Latest automotive analysis
Comprehensive coverage of the automotive industry's latest, breaking news brought to you by just-auto's leading network of international journalists.
Groupe PSA future models analysis - Opel-Vauxhall
21 Jun 2018 | Glenn Brooks
A series which has looked at the existing and future models of Groupe PSA - first Peugeot, then Citroën and DS Automobiles - now reaches its final chapter.
Paris motor show world debuts list - Audi A1 Sportback
20 Jun 2018 | Glenn Brooks
Audi has announced details of the second generation A1 Sportback ahead of its public premiere at the Paris Mondial de l'Automobile.
Hands-On Tech - Volkswagen T-Roc
19 Jun 2018 | Cat Dow
This is our Hands-On-Tech (HOT) reporting series*. Here, we take a look at the top-spec connectivity features offered by manufacturers in detail, looking to benchmark the connectivity functionality based on various test criteria. Volkswagen’s compact crossover T-Roc takes on the best-selling Nissan Qashqai in a very busy and fiercely competitive segment. So how does the technology, Car-Net, now available across the range, fare as a value proposition?
Groupe PSA future models analysis - DS Automobiles
19 Jun 2018 | Mike Vousden
This chapter of our analysis series of the divisions of Groupe PSA covers DS Automobiles. It is the third of four features and follows examinations of the future models strategy of Peugeot and Citroën.
Interior design and technology – Kia Niro PHEV
18 Jun 2018 | Matthew Beecham
Hybrid sales in the UK and mainland Europe have doubled over the past five years and are expected to reach 700,000 annually by the end of the decade. The Kia Niro – the Korean carmaker’s third plug-in hybrid (PHEV) after the Optima and Optima Sportswagon - slots into this blossoming market place. Continuing QUBE/just-auto's review of interior design and technology trends, we slip inside this compact crossover to see if this is just another small SUV or something different.
Groupe PSA future models analysis - Citroen
15 Jun 2018 | Glenn Brooks
In this second chapter of a series concerning Groupe PSA's divisions, the spotlight turns on Citroën. Unlike Peugeot, which was recently examined, this famous make remains distressed. Sales continue to fall in France even though new models have been steadily flowing during the last 12 months. The picture is equally concerning in many other countries, including China.
Jeep Compass - Fiat and Chrysler's best collaboration yet?
14 Jun 2018 | Glenn Brooks
It's bounding up the sales charts in the USA and selling briskly across Europe too. After several days spent in the company of the Jeep Compass, the reasons for its rising level of worldwide popularity become clear. Could the MP project be the best yet mix of Fiat and Chrysler strengths?
Groupe PSA future models analysis - Peugeot
12 Jun 2018 | Glenn Brooks
After some especially trying years, the brand with the lion logo has clawed its way back. As so often happens when a company slows or stops spending on new vehicles to preserve cash, things get a lot worse. Now though, the much admired 3008 and 5008 are not only selling up a storm across Europe but have even become the combined number one in France - almost unthinkable for a market where small cars have for decades been the best sellers.
Lexus LC 500 - the anti-hybrid?
7 Jun 2018 | Glenn Brooks
With sales well below 50,000 per annum (16,276 for the year to the end of April), Lexus is a minor make in Europe, smaller even than Jaguar and about the same size as DS. Unceasingly advertising itself as the hybrid brand in the days when few buyers knew anything about petrol-electrics is the reason why. It's ironic then that just as its hybrids are rising in popularity, Toyota is also selling the stunning LC coupe with a proper old-school V8.
Is Nissan about to pull Infiniti out of Europe? [updated with automaker's response]
6 Jun 2018 | Glenn Brooks
As Infiniti sales plunge at a dizzying rate across Europe and new model launches are pushed back, the question has to be asked: is Nissan planning to pull the plug on its luxury brand in the world's toughest market?
Interior design and technology – Honda CR-V
5 Jun 2018 | Matthew Beecham
When Honda launched its CR-V way back in the day (1997), its main rival was the Toyota RAV4. Fast forward two decades and the carmaker’s fourth generation model competes in a flooded market. Yet this practical, family-friendly car has become one of the most popular compact SUVs sold around the world. Continuing QUBE/just-auto's review of interior design and technology trends, we take a closer look inside to see what makes it so appealing.
Fiat Chrysler lays out its plans - what happens next?
4 Jun 2018 | Glenn Brooks
Jeep and Ram, two brands which are successful mainly in the USA, are expected to account for most of the future profitability of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles at a global level over the next five years. That was the gist of the announcements made at FCA's 'Capital Markets Day'. Although a lot was said at Balocco, many questions concerning the next generation of models for FCA divisions went unanswered.
Is Kia's CK project as strong a Stinger as intended?
1 Jun 2018 | Glenn Brooks
The sales collapses in China and the USA are now behind Hyundai and Kia, thanks mainly to the arrival of new SUVs. Things should get even better for Kia Motors America from the fourth quarter as SK3, the Soul, arrives in dealerships, reinvented as a crossover. Cars are still the brand's mainstay though, with one of the most recently added models also doing a lot of stealthy work as an image changer for the brand.
ANALYSIS - Toyota under pressure in ASEAN region
31 May 2018 | Staff reporter
Toyota’s dominance of the ASEAN vehicle market has come under significant pressure this year despite brands such as Chevrolet and Ford having significantly downsized their product ranges and activities in the region in the last few years.
Mitsubishi turns to Renault-Nissan for future models
31 May 2018 | Glenn Brooks
The final make to be looked at in the Groupe Renault and Nissan Motor series is Mitsubishi Motors (MMC). Earlier insights focused on Alpine and Renault, Dacia, Lada, RSM, Datsun, Nissan and Infiniti.
