In 2010, Volkswagen took a twenty-percent stake in Suzuki, and virtually no progress has been made from the alliance since then. Neither side has been thrilled with the coalition and the two automakers have even stated cultural differences as being a factor in the failed relationship.

Both automakers had different goals: VW wanted to expand into the Asian small-car market, while Suzuki wanted to take advantage of VW’s expertise in diesel, hybrid, and electric cars. As a result, Suzuki may be looking to take its talents to Italy.

Currently, Suzuki has made a deal with Fiat to supply the SX4 crossover for rebadging as the Sedici in Europe. Sources have indicated that Suzuki is looking for ways to further its relationship with Fiat, however the Italian automaker has not indicated whether the feeling is mutual.

As it stands, the Japanese and German automaker have clearly expected more out of this partnership, yet neither are progressing. Suzuki and VW are likely to split but the Japanese automaker has more to lose, so expect to see a move sooner rather than later.

[Source: Truck Trend]

There’s a scene in the movie Just Married—scratch that, every comedy about Europe ever—where the main characters squeeze themselves into a hopelessly small rental car that may or may not be a Smart, and then zany hijinks ensue. But those traveling to Europe might get the chance to rent something a little more exciting than that.

Hertz is now offering the Lotus Evora, as part of their Adrenaline range. The Adrenaline collection is already available Stateside with the Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, but beginning now, customers in Spain, France, Germany, and the UK can choose from forbidden fruit such as the Alfa Romeo Brera, Fiat 500 Abarth, and the VW Scirocco. The Evora tops off this range, and Hertz will be the only company to offer a Lotus in its lineup.

If you feel like plonking down 250 Euros per day, the Evora will be available from all major airports in Rome, Barcelona, London, Bordeaux, and Frankfurt. No word on whether the Evora will make it into America’s lineup, however—those coming from big American cars might still find room to complain about the size.

General Motors has its hands in all corners of the globe, and while most consumers know about their operations in Europe and South Koreas, their arm in the former Soviet Republic of Uzbekistan is shaping up to be quite the powerhouse in the all-important Russian market.

Despite only being in existence since November, 2008 GM Uzbekistan’s operations are credited with a 40 percent rise in sales in the first half of 2010. With 45,217 Uzebkistani-made vehicles sold, GM ranked 10th overall in the Russia market. While GM produces mostly modern Daewood-engineered vehicles in Uzbekistan, consumers can also buy the Chevrolet Nexia (pictured above) based on the wretched Pontiac LeMans which originally debuted in 1986.

Fiat has asked Chrysler to boost Freemont output after European demand soars for the rebadged Dodge Journey. Last June, with the Freemonts introduction, Fiat hoped to sell 13,000 of the minivans this year, however the automaker has already collected 15,700 orders. Fiat planned to sell 33,000 Freemonts in 2012 and as a result, Fiat was promised 3,000 Freemonts a month from Chryslers plant in Toluca, Mexico. With the high demand for the minivan, Chrysler boosted production to 4,067 units in June.

The European version of the minivan differs from its American counterpart with different front and rear styling, suspension tweaks and a Fiat’s MultiJet 2 diesel engine, not offered by Dodge.

[Source: Automotive News]

Rolls Royce Motor Cars has experienced tremendous success, enjoying a record half-year in 2011. The British automaker has seen an increase of sales by 64 percent worldwide, compared to the same period in 2010. Within the first six months of 2011, 1592 cars have been delivered to customers, and there is continued strong demand for both the Phantom and Ghost.

Rolls Royce is experiencing growth in all regions, but there is a particularly strong demand in Asia, with sales up over 170 percent. Sales are also growing in the Middle East, up by over 40 percent and the US is also growing by a similar amount. There has also been an increase in Europe with German sales up by 60 percent.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “This is an excellent half-year result and demonstrates the confidence that our customers have in our company and our products. The first six months of the year have also seen Rolls-Royce celebrate our unique heritage, with the centenary of the Spirit of Ecstasy, and demonstrate our innovation, with the Phantom Experimental Electric, 102EX. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues to operate as the world’s foremost ultra luxury car manufacturer.”

