BYD plug-in success in the US seems far-fetched today Chinese automaker continues to fall short of expectations When Warren Buffett made a major investment in BYD Automotive several years ago, it seemed the future of plug-in vehicles, particularly Chinese plug-in vehicles, was clearly secure. The oracle of Omaha had spoken. But, based on reports coming out of China, Buffett might have to think extremely long term to achieve a return on his investment. AutoObserver is claiming that as many as 1800 of BYD Automotive’s 2600 employees could soon be either fired or laid off. For now, however, BYD is officially denying the report. Instead, BYD is only reporting that a restructuring is in the works. Regardless, it’s clear that BYD sales are sputtering badly. And, with the US government convinced that BYD is stealing secrets from other automakers, for instance, any hope of BYD cars finding success in markets like the US seems slim. One can probably expect that the Chinese government will keep BYD in the automotive game, but a pin has been poked into dreaming BYD. Reality just isn’t on the same page. Excerpt from:  BYD Automotive: Is the dream over?

BYD plug-in success in the US seems far-fetched today Chinese automaker continues to fall short of expectations When Warren Buffett made a major investment in BYD Automotive several years ago, it seemed the future of plug-in vehicles, particularly Chinese plug-in vehicles, was clearly secure. The oracle of Omaha had spoken. But, based on reports coming out of China, Buffett might have to think extremely long term to achieve a return on his investment. AutoObserver is claiming that as many as 1800 of BYD Automotive’s 2600 employees could soon be either fired or laid off. For now, however, BYD is officially denying the report. Instead, BYD is only reporting that a restructuring is in the works. Regardless, it’s clear that BYD sales are sputtering badly. And, with the US government convinced that BYD is stealing secrets from other automakers, for instance, any hope of BYD cars finding success in markets like the US seems slim. One can probably expect that the Chinese government will keep BYD in the automotive game, but a pin has been poked into dreaming BYD. Reality just isn’t on the same page. See more here: BYD Automotive: Is the dream over?

Kia’s yet-unnamed rear-wheel-drive concept , pictured below and set to debut at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show , may be called the Veredus. Earlier this month, the company filed a trademark application for the moniker, and the sports-sedan concept is the only vehicle in the company’s short-term plans in need of a name. Looking forward, there are plenty of other Kia products in the pipeline—the company gave us a product roadmap on a recent trip to Korea—from an EV to a production rear-drive sedan based on Hyundai’s Genesis. Given the timing of the registration, however, as well as Kia’s history of actually using names for which it files trademark applications, we think that the Veredus name will go on something very soon. The U.S. eventually will get the Hyundai Azera–based Kia Cadenza ; it’s possible that Kia will drop Cadenza for the States and go with Veredus instead, but we think it’s more likely that the appellation will be stuck to the concept car. We’ll know for sure in the coming weeks. View original here: Kia’s RWD Frankfurt Concept May Be Called the Veredus Read the original post:  Kia’s RWD Frankfurt Concept May Be Called the Veredus

We went this week to witness the unveiling of the 991-generation 2012 911 at the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen, Germany. Against a backdrop of Porsche’s most significant racing cars and design studies—Le Mans–winning 917, the 001, a 956 mounted on the ceiling; y’know, the usual—Michael Mauer, the brand’s head designer, and Wolfgang Hatz, executive vice president of research and design, pulled the silk off what is, in person, an exceptionally well-realized if larger new 911. We got the press materials and the official photos, already posted here , and then we pulled Hatz aside for the stuff they didn’t print in the car’s kit. Here is what he told us: The new seven-speed manual, confirmation of which we broke two months ago , will have a fairly conventional shift pattern: Reverse is up and to the left, gears one through six in a conventional three-up/three-down arrangement, and seventh up and to the right. There’s a lockout on seventh gear unless you’re in fifth or sixth, so no 4-7 shifts are permitted in the manual. The new gearbox is compact—both the PDK and the manual use the same housing and most of their internals save the second clutch and third and seventh gears—and would leave enough room for extra cylinders. “A flat-eight will fit,” he said. There’s also been much talk about the hybrid version of this car. Hatz was a bit cagey on this topic—not necessarily on the “ifs” but the “hows.” He merely said the 911 would need a hybrid system that suited the car’s character. When it was suggested to him that the electric front axle from the 918 would fit and would scale to other cars in the lineup, he nodded sagely. There will not be a four-cylinder version of the 911, even though there is precedent and the environmental pressure is on. “I don’t want a turbocharged base model,” Hatz told us. “I love the character of the naturally aspirated engines.” And, when asked the perennial question about how the 911 would make its way in a Porsche landscape inhabited by a new and improved Cayman on the bottom end and the rumored-and-very-likely Panamera coupe on the GT end, Hatz replied: “We have a lot of plans for this 911. It has a bright future. The 911 derivatives will increase.” See more here: What...

