One Third of European Road Tunnels Fail to Pass Safety Test

An independent survey conducted across Europe by the European Tunnel Assessment Program (EuroTAP) has produced the worst safety result for five years. After performing safety tests on 31 tunnels in eleven European countries, EuroTAP inspectors discovered that nine tunnels failed to make the grade.

EuroTAP’s methodology consists of more than 200 criteria classed in eight categories that examine the preventative, mitigating and remedial features of a tunnel as well as its risk and safety potentials. Additionally, a so called knockout criteria leads to any tunnel with a single serious defect automatically having its score downgraded.

Leading the poor results in 2008 are Norway and Italy. In particular, Norway recorded terrible marks with all of the three tunnels tested receiving a rating of “Very Poor”: the Eikefet, Jernfjell and Matreberg tunnels. In Italy’s case, three out of the five tunnels tested are on the losing end: the Breva, Cernobbio and surprise, surprise, the newly built Marinasco tunnel. The biggest loser placed at the bottom of the list is the 2.4 km long Cernobbio tunnel built in 1983 in the city of the same name at Lake Como. –Continued

At the bottom of the list we also find the Belgian Waasland tunnel in Antwerp, the Spanish Pando tunnel (AP 66 near Pola de Lena) and the German Universität Düsseldorf tunnel (in Düsseldorf).

On the bright side, all nine tunnels tested in Austria and Switzerland received positive ratings. Italy also reached positive grades for the Serrone Tondo tunnel (A 3 near Contursi Terme) and the Valsassina tunnel (SS 36 near Lecco). At the top of the list is the 1.3 km long Pont Pla tunnel, opened in 2006, in Andorra la Vella, the capital city of the tiny state of Andorra in the eastern Pyrenees between Spain and France.

“The Tunnel Safety Directive was adopted in 2004 and remarkably public authorities and operators still fail to fulfil our recommendations towards the improvement of tunnel safety disparities across Europe”, said Professor Reinhard Rack, MEP commenting on this year’s results.

“We will continue to test tunnels and to exert public pressure via the media. The people in charge will respond with investment and tunnel refurbishment. The consequences are safe tunnels and ultimately this will benefit everybody" said Robert Sauter, EuroTAP Chairman from the German Automobile club ADAC.

Posted by Chris

Citroen & Peugeot Announce New 1.0-Liter 3-Cylinder Engine with 70 to 100Hp

The French car group PSA Peugeot Citroen has announced plans to develop a new family of 1.0-litre 3 cylinder petrol engines with power ranging from 70 to 100 Hp. Although neither Citroen nor Peugeot gave any specific details, apparently the most powerful versions of the 3-cylinder unit will be turbocharged. PSA said that the new engine line-up will bring very significant reductions in CO2 consumptions and emissions. The aim is to offer the market vehicles with CO2 emissions below 100g/km without using any additional technology. -Continued

The new 3-cylinder engines will be produced in two manufacturing sites, one in France, the other in Eastern Europe. The first facility, located on the PSA Peugeot Citroën site at Trémery, France and with an annual capacity of 600,000 engines, will be operational as of 2011.

The second facility will be set up in Eastern Europe by 2012. PSA Peugeot Citroen has begun canvassing several countries in this region and according to their plan, the choice will be made in the middle of this year.

First UK Ferrari Store to Open This Autumn

The famous Italian sports carmaker signed an agreement today (April 24, 2008) with the Percassi Group for the opening of the first Ferrari Store in the British market. Set to open this fall, the Ferrari Store will be located on London’s Regent Street and will cover an area of around 550 square meters spread over two levels housing a wide range of Prancing Horse products aimed at Formula 1 fans, GT enthusiasts, children and collectors. -Continued

There are currently 20 outlets in the Ferrari Store retail chain, half of which are outside of Italy in China, the United States, United Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Macao and Singapore.

Audi A5 Sportback: Coming in 2009?

