Car Chute

Spyker is all set to unveil a new model of the 92 Classic model of Saab. Spyker is said to be in talks with unnamed automakers for the technology behind the new small-sized vehicle.

Saab is all set to sell the new 9-5 model by the end of this month and are aiming to sell between 50,000 to 55,000 cars. For 2011 the company targets to roll out 100,000 cars, including 40,000 9-5s and 10,000 9-4X models.

This 9-4X is a mid-sized crossover that will be manufactured beginning from April next year. Saab is also close to signing a dealership agreement with a Chinese company and rumor has it that its BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company).

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Jaguar Land Rover will start assembling cars in China. At least two models will be made in China where it will reportedly take up to two years to set up. This is of course until they can find a suitable partner.

The move should not be seen as a move to shift out of the UK. The new assemblies in China stands to be good news as it will bring in more jobs, about 1,000 additional workers this year. However, these jobs will only be temporary and are linked to the expected production of a smaller Range Rover model due to be released next year.

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If you had a classic British car around you know how hard it is find any replacement parts in the US as it usually it means importing the expensive parts from the UK. However, two British car enthusiasts from Michigan, Brian Thornton and Keith Leigh-Monstevens, have made it easier for you as they have established Heritage Spares, a distributor for North America of AP Braking (used to be known as AP Lockheed) breaks and clutch replacement parts.

“By reintroducing genuine AP brake and clutch replacement parts to the U.S. and Canada, we are providing the British car enthusiast with the optimal maintenance or restoration solution – the ability to fit factory specified, original equipment replacement parts to their cars,” said Brian Thornton, president and vice president of sales and marketing for Heritage Spares.

The following parts are available:

Heritage Spares customers will have access to: front and rear brake drums; calipers; remote and direct acting servos; single and tandem master cylinders; brake valves; repair kits; brake hoses; wheel cylinders; clutch master cylinders; clutch slave cylinders; clutch hoses; and clutch dampers. The parts will be applicable to models spanning the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s for several of England’s classic brands, including: Austin; Austin-Healey; BMC; Jaguar; Land Rover; Mini; MG; Morgan; Morris; Riley; and Triumph.

If you have any doubts to their credibility as British car experts from North America, then it would be wise to know that Leigh-Monstevens spent 40 years in AP companies, including AP Braking as its chief engineer. Know that you are dealing with people who live and breath British cars.

Press Release

Do you remember last time that there was a contest on how car designers view cars in the year 2030? Well it got a lot of entries but naturally there can be only one winner. And the one who won it is the Nissan V2G.

The Nissan V2G (Vehicle to Grid), was chosen for its holistic approach in answering the future’s design questions. With the consensus that the future will be much more integrated, the V2G offered a great vehicle design that took environmental aspects into consideration.
“The scope of this year’s concepts and designs – from the initial sketches to the final presentations – were very impressive,” said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy, Inc. “In the end, it came down to which team had the most inventive and solution-oriented design. Nissan’s designers showed passion and were able to create the ultimate Youthmobile for 2030 with their V2G design.”

Well, there’s no note on whether the cars who joined this contest would be running on gas or not, but I guess they focused more on the design. It would be great if they can also figure in the “green” aspects of a car.

Entries were judged by multi-discipline design professionals who selected the winner based on its originality of creative concept, integration of futuristic design elements and level of adaptation to the needs of the youth consumer in 2030. All of the Youthmobile 2030 entries delivered a great variety of answers to the question posed by this year’s Design Challenge. However, the Nissan’s V2G design was most distinguished with its combination of story and design.

Well, here’s hoping that they include the green aspect next year.

Press Release

After a landmark government bailout, General Motors has emerged from bankruptcy on a mission to win back American car buyers. In an effort to change their corporate culture and re-focus on customers and cars, the revamped automaker is asking consumers to “Tell Fritz.”

The new campaign allows people to go online and send their comments to company executives, express their views and give input on the direction of the new GM. In addition, executives, including CEO Fritz Henderson, recently invited consumers to meet them and drive all of the latest models at the company’s Michigan Proving Grounds.

And the new commitment to customers may be paying off. The company recently announced they would be building 60,000 more vehicles this year than originally planned, and have recalled over a thousand previously laid off workers to help build them.

Press

Nissan North America has announced the pricing for the new 2010 Sentra which is currently at local Nissan dealer showrooms. Armed with a number of enhancements, the retail price for the 2010 Nissan Sentra models are as follows:

• 2.0 CVT : $16,600
• 2.0 S CVT: $17,160
• 2.0 SR: $17,160
• 2.0 SL: $18,560
• SE-R: $19,580
• SE-R Spec V: $20,080

Among the new features of the 2010 Nissan Sentra includes:

(Source) Press

Jaguar and Land Rover were each recognized today for their leading ownership experience in Strategic Vision Inc.’s (SVI) Total Quality Index(TM) (TQI). This recognition for both brands demonstrates Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to producing vehicles that buyers judge high in perceived quality and emotional delight.

The Total Quality Index(TM) is a complete measure of the total ownership experience. Buyers are asked to rate all aspects of their buying, owning and driving experience. This accounts for a wide variety of aspects, including customers’ commitment to, advocacy and vehicle loyalty.

The Jaguar and Land Rover brands rated first and second place, respectively, for the $30,000+ category, with Jaguar also being recognized as the most-improved brand among all competitors. Range Rover scored a first place finish in the Luxury Utility segment and notably, many other models across both brands scored very well in their segments.

“For Jaguar and Land Rover to rank as leaders in Total Quality is validation that we offer an exemplary entire ownership experience, from the vehicles’ quality and performance, to the buying and ownership experience,” says Gary Temple, President, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. “This recognition highlights the enormous passion and pride our employees, dealers and customers have for Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.”

Press