An Hyundai worker has posted spy photos of the upcoming Genesis Coupé facelift. Upfront, the reworked fascia mirrors that of the smaller Veloster and includes new headlights with daytime LED’s and a ventilated bonnet. Restyled door mirrors, chrome window trim, reshaped rear LED lights and bumper complete the external makeover. Inside, a updated infotainment system and revised centre console competes the overall alterations. Power will come from a revised 2.0T and a 333bhp (338PS/248kW) 3.8 litre V6 with 394Nm (291lb-ft) of torque. The 2012 Genesis Coupé may bow at the North American International Auto Show. Via WorldCarFans.com Go here to see the original: Hyundai Genesis Coupé facelift spied undisguised in factory See original here:  Hyundai Genesis Coupé facelift spied undisguised in factory

In less than two weeks, the new 2012 BMW M5 will make its public debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Very few lucky ones had a chance to drive the new M5 and the reactions have been nothing short of amazing. This past weekend, BMW M offered an exclusive opportunity to 50 selected guests from North and South Americas to see the new M5 live at the Indianapolis MotoGP race. Some of the items on the agenda were a sneak view behind the MotoGP scene with special tour guide and expert Randy Mamola, hot laps in M Safety Cars and presentation of new BMW M5. Both visually and acoustically the F10 M5 stole the show this past weekend. The M5 served as a safety car for the MotoGP race and featured a beautiful paint scheme, along with the impressive Akrapovic exhaust system. The super sporty M5 safety car sports black gills without chrome border, a striking spoiler lip on the trunk, black kidneys and a lip on the front apron. Stay tuned for more photos and videos! [Source: M5board ] The rest is here: Photos & Videos: 2012 BMW M5 Safety Car with Akrapovic Exhaust System

One can look back at practically any decade in the history of the automobile and think, “What a bizarre time!” Take the 1910s, with huge-displacement engines cranking out horsepower numbers similar to one of today’s hot hatches. Or the 1950s, an era of fins and chrome and chrome with fins and finned chrome with chromed chrome and finned fins. And, of course, the impact-bumpered sloths of the 1970s that seemed bent on returning large-displacement engines to horsepower-per-liter numbers not seen since 1914. (Plus two opera windows in every garage and a landau in every carport!) But the 1960s might just have been the weirdest decade of them all, with offbeat experiments in styling and production happening all over the globe. Racetracks were filled with specials of every stripe and configuration, and television and film were making great use of the skills of California customizers who had set up shop in Los Angeles during the 1950s. Into the middle of all that fell the Piranha. Developed by Marbon Chemical, a division of automotive supplier Borg-Warner, as a way to sell automakers on the efficacy of its new body-grade plastic, Cycolac, the CRV (Cycolac Research Vehicle) concept car caught the attention of plastic-model manufacturer AMT. The Michigan-based company decided to get into the life-size car business with the help of customizing legend Gene Winfield, and intended to produce 50 Corvair-powered versions of the CRV per year. The car got a real name—Piranha—and AMT commissioned a Cycolac-bodied dragster powered by a 1400-hp 392 Hemi to promote it. That, not surprisingly, isn’t the car you see here. This is the sports-racing version, powered—like the roadgoing variant—by a Corvair engine and campaigned in various SCCA events in 1967 and 1968 by Dick Carbajal. Carbajal eventually sold the car. At some point later, it was converted to road duty and wound up under a tarp in Santa Clara, California, which is how Livermore resident Frank Zucchi ran across the curious beast. Zucchi restored the car to its former glory and has been campaigning it at various races since 2006. We happened upon the car while stumbling around the paddock at this year’s Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca , a font of “who-knew-this-existed?” oddness if ever there...

