Honda future models for the 2020s came under the microscope on just-auto this week.

This first part of a look at the future models of Honda Motor offered an overview of the Honda brand's global line up by segment. This was followed by what's coming for Acura.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

That may have been the most popular article but the big news was announcement, finally, of the FCA-PSA merger. The two companies say the new entity will have the leadership, resources and scale to be at the 'forefront of a new era of sustainable mobility'. The combined company will be the fourth largest global OEM by volume and third largest by revenue with annual sales of 8.7m units and combined revenues of nearly EUR170bn. The two companies also say the merger will deliver approximately EUR3.7bn estimated annual run-rate synergies with no plant closures resulting from the transaction. Synergies are expected to be net cash flow positive from year. The industrial rational is for the bigger combined company to leverage investment efficiency across a larger scale for market solutions and technologies in new energy vehicles, autonomous driving and connectivity. While they say no plant closures will result from the transaction, some long-term adjustment to overall manufacturing capacity and plant-model mix is seen by analysts as inevitable as the two forge collaborations in engineering and product architectures. They also said there is an excellent working relationship between the two management teams, 'which share successful track records in turnarounds, value creation and successful OEM combinations'.

Let's hope this goes better than DaimlerChrysler. I recall the old gag: "How do you pronounce DaimlerChrysler?" "Chrysler is silent." Who'll dominate this merger?

Tata Motors announced an electric SUV, the Nexon EV, describing it as "an aspirational SUV for personal car buyers looking for a thrilling, connected drive experience with zero emissions". It will be launched in January 2020, the Nexon EV is expected to be priced from INR1,500,000 (GBP16,000). The car will have a warranty of eight years or 160,000km (100,000 miles) on its battery and motor. Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors said, "After introducing our cutting-edge EV technology, Ziptron, we are thrilled to unveil the first EV featuring this technology – the Nexon EV. This is a high performance, connected vehicle that is uniquely suited to address the aspirations of Indian customers and break all barriers for EV adoption. We are confident that this development will mark an important milestone in India's electrification journey, and further reinforce our commitment towards developing sustainable and responsible mobility solutions."

Second part of the look at future Honda models covered Acura which just had its best November since 2014 in the brand's number one market, US sales of the light trucks line-up breaking an all-time record at the same time. American Honda will be hoping that the 11-month total of 141,252, which is flat, might be improved upon by year end.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Volkswagen has signed an agreement with the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) to bring a fleet of self-driving Level 4 electric shuttles to Doha in 2022. Representatives of Volkswagen AG and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) have signed the 'Project Qatar Mobility'. The goal is to develop a ground-breaking autonomous transport project and 'transform the future of urban mobility to a sustainable and commercial deployment of AD shuttles and bus services – even beyond 2022'. Fostering a cross-brand collaboration as blueprint for future Autonomous Driving (AD) solutions, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania, MOIA (VW's smart mobility unit) and AID-Autonomous Intelligent Driving will play an important role in the project. During the largest sporting event in the world (the FIFA World Cup in late 2022), Qatar will therefore claim to be the venue for the 'world's first emission-free, electric and autonomous public transport system'.

Supplier Valeo has secured an R&D award for its PictureBeam Monolithic technology, which the supplier says is the first high definition LED smart lighting solution. The company won the accolade at the 2019 Innovation Awards for Franco-Chinese Teams, held at French business association, MEDEF's Paris headquarters. The technology will be available on the market from 2022. Organised by the France China Committee and backed by the French Ministry of Economy and Finance, the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in France, the Innovation Awards for Franco-Chinese Teams aim to recognise joint projects developed by French and Chinese bicultural teams, whether in companies, universities or laboratories. The jury is chaired by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). Capable of projecting around 4,000 pixels onto the road from a single lighting module, PictureBeam Monolithic produces a very wide beam of light, for an optimal field of vision.

2019 was a packed year and threw up one or two surprises in the automotive business. Editor Dave Leggett's month by month review picked out some highlights as seen through the prism of just-auto's industry coverage. This first part covers the first half of the year.

Ford said it was spending US$1.45bn on two southeast Michigan factories and adding 3,000 new jobs to build trucks and SUVs and expand into electric and autonomous vehicles. Of that, $750m will be spent to add 2,700 new jobs at Wayne during the next three years. The automaker will install new equipment to support production of the revived Bronco SUV and strong selling Ranger pickup truck as well as create a new modification centre. Employees at the autonomous vehicle, Bronco and Ranger modification centre will complete Ford's first autonomous vehicles starting in 2021, including installing the claimed unique self driving technology and unique purpose built interiors.

Aston Martin has confirmed it is evaluating various funding options and is in talks with potential investors. The publicly listed company is seeking additional outside investment to bolster its finances. The company's share price has plummeted since flotation last year and it posted a GBP13.5m loss in the third quarter. It has also extended borrowing to help shore up its financial position. Last month it commenced sales of the DBX which is made at an all-new plant in Wales. The DBX takes Aston Martin to the super-luxury SUV market also being targeted by Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini and Ferrari. "The company confirms that it is reviewing its funding requirements and various funding options. It is also engaged in early stage discussions with potential strategic investors in relation to building longer term relationships which may or may not involve an equity investment," the company said in a statement.

Have a great weekend, Christmas and New Year.

Graeme Roberts, Deputy Editor, just-auto.com