Brooks On OEM Product Trends

By: Glenn Brooks

Analyst Glenn Brooks looks at OEM new product developments in the context of company strategies and market trends

PRODUCT EYE: Honda CR-Z

21 May 2013

It isn't often that a three-year old car, albeit one that was facelifted not long ago, attracts admiring glances in car parks. Glenn Brooks was surprised to learn that few people know what a Honda CR-Z is.

SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai names next Tucson as first fuel cell production car

21 May 2013

Hyundai Motor has announced that the fuel cell vehicle it will build at the rate of 10,000 units a year will be a version of the next Tuscon.

THAILAND: Mitsubishi reveals Attrage - Mirage/Space Star sedan

21 May 2013

Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) has revealed initial details of the production version of the G4 concept from the recent Bangkok motor show. This new model, a sedan version of the Mirage/Space Star hatchback, is called 'Attrage'.

Why the Mazda6 wagon is smaller than the sedan

20 May 2013

I've been wondering about this since Mazda launched the different body styles months apart last year: is the latest sedan a rebodying of the old car, while the wagon has the latest platform as introduced by the CX-5? If so, why?

EXCLUSIVE: Next Mazda2 to use downsized CX-5 platform

20 May 2013

A spokesperson for the company's UK importer has told just-auto that the replacement for the Mazda2/Demio will use the same platform as the far larger CX-5 crossover.

PRODUCT EYE: Porsche Cayman

17 May 2013

When Porsche GB invites you to the Scottish Highlands to drive its new Cayman, you tend to reschedule whatever else was in the diary. Glenn Brooks was just-auto's man on EasyJet to Inverness.

What Shanghai Volkswagen's new Changsha plant will build

17 May 2013

The SVW joint venture has just announced its new 300,000/annum plant for Changsha in Hunan province. But what models will be made there?

BMW 2 Series is revealed at last

16 May 2013

The US-based enthusiast magazine Motor Trend has just published the first pics of F22, the forthcoming 2 Series coupe. And not just any version either - the especially tasty M235i.

CHINA: Dongfeng takes stake in MMC partner Fujian

16 May 2013

Dongfeng Motor has taken a shareholding in MMC's joint venture partner Fujian Motor. The deal gives China's second largest OEM new access to manufacturing capacity in the country's south east.

COMMENT: Is Tesla really worth twice as much as Fiat SpA?

16 May 2013

We live in strange times. As Fisker, a rival with supposedly superior range-extending technology falls apart, the value of Tesla rises yet again, this time by almost two percent on Wednesday to US$9.7bn.

VILLA d'ESTE PREVIEW: First car for global debuts list

15 May 2013

The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2013 will take place between 24 and 26 May. Our list of concept and production model world premieres will be updated each time an additional vehicle is announced.

FRANKFURT PREVIEW: Global debuts list [Peugeot 308 & Volvo VEA engine family added]

13 May 2013

The media days for the Frankfurt motor show are 10 & 11 September. Each time a vehicle or concept world premiere is confirmed for this biennial event, our preview list is updated.

PRODUCT EYE: Suzuki Grand Vitara

10 May 2013

Thought all the medium-sized frame-platform SUVs had been replaced by front-wheel drive ones? Glenn Brooks reacquaints himself with the latest Suzuki Grand Vitara, a proper old-school 4x4.

Has the BTCC returned to its glory days?

7 May 2013

For me, at least, the best years of the British Touring Car Championship was the era of the Volvo 850 estate. But after spectating at this past weekend's Thruxton round I reckon 2013 is turning out to be classic year.

PRODUCT EYE: Vauxhall Mokka

3 May 2013

A suitably mud-coloured Vauxhall Mokka recently turned up for review at Glenn Brooks' home. He now sees why GM's little SUV is selling up a storm in Europe.

The RR Sport at high speed and then, a McLaren 12C Spider

3 May 2013

Had thought until yesterday that driving the new Range Rover Sport at high speed around JLR's test track was the most memorable thing I would do this week. I was wrong.

UK: Land Rover quietly building a third body shop

2 May 2013

The manager of Land Rover's Solihull body shop has told just-auto.com that the JLR division has not only just completed a second shop but that the frame of a third one is presently going up.

TOKYO PREVIEW: Global debuts list [Toyota fuel cell vehicle added]

2 May 2013

The media days for the Tokyo motor show are 20 & 21 November (the same as those for the LA show). Each time a vehicle or concept world premiere is confirmed for this biennial event, our preview list is updated.

UK: 500kg weight loss claimed for I4 Range Rover Sport

1 May 2013

Stuart Frith, the chief programme engineer for the new Range Rover Sport, has revealed details of more derivatives to come, including "over 500kg of weight reduction compared to the outgoing model" for the still-secret four-cylinder versions.