Audi sets March and first-quarter sales records

MUNICH -- Audi said today it increased global vehicle sales 3 percent in March to a record 147,700 because of strong demand for its SUVs. The Volkswagen Group subsidiary finished the first-quarter will an all-time high of 369,500 sales, up 6.8 percent on the year-ago period. Worldwide sales of the Q3 SUV rose 58.2 percent in the quarter to about 28,550 units while the Q5 grew by 15.6 percent in the same period to about 56,350 units, Audi said in a statement. Sales in Audi's core European market fell 3.2 percent last month to 82,800 vehicles, but the luxury carmaker was able to finish the quarter with a 0.7 percent gain to 187,600 vehicles. Audi benefited from an 8.0 percent rise in UK sales last month to 24,913 vehicles as well as a March increase in Russia of 10.3 percent to 3,753 vehicles. Those results helped Audi have strong first-quarter sales gains in the UK (up 9.7 percent to 39,242) and Russia (up 15.7 percent to 8,278). In Germany, Audi's March sales fell 1.7 percent to 24,701 vehicles by its first-quarter sales were up 2.0 percent to 59,116. The world's second-largest premium car manufacturer expects to keep growing. "We want to continue this positive sales trend over the next months, too," Audi sales boss Luca de Meo said in the statement. A key to the future growth will be the new A3 Sportback, de Meo said, adding that the automaker is pleased with sales of the compact-sized wagon following its market debut in February. Other markets Audi continued its gains in the United States and China. The automaker's U.S. sales rose 14.4 percent to 13,253 vehicles in March. Through three months Audi has delivered 34,186 cars in the United States, a gain of 16.0 percent and a new record for the automaker in the market, where is still trails rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz by a wide margin. In China, Audi's biggest sales market, the automaker's sales rose 10.7 percent to 34,864 units last month. That helped Audi push it volume above the 100,000-unit mark in the quarter for the first time in its 25 years in that market. Audi's total deliveries in China through March increased 14.2 percent to 102,810 vehicles. A key to the success was a 36.7 percent sales gain for the A6 L to 36,489 units.

BMW widens luxury-car lead over Audi as Mercedes gains momentum

http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130409/ANE/130409891/bmw-widens-luxury-car-lead-over-audi-as-mercedes-gains-momentum#ixzz2PyBtGDuV Follow us: @Automotive_News on Twitter | AutoNews on Facebook BERLIN (Bloomberg) -- BMW widened its luxury-auto sales lead over Audi last month on demand for the 3-series sedan and X1 sport-utility vehicle, while Mercedes-Benz brand gained momentum with new small cars. Deliveries at the BMW brand, the world's biggest luxury carmaker since 2005, rose 4.4 percent to 159,195 in March, beating the 3 percent gain posted by Audi. BMW's bigger increase helped widen its lead in the first quarter, with the automaker delivering 11,904 more cars than Audi. Mercedes increased deliveries 6.5 percent last month. The automaker's sales of the new A- and B-class compacts climbed 49 percent in the first quarter. Mercedes sold 56,506 fewer luxury vehicles than BMW in the three-month period. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer said last month that the carmaker's factories are running at full capacity to keep up with demand. Sales of the X1 through March jumped 28 percent, while the 3-series deliveries climbed 20 percent. Gains at Audi were led by deliveries of the A1 small car and Q3 compact SUV. "The BMW group achieved an all-time high in sales last month and the best first quarter in its history, despite the headwinds present in Europe," Ian Robertson, BMW sales chief, said in a statement today. "We are aiming for further growth in BMW group worldwide sales in 2013." Faring better The German luxury carmakers, all of which are targeting sales increases this year, have fared better than the region's volume auto manufacturers as rising demand in China and the U.S. offset plunging industrywide deliveries in Europe. The region is wrestling with a sixth straight year of declines. "In spite of the difficult market in western Europe, we're still seeing positive sales numbers for the premium manufacturers," said Frank Biller, an analyst at Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg in Stuttgart. "It remains to be seen to what extent these sales were bought with higher rebates. It's not easy to push sales in a market like this." Mercedes is looking for a further sales boost this year once it adds the CLA four-door coupe to its compact car line-up this month and brings out a revamped version of its upscale E-class at the same time. A new version of the flagship S-class sedan is scheduled to reach showrooms in the second half. The automaker's first-quarter deliveries climbed 3.5 percent. Increased production To meet rising demand for the A- and B-class compact cars, Mercedes will increase production of the vehicles with 21 extra shifts at the plant in Rastatt, Germany. The compact-car factory in Kecskemet, Hungary, added Saturday production this month and the automaker will build more SUVs at the U.S. plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Daimler has said. "At Daimler, you're starting to see the effect of the A- and B-Class," Biller said. "The momentum should pick up in the second half."

