All posts tagged volkswagen
Volkswagen not considering Suzuki an associate anymore
Following recent reports of ongoing disputes between the two groups, Volswagen AG made it clear in a recent statement that Suzuki Motor Corp. is no longer considered an “associate” by the German carmaker.
The roots of the break-up go back to March, when VW stated in its annual report that the group could “significantly influence” financial and operating decisions at Suzuki, a move that the Japanese carmaker did not appreciate at all, to say the least. That argument triggerd a series of events - especially Suzuki’s engine supply agreement with Fiat -that eventually led to the end of the partnership.
In response to the news, Suzuki Italia President Junya Kumataki confirmed that “Suzuki decided to divorce from VW”, refusing to comment any further on the matter. Suzuki also insists on VW to sell back its 19.9 % share of the Japanese carmaker but VW repeatedly stated that it will keep the holding, dismissing Suzuki allegations that the Wolfburg-based manufacturer violated their partnership agreement by not sharing technology.
via | Autonews.com
Volkswagen tipped to become the world’s biggest carmaker by the end of the year
According to the Financial Times, Volkswagen will soon become the world’s biggest carmaker, probably by the end of this year. If confirmed, the achievement will be attained seven years earlier than what the VW management would have expected: when in 2008 VW’s chief executive Martin Winterkorn announced plans to overtake Toyota by 2018, few people took it seriously as at that time the group was selling 3 millions fewer cars than its Japanese rival, but now that goal is within reach.
Toyota - that held the industry’s top spot for years - is still suffering backlash of the earthquake that hit Japan in March as many of its suppliers are still recovering from the consequences of that tragedy. Obviously, this situation led to a slowdown in the production that - combined with VW’s relentless growth across the world - will allow the German group to become the world’s new number one in the automotive industry in terms of both sales and production.
Leading consultancies JD Power, IHS Automotive and PwC Autofacts forecast that by the end of 2011 VW will have sold 7.8m vehicles (10.5% share of the global market), GM will be second with 7.2m, Renault and Nissan will follow with combined sales of 6.8m, and Toyota will end up in fourth place with 6.7m units sold.
Suzuki demands access to Volkswagen hybrid technology
One month after the announcement of the failure of their partnership agreement signed in 2009, the strained relationship between Suzuki and Volkswagen doesn’t seem to get any better. Following a number of mutual accusations concerning the supply of Fiat Powertrain 1.6 Mjet engines to the Japanese carmaker, Suzuki returns to the charge demanding access to the hybrid technology that the VAG Group was supposed to provide them with.
According to Reuters, Suzuki has given VW two weeks to comply to its obligations, otherwise they will interrupt any relationship with the German group and start legal action against them. Besides, Suzuki has asked Volkswagen to sell back its 19.9 per cent stake in Suzuki if it will not honor the notice. Volkswagen said they are also considering legal options in response to Suzuki’s notice, denying any breach of contract from their side.
Volkswagen Up!: 4 door version in the works
In a surprise move, Volkswagen has officially announced that a further variation of their new Up! model will soon be produced with a 4 door body type. The new Up! will be similar to the Cross Up! concept showcased at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, accentuating the crossover-inspired styling of the basic model in the wake of all the other VW “Cross” models. The whole engine range will be shared with the Up! series, including the brand new 1.0 3 cylinder petrol with outputs of 60 and 75hp. The new Up! will probably enter the market in the second half of 2012.
Volkswagen Phaeton: next generation to be available in 2015
Volkswagen will launch the next generation of its Phaeton flagship in 2015 in an attempt to overturn the negative trend of the current model, which never really made in impact in the marketplace. According to CarMagazine, a first concept version of the car could have made its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, but apparently VW decided to drop the idea in order to keep the focus on the little Up! model. Based on the new MLM Evo platform, the next Phaeton will boast an aluminum-intensive body structure and will be able to accomodate a plug-in hybrid system. It might also have an altogether different type of bodywork.