With carmakers searching to cover every single niche, we can’t say that we’re surprised with the Audi A5 Sportback shown here in an artist’s impression from Car magazine. The Brits support that the development of the hybrid coupe-station wagon-hatchback model is well underway with production slated to begin as soon as early 2009.

Slotting between the A4 and the A6, the Sportback depicted here combines styling elements from the A5 Coupe, A4 Sedan and A4 Avant with a low roofline, frameless side windows and a liftback-style slopping tailgate. When (or if - take your pick), the A5 Sportback enters the market it will available with the same turbocharged 4-cylinder 2.0 TFSI and V6 FSi units offered in the A4/A5 models.

Via: Car

European Gas Prices: And You Thought $3.50 Was A Lot…

Earlier today, the AAA and Oil Price Information Service reported that average U.S. gasoline prices hit a new record at $3.50 per gallon. A lot of people are freaking out here in the U.S. with the cost of gas but how about if you paid more than double that like they do in Germany; how does that sound?

Ok, so we knew that Europeans pay an arm and a leg for gasoline – mostly due to heavy taxation, but we wanted to see exactly how much more so we “flew” over to Eurostat, the official European statistic office to find out. As you can see in the list, there are huge variations in Europe with gasoline prices ranging from “as low” as €3.82 / $6.12 a gallon in Bulgaria to as deep-space high as €5.87 / $9.39 in The Netherlands. Suddenly $3.50 doesn’t sound that bad, does it... And no, we’re not implying that we should pay more for gas.

*Gas prices were taken on April 18, 2008 by Eurostat and they concern the average cost of one liter of Euro-Super 95 -taxes and duties included. For comparison reasons, we converted Euros/liter prices into Euros/gallon and Dollars/gallon. Note that the exchange rate between the Dollar and the Euro also hit a new record high today (€1 = $1.60 on April 22, 2008).

Average U.S. Gas Prices Hit Record $3.50 a Gallon

Blame it partially to the rising crude oil prices (over $118 a barrel on April 22, 2008), but the AAA and Oil Price Information Service reported today that averages gasoline prices at filling stations across the U.S. hit a record $3.50 a gallon on Monday, April 21, 2008.

For our European readers, that translates to $0.93 cents a liter or with the current exchange rates between the Euro and the U.S. dollar, €0.59 cents per liter of petrol - yes, we’re fully aware of the higher prices that Europeans pay for gas. Nationally, retail gasoline prices in the U.S. are up 23% from a year ago.

Peugeot Announces New Design Competition in Beijing

For the first time, Peugeot kicked off its annual design competition outside Europe at the 2008 Beijing Motor Show. In this year’s competition, young designers from all over the world are summoned to “imagine a Peugeot for the megalopolis of tomorrow”, by creating a concept car for use in the center of the urban cities of the future, while embracing the key values of the 21st century and at the same time, bearing all of Peugeot’s recognized styling clues. -Continued

Interestingly, the model of the winning entry will be presented in China at the Shanghai Motor Show in the spring of 2009. If you’re interested you can submit your entry from May 30 2008 to 20 July 2008 at the Design section of the Peugeot website (www.peugeot.com).

Nissan’s CVT Equipped Car Sales Top 1 Million in 2007

Nissan announced today that global sales of its CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) equipped vehicles topped the one million mark in the Fiscal Year 2007 (April 2007 to March 2008). The Japanese carmaker has managed to more than quadruple its sales of CVT-equipped vehicles from 250,000 units in FY 2004 to 1,088,000 units in FY 2007.

According to Nissan, currently, CVT represents approximately 28.6 percent of global sales, compared to 7 percent in FY 2004. CVT penetration varies across the regions, with the highest rate in North America and Japan at 47.4% and 43.8% respectively.

Audi to Build Q5 Compact SUV in China!

