Toyota rolls off its first made-in-China Camry

Toyota Motor Corporation just rolled off its first Chinese-built Camry sedan which is based on the highly succesfull U.S. model. The launch, from Toyota's new $475 million factory in Nansha, near the southern city of Guangzhou, symbolizes the automaker's ambitions for China, which is about to surpass Japan as the world's second-largest auto market.

Toyota, a relative latecomer to China, hasn’t revved up in the specific market, as it controls just 3,5 percent of the Chinese market, with 180,000 vehicles sold in 2005. That puts it behind top foreign automakers like GM (665,390 units) and Volkswagen.

The former Camry was the lead import model in China during the past decade, selling about 30,000 cars annually. By shifting production to China, Toyota hopes to double its sales. Toyota's new plant comes with an annual output capacity of 100,000 units, though it aims to build 60,000 units this year. If the Camry takes off, a second shift will be introduced lifting capacity to over 200,000 units.

The new China-built Camry will sell for between $25.000 to $35.000 (200.000 yuan and 270.000 Yuan).

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New Audi Q5 to be built in Germany

EUR 300 million to be invested in production facilities
Production to start in 2008
Location chosen on strength of high productivity

The decision has been made: the new Audi Q5 will be built in Germany. The new model will start rolling off the production line at Ingolstadt in 2008. To that end, around EUR 300 million will be invested in the production facilities over the next years. Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, explained: “The decision demonstrates what potential there is for industrial production in Germany. We are delighted that the Audi Q5 will be built in Ingolstadt, now that we have reached an agreement with the Works Council enabling us to build it at a competitive cost.” A total of some 1,700 workers will be involved in production of the Audi Q5 in Ingolstadt. “This decision will also benefit employment at Neckarsulm, because both plants will be very closely interlinked,” added Winterkorn.

The decision to build the Audi Q5 at Ingolstadt is the third major decision within a short space of time that AUDI AG has reached in favour of a German location. Just a few months ago, it was announced that the new Audi A5 is to be built in Ingolstadt, and the Audi R8 sports car in Neckarsulm. Production of the Audi R8 will commence in the fourth quarter of 2006.

The Audi Q5 will join the Audi Q7 as the Audi brand's second model in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment. “The Audi Q5 will be an overtly sporty vehicle that will add an important product to the Audi model range. The Audi Q5 will take us a big step closer to vehicle sales of 1.4 million per year, a target that we have set ourselves for 2015,” continued Winterkorn.

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BMW Mille Miglia Concept Video

Ever wonder how Chris Bangle’s latest concept, the BMW Mille Miglia looks like in real life? Take a look at the following video and see the Bavarian prototype “stroll” around. If your curious enough to hear BMW Group’s head designer talk about his latest creation look at the second video bellow.

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Volkswagen Golf GTI “Edition 30” – Happy birthday GTI!

Its been 30 years since the first Golf GTI rolled off VW’s production line, so the Germans decided to make a birthday gift to the car that christened a whole new category: the Golf GTI Edition 30 concept.

As you can see from the pictures, the special edition GTI has a few cosmetic modifications –painted bumpers, 18’’ black alloy wheels, darkened rear lights, red stitched sterring wheel, gear knob with the classic Golf Ball Design and special "edition 30" signatures.

The most interesting part though is the pumped up 2.0 TFSI engine that now produces 230 hp, 30 more than the normal version –one hp for every year that the car was in production.

Although officially there is no word for a production version, Volkswagen is known for its limited series production models such as the Golf 20th or the Golf Pink Floyd which means we might very well see the Golf GTI Edition 30 come to life.

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Debut of the new “Fiat by T-Logic” digital appliances range

The first range of Fiat brand digital appliances is being launched onto the Italian market. A limited edition collection, it represents a consummate blend of advanced technology and fashion appeal.

In detail, the new high tech products are produced and distributed by Life Tool Technologies S.p.A., an Ancona-based company belonging to the Merloni Group, with the brand name “Fiat by T-Logic”. The products - Mp3 players, digital cameras and alcohol testers, all multi-function appliances - are called Genio, Album, Tribù, Cinema, Istante and Amico.

Produced in the official colours of the brand, the digital collection features the big vintage Fiat logo in pride of place, with the original pay-off “Fabbrica Italiana Alta Tecnologia”, inspired by and reworking the real acronym, “Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino”.

Targeting a young, modern market, Fiat electronic products boast a simple, original design. Reflecting this, the container has been designed to be reused: not just packaging to throw away, but a collectable object that can be reused constantly and displayed.

