MuncangCars News Update
Mercedes C 63 AMG Coupe hits the road
Stuttgart – Mercedes has completed its model line-up of the AMG C-Class with the 457 horsepower C 63 AMG Coupe, due to hit European roads in July this year.A successor to the CLK 63 AMG, the C 63 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds with the top speed electronically regulated at 250 km/h. An additional 30 hp can be ordered with the AMG Performance Package.As it is the latest edition to the AMG family, it comes with four drive modes and a launch control or race start. The driver has the choice of using maximum acceleration with the Race Start and S+ option or the most economical C mode
Limited edition of McQueen Mustang to be rebuilt
Bourbon, USA – A limited edition of the famous Steve McQueen Ford Mustang that starred in the 1968 movie Bullitt is being reproduced by the US car restoration company Gateway Classic Mustang.”This Mustang build combines the classic body styles of the late ’60s Fords with contemporary performance technology to deliver a fantastic driving experience,” said Jason Childress, co-owner of Gateway Classic Mustang.Each car is hand-built and powered by a 450 hp engine that generates 27 per cent more power than its famous predecessor. The Mustang body is original 1967 or ’68, but comes with a Keisler five- speed manual transmission coupled to a hydraulic clutch.
Renault Samsung to cut production due to Japanese parts shortage
Seoul – Renault Samsung Motors Co said Wednesday it was to cut production by 20 per cent due a shortage of parts from earthquake- and tsunami-hit Japan.The South Korean unit of French automaker Renault SA said the cut in production would apply in April.”The output will be re-adjusted depending on the resumption of deliveries of parts,” the company said.Renault SA owns 80.1 per cent of Renault Samsung, making the South Korean unit part of the alliance between the French carmaker and Japan’s Nissan Motor Co.The magnitude-9 earthquake and resulting tsunami on March 11 and the disruption caused to industry led the company to stop overtime on March 18.Last year, the company’s factory in the South Korean port of Pusan produced 275,267 vehicles. The plant has a capacity of 300,000 units.
South-east Asia’s auto industry sees gain from Japan’s pain – Feature
Bangkok/Jakarta – South-east Asia’s integrated automotive assembly line has suffered a slight hiccup from Japan’s earthquake disaster, but the disruption may benefit the region’s auto industry in the long term, industry sources said.The March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant catastrophes temporarily knocked out a crucial link in the supply chain of mostly high-tech parts for automobiles manufactured in South-east Asia, chiefly Thailand and Indonesia.In Bangkok, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Engineering and Manufacturing Co.
New Subaru Trezia compact van replaces Justy
Geneva – After celebrating its debut at the recent Geneva Motor Show, the Subaru Trezia compact van enters the European showrooms this month as the replacement for the Justy.Customers have the choice between a 1.3-litre petrol engined version with an output of 99 hp or the diesel with 90 hp. The petrol- engined version has a consumption figure of 5.5 litres and a top speed of 170 km/h, while the diesel consumption is listed at 4.4 litres.The Trezia shares the technical platform with the Toyota Verso S. Standard features of the five-seater are seven airbags, ESP (electronic stability programme), power steering, air conditioning, heated exterior mirrors, electric front windows and central locking.The load volume is 429 litres, which can be extended to 1,388 litres when the rear seat is folded down.Prices are pegged at between 16,200 euros (22,981 dollars) for the basic version to 19,650 euros (27,847 dollars) for the top-of-the- range Trezia 1.4 D Comfort with 16-inch alloys, leather steering and softtouch dashboard surfaces
Check speedometer when buying a used car
Hamburg – Buying a used car needs a watchful eye. Reports state that almost every third car offered on the market is being sold with manipulated speedometers, especially among former company cars or taxis.In the past, manipulation was easier to detect with visible scratch marks around the frame of the speedometer.