Audi is building a new assembly plant in Changchun, northern China to manufacture its forthcoming premium compact SUV, the Q5, according to a report from the German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung. Citing unspecified China-based industry sources, the newspaper supports in its article that the first “Made in China” Q5s will roll out of the factory in August 2009, without however mentioning whether these cars will be sold out of China or not. Audi declined to comment on Süddeutsche Zeitung’s report. -Continued

The Q5 will be officially revealed tomorrow night (April 19, 2008) at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show opening with sales set to start in Europe this summer and the States towards the end of 2008 or early 2009.

Via: Süddeutsche Zeitung

Skoda: On Target To Reach 700,000 Sales This Year

Good news for Skoda as Volkswagen’s Czech unit is on course to reach its 2008 sales target of 700,000 vehciles worldwide by the end of 2008. "After three months, we are on target and should reach this figure at the end of the year," said Skoda spokesman Jaroslav Cerny, without giving any more details though.

Skoda, which has production sites in the Czech Republic, China, Russia, India and Ukraine managed to sell 630,032 cars in 2007 contributing to the VW Group's full-year profit by approximately 13 percent.

Via: Yahoo

Chrysler and Nissan Confirm Pick-Up & Compact Car Agreements

To put it simple, the two carmakers announced that the next generation Nissan Titan that’s expected in 2011 will based on the Dodge Ram (hopefully it will look nothing like our "chop") while in turn; Chrysler’s future sub-compact models will be made by Nissan.

This agreement comes a few months after Nissan agreed to supply Chrysler with a new car based on the Versa sedan for limited distribution in South America on an Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) basis in 2009.

The new deal between the two companies will see Nissan manufacturing an all-new, fuel-efficient compact car based on a unique Chrysler concept and design. This new segment entry for Chrysler will be sold in North America, Europe and other global markets in 2010, and manufactured at Nissan’s Oppama Plant in Japan.-Continued

On its behalf, Chrysler will build a full-size pickup for Nissan. According to the Japanese company, the truck will be based on a Nissan unique design and it will be manufactured at Chrysler’s Saltillo (Mexico) Assembly Plant. In order to accommodate this product, Chrysler will shift volume from Mexico to its U.S.-based assembly plants that produce pickup trucks. Sales of the pickup in North America are expected to start in 2011.

“Forging the right tactical partnerships is critical to the long-term success of Chrysler,” said Tom LaSorda, Chrysler LLC President and Vice Chairman. “It also builds on the Company’s inherent strengths, including the ability to respond rapidly and creatively to emerging opportunities.”

“In January, we said we would continue to look for additional OEM opportunities with Chrysler,” said Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Company. “This latest agreement builds on Nissan’s proven track record to deliver win-win product exchanges with multiple manufacturers around the world,” continued Tavares.

Picture: Carscoop

Subaru & Toyota Officially Confirm Joint-Development of Rear-Wheel Drive Compact Coupes

Just the other day we told you about the rumours concerning Subaru’s plans to co-develop a new rear-wheel drive coupe with Toyota. Well, today the two Japanese automakers made it official by announcing that they are to jointly develop a, affordable, compact rear-wheel-drive sports car that will be marketed by both Toyota and Subaru.

According to Toyota and Subaru’s official statement, the compact RWD coupes will be based on an all-new platform with power coming from a Subaru’s range of horizontally-opposed (boxer) engines. The market introduction of both coupes is targeted for the end of 2011, while production is to take place at a new plant that will be built at Fuji Heavy Industries’ (the maker of Subaru cars) Gunma Manufacturing Division in Japan's Gunma Prefecture. (Pic: Carscoop)

Volkswagen to Double Production of Tiguan SUV

In order to meet customer demand (more than 100,000 orders) and reduce the long waiting times (up to 10 months in some cases), Volkswagen is planning to double the output of its new Tiguan compact SUV that went into production this month at its Wolfsburg plant. Currently, the German carmaker is producing 220 Tiguans a day but according to plant manager Siegried Fiebig, this figure would be increased to between 400 and 450 a day to help reduce lead times for the car.