GM cuts Korean output on weak Chevy sales in Europe

Read more: http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130409/ANE/130409893/gm-cuts-korean-output-on-weak-chevy-sales-in-europe#ixzz2PyBh6sE6 Follow us: @Automotive_News on Twitter | AutoNews on Facebook SEOUL (Reuters) -- General Motors Co. is increasing production cuts at one of its South Korean plants because of slow Chevrolet sales in Europe. GM's South Korean unit will idle its plant in the southwestern city of Gunsan for nine days this month, up from six days in March, a company official said. The plant builds the Chevrolet Cruze compact car and Orlando minivan and has an annual production capacity of 260,000 vehicles. It is one of five GM factories in South Korea. GM's Korean unit produces most of the Chevrolets sold in Europe and more than 40 percent of those sold globally. "We are adjusting factory output in response to a fall in orders for Europe exports," the official said on Monday, without elaborating on how much production would drop. Sales of Chevrolet vehicles slumped 39 percent to 18,790 units from January to February in the EU, according to industry association ACEA, underperforming a 10 percent fall in the broader passenger vehicle market amid the euro zone debt crisis and government austerity measures. Cruze sales in Europe fell to 5,704 from 5,035 during the first two months the year before, according to JATO Dynamics. Orlando sales for January and February were 2,101, down from 3,955.

How Alfa Romeo plans to triple sales in 3 years

Skeptics think Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne's aim to triple Alfa Romeo's global sales to more than 300,000 units by 2016 is too ambitious. But Alfa's European boss, Louis-Carl Vignon, is convinced Alfa has enough fresh products to meet -- and possibly exceed -- Marchionne's target. Currently, Alfa gets most of its volume from two aging models, the MiTo subcompact and the Giulietta compact, in a slumping European market. With fresh product and by expanding into new markets including the United States, the brand can dramatically improve sales, Vignon believes. "With our current segment coverage and our geographical footprint, we compete in about 5 percent of the global market," he said. By 2016 Vignon wants Alfa to compete in 32 percent of the global market. Last year, Europe accounted for about 90 percent of Alfa's 101,000 global sales. To reduce its reliance on on the region, Alfa this year will return to the U.S. market it quit in 1995. "Alfa's brand awareness in the U.S. is still at a relevant level despite an absence of nearly 20 years," Vignon said. Alfa says Europe and the United States will be its two largest markets by 2016 with Europe, Africa, Russia and the Middle East accounting for about 180,000 of its planned 300,000 sales. Halo model The 4C small sports car will lead Alfa's U.S. comeback. At the Geneva auto show, Alfa showed a so-called Opening Edition of the 4C coupe equipped with carbon fiber inserts in the headlamps and in the rear spoiler. Alfa will make 1,000 units of the variant and sell them at prices starting at 60,000 euros in Europe. In June, Alfa will open the order books for the standard 4C, which will start at about 55,000 euros. Alfa plans to build about 700 4Cs this year, with deliveries in continental Europe due to start in September. Right-hand-drive variants will arrive at dealers in October. The automaker did not reveal the car's starting price for the United States, where the 4C will debut after the Los Angeles auto show in November. By the end of 2014, a 4C targa with a small removable carbon fiber roof will join the 4C range. Alfa plans to make 26,000 units of the 4C coupe and targa during its seven-year life cycle. Key cars The 4C is a low volume image-booster so the brand's hopes of tripling sales hinge on the mid-sized Giulia sedan and wagon and a large-premium sedan based on the Maserati Ghibli's underpinnings. This rear-drive Alfa flagship will compete with the Audi A6 and BMW 5 series. Alfa plans annual sales of 30,000 units for the sedan, which will start at about 55,000 euros. Sales begin in 2015 in Europe, China and the United States. That same year Alfa will launch the Giulia, which it expects to account for a third of its total volume. "A mid-sized sedan is fundamental in North America, where this type of vehicle covers 20 percent of total sales and is also crucial in Asia-Pacific, where represents almost 9 percent of demand," Vignon said. MODEL OFFENSIVE This is how Alfa Romeo foresees its lineup by 2016 (average annual production of model) Giulia sedan & wagon 100,000 Giulietta 90,000 MiTo 50,000 Mid-sized SUV 40,000 Large sedan 30,000 Spider 25,000 4C coupe/targa 3,500 Source: Automotive News Europe research Alfa likely will sell the Giulia wagon only in Europe where wagons account for more than 40 percent of mid-sized model sales. Also in 2015, Alfa will launch a rear-drive two-seat roadster known as the Spider. It is being co-developed with Mazda, which will produce the Alfa roadster alongside its MX-5 in Japan. Alfa's fifth new model will be a mid-sized SUV. "It will be a brand statement," Vignon said, adding that the SUV's width would be in the range of 4600mm to 4800mm.

Ghibli will be Maserati's first diesel-powered car

TURIN -- Maserati today released the first official images of its Ghibli four-door sedan ahead of the car's debut at the Shanghai auto show next week. The Ghibli will be the first Maserati production car to offer a diesel variant. The rear-wheel-drive Ghibli will play a significant role in Maserati's plan to increase its annual vehicle sales to 50,000 by 2015 from 6,288 last year. The Ghibli will have a sportier character compared with the larger Quattroporte, which was launched at the beginning of the year, Maserati said in a statement today. The Ghibli will be offered with either a VM Motori-sourced 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel, which is also available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee in Europe and the Lancia Thema, or a 410-hp 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline engine. The engines will be mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive will be an option. The Ghibli will compete with sporty sedan offerings such as the Audi A6, BMW 5 series and Mercedes-Benz E class. Maserati said the Ghibli will appeal to executive-car buyers who are looking to make "an individual statement through a car that is distinctive, elegant and luxurious." Diesel engines are popular in the luxury-car segment in Europe, where more than half of the new cars sold have a diesel powerplant. The Ghibli will start at about 70,000 euros when it goes on sale in Europe this summer. Sales will start shortly thereafter in the United States, which is Maserati's largest market. The Ghibli, shown, will have a sportier character compared with the larger Quattroporte. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is investing more than 1 billion euros in Maserati to double its product range to six models from three to help boost the luxury sports car brand's global unit sales eightfold. Maserati named the Ghibli after a wind that blows from the Sahara Desert. Maserati first used the Ghibli name on a two-seat coupe launched in 1967. Maserati plans to build 20,000 Ghiblis a year at its Grugliasco plant on the outskirts of Turin, where the Quattroporte is also produced. Annual production of the Quattroporte is expected to be between 10,000 and 15,000 units.