ANALYSIS - Future models for Infiniti
30 May 2018 | Mike Vousden
After the recent features on the future models strategies for Renault and Alpine, Dacia, Lada, RSM, Datsun, Venucia and Nissan, this chapter of our analysis covering Renault-Nissan Alliance brands focuses on Infiniti. Mitsubishi, the final make in the series, follows later in the week.
X152 Jaguar F-Type Ingenium - are four cylinders enough?
29 May 2018 | Glenn Brooks
JLR's decision to put a 2.0-litre Ingenium into the Jaguar F-Type shows that not even sports cars are now immune from a worldwide tide turning against big-capacity combustion engines.
ANALYSIS - Future models for Nissan
25 May 2018 | Glenn Brooks
Nissan is the eighth brand to be looked at as part of a series which examines the major current and future models of Groupe Renault and Nissan Motor divisions. The first two were Alpine and Renault, followed by Dacia, Lada, Samsung, Datsun and Venucia. Features on the remaining two makes - Infiniti and Mitsubishi - will be published soon.
WLTP prompts responses from carmakers - ANALYSIS
24 May 2018 | Mike Vousden
From September 2018, all new cars registered in Europe, India, South Korea and Japan will have to report their official fuel economy and CO2 figures according to the WLTP – the Worldwide harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure. In Europe, this replaces the outdated NEDC test (New European Driving Cycle) introduced in the '80s and aims to better reflect the real-world consumption and emissions performance of new cars. In the second part of this two-part article, we take a closer look at the industry's response to the new testing regime.
Nissan and Dongfeng planning Venucia EVs and SUVs
22 May 2018 | Glenn Brooks
Dongfeng Motor and Nissan Motor's Venucia, a brand which concentrates on low-price vehicles for the Chinese market, is having a cracker of a 2018. And this after high levels of year-on-year expansion since its inception in 2010. Time to look at what the partners have planned for this increasingly important division.
New B9 Audi Sport RS 4 Avant - powered by Porsche
21 May 2018 | Glenn Brooks
Audi Sport must have some of the best margins of any car company division. A range of RS models sits under the umbrella of this GmbH (limited liability company), with the newest addition being the super-fast, super-exclusive, super-expensive fourth generation RS 4 Avant.
Research snapshot – no shortage of ADAS technology to support AVs
17 May 2018 | Matthew Beecham
Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of research snapshots, this one forms the second (of three) parts focusing on the ways in which the auto industry is paving the way for autonomous vehicles. It turns a spotlight on some recent supplier advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) innovations and investments.
All those in favour of AVs, say AI
16 May 2018 | Matthew Beecham
We are hearing more about the opportunities for artificial intelligence (AI) in autonomous vehicles (AVs). Continuing just-auto/QUBE’s series of research snapshots, this one forms the first (of three) parts updating the levels of driving automation reached by automakers. Our second part turns the spotlight on supplier ADAS innovations while the third sets out a Q&A with powertrain engineering consultancy, Drive System Design. The lack of a driver in an AV re-writes the rules on many aspects of vehicle design, including the powertrain and driveline. This Q&A considers what the future might bring.
Nissan planning new models for future of Datsun
16 May 2018 | Glenn Brooks
RSM Renault Samsung was the most recent division of the R-N-M Alliance to be looked at as part of just-auto's current and future vehicles reports. This followed an exploration of strategies for Renault, Alpine, Dacia and Lada. Now comes an overview of Datsun, to be followed by features on Venucia, Nissan, Infiniti and Mitsubishi.
What does the WLTP mean for the automotive industry?
15 May 2018 | Mike Vousden
From September 2018, all new cars registered in Europe, India, South Korea and Japan will have to report their official fuel economy and CO2 figures according to the WLTP – the Worldwide harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure. In Europe, this replaces the outdated NEDC test (New European Driving Cycle) introduced in the ‘80s and aims to better reflect the real-world consumption and emissions performance of new cars. Following the revelation that BMW has had to pause or cease manufacture of some models thanks to the upcoming WLTP introduction, we consider what implications the new procedure has for OEMs.
How a new engine transforms the Honda Jazz
15 May 2018 | Glenn Brooks
The Jazz has always had a reputation for being the car for people who aren't interested in cars. The styling was always vanilla, the engines strong on economy but less than overflowing with power, ownership hassle-free and cheap, resale values strong. Now, Honda wants to keep the strengths, but spice things up. Enter the Jazz 1.5 i-VTEC Sport.
Another electrifying Volvo performance?
14 May 2018 | Graeme Roberts
Liking PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) is one thing. But is around 30 miles of pure electric running really worth a premium of at least GBP13,000?
ANALYSIS - Future models for Renault Samsung Motors
14 May 2018 | Mike Vousden
After the recent features on the future models strategies for Renault, Alpine, Dacia and Lada, this chapter of our analysis covering Renault-Nissan Alliance brands focuses on Renault Samsung Motors (RSM).
Volkswagen launches the all-seeing Touareg in Europe
11 May 2018 | Chris Wright
Volkswagen's new Touareg SUV is so clever it can see in the dark. Night Vision is part of a new suite of technologies on the new generation model which also includes a world debut by the Innovation Cockpit which will gradually be rolled out through the automaker's other model ranges.
Volkswagen up GTI - worthy of an exclamation mark
11 May 2018 | Glenn Brooks
Volkswagen is the latest brand to experiment with a high performance hatchback in the European A segment. What the company's engineers have created in the up! GTI is something very special indeed.
