www.autofocusasia.com News

Toyota Plant Grand Opening Will Create 1,200 New Auto Jobs

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:53:04 GMT

About 1200 people will receive new auto sector jobs thanks to a new Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada assembly plant that officially opened today.

"In a time of global economic instability, it is crucial that the federal government provide stable management of the economy," said the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, who was joined by Katsuaki Watanabe, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, and the Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario. "While there is no question that the auto sector will continue to face serious challenges in the near future, by working together, we can ensure that this industry will continue to prosper and guarantee long-term jobs for Canadians."

The new Woodstock facility will produce Toyota's compact SUV, the RAV4. It will initially have an annual capacity of producing 75 000 units per shift.

The long-term benefits of the new Woodstock assembly plant will be significant. The plant has created 1200 new jobs and increased Toyota's assembly capacity in Canada from 300 000 units to 375 000 units, making the combination of plants in Cambridge and Woodstock the second-largest operation among Toyota's wholly owned North American facilities.

In addition to the direct benefits of this investment, the new plant offers significant opportunities for local parts sourcing, investment and employment through Toyota's suppliers in Canada, as well as substantial spinoff benefits in the local community.

"Our government will always invest the taxpayers' dollars wisely in order to protect and create secure, well-paying Canadian jobs," concluded Minister Clement. "We will do what it takes to ensure that the workers and communities that depend on our auto sector will always be able to compete and succeed."

Fisker unveils production version of Karma electric sedan

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:53:04 GMT

Designers are known to carp about their ideas being blunted when cars go from concept to reality. For Fisker Automotive's first production car, the plug-in hybrid Karma, that wasn't a problem.

With a design guy in charge of the company--former Aston Martin and BMW guru Henrik Fisker--the production car is nearly identical to the eye-catching concept unveiled at the Detroit auto show in 2008. The company has released shots of the final work and the only significant changes are to the upper grille, which is slightly larger at the corners, a bigger lower air intake and an aerodynamic diffuser that adds a cooling cover for the electric powertrain.

Aside from that, all of the other traffic-stopping curb-appeal elements are present. The exotic bixenon headlight modules with LEDs are in front, complemented by LEDs in the rear. The sleek, low-lying body is made of aluminum and composite panels. With a wide track and long wheelbase, the car gives off an exotic European vibe.

On top of the striking design, there's a glass solar panel in the roof.

Power comes from a technology called Q-Drive, and the Karma is expected to have a range of 50 miles on electricity. The car also employs a turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec engine from General Motors rated at 260 hp that will kick, in turn, a generator to supply energy after the battery range is exceeded. Fisker expects a top speed of 125 mph and a 0-to-60-mph time of 5.8 seconds.

The Karma will have a base price of $87,900, and we'll see the production car at the Detroit show in January.

New BYD Hybrid Gets Jump in Electric Car Wars in China

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:53:04 GMT

After five years of toiling in the alternative energy trenches, Biyadi (BYD) is set to introduce its new model, the F3DM plug-in hybrid car. With this launch, BYD will reach the hybrid market, will indeed originate it, two to three years earlier in China than the overseas auto giants. For the first time, a Chinese automaker is leading in auto technology and China’s electric car market may become the new battlefield of global car producers.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently added the F3DM into its new car catalog, and will allow its sale in 14 cities in China. BYD announced it will hit the market on December 15.

Wang Jianjun, assistant to general manager of BYD, said the price had not been finally decided upon, but the rumored 15,000 yuan was certainly too low. But, Wang said, the F3DM is very advanced in technology and will be highly competitive with any rivals in costs, since the company has stuck to a vertically integrated production chain.

He said the company hopes the central government will support the new car model through taxation, usage, and in other ways, just as European countries and the US have done with some of their own models. Wang said that every battery costs about 50,000 yuan before mass production, but that the price will drop to about 30,000 yuan when the production volume reaches 100,000.

Despite its leading position and the hope of favorable government policies, for BYD, there’s still a long way to go. Price and consumer demand are the biggest obstacles for acceptance of the F3DM.

In the traditional auto area, BYD can always follow the leading companies in their market approach, but as the new leader in the new Chinese electric car market, BYD will need to define and explore the market on its own.

BYD has followed leading companies after entering the auto industry with its and its successful F3 and F0 series in the small and medium car area with high quality and low price. In the medium and high class auto market, which is not price sensitive, its F6 series has faced greater obstacles.

BMW's expansion of Spartanburg plant is on track

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:53:04 GMT

BMW is forging ahead with a $750 million expansion of its U.S. factory even as it makes deeper cuts to worldwide production.

The expansion of the Spartanburg, S.C., factory is "proceeding on time and on budget for a production start in 2010," says Robert Hitt, a BMW Manufacturing Co. spokesman.

The expansion aims to boost annual capacity in Spartanburg to 240,000 vehicles from 160,000 by 2012 and add 500 jobs to the factory's 5,400-member permanent work force.

The X3 crossover, now built at contract assembler Magna Steyr's factory in Graz, Austria, will move to Spartanburg beginning with the next generation, likely in 2010.