Volkswagen Group at the Mille Miglia 2011

Bentley, Bugatti, Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen – these brands of the Volkswagen Group are all living legends of the great Mille Miglia tradition. Even in this, the event’s 84th year, the Group will once again have a host of historic cars in the starting line up: 14 classics will join the race from Brescia to Roma and back. In the driving seat will be several high-profile personalities from the Volkswagen Group. Volkswagen Classic will take part in the race with two faithful Beetle replicas. The originals caused a sensation at the Mille Miglia in the 1950s – and commanded respect from the mostly larger, more powerful competitors. Porsche will be fielding a 550 Spyder, which achieved sixth place in the overall placings in 1954, despite technical problems. Although the car’s engine was a relatively low performer, the intense focus on lightweight construction gave it a very favourable power-to-weight ratio. Of course, no race would be complete without a Porsche 356 at the start either – and this marque also ran up a whole series of successes at the Mille Miglia. Audi will be presenting a chapter of their history with five DKW models from the 1950s, including a rare DKW 3=6 Monza: its streamlined sports body shell is made of plastic – at the time, an innovation in German automobile construction. Bentley will be gracing the course with a supercharged 4.5-litre model built in 1929, which took part in the legendary and long-distance classic 24-hour race of Le Mans in 1930. Bugatti will be entering a Type 35 T, a car that experts say is the world’s most successful racing car of all time – its Roots-compressor-supercharged, eight-cylinder engine delivers 135 hp. The driving seats will be occupied by high-profile individuals: several of the historic cars will be commanded by members of the management boards of the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Porsche and Volkswagen brands. As well as paying tribute to the past, there will also be a nod to the future at the Mille Miglia: the Volkswagen Group will present the public with a range of current models – surprises included: the new Golf Cabriolet, the Audi R8 and the Porsche 911 Carrera will be on display, among others.

Special Edition Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse debuts at The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering

