Volvo to employ 200 more workers to meet demand

Volvo is increasing its recruiting an additional 200 employees in Sweden, to meet likely demand in the New Year.

The assembly plant that’s receiving the boost in employment will be Volvo’s Gothenburg factory, which employs around 3,200 people. The additional 200 workers will increase the current production rate from 48 units to 52 units per hour.

A Volvo spokesperson said over the telephone: “We want to be prepared as we expect higher demand next year.”

BAIC bidding for Pininfarina

BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp.) is allegedly making a bid to acquire Italian design company Pininfarina, which has been on the market for a few months now.

BAIC formerly brought the tooling, powertrain technology and intellectual property associated with the outgoing Saab 9-3. The Chinese car manufacture is developing new models centred on the 9-3 that it plans to sell under the Beijing Auto brand name, and Pininfarina is apparently caught up in the design of that car.

According to Chinese auto-media, a nameless BAIC executive reportedly returned from Italy, where he spoke with Pininfarina about the firm’s joint venture on a bespoke adaptation of the Saab 9-3 that would premier at the 2011 Beijing motor show.

Other potential bidders include Anhui Jiangling, Mahindra and Baja, Brilliance Auto and Magna International.

Four-wheel-drive Fiat 500 spied in Italy

Here’s prove that Fiat is developing a 4x4 variant of the 500. Spied by an eagle-eyed reader in Catania, Sicily, Italy, this mule was attracting attention left, right and centre.

The 500 4x4 will target those who want a compact, fashionable 4x4 without the associated running costs and price-tag. The newcomer will likely to be sold with 5-doors and will underpin the current Panda 4x4, giving the 500 4x4 genuine off-road ability.

Shaft and rear differential

All engines, transmissions and 4x4 hardware will be taken off the current Panda 4x4, although, Fiat will be launching the all-new Panda in 2012, itself with new engines, transmissions and a new platform. That said, we can expect the 500 4x4 to sport the all-new 0.9 litre TwinAir (both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged), 1.2 69bhp, and the 1.3 litre 90bhp turbo-diesel MultiJet. Both 5 speed, 6 speed manual and 6 speed automated Dualogic transmissions will be offered. Prices may start around £13,000 for the entry-level model, rising to £16,000 for the range-topping models with the turbocharged TwinAir engines.

According to plans submitted to unions and the Government, Fiat is looking to launch the 500 4x4 sometime in 2012, alongside the restyled 500 and all-new Panda city-car.

Via Alvolante

Ford recalls 2011 F-Series, Edge and Lincoln MKX (U.S)

Ford is recalling 14,737 F-Series, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles due to a faulty body control module. The glitch might cause to an electrical short, resulting to overheating and a fire, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said. The module, assembled by Lear Corporation in Mexico, is faulty on some vehicles manufactured in late October to mid-November.

Ford reportedly informed the NHTSA that two 2011 F-150s caught fire outside its Dearborn, Michigan, manufacturing plant.

Neither Ford nor the NHTSA reported of any injuries or deaths. Ford will recall the vehicles on 1st January to fix the body control module for free.

RECALL : Chrysler and Ford Recall Almost 160,000 Vehicles for Safety Defects S

Chrysler recalled 144,000 vehicles Thursday while Ford Motor said it plans to recall nearly 15,000 2011 models vehicles, the Detroit News reported.

Chrysler is reportedly recalling over 65,000 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles for problems with wires within the front door harness and airbag deployment, according to the company.

The automaker is also recalling over 56,000 Ram 1500 trucks and over 22,000 2008 2011 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500 trucks. These recalls were triggered by grinding sounds from the rear axle bearing and a loss of steering.

Meanwhile, two unattended 2011 Ford F-150 vehicles caught fire recently at the company's Dearborn, Mich., assembly plant, sparking the Ford recall.

The company recalled 14,737 of its Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles to inspect the Body Control Module after the reported fires.

In 2010 automakers recalled more than 19 million vehicles, with Chrysler recalling more than 1.6 million vehicles.

Vauxhall Astra the most seized car in 2009 (UK)

Around 500 uninsured vehicles are apprehended on a daily basis, with the Vauxhall Astra taking the top spot.
The second most seized car is the BMW 3 Series according to the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) police helpline.

The figures arrive as a new online video cautioning the consequences of driving without insurance is released by the MIB, which reimburses victims caught up in accidents with uninsured drivers.

MIB chief executive, Ashton West said: "Christmas is a time when household budgets are stretched to the limit and, for some, the renewal of insurance may be overlooked. Modern technology means that motorists who have no insurance are more likely than ever to be caught. It is simply not worth the risk."

He went on: "The proposed change in insurance law in 2011 will mean that the number of people caught without motor insurance will increase. We are working with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and expect to reduce the numbers of uninsured drivers on UK roads even further."