“The Fiat by T-Logic range is one of the Fiat products produced under licence by highly specialised, qualified partner companies”, explains Massimo Franzosi, licensing manager for Fiat Auto. “Just like the sweatshirts, biker jackets, sneakers and pens manufactured by Rites, Dainese, Sabelt and Mazzuoli respectively, the “Fiat by T-Logic” consumer electronics products will increase the appeal of the Fiat brand, and give existing and potential fans more scope for using the brand, both in and out of the dealerships”.

Prices: Prices go from around 300 euros for Genio, the mp3 player with a 20 GB hard disk, to 160 euros for Tribù, a Macintosh-compatible mp3 player with speakers, an FM radio and an internal memory of 1 GB, to 40 euros for Amico, the alcohol tester with gas sensor technology.

Distributed by selected qualified outlets, predominantly specialised shops and chains, the range also comes with a technical assistance service which offers free home delivery.

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Porsche Cayman: New basic version with 245 Hp

Following the market launch of the Cayman S in autumn 2005, Porsche is introducing the Cayman, a new basic version of the mid-engine sports coupé.

Engine: Based on the Boxster series, the two-seater is powered by a six-cylinder boxer engine with an engine-capacity of 2.7 liters and developing an output of 245 bhp (180 kW). Thanks to the Porsche VarioCam Plus system the Cayman affords a torque of 273 Newton meters available between 4,600 and 6,000 revs. Power is transmitted via a five-speed manual transmission with short, precise shifting travel. A six-speed manual transmission in conjunction with the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system is also available on request. As a third variant, Porsche offers its customers the well-known Tiptronic S five-speed automatic transmission, which has rocker switches in the steering-wheel spokes for sporty gear shifting.

Performance: It has a top speed of 258 kilometers per hour. This sports car with manual transmission accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The Cayman is convincing proof of the fact that outstanding performance statistics do not necessarily mean high fuel consumption. According to European standards, it consumes on average only 9.3 liters per 100 kilometers.

Chassis: The Cayman coasts along on 17-inch light-alloy wheels boasting a unique design with five double spokes. 205/55 tires are fitted as standard onto 6.5-inch wide wheel rims at the front; the combination at the rear is 235/50 tires on 8-inch rims. With the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system fitted as standard, the chassis makes an impressive impact in terms of driving dynamics and active safety.

The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system is available as an optional extra. The system is capable of lowering the body by ten millimeters, and automatically adapts the shock-absorber system to each particular driving situation. The driver can choose between the “normal” and “sport” programs by pressing a button on the center console.

Design: Other special features of the Cayman are black brake calipers, black front-spoiler lips, a titanium-colored logo at the rear and also a trapezoidal tailpipe. The impressive interior boasts a comprehensive range of standard features including an air-conditioning system, a radio/CD player, seat covers in luxurious Alcantara leather, black-faced instrument dials and door entry trims with the Cayman logo. Because of the mid-engine concept, it boasts two trunk compartments with a combined volume of 410 liters, just like its big brother, the Cayman S. Along with many other storage features, this design highlights the sports coupé’s supreme practicality.

Safety: In additional to two full-size airbags to guarantee the necessary level of safety protection in the event of head-on collisions, the ingenious Porsche Side Impact Protection System (POSIP), which features a chest and head airbag on each side of the vehicle, also provides excellent protection in side-on collisions.

Price: The basic price in euros for the Cayman is 40,900 euros. In Germany, the vehicle costs 47,647 euros including sales tax and country-specific requirements. The Cayman will be on sale in the USA for 49,400 dollars (not including tax). The market launch in Europe and the USA will take place on July 29, 2006.

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FAW debuts the Mazda6 based, Hongqi Benteng sedan in China

FAW (First Automobile Works) unveiled its new Benteng mid sized sedan at the Hangzhou Auto Show. The independently developed Benteng (translated “Galloping forward” in Chinese) is the first member of a new generation of Hongqi models. Based on the Mazda6, the Benteng is manufactured in China by the FAW-Mazda joint venture.

Benteng is equipped with a four-cylinder, 16-valve engine producing 163 Hp (120 kW) and a maximum torque of 204 Nm (20,8 kgm) coupled with five-speed manual gearbox. The Chinese sedan standard equipment includes ABS with electronic brake force distribution, traction control and dynamic stability control systems and 6 airbags. The Hongqi Benteng will go on sale in August, with prices in China ranging frome RMB 200,000 to 250,000 -or- USD 25.000 to 31.500.

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