As millions of Americans continue to clean up from Hurricane Irene and put their homes, and lives, back together, one lingering impact will be a new wave of flood-damaged cars making their way onto the used-car market. A wet spring brought floods to many parts of the country, creating a pool of flood cars that will swell further with remnants of Irene. This means at a time when many people will be needing low-cost transportation, there will be many misrepresented cars on the market. And water-damaged cars aren’t limited to the storm regions. Often, such cars are moved across state lines where they can be re-titled with a clean bill of health, meaning all used-car shoppers nationwide need to be wary. Tens of thousands of these were shipped to other states after being flooded in Louisiana and other southern states following hurricane Katrina, and unfortunately, the same scenario is likely to play itself out this time around. The trouble is, flood damage may be hard to spot, yet it can permeate the vehicle and cause ongoing problems for the rest of the car’s service life. Flood damage can ruin electronics, contaminate lubricants, and threaten mechanical systems, often without leaving outward signs. It can take months for incipient corrosion to find its way to the car’s computer systems or air-bag controllers. If you’re shopping for a car, make sure to check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to see what the laws are regarding re-titling used vehicles. Websites like Carfax can help learn a vehicle’s history, but our experience indicates they don’t always tell the full story. Consider a free VINCheck from the National Insurance Crime Bureau or the federal government’s National Motor Vehicle Title Information Systems database . (Read: ” Don’t rely on used-car-history reports .”) As always, our advice is to have any used car inspected by a trusted mechanic before you buy it. And here are some tips to help you look for telltale signs yourself. Look under the carpets to see if they are wet, damp, or muddy. Check the seat-mounting screws to see if there is any evidence that they have been removed. To fully dry the carpets, the seats must be removed–not something that would occur with as...

Toyota UK aired the new 2012 Yaris commercial on the 26th August. The concept of the commercial is to outsmart life, so on the left, we have the ‘Gadget Guy’, who has a pasta-shredder and many plug-in gadgets in his Honda Civic, while on the right, we have a young woman in the Yaris . Gadget Guy is then asked a question by an animated dancer, which then shows the woman connecting her phone to the vehicle’s multimedia system. One thing you may notice about the ad is the GTA San Andreas feel and sound to it. Check it out after the break! Read the original here: Video: 2012 Toyota Yaris vs the Gadget Guy Here is the original post:  Video: 2012 Toyota Yaris vs the Gadget Guy

In Western automotive circles, Tata’s primarily known for its cheap cars, including its recent bucks-down mobility device, the Nano . When the Indian conglomerate purchased Jaguar/Land Rover, many scratched their heads. Imagine for example, if General Motors had actually tried to use its tinny, buzzy J platform to underpin a Cadillac! Perhaps saddled with a name like “ Cimarron !” Ah, but Tata does know luxury. The highly-regarded Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai is the flagship of the concern’s Taj Hotels divison. And in fact, we’ve been quite smitten by the revised interiors in post-Ford Land Rover products. Now, however, the synergies are flowing the other way. Taj’s London boutique hotel, 51 Buckingham Gate, has sourced the talents of Jaguar designer Ian Callum to outfit a Jag-themed suite. The perks? How about a living-room wall covered in Italian leather? Or Jaguar-themed wallpaper in the two bedrooms? Perhaps a clean-fuel fireplace meant to evoke the shape of a Jag’s rear window? As long as the place wasn’t wired by Lucas, we’re down for a test drive. Call us, Tata. It’s been a while since we’ve seen London. See the original post here: Tata/Jaguar Synergies Finally Realized at 51 Buckingham Gate with Themed Hotel Suite Read the original here: Tata/Jaguar Synergies Finally Realized at 51 Buckingham Gate with Themed Hotel Suite

It has never been more difficult to select the correct company car especially if a business is considering vehicle contract hire for the first time. There are so many car manufacturing companies that are vying for pole position in the company car market, but one car manufacturer is doing so with a vengeance and that is BMW. BMW are synonymous with leading edge technologies, superior luxury and have more recently been striving to produce much more energy efficient vehicles for both the private user and the business user. One of the most popular BMWs when it comes to UK BMW leasing deals is the extremely efficient 5 Series. There has been no better times for companies to consider the BMW for their vehicle contract hire requirements. One of the most popular BMWs in United Kingdon is the 520d 2.0 SE Saloon. The vehicle combines the success of the brand with efficiency and professionalism. The standard BMW 520 is available with manual transmission and as a four door model is perfect for any company considering to build their executive fleet. The 2.0 SE model is also extremely efficient in terms of CO2 at 129g/km. Although the BMW 520d SE vehicle is a popular option for corporate fleets, the 520d EfficientDynamics edition is an even safer bet. The launch will take place in September 2011 and it is envisaged that this vehicle will provide companies looking to lease efficient cars more alternatives regarding vehicle fleets. The 520d ED promises to be one of the cleanest cars on the road – emissions are extremely low at 119g/km and this of course triggers the tax break that many executive company cars fail to attain. BMW have been striving to design a company executive vehicle that will reflect greener, more eco-friendly policies and the 520d ED design will ensure this and much more for companies that want to consider leasing efficient company cars that meet government eco strategies. It is also important to mention the fuel efficiency of the BMW 5 Series. The 520d SE is quite obviously the diesel model – but it is fair to mention that advances in diesel technology now means that it is the fuel of choice for many forward looking companies. This is mainly due to the fact that diesel is more efficient in terms of miles per gallon. The 520d SE averages between 54 and...