Heavily criticized because of its conservative styling, the Phaeton could now return to the 5-door formula that was anticipated by VW’s Concept D in 1999 - pictured - or turn into a big and luxurious station wagon, which would make it become an alternative to the super classic saloon car. However, nowadays the word ‘flagship’ has to be weighed according to new standards: the Phaeton MK2 will be positioned between Audi A6 and A8, it will cost less than the current model and will be equipped with smaller engines, with 4 and 6 cylinders as well as the hybrid version.
View the full Volkswagen Phaeton picture gallery
Katy Perry and Mario Batali for VW Jetta Launch at Times Square (w/video)
No simple car show for the presentation of the Volkswagen 2011 Jetta, but a happening at Times Square in New York starring the sedan, but also Katy Perry singing her hits and dancing barefoot on the Jetta’s hood and celebrity chef Mario Batali cooking for the surprised crowd.
The new Jetta will be sold this fall with four different gasoline and diesel engines available in North America, including a 2.0-liter turbodiesel direct injection (TDI) Clean Diesel with prices for the entry level model starting at $ 16.000.
Volkswagon also recently announced that a hybrid version of the Jetta is in the works and is scheduled for release in 2012.
Video of Katy Perry doing California Girls at the launch after the jump.
Continue reading: Katy Perry and Mario Batali for VW Jetta Launch at Times Square (w/video)
2011 Volkswagen Jetta unveiled, the video
With a design inspired by VW’s New Concept Coupe that we had the chance to see at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the 2011 Jetta is 3, 5 inches longer that its predecessors and this, of course, means there will be more legroom for passengers. New switchgear is said to have been improved for additional comfort and convenience but when it comes to what is under the hood there’s nothing new under the sun; powertrains haven’t changed much from the outgoing 2010 Jetta; still featuring 2.5-litre inline-five and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four, the new car has an all new interior which is quite similar to what Volkswagen has done with the Golf and CC cabins. Since the new 2011 jetta has been designed to mainly appeal to American consumers, the TDI has been modified to meet the latest emissions standards in the U.S., but VW says it will average around 34 mpg in mixed driving and 42 mpg on the highway. Volkswagen hasn’t released the official pricing yet , but probably car will start around $16,000 when it arrives at North American dealerships this autumn. To watch the video please click here.
Volkswagen reportedly set to buy Italdesign Giugiaro
Early next week Volkswagen AG will probably announce that they will have bought a controlling stake in Italdesign Giugiaro S.p.A., Italy’s largest design and engineering firm, according to two inside industry sources as reported by Automotive News Europe.
Volkswagen and Italdesign representatives declined to comment on the rumors, but the German car manufacturer will be buying into one of Italy’s iconic design and engineering company. Co-founded by the famous designer Giorgetto Giugiaro in 1968, Italdesign currently employs 975 people mostly based at the headquarters in Moncalieri, 10 miles south of Italy’s industrial capital Turin.
Last January, Italdesign stipulated a half-billion dollar deal cooperation agreement with Hybrid Kinetic Motors (HK Motors) for the styling and engineering of a family of hybrid vehicles that will be produced at a new plant in Baldwin County, Alabama, with the start of production scheduled in 2013.
Both Giugiaros are expected to continue working at Italdesign, but we have no idea if they will be able to continue doing other work outside the Volkswagen Group if the deal goes through.
Volkswagen pick up: it will be called the Amarok and not Robust
The highly publicized Volkswagen pick up will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, scheduled for September. Based on some unconfirmed reports that have been circulating, it seems that we will only be able to know the real name of the vehicle at that time, because, after having put aside the historical name Taro, it appears that the heads of Volkswagen have also rejected the name Robust, which until just recently seemed certain.
Now, the current speculation that is gaining the most ground is that the car will be named Amarok, like the large wolves of Eskimo mythology. The Volkswagen Amarok will be a double-cab pickup available in both four-wheel and two-wheel drive. Manufactured in Argentina in the Pacheco factory, the Amarok will be sold beginning in December.
From Es.Autoblog
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