Spy Photo: MotorAuthority

2014 BMW M3 prototype spotted again

Joining its bigger brother, the new BMW M3 hits the road for more testing prior the model’s debut at the upcoming North American International Auto Show, in January.

At the exterior, the German sports car comes with new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a rear diffuser, a quad-pipe exhaust system, new wheels and side mirrors caps.

Power is expected to come from a 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine producing around 420 horsepower. It is the same engine that will be fitted to the new M4 and will be linked to a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed M DCT gearbox.

BMW will improve the model’s total weight thanks to a carbon fiber roof while the hood and trunk will receive the same treatment which should cut about 100 kilograms.

Like we’ve told you above, the new BMW M3 is expected to make its official debut next year at NAIAS but for now, the German carmaker released no official details in this regard.

Daimler is not amused by students’ Hitler ad

Daimler says a spoof advertisement in which a Mercedes C class deliberately runs over a young Adolf Hitler is ”inappropriate.”

Toyota adds discounts for Tesla-powered RAV4 EV

Toyota is discounting its all-electric RAV4 through low-cost lease and loan offers to boost demand for the slow-selling compact crossover that’s powered by a Tesla Motors battery pack and motor

Land Rover will launch diesel hybrid SUVs

Land Rover plans to start taking orders for diesel-hybrid versions of its new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models after their unveilings at the Frankfurt auto show

Carmakers look to video games for new routes to market

Automakers are increasingly strengthening their relationships with video-game manufacturers as they seek to promote their vehicles and woo young gamers as future customers.

Mich. governor to name former Mercedes VP to state auto post, report says

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is expected next week to announce the appointment of Nigel Francis, a former vice president at Mercedes-Benz AG and defunct Bright Automotive, as an automotive adviser to the state

PSA expects the new Peugeot 308 to help reduce its cash burn

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen said it may beat a goal of reducing cash consumption this year as new vehicles such as the 308 hatchback and 2008 crossover help the company boost prices

Bosch opens chassis control system plant in China

German supplier Robert Bosch opened a second chassis control system plant this month in the Chinese city of Chengdu.

Nissan to boost Americas capacity to 2 million vehicles

Nissan said it is spending more than $5 billion to expand capacity in the United States, Mexico and Brazil and will have the ability to build more than 2 million autos annually in the Americas by early next year

Jaguar Land Rover shuffles top executives

Jaguar Land Rover is promoting North America President Andy Goss to group sales operations director as part of a shuffle of global sales and marketing executives.

Ford will expand MyFord Touch infotainment system to European models

Ford plans to introduce its MyFord Touch infotainment system to its vehicle lineup in Europe starting next year.

PSA eyes GM tie-up in South America, report says

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen wants to take advantage of partner General Motors’ strength in South America to reduce its dependence on Europe, a senior executive told a newspaper.

Next Prius will cost less, get better fuel economy, Toyota engineer says

The next Toyota Prius will get “significantly better fuel economy in a more compact package that is lighter weight and lower cost,” the Prius program’s chief engineer said.

2014 BMW X5 Individual unveiled

BMW officially introduced the BMW X5 Individual, just few hours after they unveiled the high-performance diesel version, namely the X5 M50d.

The new range of accessories is dedicated to the new-generation X5 and comes with two special exterior finishes, the Pyrite Brown metallic and Ruby Black metallic.

Other features include a new set of 20inch alloy wheels with special tires. At the interior, buyers will benefit from some exclusive upholsteries (Merino leather, Amaro Brown and Criollo Brown), Piano Black trim, Sen Light Brown accents and special stitching.

“The intense lustre of these paintwork options derives from reflections triggered by red or gold pigments beneath the surface,” says BMW about the exterior paint.

The 2014 BMW X5 is scheduled to go on sale towards the end of this year, namely in December. The Individual package will be also available starting December.

Ford, aiming for more value shoppers, plans F-150 STX SuperCrew for ’14

Ford is adding another niche trim level to its lineup of full-sized pickups: the F-150 STX SuperCrew. It is aimed at first-time buyers or value-conscious customers who are returning to the market

Toyota emphasizes customer care, while aiming for 15% U.S. share

Toyota Motor Sales USA is setting aside rapid market share growth as a priority and will focus on “taking care of the customer” as a primary goal, the company’s top sales executive in the United States said today.

Toyota eyeing more Mexico manufacturing

Toyota wants to boost capacity in Mexico, but a key executive declined to give a timeline for a new plant. Toyota board member Mark Hogan, a former General Motors executive, said the automaker wants to add “more production capacity” in Mexico

Renault COO Tavares steps down after saying he would like to run GM or Ford

Renault Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares will step down from his post two weeks after publicly saying that he would like to run General Motors or Ford.

Ford plans to sell Edge in China, report says

Ford expects to sell its Edge mid-sized crossover in global markets — including China — when the car is redesigned in early 2015, two sources familiar with the automaker’s plans said

Germany’s Schaeffler cuts revenue target on weak industrial demand

German supplier Schaeffler lowered its full-year revenue target to 1 percent to 2 percent from 4 percent after first-half growth stalled amid a sharp drop in demand at its industrial division.

Johnson Controls will receive state aid for Slovak headrest project

Johnson Controls will receive state aid from the Slovak government in exchange for creating jobs through a venture to manufacture headrests in the country

Private Chinese automakers go upscale — and hit the jackpot

SHANGHAI — Chinese automakers, facing intensifying competition from foreign brands, are bleeding market share. The bloodletting will continue as Volkswagen AG, General Motors and Ford Motor Co. build more assembly plants in China. So will all Chinese brands be crowded out of their home market, as many people fear? Hardly. In fact, a few private Chinese automakers have successfully defended their turf in China’s turbulent automotive market. At this point, the winners appear to be Great Wall Motor Co., Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. and Chongqing Lifan Industry Group Co.

Why Chinese consumers have shiny nails after visiting the showroom

Half of all auto purchases in China are made by first-time buyers who have limited knowledge about cars, according to researcher Nielsen Holdings. So it’s normal for Chinese car dealers to entertain multiple visits from prospective customers, who often bring relatives and friends to give opinions and haggle over the price. Automakers and dealerships go out of their way to make these newcomers feel welcome, offering manicures, movies and free food to keep them in showrooms as salespeople explain features.

PSA to end Aulnay car output earlier than planned

PSA will halt car production at its Aulnay plant near Paris earlier than planned as it transfers some workers to other roles.

Turkish auto market seen as flat in 2013

Turkish auto sales will reach about 820,000 vehicles in 2013, almost unchanged from last year, said Kamil Basaran, CEO of Tofas, Fiat’s joint-venture in the country.