To kick off Monterey Auto Week, Bugatti will debut a special edition Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse in a unique Bianco and New Light Blue color scheme for the first time publicly today at “The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering”. The color combination is based on the famous Type 37A, which was built in 1928, won a multitude of Grand Prix races in its time and is now owned by Jay Leno. Dynamics in figures. The new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse boasts a remarkable maximum torque of 1,500 Nm (at 3,000–5,000 rpm) from the 7.9-liter capacity of its W16 engine. The maximum output (1,200 hp) is reached at 6,400 rpm. These figures allow the car to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from standing in unbelievable 2.6 seconds. The top speed of 410 km/h (255 mph) makes the four-wheel drive Vitesse (like all Veyrons) the fastest production roadster ever. The maximum speed is reached on closed tracks with special safety precautions. In “normal” handling mode, the Vitesse is electronically limited to 375 km/h (233 mph). Optimized drive system. The 199 hp increase over the Grand Sport has been mainly achieved by using four larger turbochargers with new intercoolers. Furthermore, Bugatti has extensively reinforced all drivetrain components in order to safely transfer the immense forces at all times. The gearing of the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) in particular has been adapted to the new requirements. In this context, as on the Super Sport, Bugatti has also modified the air ducting in the area of the drivetrain. As a consequence of the larger turbochargers and the overall reduced back pressure, it was even possible to reduce the fuel consumption slightly despite the increased output. The fuel system, with a four-pump tank, has been taken from the Super Sport. Chassis. In order to put the unrivalled power onto the road absolutely safely and masterfully, the engineers have reconfigured the chassis of the Vitesse. Thanks to the quick-responding dampers that have been adapted from motor racing, the control of the vehicle has been further improved and perfectly balanced. Body roll and pitching during hard acceleration and braking are now virtually imperceptible. Optimized wheel-load fluctuations have further reduced understeer and allow a maximum level of active safety. In addition to the incomparable lateral acceleration of up to 1.4 g, the precise interaction of the tires (on all-new, lighter 20-inch “Vitesse”-type alloy wheels), together with the intelligent all-wheel-drive system, ensures extremely good handling. The chassis, all-wheel-drive system and the revised ESP form a dynamic alliance: since the reconfigured ESP kicks in slightly later, for example when you accelerate out of corners, the Vitesse also provides a more dynamic performance in these situations. It goes without saying that Bugatti has adapted the brake-cooling system to account for the even higher engine output. The brakes, which are unparalleled in terms of stability and performance, now have additional and larger air intakes. In general, it can be said that the Vitesse is even sportier than the 1,001 hp Grand Sport, but at the same time it has not been turned into a full-blown racing car. It therefore remains easy to master for the driver. In this context, it is simply astounding that Bugatti managed to increase comfort in the chassis area by reducing the dynamic natural frequency. Body. Bugatti has developed a new roof spoiler for the Vitesse that significantly reduces wind noise and buffeting in the interior. Furthermore, there will be a new windbreak for the roadster that can be stored away compactly in the luggage compartment when not in use. Both details will also be available for the Grand Sport. Together, they allow extremely relaxed, open-top driving even at speeds of around 200 km/h (124 mph). Numerous aerodynamic measures at the front and rear that appeared on the Super Sport have been adapted for the Vitesse. The front end is therefore characterized by larger air intakes; the two central air intakes to the left and right of the Bugatti radiator grille are divided horizontally by a bar. The bottom air vent stretches sideways into the wheel housing and gives this exceptional sports car an extremely masterful appearance. Immediately below this air intake, you will see a new, visually refined front spoiler that has been designed in a similar way to the splitters used in motor racing. The improved xenon headlights from the Super Sport, which are now framed in black, are also new. The rear end, which is also derived from the Super Sport, is characterized by a double diffusor and a centrally positioned twin tailpipe. A new Park Distance Control system (PDC) watches over the front and the rear. The two air scoops on the left and right of the engine cover (redesigned for the Vitesse) are a characteristic of the Grand Sport and thus also of the Vitesse. These air scoops fulfill two tasks on the roadster. On the one hand, they pull in air for the engine, and on the other, they are an elegantly integrated part of the anti-roll protection system. As on the Super Sport, a full-carbon-fiber monocoque, which allows an extremely high torsional rigidity combined with maximum passive safety, is also used on the Vitesse. The outer skin is also made completely from carbon fiber and, consequently, the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse is available in clear-coated exposed carbon fiber. Interior. Carbon fiber is (along with stainless metals such as aluminum and magnesium) also the dominant material in the interior of the Vitesse. Numerous interior parts are now made from carbon fiber in the 1,200 hp roadster. This includes the center console extension, a cover with EB logo in the rear-bulkhead leather trim (between the seat backrests) and the belt outlet covers on the seats. The décor on the center console, the door inserts and the adjoining trim on the instrument panel are also made from carbon fiber. Contrasting stitching is also featured on the leather armrest between the seats, which comes without the typical quilting. Also new: knee pads in the center tunnel area, an additional 12 V socket (in the glove compartment), the restraint systems, the illuminated start and parking lock button (same as Super Sport), an instrument cluster with shift-up information and – as a matter of honor – the power gauge that now goes up to 1,200 hp. Following the success of the Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, Bugatti did not have to wait long before it received the first inquiries about an open-top version of the Grand Sport that could also deliver 882 kW (1,200 hp). “We were instantly electrified by the idea of transferring the power of the Super Sport to the Grand Sport, which previously delivered a maximum of 1,001 hp, and thus taking the roadster to a new level,”says Wolfgang Dürheimer. The President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. continues: “Our team has managed to transfer the world’s most powerful car engine to the open-top sports car while taking all vehicle dynamics and aerodynamic parameters into consideration.” Configuration of the show vehicle. There is no end to the individualization options for the Bugatti. Each one of the more than 300 Veyrons built is therefore unique. This also applies to the special edition Vitesse model Bugatti is exhibiting at The Quail. This version of the new roadster orientates itself at a Type 37A, which was built in 1928, won a multitude of Grand Prix races in its time and is now owned by the famous TV presenter Jay Leno. The upper area of the body is finished in “Bianco” including the roof area and the air scoops. The lower body panels (side skirting, front spoiler, radiator grille frame and rear apron with diffusor), the inner surfaces of the wheel rims and the underside of the automatically extending rear spoiler are in “New Light Blue.” The interior is largely out of a noble Cognac leather building a contrast to the extrovert exterior colors. This Vitesse version costs 1.74 million euros