Europe’s answer to the Mustang is back—the legendary Capri might see its name on a future Ford coupe.

For many mustachioed Europeans, the Capri was the cult car of the 1970s comes hair shirts, bell bottoms, and the cast of Life On Mars (albeit a Cortina): the new Capri will resemble the Iosis Max concept from the dark recesses of 2009. Power will come from turbocharging, in 1.6- and 2.0-liter forms with 148 to 200 horsepower, respectively, and a diesel engine as well. No release date or any concrete information has been set, but such a coupe would enable Ford to compete against Renault’s Megane Coupe and another 1970s throwback, the Volkswagen Scirocco.

If turbocharging is Ford’s preference, however, then they must do the Capri justice by emblazoning “TURBO” across its flanks. Perhaps a variety of colors: lime green, neon yellow, or Astro Silver! Plaid Recaro seats, “Ballroom Blitz” on 8-track—after all, these were the cars our fathers cruised in to pick up our mothers, and they deserve respect!

[Sources: Automobiles Review, Influx]

Jaguar has announced that the XF will have a wagon variant but only in Europe. There probably won’t be a wagon version in the U.S, but we can live vicariously through the Europeans for a few minutes.

The most important detail given was that “It will be slightly different, with character and panache,” which may mean it could be noticeably different from the XF line (other than the back end). However no info has been release regarding price even though Jag had planned to have an XF wagon in the lineup. Last December, Jaguar’s global brand director said we would see the wagon “shortly”.

We will have to wait and see what the XF wagon will look like and, how it stacks up against the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Audi A6 Avant and the BMW 5-Series.

Nissan has launched a global proving test program for their compact electric commercial vehicle NV200.

The Japanese automaker began the test with Japan Post Service. The postal service will be provided with the NV200 to carry out postal collection for two months in Yokohama. The vehicle will be tested in real world conditions to help fine tune small aspects of the NV200. Testing will begin soon in Europe with the vehicle as well.

The testing on this vehicle is vital as it will serve as the next generation New York taxi. The vehicle has been present in Japan and European markets since 2009 and the van has won numerous awards.

“The role that can be played by zero emissions vehicles in promoting a balance between economic growth and environmental protection in the realm of logistics is large” said Nissan Corporate Vice President Hideto Murakami, who is responsible for the Global LCV Business Unit. “We will certainly reflect the customer feedback gained from these proving tests in our future product development, and I expect that our commercial electric vehicles based on the NV200 will contribute to our customers’ business and to the development of a sustainable society”.

Ford is planning to blitz the auto-market for the first quarter of 2012. According to a source inside Ford, no less than eight all-new or refreshed models will start production for Q1.

Ford’s largest project is the all-new midsize Fusion/Mondeo, which is currently scheduled to start production in January. Ford hopes for a 50-percent sales improvement for the Fusion in North America, which may help it exceed the 30,000 units per-month sales mark. With a new Fusion comes a new Fusion Hybrid and Ford is targeting an impressive 47 to 48-mpg rating in the city.

Also coming is a new Escape, which is being replaced by the Ford Vertrek Concept, with production out of the Louisville, Kentucky plant. The C-Max Hybrid will also begin production later this year.

The 2013 Taurus, which debuted back at the New York Auto Show in April with a face lift and new base 4-cylinder engine, will also launch during the first quarter of 2012. The Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT will also gain face-lifts during the Q1 for a more modern look.

Ford will re-ignite the hot hatch segment in Q1 with a new Focus ST that will feature a 247-hp 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine.

Both the Ford Taurus Police Interceptor and and Explorer “PI” will replace the Crown Victoria and the Lincoln MKT Town Car will replace the Lincoln Town Car.

Europe will gain the all-new B-Max and South America will gain the EcoSport. The B-Max will come equipped with the highly anticipated turbocharged 1.0-liter 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine.

