Ford Motors has entered a joint venture with Changan Ford Mazda Automobile (CFMA) which resulted in a new plant that will be put up in Chongqing China. The plant is scheduled to be completed by 2012 and is Ford’s ticket towards expanding in the Asian Pacific and African regions.

The new plant is said to be capable of producing 150,000 units a year which jacks up the total annual production capacity of the CFMA to 600,000 to cover the growing demands for Ford brands in China. The investment was said to be valued at $490 million.

The new, highly flexible facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art automation and utilize Ford’s global manufacturing processes and systems. Capable of producing a diversified range of products in the future, the plant will begin manufacturing Ford’s next-generation Ford Focus in 2012.

(Source) Press

Tags: african regions, art automation, asian pacific, cfma, changan ford, chongqing china, diversified range, flexible facility, ford focus, ford motors, joint venture, manufacturing processes, Mazda, mazda automobile, next generation, state of the art

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In something which may be traced to the expected influx of electric cars, the industry that is quiet but is expected to boom is the car battery business. With fueled cars being seen to become a thing of the past, hybrid and plug-in vehicles are expected to be the next generation modes of transportation which naturally rely heavily on car batteries. And from the countries touted to take advantage of this development, Germany is being wooed as the country heading the car battery industry.

Germany is positioned to be a global leader in this market segment. Business opportunities in Germany resulting from this trend will be presented at the Advanced Automotive Battery & EC Capacitor Conference in Long Beach, California from June 8-12.

Within the framework of the German economic stimulus program, over USD 700 million have been allocated for research funding in the area of electric mobility. Interest-reduced loans and grants can be received for developing new battery technology, as well as other hybrid drives and fuel cell technologies.

(Source) Press

Tags: automotive battery, battery business, battery industry, battery technology, business opportunities, capacitor, car batteries, car battery, economic stimulus, electric cars, electric mobility, fuel cell technologies, global leader, influx, long beach california, market segment, next generation

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It has been quite some time since we last saw a Ford Capri. In fact, it has almost been 30 years or so. But if rumors persist, we may yet see the return of the Capri in a smaller version like a 3-door hatchback. The new Ford Capri aims to compete against the likes of the Volkswagen Scirocco, offering a coupe-like hatchback with a heavy appearance on the rear.

Design will be influenced by the Ford iosis Max Concept that was shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The iosis Max Concept will also set the stage for the rest of the next-generation Focus lineup along with the next C-Max.

Power will come from the 1.6L 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine that made its first debut in the Lincoln Concept C – it was also featured on the iosis Max Concept. The engine produces up to 180-hp while providing fuel-economy that is 20 percent better than the conventional gasoline engines.

Would the Ford Capri become a hit once again? Only time will tell. But at the rate that some cars are slowly coming back, it may just have its share of customers though more buildup may be in order to really make an impact for its return to the automotive scene.

(Source) EGM Car Tech

Tags: appearance, c max, car tech, concept c, conventional gasoline, debut, ford capri, ford iosis, fuel economy, gasoline engines, geneva motor show, Lincoln, lincoln concept, max power, new ford, next generation, volkswagen, volkswagen scirocco

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If there is one hot car in the market that has been in hiatus, it is the Mitsubishi Evolution series. It has been some years now since we last saw the classy vehicles but brace yourself for the next generation series coming via the FQ line.

Mitsubishi announces the Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-330 SS, the latest model that has been added to the FQ rally cars today. The Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-330 SS can rev up to as much as 329 MPH with a torque of 322lb-ft. This in turn is supported by the SST Twin-clutch transmission.

Other Key Features:

• Mitsubishi’s special S-AWC AWD system
• 18in Enkei alloys
• Brembo brakes
• Eibach springs
• Bilstein shocks
• Recaro seats
• Array of comfort and convenience features including Bluetooth, iPod/MP3 support and satellite navigation

The Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-330 SS is now available in the UK region.

(Source) Motor Authority

Tags: alloys, array, bilstein shocks, brakes, clutch, convenience features, generation series, hiatus, hot car, Mitsubishi, mitsubishi evolution x, mp3 support, next generation, rally cars, recaro seats, satellite navigation, sst, torque

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To perk up the infotainment and advanced prototyping system to help produce new vehicle architecture in vehicles, Volkswagen’s Electronics Research Laboratory is developing next generation IVI systems in their Palo Alto, Calif. research facility with help from Silicon Valley.

This development helps provide better promise as far as further integrating world-class technology and the growing demand for in-vehicle infotainment. Also, this new development promises to enhance vehicular development and production, coming up with quality and cost-efficient systems under the Volkswagen brand.

“Working in Silicon Valley has provided access to valuable partnerships to help achieve our research goals,” said Hunhke. “The partnership with Stanford University to develop the DARPA Grand Challenge ‘Stanley’ and Urban Challenge ‘Junior’ vehicles is another example of the success that can stem from these relationships.”

(Source) Press

Tags: efficient systems, electronics research, infotainment, next generation, palo alto, silicon valley, stanford university, volkswagen, world class technology

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GPS Insight offers a new innovation in improving the navigation and tracking of vehicles with the added alerts option that can improve alertness via mobile devices of drivers.

These next-generation options go beyond the typical fleet management functionality and help customers precisely react to unexpected situations with their fleet, as well as notify drivers of the violation in real time via SMS text message or email to their phone.

A combination of speeding, idling, long stop, landmark visit, and odd-hours/weekend usage may now be used to custom tailor an exact alert for customers.

Highlights:

• Alert when drivers are at their home within work hours on weekdays
• Alert when excessive idling occurs except in known maintenance areas
• Send a driver an alert when they are speeding within known construction areas
• Alert for different speeds during different times of day such as daytime and nighttime
• Send a driver an alert when their vehicle moves from their home at night in case it is being stolen

The first GPS Insight customer to use these alerts reduced total idling from 42% to 27% within two months, saving 40,000 gallons of fuel and achieving tremendous ROI.

(Source) Press

Tags: landmark visit, mobile devices, next generation, text message, vehicle moves

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