Important test for the Audi RS5 DTM

More than 7,000 test kilometers in four days at Barcelona All eight Audi DTM drivers in action Timo Scheider: “I was impressed by the option tire” Only five weeks to go before the new DTM season starts at the Hockenheimring. During testing at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona/Spain, the Audi DTM drivers spooled off over 7,000 kilometers in the Easter week with the Audi RS 5 DTM and made important findings in the process. At the first of two official DTM tests before the season opener, the four Audi RS 5 DTM were partially equipped with additional data acquisition equipment in order to log as much data as possible, which will now be analyzed by Audi Sport in Ingolstadt and the three Audi Sport teams Abt Sportsline, Phoenix and Rosberg. During the course of the test, all eight Audi drivers tested the so-called option tires, which should make faster lap times possible for a few laps in the race, and the ‘Drag Reduction System’ (DRS), with which the rear wing can be adjusted by pressing a button on the steering wheel. Both might be used in 2013 in the DTM. Each of the eight Audi drivers tested for two days at Barcelona. Busiest of all was double DTM Champion Timo Scheider who clocked up 346 laps around the 2.977-kilometer track, and recorded the fastest time (1m 06.844s) for an Audi RS 5 DTM on the last of the four test days. Mattias Ekström, Jamie Green and Adrien Tambay worked together with their new race engineers at Barcelona. The four Audi RS 5 DTM cars ran in the designs they will sport when driven in the 2013 season by Jamie Green (Red Bull), Miguel Molina (Audi RS 5), Mike Rockenfeller (Schaeffler) and Adrien Tambay (Audi ultra). The designs of the other four Audi RS 5 DTM cars will be revealed during the DTM tests at Hockenheim between April 9 and 12, where a grandstand is opened for spectators on the first day. Comments from the Audi drivers Filipe Albuquerque (303 laps/1m 07.257s): “It was great to finally sit in a car again and to see in which direction Audi Sport had developed the RS 5 DTM over the winter. I’m happy with the results. On the first of the two test days, we had a few difficulties with car, which we understood and solved – from the third day onwards we were at the same level as the others. The track conditions were generally a little tricky at Barcelona. The option tire and DRS are definitely a step in the right direction. The ITR is doing something to improve action on the race track. This deserves recognition. DRS will allow us to get closer to the car in front and fight side by side.” Mattias Ekström (300 laps/1m 07.354s): “I have a new race engineer for the first time since 2001, which is why it was important for me at this test to gel and to be on the same wavelength as the team. This was a success. We had some productive days and completed 300 laps during which we learnt a great deal. The eager anticipation increases when you finally get out track with our competitors cars. I think that the fans can look forward to an exciting year. We’ll only really know exactly where we stand in the opening race at Hockenheim. However, my impression is that it’ll be incredibly close. The option tire and correct use of the DRS can play an important role.” Jamie Green (268 laps/1m 07.171s): “After a difficult start on the first test day at Barcelona, my second was much better. We managed to work through our plan and tick all the boxes, which we had on the list. It’s a good feeling. The track was dry; there were no interruptions and not a single technical problem. We clocked up a lot of kilometers. It’s of great importance to me right now. There’s only one thing that helps me to get a feeling for the Audi RS 5 DTM: lots of laps. The same goes for working together with my race engineer and my data engineer – the test at Barcelona was a great opportunity for this. The DRS rear wing also made a positive impression. The effect won’t be as big as in Formula 1 and overtaking not easy. However, the DRS will help with overtaking. We also learnt a lot about the option tires, which are much quicker than the standard tires. Miguel Molina (327 laps /1m 07.112s): “It was a fantastic feeling to finally sit in a racecar after such a long and hard winter. From my point of view the test was a success. It was less about setting fast lap times, but actually more about completing our busy test program. We’ve improved our understanding considerably and collected a lot of data, which will move us a step forward in preparation for the season – also with regard to the option tire and DRS. Both will make the races even more interesting. Every outing at Barcelona is special for me: I started my motorsport career here in a single-seater at that time, and am proud every time to return as professional racing driver. Especially with this car: my Audi RS 5 DTM is just fantastic.” Edoardo Mortara (228 laps /1m 07.439s): “Of course it’s great to get out on track again with the car after such a long break. However, I would like to have stayed here a little longer after the test. I’m not entirely satisfied with the basic set-up of the car. We have a lot of work to do during the next test at Hockenheim. Anyway, it wasn’t possible to judge the real performance within the DTM field here. I really like the DRS. I really hope that we can run with the system this year. In my eyes this is the right way to get more overtaking and in doing so to make the races more interesting. After all, it also works in Formula 1. The same applies to the option tires.” Mike Rockenfeller (290 laps /1m 07.070s): “We tried a lot over the course of the two days I was in the car Barcelona, and learnt a lot in the process. In general, I’m really satisfied. However, it’s very difficult to assess the lap times with all these new things like DRS rear wing and option tires. You just don’t know whose using what. DRS has functioned perfectly so far and brings a lot – more speed on the straights and faster lap times. The aim is to provide more overtaking opportunities – this is fantastic for us drivers and at the end of the day for the spectators as well. I was able to try the option tires on the second day. This was very important. It’s difficult to make a genuine assessment because the track conditions changed frequently and a lot. As a whole, Barcelona was very informative. I’m already looking forward to the next test at Hockenheim in 10 days.” Timo Scheider (346 laps /1m 06.844s): “It was great to sit in the cockpit of a racing car after such a long break. At first, I had to get used to the DTM car again, but I was soon up to speed. It may well sound as if you’ve heard it all before, but we got through up to 90 per cent of our test program – although it’s extremely difficult to draw any conclusions: sometimes it was very sunny and warm, then cloudy and cooler again. This is why the track conditions were very different. I tested the option tire for the first time on Friday afternoon – and I was very impressed: these tires make a DTM car even more fun to drive! After you’ve tested them once, you don’t actually want to change back to the standard tire. The DRS rear wing is noticeable. I think the time has come to change something. The fans want to see overtaking. DRS and option tires will help this.” Adrien Tambay (310 laps/1m 07.274s): “It was important for me to get back into the cockpit of my car after the long winter break, and especially because I have to gel with my new race engineer. This worked very well at Barcelona. Franco (Chiocchetti) and I completed a lot of work, but we still have a huge amount ahead of us. This is why I’m already looking forward to the next test at Hockenheim and obviously the first race. We don’t have many opportunities to test the option tires. They should be good for the show and the fane. The DRS is also a good idea when it works. You really feel it in the car.”