By the end of 2012, the oldest vehicles in the Ford lineup will be the Ford Edge and the Lincoln MKX, which recently underwent major overhauls themselves

[Source: Ford Inside News]

Carlos Tavares has been appointed Renault’s new Chief Operating Officer. As of July 1, Tavares will oversee Renault’s growth strategy focused on developing electric vehicles and new markets. He has replaced Patrick Pelata, who resigned in April following a case of alleged industrial espionage which turned into a fraud investigation.

Carlos Tavares, 53, a Portugues national, fluent in both English and French, spent 23 years at Renault in engineering and program management roles before moving to Nissan in 2004.

Carlos Ghosn, Renault and Nissan Chief Executive, said in a statement: ”His talent and experience will be key strengths for Renault and for all its employees as we go into the first year of our Renault 2016 — Drive the Change program.”

[Source: Reuters]

Hyundai officially announced that its has sold 5 million vehicles in Europe since it first began retail operations in 1977. The first Hyundai Pony was imported to Europe in 1977 and the five millionth vehicle was in i30, which was launched in 2007 and has sold just over 320,000 units throughout Europe.

Hyundai has managed to sell 1 million cars alone, in the last three years. However it took the Korean automaker 19 years to sell its first million cars within Europe, and the two millionth car was sold in 2001.

The company progressed immensely with the introduction of the Hyundai i30 in 2007, which was designed for the European market. The i30 is built in Nosovice, Czech Republic producing 300,000 units per year.

Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe, commented, “Hitting five million sales is a wonderful achievement for Hyundai, and it marks us out as a major player in what is the world’s most competitive car market. But this is just the beginning for the brand. We are planning for further sales growth during 2011, to take us to 3% market share in Europe. And in the longer term we expect the quality and desirability of our cars to help us maintain our momentum and deliver our next five million sales in a much shorter time frame.”

General Motors cruised to their fifth straight quarter in the black, announcing a gross profit of $3.2 billion, helped along by a sale of GM subsidiary Delphi for $1.6 billion in March.

In a prepared statement, General Motors CEO Dan Akerson said “GM has delivered five consecutive profitable quarters, thanks to strong customer demand for our new fuel-efficient vehicles and a competitive cost structure that allows us to leverage our strong brands around the world and focus on driving profitable automotive growth.”

GM CFO Dan Ammann cited a strengthening market and an attractive lineup of fuel efficient vehicles as some of the reasons behind GM’s strong financial showing. While GM’s South American and International divisions were profitable (with China counted as part of the International sector), GM Europe reported a loss, and is hoping to break even by year’s end.

[Source: Automotive News]

Honda will offer their Civic compact car with a new small diesel engine by 2013, but for now it looks like Europe and other markets will get it, with North America seemingly shut out.

With a new Civic set to debut in world markets in 2012, Honda is mulling various options, with world markets set to get the 150 horsepower i-DTEC engine. Europe will likely get a new generation of diesels, since offering one is a key to sales success on the continent. For now, it looks like Honda will stick with conventional gasoline powered variants, but never say never.

[Source: Indian Autos Blog]

Enthusiasts have wanted them for a while—a low-revving torque monster under the hood of our Jeep Wranglers or clean-burning Grand Cherokees. Now Jeep executives are actively considering the idea of importing diesel models to the United States.

“Diesel in some of our models makes absolute sense,” said Michael Manley, president and CEO of Jeep, who was showcasing the six new Mopar Jeeps at Moab. “But I still have to make sure there is a sufficient marketplace here to make it make sense from a business perspective.”

Jeep already outfits their European models with diesels, which accounts for 80 percent of their sales. Manley suggests that the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee would be the first in America to receive oil-swillers, and the new Grand Cherokee, which is set to debut in Europe next week, would be first. It would give Jeep some much-needed enviro-friendly cred, among both outdoor enthusiasts and the government.

“When you look at the U.S. market, diesel applications in the larger vehicles probably make more sense then they do in the smaller ones, purely because of the cost of the powertrains and the treatments that are required.”

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Ford has released the results of a survey conducted across Europe on the most popular car colors by nation. And to the surprise of absolutely no one (and the delight of the German carmakers), the most universally popular colors were…white, black and silver.

