Fiat has confirmed that is working on a new crossover version of the 500, which is expected to arrive in the UK in 2015. Prototypes have already been spotted and point at a car similar in shape to the 500L albeit with an increased ride height.
Daily Archives: February 16, 2014
French automakers beat U.S. rivals return to Iran
Sanctions have barely been eased on Iran and the Detroit 3 are being beaten back to the market by French rivals. It’s not surprising: Washington still keeps U.S. businesses and individuals shackled by stricter trade restrictions.Chalk it up as a case of geopolitical stalemate handicapping U.S. automakers in an age where winning emerging markets – or in this case, re-emerging markets – is the name of the game.
PSA said to near Santander deal to strengthen lending arm
PSA/Peugeot-Citroen is close to a deal for a joint venture with Banco Santander to strengthen the financing of the automaker’s lending arm, two people familiar with the matter said.Santander would pay cash for a portfolio of loans from Banque PSA Finance, and the two would create a sales financing network together, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private.
Honda to end Europe sales of Insight, CR-Z hybrids
Honda will stop selling its Insight and CR-Z gasoline-electric hybrids in Europe because of weak demand.It’s a blow to Honda, which was the first automaker to sell a mass-production hybrid in Europe when it introduced the two-seat Insight in 1999, a year ahead of Toyota’s Prius.
Honda will sell off its remaining European stocks of the Insight five-door hatchback and CR-Z sports coupe, a company spokesperson said.
Kia to display coming 48V mild hybrid system at Geneva; lead carbon battery
As well as showcasing the new Soul EV (earlier post) and refreshed Optima Hybrid at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, Kia will display a standalone exhibit of a new 48V mild hybrid technology, developed by the brand’s European R&D center for use in future Kia models.