Fernando Alonso retired early from the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix after Ferrari chose leave his car on the course with a damaged wing. And while the team admits that it was a risky decision, there was some logic to it. Alonso broke the wing on Sebastian Vettel's rear wheel in the second corner. Ferrari hoped that it would stay in place for four or five laps and take the Spaniard into the pit window for the switch to dry tires. However, it came off and went under the car at the start of the second lap, sending Alonso off the road. Team sources admit that the team had been too greedy, adding that some of those involved in the decision couldn't actually see the TV pictures that clearly indicated that the wing was already askew and dragging along the track. “I think we took a risk that was quite high, and didn't pay off,” said team principal Stefano Domenicali. “In normal conditions it was very obvious that you come in and do the stop, no doubt. In this condition of transition, if you believe that the wing can stay alive or survive, you try to take the time, because here, as we know, the track is getting dry very quickly, so you may have the chance to pit first with the dry tires and be the hero of the weekend. “But unfortunately the wing didn't say there. Effectively it didn't move out, it just went under, so we couldn't go back to the pits. That was the thinking behind it, to be very open. “The decision was [made] from the pit wall. Fernando of course, he was feeling the car, but you cannot really see exactly the damage from the point of view that he has in the car. As always, it's something where we take responsibility as a team. It was unfortunate.” Domenicali said that Alonso handled the disappointment well. “I think that Fernando is very mature,” Domenicali said. “He's not happy, of course, about the result, because it's zero points in the championship, it's very heavy. He's very mature, he's looking forward, positive, because he feels that we have something to play with. It is a shame when you lose important points in these conditions, but he's totally focused now, looking forward to the next one.” Domenicali stressed that it was important to move on from the Malaysia disappointment. “It was a shame because I think that we could have taken good points out of the race. That's why it's important to close this Sunday, not positive, and looking ahead. I believe the championship is very long, we see that the performance of the others is very good, but we have also seen during these two races there were so many different performances between different cars in different conditions that it's almost impossible to understand something. “I see a lot of overreaction from other teams on the tires, another thing in my view that it's better to stay cool and calm about, as always in life. It's a shame because after this Sunday I believe we could have taken much more points, but let's move on and target China, because it will be another important Grand Prix.” Regarding Ferrari's place in the pecking order, he said, “I don't know exactly where, but for surely between the leaders. There are tracks where our car will perform better, there are certain tracks where some others will perform better than ours. For sure Red Bull is still the strongest at the moment, but we will see. Mercedes has done a step, Lotus is very competitive, it will be an interesting and challenging season, but we will be there, no doubt.”

Audi involved in standard for sustainable aluminum

AUDI AG is a new member of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, which is developing a global sustainability standard. Board of Management Member for Procurement Dr. Martens: “Acting responsibly in the supply chain is an important goal at Audi.” Ultra-lightweight construction: Aluminum is an element of an intelligent material mix. Audi ultra-lightweight construction: The body of the Audi A8 was designed as an Audi Space Frame- (ASF) structure and consists largely of aluminum. As a result, it weighs approximately 40 percent less than a comparable steel structure. AUDI AG is joining the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative to help develop a global standard for sustainable aluminum. As a pioneer of unitary aluminum car bodies, the company is taking the opportunity to influence the entire value chain of one of its most important materials – one of the objectives of Audi’s corporate-responsibility strategy. “As a pioneer for lightweight construction, we are very interested in establishing a global standard for sustainable aluminum. This will allow us to further improve the environmental impact of our cars by using certified aluminum in the future,”explained Dr. Bernd Martens, Audi’s Board of Management Member for Procurement, with regard to joining the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative was founded in the autumn of 2012 and aims to develop a sustainability standard for aluminum by the end of 2014, with the support of the environmental organization IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). It sets environmental and social criteria that apply to all stages of extracting the raw material as well as producing and processing aluminum. “Active responsibility is firmly anchored throughout our company. Also in our supply chains, we place priority on the integration of environmental protection and social responsibility,” emphasized Dr. Martens. The new standard fits in well with Audi’s holistic approach to product responsibility: The premium manufacturer not only ensures that its automobiles are highly fuel efficient, but also analyzes the environmental impact of its products over their entire lifecycles – from the extraction of raw materials to production to operation to recycling. For each new model series, Audi has a certified environmental analysis prepared in order to assess the impact on the environment; the objective is to reduce it compared with each model’s predecessor. For example, the company has been able to demonstrate that both the current Audi A6 and Audi A3 have improved in all relevant environmental categories. The new Audi A3 has a better environmental footprint than its predecessor right from the first kilometer. In addition to sustainable materials and manufacturing processes, ultra-lightweight construction plays an important role. This makes the Audi A3 up to 80 kilograms lighter than the previous generation; the A3 Sportback is actually up to 90 kilograms lighter. Audi has positioned itself as a pioneer for lightweight construction. At the Frankfurt Motor Show 20 years ago, the premium brand presented the Audi Space Frame, a shimmering silver show car with an unpainted body made of polished aluminum. In 1994, the first Audi A8 went into series production. The car was based on a unitary aluminum body with a weight of just 249 kilograms. With its ultra-lightweight construction today, Audi applies an intelligent material mix – according to the motto of “the right material in the right place in the minimum required quantity.” Lower weight enhances driving pleasure, improves safety, and has less impact on the environment. After all, every kilogram saved means less fuel is consumed and less CO2 is emitted. Corporate responsibility is firmly anchored as a guiding principle in the Audi strategy. As well as financial success and international competitiveness, equal priority is placed on responsibility for employees and society, as well as on protecting the environment and resources along the value chain. Audi’s vision is to make CO2-neutral mobility possible.

