicle and prototypes going back ten years. What was surprising was just how good it was/is and how much it costs; US$400,000 with extras...

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