Via: Just-Auto (Sub. Req)

BMW Considering Selling Engines to General Motors and Other Carmakers

Could it be that your next Chevrolet sedan be fitted with a Bavarian straight-six engine? Well, while we don’t think that BMW is thinking about its top-end 6-cylinder, V8 and V12 engine series fact is that Friedrich Eichiner, BMW’s board member for corporate and brand development, told Automotive News that the German carmaker will decide by the end of the year if it will sell various engines and components to General Motors and other rival automakers. –Continued after the jump

When asked by AN’s reporters if BMW is talking to GM, Daimler and Fiat about supplying engines, Eichiner said, "We are talking with those companies you mentioned.” Apparently, the Bavarian carmaker is in talks about its PSA Peugeot Citroen co-developed 4-cylinder engines that equip the MINI along with its 4-cylinder diesel engine range. According to reports, BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer Selling engines and other components to other automakers is part of BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer's Number One strategic plan to boost the carmaker's profitability

Via: ANE , Picture: Carscoop

Porsche Files Judicial Review against London Congestion Charge

Today, Porsche officially applied for a judicial review challenging London Mayor Ken Livingstone’s congestion charge by issuing its case in the High Court of Justice. In a nutshell, London’s Mayor plans to raise the congestion charge from £8.00 (about $16 USD) a day to £25.00 (approx $50 USD) for a wide range of vehicles from October, and remove the discount for residents. The new rules affect several Porsche models and a wide range of high-performance cars but they also have an effect on many larger family cars, like larger minivans /MPVs and SUVs.

The German carmaker filed its challenge in the High Court of Justice Queen’s Bench Division Administrative Court seeking to invalidate the mayor’s new charge on the grounds that it is both a disproportionate and illegal. Porsche has asked the court to expedite the judicial proceedings given the short time-frame in which the new charge is scheduled to be imposed. -Continued

Commenting on the filing, Andy Goss, Managing Director of Porsche Cars GB, said, “Not only is this new tax on motorists unfair, it is also a disproportionate and illegal use of power by the mayor. The Porsche case is about protecting London and Londoners from a new tax that will not only fail to reduce CO₂ emissions in central London, but also increase congestion and damage air quality.”

Suzuki USA CEO, Rick Suzuki Quits Over Poor Sales

American Suzuki Chairman Ryosaku ("Rick") Suzuki - he's the grandson of Michio Suzuki, founder of Suzuki Motor Corp, said that he will step down from his position due to the automaker’s poor sales and earnings in a letter sent to the company’s employees on Friday, March 28.

According to AN, Rick Suzuki stated in the letter that while in 2003 American Suzuki Motor Company (ASMC) implemented and announced a five-year plan to achieve annual sales of 200,000 cars and 300,000 motorcycles & ATVs, 2008 found the company far from its goals, with sales of 100,000 cars and 190,000 motorcycles & ATVs. –Continued

Unfortunately for ASMC employees, Rick Suzuki also wrote in the letter that due to the fact the company reported operating losses in 2007, it will reduce its U.S. work force of 674 by 55 employees through a voluntary retirement plan and that ASMC "is in no position to provide any bonus, let alone pay raise this year".

Via: AN (Sub. Req)

Ford To Reopen Canadian Engine Plant in Windsor

According the official website of the Government of Ontario, Ford Motor Company will reopen its Essex engine plant in Windsor, thanks to a partnership between the Ontario government and the American automaker. Ontario is providing $17 million CAD to support Ford’s $170-million CAD investment for the new engine program in Windsor, thus paving the way for the return of about half of the 600 workers that where laid of last November.

“Thanks to Ford, workers can return to the jobs they take pride in. This is great news for Windsor families,” said Premier Dalton McGuinty. “Today marks a big win for Ford, for Ontario and, most importantly, for the hardworking people of Windsor,” said Economic Development and Trade Minister Sandra Pupatello.

