The Auto Writer, Part II
Nissan to Market Infiniti Cars in China
The Chinese luxury automobile market is booming and Nissan plans
to enter the market in 2007 with its Infiniti brand of
automobiles.
Nissan is planning on setting up dealerships across China,
particularly in major cities. China's auto market is exploding
with year to year sales growth of 20% being recorded. Luxury
cars are also in demand as sales of this all important and
lucrative category is increasing at a 10% annual rate according
to Xinhua.
GM Pulls Plug on GTO
General Motors has announced that the automaker will no longer
be producing and importing the Australian built Pontiac GTO to
the US market opting to discontinue production altogether.
Derived from the discontinued Holden Morano, the GTO hearkened
back to GM's muscle car era with its 400 h.p. V8. Still, the car
was a disappointment to some as they complained about its bland
styling. GM cited the Morano's earlier termination and the GTO's
lackluster sales as reasons for killing the model. Instead, the
automaker is expected to soon announce the return of the popular
Chevrolet Camaro as well as its Pontiac sibling, the Firebird.
Toyota and Simple Slim
Toyota is incorporating an important engineering method in its
quest to cut costs. The Camry, Toyota's most popular vehicle and
the number one selling car model in America, uses "simple slim"
to reduce engine costs.
According to company news reports, Simple Slim is...
"...a new technology for pouring molten aluminum into moulds to
create engine parts. The new equipment, part of a larger Toyota
cost-cutting program called Simple Slim, allows Toyota to use
smaller and cheaper moulds."
So, what does this all translate to? Big cost savings up to 50%
on Toyota Camry engines. Instead of an engine costing $2000 to
build, it now costs the company $1000. This same engine is also
available in various other Toyota and Lexus models.
A Scion Fighter For Dodge?
Dodge's newest and smallest model is the Caliper, its
replacement for the compact Neon. As the current entry level car
in the Dodge line up, the Caliper is actually too big and too
expensive for many new car owners. With that in mind, Dodge is
toying with building a Scion-like vehicle, the Hornet to compete
effectively against Toyota's Generation "Y" vehicle as well as
against the Honda Fit.
Dodge will be showing the Hornet at the upcoming Geneva Car Show
in March. The car to be displayed is a full two feet shorter
than the Caliper. According to a published report in
Newsday, Dodge is looking for an offshore partner to
build the vehicle for them.