Quandt Family nixes BMW and Daimler 7% share swapping deal

Germany’s Der Spiegel first reported today that Daimler and BMW would acquire a 7% stake in each other, but now the same newspaper is reporting that the Quandt family, BMW’s biggest shareholder with a 46% controlling stake, has quashed the deal over fears Daimler may attempt a takeover.
Read More



Other article:
BMW to Enter Small Petrol Turbo Engine Fray
Final Current-Generation BMW Z4 Rolls off Production Line

Audi: brand can not support the small cars in the United States

Audi longs to join Mercedes-Benz and BMW in the luxury big league in the United States, but its brand isn't strong enough yet to support selling small cars such as the A1 in the U.S., says Audi's global sales and marketing boss, Peter Schwarzenbauer.

And he ruled out a separate small-car brand similar to Mercedes' Smart or BMW's Mini.

Audi is engaged in an aggressive campaign in the U.S. market to build brand awareness. Until that takes hold, Audi won't be bringing small cars such as the A1 to the United States, Schwarzenbauer told Automotive News this month at the Geneva auto show.
Read More



Other article:
Audi A1's U.S. Launch set to be Delayed
Audi A1 Metroproject Quattro Concept
Paris Motor Show:Audi A1 Four-door
Official Audi A1 Sketches Revealed!
Audi A1 Cabriolet is out in the open

Opel may come to America

GM's decision to drop its Saturn brand after 2011 puts the automaker's U.S. divisions in line to get a version of the cutting-edge Opel Insignia, the European-designed model that was to replace the current Saturn Aura.

Automotive News reports a person familiar with GM's product plans says the Insignia will hit Buick dealerships as a replacement for the discontinued Regal sedan.
more detail. ...




Other article:
Opel Insignia wins European 'Car of the Year'
2010 Vauxhall/Opel Astra Teasers Released
Undisguised Opel Insignia Hatchback Spied
Opel Insignia Leaked
2008 Opel Insignia Teaser Revealed
Vauxhall Insignia Best Interior Spy Shots
Opel Insignia to Debut at British Motor Show
Opel Insignia
Video: All New Opel Insignia Revealed

Fiat 500, Alfa Romeo 940 Reportedly Heading Stateside

The proposed alliance between the two carmakers will give Chrysler access to Fiat's platforms and 1.4- and 1.8-liter gasoline engines while Fiat gains access to Chrysler's production facilities, platforms, and dealer network. The report also goes on to state that Fiat is seriously considering Chrysler's LX platform, which is used on the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, as a possible basis for the Alfa Romeo 169.


Although it was previously believed that Fiat's return to the US market would wait until the company setup production at Chrysler plants in North America, the latest report seems to suggest that initial Fiat and Alfa Romeo models will be built in Europe and then shipped to the United States. If such a move were to take place it would mean Fiat products could be sold in the US as early as next year, a full 12-18 months faster then waiting for North American production. Unlike today's Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione which is sold through select Maserati dealerships, future Fiat and Alfa Romeo models would be sold at select Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealers.


As we have previously reported, the proposed alliance between Chrysler and Fiat will see several of the latter company's products reaching US shores in the coming years. According to Automotive News, some of the first models under consideration for US consumption are the Fiat 500 and Alfa Romeo's upcoming 940 sedan.
More Photos



Other article:
Fiat 500 Abarth Launched with Opening Edition
Fiat Confirms Convertible Version of 500
Fiat 500 Abarth LEAKED
Fiat 500 & Grande Punto Abarth SS
Fiat 500 Abarth SS Latest Spy Photos
Fiat Grande Punto Abarth: In Detail
Fiat 500 Abarth SS
Fiat 500 once again in innovative and spectacular style
Fiat 500 based Castagna Tender Two EV

Audi is Western Europe’s Top Premium Brand

The Audi surpassed its premium competitors with regard to new-vehicle registrations in Western Europe. The Ingolstadt-based automotive manufacturer sold 45,124 new vehicles in this region in January – far more than either of its key competitors.

While the overall market has come under pressure, Audi managed to considerably increase its market shares. The brand with the four rings accounted for 5.1 percent of new Western European vehicle registrations in January 2009. Audi’s market share for the same month last year was 3.9 percent.

These figures demonstrate that AUDI AG has perpetuated the upward trend of recent months. Throughout the last quarter of 2008, the brand with the four rings was consistently at the top of its class with market shares above five percent.
more detail. ...




Other article:
Alleged Audi dealer email green-lights U.S. R8 V10 orders
Audi A4 and A5 get S Tronic transmission
MTM Audi A5 V6 TDI
Audi releases the A3 Black Edition for each of the 3 A3 variants

Citroen Going Upscale - Rebirth of Classic Citroen DS line

Citroen will introduce the scheme on 4 February to celebrate the brand's 90th birthday. Citroen needs a jolt after suffering a sales decline of 7.2 per-cent last year. They sold 1.35 million units in 2008.

Citroen will unveil a plan to rebrand themselves as the next-best thing to being a premium brand. The plan includes bringing back the DS line, an update to the logo, and a new marketing scheme.


The company has been planning a reintroduction of the DS line since mid-2007. The DS was Citroen's flagship line from the 1950s through the 70s, and will now represent upper-tier vehicles. First up will be the Citroen DS3, set for delivery at the end of the year. “We will offer products within the Citroen brand that have added value and carry elements of the premium sector,” said styling director Jean-Pierre Ploue.


Also being freshened up is the chevron logo, which has not seen a change since 1985. A new marketing slogan, possibly "three years to impress the world," and global web site are also on the way. The plan was formed by an exec who is no longer with the company. His goal was to improve the company's image while reducing its focus on small cars.


A five-year schedule is also in place to overhaul the 3,300 dealership network. The look of the showrooms, stronger customer relations, and better maintenance and repairs are parts of the plan.
via:World Car Fans



Other article:
Citroën 2CV, 60 Years Old, Is Recreated On New Project
Burton Elementz Kitcar Concept