No bright hues like the hot-pink Focus above. And no British Racing Green in Great Britain or Syracuse Orange for The Netherlands—the most popular colors there are blue and cream, interestingly enough. And further defying stereotypes, the Italians prefer cream as well over red, while the Irish eschew their St. Patrick’s green for silver. Brighter colors go as far as the Czech Republic and Romania, which prefers blue, and Sweden, which loves orange, presumably to find their cars in the snow.

The data will help Ford plan accordingly in what colors to sell in countries, meaning that they will be taking a page from their ancestor Ol’ Henry’s playbook and offering a plethora of colors for the customer to choose, so long as they are black.

[Source: Autoblog]

Jeep is launching an ambitious campaign in Europe to boost sales eight-fold by 2014, with a new premium small SUV helping to lead the way.

The next generation Jeep Compass is expected to debut around 2014, and will be based on the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, and the Compass will also share DNA with a new Alfa Romeo crossover. The Jeep will be able to move upmarket, and position itself against compact SUVs from premium European brands. A diesel engine will also be offered, and is considered an essential part of the Jeep sales plan.

Currently, Jeep sells about 15,000 vehicles in Europe, making their target highly ambitious. Even Land Rover only manages to move about 75,000 trucks a year in the region. Jeep hopes to clear this hurdle by bringing out an all-new product lineup, including a revised, diesel powered Liberty (sold as the Cherokee), a Grand Wagoneer based on the current Grand Cherokee, and an updated Wrangler. Lancia stores will also become partnered with Jeep, giving the brand some 800 outlets to sell their wares.

[Source: Autocar]

British radio personality Tim Westwood may have bought a Cadillac Escalade, but the brand has had inconsequential sales throughout Europe for its entire life. Even GM’s poor attempt at a Euro-friendly Caddy, the ill-fated BLS sedan.

The misfortunes of Cadillac hasn’t stopped GM CEO Dan Akerson, who was quoted by Autocar as saying “The only thing you can do is try, try and try again with Cadillac in Europe,”perhaps in the hope that persistence, rather than product, will pay off.

Along with the upcoming compact ATS sedan, the XTS, positioned as Cadillac’s flagship, will also make the trip over, but without the diesel engines that are necessary to be truly competitive in Europe. Akerson even admitted to Autocar that the marketplace is a tough one, on account of the saturation of premium European brands. Perhaps that resilience is also mixed with a bit of realism.

[Source: Autocar]

Remember the Tata Pixel concept at Geneva? If not, this link should help refresh your memory…or, you can wait until your next European vacation, where you’ll be seeing the tiny little Pixel on the streets.

Tata Motors has green-lit the Pixel for production and sale in Europe, replacing the previously-planned Nano Europa, which was just an upscale and alloy-wheeled version of their cheap-as-chips Nano. The production version will lose the chintzy scissor doors and electronic gauges, but will retain the rear-mounted 1.2-liter diesel, five-speed gearbox, and sub-10-feet dimensions.

A production date has not been announced, but this news from Tata shows that they are eager to push it through quickly.

[Source: Autoblog]

Infiniti has only been in Europe since 2008, but the brand has big ambitions: it aims to double its sales by the end of this fiscal year.

In 2010 up until March 31st, Infiniti sold 4,500 cars. This isn’t even a drop in the bucket compared to the likes of Mercedes, Lexus, and Audi, the company’s closest competitors. BMW sold 10 times that amount in January alone. See what parent company Nissan is dealing with here?

To be fair, the luxury car market is hard to break into, and even harder to develop a reputation (some people in America still remember what “rocks and trees” is). So Infiniti plans to achieve this lofty goal by introducing new models such as the M sedan, pictured above, as well as diesel engines on the EX and FX crossovers. Infiniti will also ready a hybrid version of the M35 for both Europe and America.

The plan calls for 60 dealerships across Western Europe by the end of the year, an increase of 20. In Russia and the Ukraine, popular markets for luxury cars, Infiniti will add five more dealerships, bringing the total to 19.

And if Infiniti does intend to build the bizarre Etherea concept from Geneva, it won’t enter these new dealerships until 2013.