Garmin has just launched a new navigation app for the Apple iPhone that offers users the full package of features normally found on their standalone devices and apps on a 30-day trial basis for 99 cents. While StreetPilot on Demand for the iPhone is not Garmin’s first app available through iTunes, it is the first one to be offered with such a low introductory price point. The company hopes will give them the opportunity to win over new customers who have previously been hesitant to pay a premium price for navigation. A version of the StreetPilot app with similar features is currently listed for $59.99 on the iTunes Store. Garmin says StreetPilot on Demand is also the first navigation app available through iTunes to offer a pedestrian routing mode that incorporates public transportation options into a walking route. The app can guide users on foot to bus and subway stations in certain cities, and it factors schedules and stops into routing calculations. Other features include spoken turn-by-turn guidance with street names, 3D views of buildings and landmarks, rerouting around traffic congestion, reality view of major intersections, weather conditions and a five day forecast for their destination, and Google Local Search for points of interest. A new feature suggests points of interest based on the users search history to provide faster and more relevant search results. StreetPilot on Demand is available beginning September 1, 2011 in the iTunes store. If customers like what they see during the 30-day trial, they can opt to continue for $2.99 per month, or $29.99 for a yearly subscription, discounted to $19.99 until September 14, 2011. For those drivers who need route guidance on a limited basis, such as a vacation or in an emergency, or those who would like to sample brand-name navigation on a smartphone before committing to the significant purchase price, this can be an ideal option. Plus, it is a sound by-the-month choice for those expecting limited-duration needs. In the long-run, purchasing an application will likely prove to be the most cost-effective solution for routine users. Here is the original post:  Low-cost navigator: Garmin StreetPilot on Demand for iPhone available for 99-cent trial

Most of new generation Mercedes-Benz vehicles will be having their world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show. For 10 days, from September 15-25, several of the brand’s model will be showcased. The models to be shown at the event are: New Generation B-Class, SLK 55 AMG, SLS AMG Roadster, SLK 250 CDI Diesel, C63 AMG Black Series, Pearl Vision Viano and the F125 research vehicle. Meanwhile, tweaked vehicles can also be seen besides the new models. The R-Class leads that pack followed by the C-class coupes and other AMG vehicles. Photos: IAA.de and Daimler AG Read more here:  Mercedes-Benz Vehicles at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

Most of new generation Mercedes-Benz vehicles will be having their world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show. For 10 days, from September 15-25, several of the brand’s model will be showcased. The models to be shown at the event are: New Generation B-Class, SLK 55 AMG, SLS AMG Roadster, SLK 250 CDI Diesel, C63 AMG Black Series, Pearl Vision Viano and the F125 research vehicle. Meanwhile, tweaked vehicles can also be seen besides the new models. The R-Class leads that pack followed by the C-class coupes and other AMG vehicles. Photos: IAA.de and Daimler AG Read more here: Mercedes-Benz Vehicles at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

The Audi RB-1200 S concept motorcycle is the most aesthetically pleasing piece of two-wheeled machinery that I have ever laid eyes upon. Its design is flawlessly aerodynamic and its alluring contours are a pleasure to behold. The overall elegance of the motorbike speaks volumes to Audi’s ever expanding pursuit of distancing itself from all other market contenders. When the RB-1200 S prototype hits the American market, I am sure that it will be as coveted as the Audi vehicle line has been over the past several years. Imagine owning the RB-1200 S, the first production bike in Audi’s prestigious history. You can accentuate the already stellar design of this bike by accessorizing it with a panoramic view, custom fiber, Vision R Shark Helmet. These Shark helmets definitely go with the style of an Audi motorcycle. The Vision R helmet has a unique ‘rapid anti fog system’ as well as ’shark tooth’ communication technology. The bike and the helmet combine to create the ideal eye candy scenario. Integrating style with performance, Audi and Shark technologies combine to form an irresistible tandem. Go here to read the rest: Audi Motorcycle Eye Candy