Saab resumes production after standstill
Stockholm- Production resumed Wednesday at Swedish car maker Saab, the day after its main plant in western Sweden came to a standstill apparently over component shortages.Saab’s Dutch-based owner Spyker Cars said the standstill was due to a decision by “certain suppliers” to halt deliveries “pending discussions about payments and supply terms.”Spyker said it aimed to “resolve these issues in the short term, also to prevent any further disruptions in supply.”Transport company DB Schenker, which delivers components and other items to Saab’s Trollhattan plant, said Wednesday it had resumed certain deliveries but was concerned over outstanding payments.The production halt was a new blow to Saab, which is trying to restore confidence in the brand.Last week, chief executive Jan Ake Jonsson unexpectedly announced he was to retire after six years at the helm.A year ago Spyker – a niche producer of sports cars – took over the loss-making Swedish car maker after US automotive giant General Motors (GM) had begun to wind the company down.Automotive experts like Jonas Froberg of the daily Svenska Dagbladet, who has written extensively on Saab’s roller-coaster ride during the GM period and later, said Tuesday’s production halt suggested severe cash flow problems.Spyker said that “Saab Automobile has sufficient means to meet its immediate liquidity needs from existing and available sources.”Svenake Berglie, chief executive of the automotive industry suppliers association FKG, told Swedish radio news he had been in touch with several major suppliers to Saab who were concerned over unpaid bills.No successor has been named for Jonsson, 59, who has been at Saab for almost 40 years.Victor Muller, head of Saab’s Dutch-based owner Spyker Cars and chairman of Saab Automobile, was to temporarily assume Jonsson’s role in May while Jonsson will stay on as an advisor until September.Saab has some 3,800 employees in Sweden, mainly at Trollhattan near Gothenburg. It made 32,048 cars last year.
Nissan denies report on joint holding company with Renault – Summary
Tokyo – Japan’s Nissan Motor Co on Thursday denied a news report saying it was considering setting up a joint holding company with the French carmaker Renault SA. Nissan “has no such plan,” said Mitsuru Yonekawa, a spokesman for the carmaker.The Nikkei business daily reported earlier in the day that Nissan President Carlos Ghosn said the proposed joint holding company would put the two carmakers under a single umbrella. The news report seemed to be a misinterpretation of the daily’s interview with Ghosn, Yonekawa said.
Report: Nissan, Renault consider joint holding company
Tokyo – Japan’s Nissan Motor Co and French carmaker Renault SA are considering establishing a joint holding company, a news report said Thursday.The proposed company would put Nissan and Renault under a single umbrella, Nissan President Carlos Ghosn told the Nikkei business daily.The process could take place in two or three years, Ghosn, who is also chairman of Renault, told the daily.Ghosn said shareholders’ interests must be taken into consideration, suggesting that Nissan and Renault will remain listed.
Component deliveries to Saab halted over payment delays
Stockholm – Production at Swedish carmaker Saab was threatened with further disruption on Thursday when a supplier of components said it had halted deliveries over payment difficulties.Chief executive Marcus Nyman of IAC Group, which makes instrument panels, said problems concerning the payment of “large sums” had “escalated recently,” Swedish radio said.Production was temporarily disrupted earlier this week at Saab’s main plant in Trollhattan, western Sweden, apparently also over late payments.Saab’s Dutch-based owner Spyker Cars on Wednesday said the standstill had been due to a decision by “certain suppliers” to halt deliveries “pending discussions about payments and supply terms.”The disruptions came fresh on last week’s unexpected news that chief executive Jan Ake Jonsson is to retire after six years at the helm.A year ago Spyker – a niche producer of sports cars – took over the loss-making Swedish car maker after US automotive giant General Motors (GM) had begun to wind the company down.Saab has meanwhile applied to draw a new portion from a European Investment Bank (EIB) loan of 400 million euros (562 million dollars), guaranteed by the Swedish government, the online edition of the Goteborgs-Posten newspaper said Thursday.The Swedish National Debt Office, which analyzed Saab’s business plan prior to the government decision to guarantee the EIB loan, said it had approved the new application.The agency was also looking at an application from a group linked to Russian investor Vladimir Antonov who is interested in acquiring a stake in Saab.Antonov has previously cooperated with Victor Muller, head of Spyker Cars and chairman of Saab Automobile and who is to temporarily assume Jonsson’s role in May. Jonsson is to stay on as an advisor until September.