Next month, Spartanburg will trim its temporary work force by as many as 733 workers, according to contingency staff supplier MAU Inc. Neither BMW nor MAU would say how many temporary workers Spartanburg employs.

Hitt blamed two factors for the temp-staff cuts. First, the plant built the last Z4 coupe and roadster on Aug. 28. The next-generation Z4 will be produced at BMW's factory in Regensburg, Germany. Second is what Hitt described as the "uncertain global economy."

Last month, BMW CEO Norbert Reit-hofer said the automaker would need to trim its global 2008 production by at least 40,000 additional units as a result of falling sales, on top of a 25,000-unit cut announced previously.

Meanwhile, the BMW factory is sending more of its vehicles overseas.

A year ago, Spartanburg was exporting about 60 percent of its output. Today, Hitt said, it exports about 70 percent.

New Super Light-Weight Anchor Signals $645 HANS Device

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:53:04 GMT

HANS Performance Products announced today that the Sport Series HANS Device with their new light-weight LW2 helmet anchor will retail for $645. The new LW2 anchor system permanently connects a user's helmet to their HANS Device.

CEO Mark Stiles said, "We expect the LW2 will be very popular with IRL drivers and other racers in open-cockpit cars." He continued, "It allows us to offer more affordable HANS Devices across the range."

LW2 exploits the Vision Advantage PLUS(TM) sliding tether system. The combination gives HANS Device users the industry's greatest range of vision. The LW2 is designed to meet FIA 8858 strength demands and SFI performance requirements.

The HANS Device is worn by more than 65,000 racers worldwide and continues to be the #1 choice for performance, #1 for vision and #1 for winners.

Maruti Suzuki launches A-Star car in Nagpur

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:53:04 GMT

Car market leader Maruti Suzuki has launched world strategic model A-Star in the Orange City. Powered by new state-of-the-art, light weight 998 cc the petrol engine car is fuel efficient with a mileage of 19.59 kmpl as tested by a Pune-based automotive research agency.

A-Star is a truly green car with no compromise and the newest model meets the Europeans ELV norms which implies that 85 percent of car is recyclable.

It is free from hazardous materials like lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium, a release from Maruti area manager Rohit Goel said.

A-Star is new generation three-cylinder, light weight aluminium engine which is a major initiative towards latest technology for its customers.

It is suitable for all Indian conditions included congested areas and potholed roads, the release added.

General Motors Initiates Chevrolet Traverse Production in Tennessee

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:53:04 GMT

General Motors Corporation initiated full-scale production of the new Chevrolet Traverse at its overhauled former Saturn plant on the outskirts of Nashville. The SUV offers interior space or utility of a Chevrolet Tahoe with better fuel economy and a much tighter exterior package. The car is targeted at drivers of large SUVs and trucks seeking better fuel economy.

Commenting on the development, Troy A. Clarke, president of GM North America said, “the Traverse is poised to take advantage of a downsizing trend among consumers. Drivers tend to want to move down to smaller vehicles in increments, so most are not likely to want to skip from a larger SUV to a small car.”

Mercedes-Benz Introduced the new S 600 Pullman Guard, the innovative S 400 BlueHYBRID at the 2008 Paris Motor Show

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:53:04 GMT

The new S 400 BlueHYBRID – CO2 champion in the luxury segment
Mercedes Benz introduced the new S 400 BlueHYBRID at the Paris Auto Show. Installed with a hybrid drive system the car is set to be launched in summer 2009. The car is designed to be the world's most economical luxury saloon and features a modified V6 petrol engine and a compact hybrid module. The NEDC combined fuel consumption in this hybrid car is 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres. This makes for the world's lowest CO2 emissions in this vehicle and performance class - just 190 grams per kilometre. The 3.5-litre petrol engine develops an output of 205 kW/279 hp, the electric motor generates 15 kW/20 hp and a starting torque of 160 Nm. The result is a combined output of 220 kW/299 hp and a combined maximum torque of 385 newton metres.

S 600 Pullman Guard state limousine with highest protection level B6/B7
Mercedes Benz introduced the new S 600 Pullman Guard, extending the line of large, armoured, prestige limousines offered by the company at the Paris auto show. The car is especially designed to offer protection to its passengers from external attacks, and offers a resistance level of B6/B7, as tested and certified by state-approved organisations. The new S 600 Pullman Guard is luxuriously spacious and outstandingly comfortable. It is powered by a twelve-cylinder biturbo engine with a displacement of 5.5 litres and an output of 380 kW/517 hp with an impressive 830 Nm of torque. Its suspension and basic vehicle structure have been modified to cope with the greater weight.

Renault Launches Renault Kangoo Be Bop

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:53:04 GMT

Renault released the new Renault Kangoo Be Bop, which is based on the Kangoo compact concept show car unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car features compact size (length: 3.87 metres), original two-tone colour scheme and exclusive interior appointments. Its extensive glazed area and four roomy seats afford a sense of space and light. Glazed sliding roof and rear tailgate window which slides out of sight offer an exciting open top motoring experience.