The 10 most seized uninsured cars in 2009 were:

1. Vauxhall Astra

2. BMW 3 Series

3. Vauxhall Vectra

4. Volkswagen Golf

5. Vauxhall Corsa

6. Ford Mondeo

7. Ford Fiesta

8. Ford Focus

9. Ford Escort

10. Renault Megane.

U.S spec Audi A4 Allroad spied in Scandinavia

Spies have caught what seems to be a U.S spec Audi A4 Allroad, undergoing winter testing in Northern Sweden. Audi decided the A4 Allroad wouldn’t go on sale in the U.S due to the financial slowdown, however, an executive at Audi has overturned that decision.

The A4 Allroad will be similar to the European model; grey/black bodykit, increased ride height and front and rear skid plates will feature as standard.

The biggest giveaway to this virtually undisguised U.S spec A4 Allroad was its amber reflector lights. Other little clues included a reduced license plate surrounding hidden behind the vehicles European plate and the miles-per-hour on the speedometer.

Under the bonnet will be a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder 211bhp petrol engine, mated to a 7 speed dual-clutch S-tronic transmission.

Expect the car to debut at next month’s Detroit motor show.

Via Roadandtrack

Top 5 Super Funny Car Parking Fail Video - Happy New Year

Mercedes SLS AMG to win with Gran Turismo 5

This is a new nature to perhaps move even more sleepless nights before the latest installment of Gran Turismo.

Sony launches in fact a contest whose prize is simply a Mercedes SLS AMG ! For the record, this racing car worth approximately 180 000 EUR has a 6.2 liter V8 to 571 horsepower. Moreover, it is very difficult to resist its charm and its gullwing doors.

The contest, launched Monday, December 27, is reserved for owners of the Signature Edition of the game, it will proceed in two steps. The first is to make the best performance in the B-Spec mode. The 15 regional winners, in 22 countries, will in a second time the opportunity to participate in the contest organized by the Steering Mercedes-Benz.

Special Motorcycle style Porsche by Custom Wolf

German tuning company Custom Wolf presented its original creation - a low, dark and menacing. As they say in the style of cars Porsche. True, not all the machines Porsche arise such associations.
Custom bike is a really very brutal, very low and very dark. Box - the original from the Harley-Davidson. Engine - S & S. Exhaust system - slightly modified LA Chopper. 18-inch wheels with black and gold screws.

Brake calipers - from the Kawasaki ZX-10R. The fuel tank is made by special order specifically for this machine.

Future Chevrolet Corvette

Sure, Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most famous cars in the world, with a fascinating history, but what awaits him in the future?

At General Motors did not spread much about the future of Chevrolet Corvette, but let's look at the long time before the sketches and sketches of models that appear during the project.

You can say that the next generation Corvette will get the same "language and the proportion of" current version, of course, if designers do not decide otherwise.

Also there is information that the new Chevrolet Corvette will go with the average location of the engine, so the new version will be easier to take advantage of new engines.

Honda gets attacked by cyber criminals (U.S)

Honda has contacted millions of customers after cyber criminals stolen a database enclosing names, email addresses, and VINs (the Vehicle Identification Number).

Around 2.2m Honda customers have been affected by the security breach. One theory suggests hackers sent out e-mails on behalf of Honda, tricking the end user into clicking on malicious attachments or links, thus handing over personal information.

A report by the Columbus Dispatch suggests the data was taken from a third-party company who sent out "Welcome" emails to customers who created accounts with the firm.

Honda’s luxury arm, Acura, also contacted a further 2.7m consumers after hackers stole customer e-mails addresses from a separate list.

Rising fuel prices threaten SUV sales (U.S)

Recently, sales of SUV’s and pick-up trucks have risen, but at late so have fuel prices, which may hinder sales and residual values of large SUV’s and pick-ups.

With fuel prices across the States averaging around $3 a gallon, it’s signing the highest levels observed since October 2008. An additional ¢50 may see customers purchasing smaller vehicles.

“If you see a ¢20 -¢30 price increase per gallon over the course of a couple weeks then of course people are going to panic,” Alec Gutierrez, analyst for vehicle evaluation at Kelley Blue Book, said. Nevertheless, Gutierrez noted that if prices increase steadily, it’ll give the “market a chance to react rationally.”

Some showrooms have already begun to see consumer’s down-size. A large amount of customers are ditching large SUV’s in favour for compact ones like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Mercedes GLK.

Jason Stewart, general manager of Earl Stewart Toyota of North Palm Beach in Florida said: “Our small SUVs are doing OK but the large SUVs and large trucks have definitely cooled off since the pickup in gas prices”.

He also claimed sales of the Toyota Prius have tripled at his dealership. Dealers are also reporting a decline in prices as an end result to shove consumer’s into smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is already listed for sale at €2M

The Sesto Elemento concept was conceived as a design study, technology and previewing the styling we might expect to see on the next generation of Lamborghini supercars.A few months back, shortly after it was revealed at the Paris Motor Show, reports began to become apparent suggesting that the Italian automaker could put it into production, however limited.

Now the car is listed for sale by an exotic car dealership in Germany. Although the reported original listing on the mobile.de online marketplace is no longer there to be found, it is still up on Auto Salon Singen's website with an approximately €2 million ($2.63M USD) list price – €1.9m before tax, €2.3m after.