Volkswagen and Google

olkswagen of America and Google today announced their partnership on “Volkswagen Smileage,” a new social media application built using a suite of Google products and platforms. The app launches later this year and will allow people to record and share how much fun they’re having while on the road, through a new metric called “smileage.” Users can share their road trip experiences dynamically through photos, videos, and social commentary via interactive maps. In addition, Smileage users are rewarded for connecting with others that they encounter along the way, through a re-imagination of the classic “Punch Dub” game. “Volkswagen owners have demonstrated to us again and again that they are a very active community of fans that love to talk about their cars and the roads they travel,”said Kevin Mayer, Vice President of Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “Now, thanks to our partnership with Google on building this new social media application, we have a way for them to do so while doing exactly what they enjoy: Being in their cars. Whether they’re taking the kids to soccer camp or setting off with friends on a weekend camping trip, Volkswagen Smileage gives them a way to connect and share their experiences with their friends, family, and others. What’s more, this app will be available to everyone and work with all cars, so everybody can have a little bit of VW in their life, regardless of what car they drive.” How Volkswagen Smileage Works Smileage is a simple-to-use, smart phone-based application and web service, and will be made available first on Android phones. To start using Smileage, a driver simply needs to sign in with their Google account and ensure that their smart phone is synced with their car. If the driver chooses, the app can automatically connect each time the car is started. Drivers can choose from “passive” or “active” modes in the app. Neither mode allows any driver interaction while on the road, but instead works seamlessly in the background. The app measures the fun factor of each trip using a metric called smileage, based on signals such as weather, traffic, location, time, and social interactions; so, for example, a long drive on a sunny Saturday afternoon might accumulate more smileage than a morning commute in the snow. You can use it with any car, not just Volkswagen vehicles. For people who enjoy a more visual and real-time approach to documenting their travels on the road, the “Trip Mode” of Smileage can be used. This allows for a more customizable experience: A drive can be named, passengers can be tagged, and any photos and videos taken by passengers on the road can be automatically added to an interactive map. Users can chose to share this map with friends and family, allowing them to see the trip as it unfolds. Once the trip is over, Smileage will create a summary that a driver can share with whomever they choose, or keep entirely to themselves. Volkswagen Smileage will be launched in beta in the coming months. Those interested in gaining early access can sign up at vw.com/smileage

Love it or hate it, the design of LaFerrari comes completely from one place— Maranello. The most powerful street-legal Ferrari ever made was styled entirely in-house, which means that for the first time in recent memory, a Ferrari wasn't crafted by Pininfarina. An Italian legend in its own right, the design house has created nearly 200 Ferraris dating to the early 1950s. Make no mistake, for decades Ferrari was a racing team that made niche supercars, and the romantic appearance of its road-going models was largely conceived by Pininfarina. So, why the change? Well, Pininfarina did design a version of LaFerrari, but actually lost out to Ferrari's in-house squad. It was a fair fight, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa stressed, but his company went with its own design based on what it believed were technical and aerodynamic advantages. “The best proposal was coming from the Ferrari design proposal,” Felisa told Autoweek. Pininfarina chairman Paolo Pininfarina took the decision gracefully, noting La-Ferrari's 950-hp hybrid powertrain required a purposeful layout for its performance. “The design of the Ferrari is definitely driven by function,” he said. Still, Ferrari and Pininfarina insist their long-running relationship remains strong. Pininfarina did pick up an award at the Geneva motor show for the design of the F12 Berlinetta, which is barely more than a year old. And the styling house attracted its own share of attention for the Sergio concept, which was revealed as a tribute to longtime chairman Sergio Pininfarina, who died last July at age 85 after presiding over the firm for four decades. Clearly, it's a fresh era for both companies, which remain inextricably linked. But the question remains: how closely?

Mercedes S 2014

Mercedes-Benz must believe there's more to the interior of its 2014 S-class sedan than can be expressed in a breathless press release -- more than can even be shown in a handful of shadowy teaser photos. Because there's no other way to explain how we found ourselves in a darkened room somewhere outside of Stuttgart, listening to Diana Krall on a crisp sound system while getting a “hot stone massage” alongside a handful of fellow journalists -- except that we did it all without leaving the very comfortable seats of a long-wheelbase 2014 S-class sedan sporting a camouflaged exterior. According to Dr. Goetz Renner, head of the M-B customer research center, the upcoming S-class will strive to offer “active luxury” features rather than simply reducing environmental discomforts. So this “car-as-spa” concept that we got a taste of makes a certain sort of sense, especially as Mercedes-Benz works to replace the discontinued Maybach marque and go head-to-head with other luxury heavy hitters.