In spite of compact exterior dimensions, the car has a generous interior. A lot of emphasis has been given on space and lighting while designing the car. The car includes cruise control with speed limiter, automatic headlamp and wiper activation and a rear parking proximity sensor.

This car is targeted at customers who wish to move away from established automobile cues and who are looking for a vehicle that expresses optimism and joie de vivre without being showy.

Mercedes-Benz Introduces the SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:53:04 GMT

Mercedes Benz introduced the new open top SLRMcLaren Roadster 722 S that offers an output of 478 kW/650 hp, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 335 km/h.

The car is made of carbon fiber and has a fully recessible soft top suitable for high speed driving. It offers a very high level of safety and produces extremely high torsional strength. In addition to a higher engine output, the new SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S has an even more dynamic suspension setup and further aerodynamic improvements. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S continues the legend of the successful 1950s SLR racing sports cars, with innovative technology adopted from the world of motorsport.

Engine hand-built by AMG
The powerful heart of the SLR Roadster 722 S is a supercharged 5.5-litre V8 engine which is hand-built in the Mercedes-AMG engine shop in Affalterbach. The special strengths of this high-performance engine include extraordinary responsiveness to movements of the accelerator, a high torque and an unmistakable V8 sound. Moreover, with an output of 478 kW/650 hp and 820 Nm of torque, power is on tap almost to excess (SLR McLaren Roadster: 460 kW/626 hp, 780 Nm). Accordingly the new model variant meets the wishes of the most discerning customers for even more sportiness combined with excellent day-to-day practicality.

The five-speed automatic transmission developed by Mercedes-Benz is designed for high performance. It is specially configured for a very high torque, and allows the driver to choose between two sets of shift characteristics. As a result the roadster achieves performance figures that are even outstanding for the high-end sports car segment: the SLR Roadster 722 S absolves a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in a breathtaking 3.7 seconds, and 200 km/h is reached in 10.6 seconds. The maximum speed is 335 km/h, which is unrivalled by any other series-production roadster.

Even more dynamic suspension setup
The spring and shock absorber configurations of the suspension are stiffer, and the body has been lowered by 10 millimetres at the front and rear. This ensures the greater handling stability of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S, with a significant improvement in handling dynamics. The lightweight, 19-inch forged aluminium wheels allow a view of the red-painted brake callipers on the highly-resistant carbon-fibre/ceramic brake discs, which make for impressive deceleration figures.

Sophisticated aerodynamics and a fabric soft top suited to high-speed driving
The outstanding qualities of the 722 S are complemented by the fully recessible fabric soft top, which blends harmoniously into the flowing lines of the roadster. The weave structure of this high-tech roof material reflects the carbon-fibre look, guarantees full day-to-day suitability in any weather conditions and allows the vehicle a top speed of 335 km/h – a unusual figure for a roadster. Thanks to favourable aeroacoustics, conversation during open-air journeys is still possible at well over 200 km/h.

The soft top opens and closes semi-automatically in around ten seconds, combining comfort expectations with the purist nature of the roadster. For opening, the roof needs to be unlatched at the windscreen frame and lifted slightly, after which it folds down electrically. The front section of the soft top features an integral aluminium cap, which effectively prevents "ballooning" at high speeds.

The handling and aerodynamics of this high-end roadster were optimised for high speeds in the wind tunnel. The aerodynamic concept follows that of the SLR Coupé, with an airbrake integrated into the boot lid, an enclosed underbody and a diffusor in the rear bumper to ensure the greatest possible downforce on the rear axle. The so-called airsplitter at the front end augments this downforce, while small wheel spoilers reduce turbulence at the rear axle. The result is precise handling and steering at high speeds.

Outstanding performance and safety thanks to carbon fibre technology
In technical terms the 722 S benefits from the long experience of Mercedes-Benz and its Formula-1 partner McLaren. With the exception of two aluminium frames, the body is completely of carbon-fibre materials (CFRP). This makes it highly exceptional among high-performance sports cars. Especially for the roadster, the sophisticated carbon-fibre technology was developed further for the monocoque. The result is low weight, exemplary energy absorption and therefore a high level of occupant safety, plus a torsional rigidity that is unprecedented for an open-top car. It allows outstanding handling characteristics that are otherwise only found in closed super-sports cars.

A high level of safety is provided by unique carbon-fibre crash structures, steel-reinforced A-pillars and two fixed rollover bars. Other safety features include adaptive airbags, knee and sidebags, belt tensioners and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

A thoroughly sporty appearance
The roadster has a crystal antimony grey paint finish, which highlights the sculptured look of this high-performance car particularly effectively. The carbon-fibre technology is visually complemented by the black, grid-like air vents on the bonnet and the front and rear light modules with palladium grey surrounds.

In the interior, outstanding lateral support is guaranteed by sports bucket seats upholstered in a combination of semi-aniline leather/Alcantara. Striking visual highlights are provided by the contrasting seams in 300 SL red, the embossed 722 S lettering on the head restraints and the likewise red seat belts. Frequently used controls such as the shift and parking brake levers are lined in particularly high-grip and moisture-absorbing suede leather. In the interior too, the generous use of carbon-fibre underlines the high-performance philosophy and adds a particularly puristic touch.