Audi raises prices 2011 - For the new year, the Germans have a new higher prices

Several models of the Audi will be available against the fat amounts in 2011. These include TT, Q7, A8 and R8, whose prices jumped by around 0.9% in Germany. Similar increases are expected in most European countries.


R8 supercar with a 4.2-liter V8 engine will be available at € 110,000, a Spyder version - for € 122,100, an increase of around € 1,000.

In the model A8 3.0-liter TDI engine increase amounted to € 700, the new price will be € 79,900. Similarly, the increase in the Q7 3.0-liter gasoline engine that will get a starting price of € 53,500.

E lowest price surge in the Audi TT. Version with a 1.8-liter gasoline engine and 160 hp will be available at € 30,500, or about € 300 more expensive.


The new prices take effect on January 17, 2011.

LIMITED EDITION NEW 2010 SUBARU LEGACY 3.6R

LIMITED EDITION NEW 2010 SUBARU LEGACY 3.6R 

In the last 23 000 km and the changes we have the impression from our 2010 Subaru Legacy SS were quiet competence. That's not all peace, praises his journal full of meandering interior space for five adults very comfortable and quiet. Those who try to inspire a jog Subaru leave satisfied, but not addictive. fast, talkative steering and suspension systems to promote sustainable bit funny, but loose braces and mushy brake pedal prevent anyone from confusing this with a true sport sedan.

Date: December 2010 

Months in the fleet: 23,212 miles

Current Mileage: 9 months

Fuel Economy rating: 22 mpg

Average Range: 407 miles

Service: $ 285

Normal wear: $ 0

Repairs: $ 68

Tires are our biggest complaint about the Legacy. Bridgestone all-season Turanzas wore it on arrival in our office are a bit louder than expected, they rattle on the highway in order to avoid moments of solitude, or stereo mute. A small steering wheel shimmy through, at a cost as he felt out-of-balance tires, however, remained after the first few balance our $ 68, but the tire store is the second free to regulate tire of all evil. Many other owners have mentioned earlier the same problem in different forums,

Paris may ban SUVs from the city (FR)

If you’re living in France and want to take your SUV into Paris, you might want to think again. According to reports, environmental official, Denis Baupin has proposed a new set of limitations that could potentially ban old diesel car and SUV’s.

Baupin is a hardcore SUV-hater and has even suggested that current sport utility owners should “sell it and buy a vehicle that’s compatible with city life.” He then added, “I’m sorry, but having a sport utility vehicle in a city makes no sense,” when exclamation to local radio station.

Unfortunately, the proposals are legal and are backed by French law, as the Environment Ministry said that each city can independently choose what types of vehicles can be under attack, in which neighbourhoods and during what hours and/or times of the year certain vehicles could be banned.

Cadillac debuts 4-cylinder 2.0T SIDI in SLS sedan (CN)

GM has unwrapped the new SLS 2.0T SIDI at the 2010 Guangzhou motor show. While the car hasn’t changes cosmetically, it sports a new petrol engine.

A Cadillac and large executive sedan first, the 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine SIDI signs the first usage of a turbocharged four-cylinder in a Cadillac. This engine gives Cadillac a workable competitor into the Chinese premium large sedan market, which is dominated by 2.0 litre – 2.5 litre cars.

The 2.0T SIDI kicks out 260bhp with 358Nm (265lb-ft) of torque. The turbocharged 2.0 litre is likely to be just as powerful as the STS V6 sold in the U.S.

It is very doubtful at the engine will arrive in North America as the SLS/STS are at deaths door.

Funny and Creative Car Logos - Ferrari - Jaguar - Lamborghini - Maserati

Ferrari

Jaguar

Lamborghini

Maserati

I had not seen these forms created by Dentsu Brazil for Minichamps (those miniature cars almost perfect). In them, four logos of famous cars (Masserati, Ferrari, Jaguar and Lamborghini) are presented in their ways "children"

Truck destroys parked Ford Explorer on Brooklyn street snow video

Out of control city tow truck destroys parked SUV on Brooklyn street video shows

A dramatic YouTube video showing a city tow truck crunching a parked SUV in snowbound Brooklyn Heights.

The caught-on-tape slam-a-thon shows a stuck front-end loader bashing into the parked vehicle as a tow truck tries to yank the loader out of a snowy parking spot.

The yellow snow-mover careens into the city owned Ford Expedition, then strikes it several more times as it lurches out of the spot.

On the way out, the plow crashes into the window of the SUV, and also sideswipes another parked car.

2012 Model New Crossover Ford Territory was photographed without camouflage

Australian Ford Territory crossover new generation, whose debut next year, was caught by photographers without camouflage. Previously reported that this car will be a harbinger of a new style of crossover Ford, which then spread to Europe and the U.S. model of concern.

Previously reported that Ford plans to replace the model Ford Escape, sold in North America, and Ford Kuga, developed for Europe, a car, which will debut in early 2011 at auto show in Detroit. Produced a new crossover will be in the U.S. - at a plant in Louisville , the modernization which will cost Ford $ 600 million.