First Post

in: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130402/CARNEWS/130409963 UPDATED-Honda Motor Co. and Detroit's three automakers, setting the pace, posted March sales gains of 5 to 7 percent, signaling the spring selling season is off to a solid start for the U.S. auto industry. General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Group, were helped by strong sales of large pickups, crossovers and new models. At Honda, volume rose 7 percent last month, with deliveries at the Honda division up 5 percent on a surge in Accord demand and Acura sales advancing 26 percent. Toyota Motor Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. said March sales edged up 1 percent. "A strong first-quarter close and increased consumer confidence continue to position the auto industry as a leader in the economic recovery," Bob Carter, senior vice president of automotive operations at Toyota Motor Sales, said in a statement. Overall, volume was flat at the Toyota division, while Lexus sales rose 15 percent. Toyota's results reflected the second consecutive, double-digit decline in Camry sales. At the VW Group, sales rose 8 percent, led by a 42 percent increase at Porsche and a 14 percent gain at Audi. VW brand sales edged up 3 percent. But at Hyundai Motor America, March sales slid 2 percent to 68,306, according to a Twitter post by CEO John Krafcik. At GM and Ford Motor, volume climbed 6 percent. Cadillac set the pace at GM, with sales up 50 percent, followed by a 37 percent rise at Buick. GMC rose 12 percent while volume edged up 0.5 percent at Chevrolet, GM's biggest division. Car sales, down 3 percent, were the only drag on GM's results last month. While the company benefited from deliveries of the new Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Spark and Buick Enclave, sales of the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick Regal slumped. At Ford, sales at the Ford division rose 7 percent, but Lincoln deliveries were down 23 percent. Sales of the Fusion mid-sized sedan and Escape crossover set all-time monthly records, and F-series pickup deliveries climbed 16 percent, Ford said. Overall, Ford Motor's car sales slipped 0.2 percent, while utility deliveries advanced 14 percent and truck volume rose 6 percent, the company said. Chrysler results Chrysler Group, helped by strong car and Ram pickup volume, said its March deliveries rose 5 percent, extending the company's stretch of U.S. sales gains to a record 36 months. The sales milestone tops a previous U.S. sales streak of 35 consecutive months from February 1992 through December 1994, Chrysler said. Car sales rose 21 percent while light-truck volume slid 2 percent last month at the company. Deliveries rose 3 percent at the Fiat brand and 15 percent at Dodge. Sales of the Ram pickup jumped 25 percent to 33,831, an all-time monthly record, helping overall Ram brand sales rise 24 percent. But volume slipped 2 percent at the Chrysler brand and 13 percent at Jeep. It was the sixth straight monthly sales decline at Jeep. The discontinuation of the Jeep Liberty SUV in August 2012 and the launch of a refreshed Grand Cherokee have dampened Jeep inventories and sales. Forte supplies dent Kia At Kia, deliveries fell 15 percent in March to 49,125 vehicles, with sales of Forte compact accounting for much of the shortfall. Forte volume tumbled 29 percent to 5,931 vehicles last month as the brand sold down remaining inventory of the current model ahead of the redesigned 2014 Forte's arrival this month. Overall, Kia sold 126,932 vehicles in the first quarter, down 8 percent from the same period last year. The initial March tallies come as some analysts and automakers raise their industry sales forecast for the year, citing diminishing risks from Europe's economic woes, higher taxes and federal budget talks in Washington. U.S. light-vehicle sales are forecast to climb 4.2 percent in March to 1.46 million from a year earlier, based on the average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Sales have climbed 8 percent this year through February, with light-truck demand up 11 percent and car volume rising 6 percent. 15.4 million SAAR? The seasonally adjusted annualized sales rate, a broad sign of the U.S. market's overall health, is forecast to rise to 15.4 million, based on the average of 15 analysts' estimates tracked by Bloomberg. If that pace holds for March, it will be the fifth consecutive month the SAAR has topped 15 million -- the longest such stretch in five years. Chrysler said today it estimated the March SAAR, including medium and heavy trucks, will hit 15.6 million units. GM today forecast a March light-vehicle SAAR of about 15.2 million. In March 2012, the light-vehicle SAAR came in at 14.1 million. Automakers are counting on pent-up demand, new models, and a favorable financing and credit environment to keep the industry's recovery on track this year. At the same time, pickup and SUV demand is getting a lift from the steady rebound in housing and construction markets. At Colonial Automotive Group in Acton, Mass., which operates 15 Chevrolet, Mazda, Subaru, Dodge, Chrysler Jeep, and VW stores in the Boston area, COO Patrick Browne expects March sales to rise about 8 percent. "Particularly here, the Subaru brand continues to be very strong," Browne said. "Chrysler Jeep has jumped back and is going strong … Mazda and Chevy are also very strong. "We're looking for a record year …[even with] significant margin pressure on both new and used cars," he added. Rising wealth The rise in U.S. stock indices and home prices this year -- coupled with mortgage refinancing -- is also lifting household wealth and serving as a boost to new car and light-truck demand. At Jaguar Land Rover North America, March sales increased 4 percent, with sales for the year rising 14 percent. The new BRZ sports car and Crosstrek crossover, along with the redesigned Forester, helped March sales at Subaru rise 13 percent to 36,701 units - a monthly record for the company. Edmunds.com, an online shopping site, today raised its full-year sales forecast to 15.5 million, citing healthier household finances, pent-up demand and an increase in leases scheduled to end in the second half of the year compared to the last six months of 2012. "Car shoppers seem unfazed by fiscal issues in the news," Edmunds.com Chief Economist Lacey Plache said Monday. "Even though consumer confidence has been up and down so far this year, there are 'wealth effects' that are making Americans feel comfortable finally buying the new cars they've been waiting for." Ryan Beene and Brianna Valleskey contributed to this report.