Peugeot 4007 & Citroën C-Crosser to be Built in Europe from 2009

The French group PSA Peugeot-Citroën announced today that it has come to an agreement with Mitsubishi to transfer the production of the Outlander SUV based Peugeot 4007 and Citroën C-Crosser models from Japan to Europe. The two French SUVs are currently assembled in Mitsubishi’s Japanese Mizushima factory, but vehicles for the European market will, from January 2009, be built in the Dutch "Ned Car" factory, which is wholly owned by Mitsubishi.

Officially, the decision to relocate production in Europe was made to enable PSA Peugeot Citroën to respond more quickly to changes in European SUV demand. Unofficially, Mitsubishi had to find a way to compensate for the loss of the Mitsubishi Colt based Smart Fourfour compact hatch that was built in the Ned Car factory up until late 2006. (Pic: Carscoop)

Volkswagen Considering Buying Serbian Carmaker Zastava

According to Germany's Handelsblatt newspaper, Volkswagen AG is looking into buying the Serbian state-owned carmaker Zastava in order to gain additional production sites in Eastern Europe. Although the newspaper says that VW representatives visited a Zastava plant in Serbia ahead of the Easter holidays, a spokesman for the German company told Handelsblatt that Volkswagen has not yet decided whether to bid for the carmaker. Zastava is currently 99.9 percent-owned by the Serbian government, which aims to sell 98.8 percent of shares according to the report.

Ford Officially Announces Jaguar & Land Rover Sale to Tata Motors for $2.3 Billion

Ford Motor Company issued an official statement today announcing that the sale of its Jaguar and Land Rover marques to India’s Tata Motors for approximately US $2.3 billion. According to Ford, the sale is expected to close by the end of the next quarter. Upon closing, Ford will contribute up to approximately US $600 million to the Jaguar and Land Rover pension plans

As part of the deal with Tata, Ford will continue to supply Jaguar and Land Rover for differing periods with powertrains, stampings and other vehicle components, in addition to a variety of technologies, such as environmental and platform technologies. Additionally, Ford Motor Credit Company will provide financing for Jaguar and Land Rover dealers and customers during a transitional period, which can vary by market, of up to 12 months. –Continued after the jump

FORD

"Jaguar and Land Rover are terrific brands," said Alan Mulally, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company. "We are confident that they are leaving our fold with the products, plan and team to continue to thrive under Tata’s stewardship. Now, it is time for Ford to concentrate on integrating the Ford brand globally, as we implement our plan to create a strong Ford Motor Company that delivers profitable growth for all."

"This is a good agreement. It provides the Jaguar Land Rover management team and employees with the assurances needed to maintain their focus on delivering the best results for the business," said Lewis Booth, executive vice president, Ford Motor Company, who has responsibility for Ford of Europe, Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover. "I am confident that, under its new owner, Jaguar Land Rover will continue to build upon the significant improvements and product successes it has achieved in recent years."

TATA

Speaking about today’s agreement, Mr Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons and Tata Motors, commented: "We are very pleased at the prospect of Jaguar and Land Rover being a significant part of our automotive business. We have enormous respect for the two brands and will endeavour to preserve and build on their heritage and competitiveness, keeping their identities intact. We aim to support their growth, while holding true to our principles of allowing the management and employees to bring their experience and expertise to bear on the growth of the business."

Jaguar Land Rover’s employees, trade unions and the UK Government have been kept informed of developments as the sale process progressed and have indicated their support for the agreement.

JAGUAR & LAND ROVER

Speaking on behalf of Jaguar Land Rover, Geoff Polites, chief executive officer, said: "Jaguar Land Rover’s management team is very pleased that Ford and Tata Motors have come to an agreement today. Our team has been consulted extensively on the deal content and feels confident that it provides for the business needs of both our brands going forward.

"We have also had the opportunity to meet senior executives from Tata Motors and the Tata group," Polites continued. "They have expressed confidence in the team that has delivered significant improvements in Jaguar Land Rover’s business performance. We feel confident that we can forge a strong working relationship with our new parent company, and we look forward to a bright and successful future for Jaguar Land Rover."