Infiniti’s Mercedes A-Class-based Compact Model to be Built by Magna Steyr

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Japan’s second biggest automaker, wants Nissan's luxury brand, Infiniti, to have a 10 percent share in the premium segment, which amounts to 500,000 units.

The “Power 88” plan that Ghosn revealed last June calls for the rapid expansion of Infiniti, which is an established player in the U.S. market but almost non-existent in Europe: in 2010 it sold 4,500 units, a tenth of BMW’s January 45,000 sales…

Back in August, we revealed that Infiniti was preparing a small, entry-level premium model to compete with the likes of Audi’s A3 and BMW’s 1-Series, and that it would use another premium carmaker’s help: Mercedes Benz and its newly developed MFA platform employed by the 2012 A-Class.

Now, Autonews reports that the Infiniti's C-segment model, which was previewed by the Etherea concept at the Geneva Motor Show this past March, will be manufactured in Austria by Magna Steyr.

The Austrian company has a huge experience in manufacturing vehicles for other carmakers. It's most well-known models are the first-generation BMW X3, the European Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Peugeot RCZ and the Mini Countryman, and of course, Mercedes’ no-frills 4x4, the G-Wagen, which it has built since 1979.

Sources report that the deal, which is expected to be signed next month, stipulates that Magna Steyr will receive many preassembled “complete parts” from Mercedes-Benz .The new model’s annual production will be around 50,000-60,000 units, significantly boosting Infiniti’s global sales.

The entry-level Infiniti will be launched in 2013 and will be based on Mercedes’ MFA new front-wheel drive platform. Tying up with Daimler on April 2010 was Nissan’s first move towards its target, cutting development and production costs for both groups.

Using a sub-contractor and a rather experienced one at that to build a mainstream model means that you can save even more, since you don’t have to retool your existing plants or set up a new one, either of which are much more expensive solutions.

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Toyota Targets Honda Jazz / Fit with New Verso-S MPV

Toyota re-enters the minivan segment in Europe with a new model called the Verso-S, which made its debut at the Paris Motor Show today. Which goes on sale in Europe from February 2011, the Verso-S is a spiritual successor Yaris Verso cars and objectives such as the Honda Jazz / Fit and Kia come.

The five-seat Verso-S is less than 4 meters long (3990 mm). But he compensates with a relatively long wheelbase of 2550 mm. In addition, Toyota says the attention to detail has maximized the space and, therefore, offers Verso-S "clearance of the front seats, rear seat space and luggage capacity to rival that of the C-segment cars ".

The practice of the category, the Verso-S receives numerous cupholders and pockets and a three-level, the panel storage compartment and rear seats, with one arm and one 60:40 button folding mechanism.

The floor of the boot of 760 mm long with a lightweight, two-step loading dock plate can be placed either in an exceptional volume of 336 liters of cargo, or down to increase the depth of space load of 95 mm and volume 393 liters load. With the rear seats folded, total cargo volume of space increases to a maximum of 1,388 liters.

Another highlight of the interior is new, 6.1-inch color touch screen multimedia system includes AM / FM radio with CD/MP3 player, Bluetooth phone connection, USB port for connecting portable music players and the Department of the iPod displays artwork album, and no camera radar.

The Verso-S is available with a choice of two engines, a unit of 1.33 liter gasoline or 1.4 liter D-4D turbo diesel, both mated to standard manual transmissions 6-speed. The 1. gasoline engine can also be equipped with a continuously variable transmission optional Multidrive S, which has a 7 speed sequential shift paddle.

According to Toyota, fuel model delivers a combined fuel economy of 5.5 km lt/100 [42.8 MPG U.S.] and CO2 emissions of 127 g / km and 4.3 km lt/100 diesel model [54, 7 MPG U.S. States] and 113 g / km.

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Kia Is Moved Production To The Czech Republic And Slovakia

Lower Traditional western car business Kia Google said on Exclusive that it has began set up of the Venga minor MPV at its developing capability in the place of Zilina in Slovakia, which also makes the Cee'd type of C-segment models and the Sportage SUV.

Up until now, Kia designed the B-segment MPV at sister companies Motors Web site other Traditional western place in the Czech Republic.

To deliver growth of the Venga, Kia Google used more than €40 thousands of (US$55.3 million) into shifting the set up selections of the Zilina place, while also together with a third switch and a second website store, which led to the operate of 1,000 new individuals getting the total to 4,000 people.

Kia said that in the first 50 % of 2012, it will use over 1,000 more people in all areas of the capability from fantastic inspectors, welders and set up people.

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Toyota Presents its First Minicar in Japan, the New Daihatsu-Based Pixi Space

Toyota has decided to enter Japan's popular minicar, or as it's locally known, "kei" car segment with the new Pixi Space, which is supplied by the firm's Daihatsu subsidiary under a minivehicle OEM agreement reached in September 2010.

The Pixis Space is offered in two distinct flavors the base model in "L" and "X" trims, and a sportier looking variant available as the "Custom X", "Custom G" and "Custom RS".

With the exception of the Custom RS that is powered by a more powerful 660c turbocharged engine, the rest of the lineup is offered with a naturally aspirated 660cc gasoline unit. All models adopt a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and are offered with either front- or all-wheel drive.

Pricing for the Pixi Space starts at 1.12 million yen (US$14,700) for the base model and tops out at 1.611 million yen (US$21,145) for the Custom RS with AWD.

Up until now, Toyota was the only mainstream domestic player in the Japanese market to not be directly represented in the category leaving the "kei" cars to Daihatsu.

Under Japanese regulations, to belong in the "kei" car segment, a vehicle be must be powered by an engine with a displacement of less than 660cc (0.66-liters) and measure up to 3.4 meters (133.8-in.) long, 1.48 meters (58.3-in.) wide and 2 meters (78.7-in.) tall.

The advantages of owning a Kei car include lower taxes and insurance rates while they are also exempt from local requirements to verify that adequate parking is available for the vehicle.

 

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Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class hatches ahead of New York and Shanghai

Nearly four years ago, we heard rumors that Mercedes-Benz was considering dropping the diminutive A-class from its lineup. Oh, how times have changed. The German automaker is prepping an all-new A-class (M270), and we’re now able to get some insight into what it will look like courtesy of the Concept A.

The Mercedes-Benz Concept A is a stylized version of the upcoming 2012 A-Class. Falling in line with the rest of the family, its squared-off nose is aggressive and wears the Tri-Star emblem well. From the side, the Concept A shows hints of the CLS and even the R-Class. Though most of the swoopy lines seen above are concept-cool, we expect the production A-Class to to share lots of design notes with the Concept A. Yet we doubt the star-filled nighttime sky grille will make the cut.

A front-wheel-drive Benz, the Concept A benefits from both turbocharging and direct-injection. A BlueEFFICIENCY 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is fitted under the hood, and produces 210-horsepower. That four-banger is paired with a dual-clutch transmission.

More than a styling and propulsion exercise, the Concept A aims to add first-rate features to luxury compact segment. A radar-based collision-detection system will be the first of its kind in this segment and, when paired with Adaptive Brake Assist, can help lower the risk of having someone rear-end your 2012 A-Class.

We’ll get to see this concept car in person when it debuts at the 2011 New York Auto Show. Mercedes is also bringing the Concept A to the Shanghai Motor Show, but we take it as a good sign for the car’s chances in the U.S. that the concept is being shown in the Big Apple. Until we can bring you live images, the gallery below will have to do. Be sure to click past the jump for the full press release.

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