Remember, baby steps, Nissan—baby steps.

[Source: Automotive News via Carscoop]

While motorists in North America have had 10 percent ethanol infused gasoline all but forced on them, and Brazil operates almost entirely on E85 biofuel, German motorists have slammed the door shut on the corn-based fuel by simply refusing to purchase gasoline that is made up of 90 percent dino-juice and 10 percent ethanol.

The Super E10 gasoline has an octane rating of 95 , but motorists in Germany are simply purchasing the pricier 98 octane fuel that is devoid of ethanol. The backlash comes from a variety of organizations, ranging from the German ADAC automobile club to Greenpeace, who claim that ethanol can do everything from ruin the mechanical bits of automobiles to increase CO2 production.

While only half of Germany’s gas stations offer the fuel, the problem is so severe that Germany’s Environment Minister is convening a summit to figure out how to deal with the problem. Currently, gas stations are sitting on ample reserves of E10 while the non-ethanol high grades are in short supply.

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

Europe is getting the Grand Cherokee with a diesel as well as special 70th anniversary editions, as Jeep will announce at the Geneva Auto Show in a week’s time.

The diesel will be a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, sourced from the Fiat mothership and built by VM Motori. It’ll come in two forms: one with 188 horsepower and 324 lb-ft of torque, and the other with 237 horsepower and 406 lb-ft, which also gets around 28 miles per gallon.

Meanwhile at Geneva, Jeep will introduce 70th Anniversary Editions of all its models, including the Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, Patriot, and Compass. The package includes exterior trim packages, brushed-aluminum door sills, 18-inch wheels, and some nifty badges; the interior will get Dark Olive perforated leather seats, shiny trim, and Berber floor mats.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

Volkswagen is planning to spread the platform love with its new Up city car, with Czech subsidiary Skoda being the first VW division to get the tiny car, with a SEAT-branded version to follow.

Packaged as a three-door five-seater, a 1.0L gasoline engine and a 1.2L diesel engine will be offered, with an all-electric version to follow. Starting at less than $10,000, the Up variants will go against the Toyota iQ and other cars deemed too small for North American tastes.

With Skoda and SEAT representing downmarket brands for VW in Europe, giving them the minicars is a no-brainer, and we expect them to be very popular, especially in light of how a Volkswagen Golf is something of a luxury good in high-tax countries.

[Source: Inside Line]

With hatchbacks playing a significant role in auto markets outside North America, the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback will bow at this year’s Geneva Auto Show, where Chevrolet will try and further its push into the European market with a well-targeted product like the 5-door Cruze.

While Chevrolet showed a concept version at the Paris Auto Show this past September, the production Cruze will retain the same styling and come with a 2.0L diesel 4-cylinder making 165 horsepower, with a 6-speed manual as standard equipment. The Cruze has been a strong seller across the world, despite only being offered as a sedan, and the hatchback version will undoubtedly add significant sales volume in other regions. No plans have been announced as far as bringing the car over to the United States, but with Ford and Hyundai’s moves towards compact 5-doors, it’s certainly feasible.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Volkswagen‘s newest Jetta was designed to be a volume leader, selling for about $15,000. But Volkswagen loyalists, who previously loved the Jetta for its premium feel and sporty character, have decried what they see as a cheapening of their beloved compact sedan, and Volkswagen seems to be listening.

After driving a European market Jetta, with a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension and dual zone climate control, a journalist from InsideLine confronted Jetta’s Global Technical Project Leader, Frank Donath, about the decontented car sold in North America, and if there were plans to bring the better equipped European car over.

Donath admitted that, if sales were strong, there was a good chance for the European car to make its way over. The North American Jetta, which uses hard plastics, a torsion-beam suspension and manual climate control, was designed with cost-cutting in mind, and the use of hard plastic and a less sophisticated suspension have saved Volkswagen a lot of money, at the ultimate cost of a less refined car. Now, VW seems to be essentially backtracking, and tacitly admitting that a more premium Jetta is needed. We concur.

[Source: InsideLine]