2011 September | Japanese Used Cars Auction

PSA Peugeot Citroën presents its light city electric vehicle

The project’s objective is to significantly reduce the amount of on-board energy by offering a fun vehicle whose electric motor, immediately available maximum torque and light weight make for an extremely enjoyable driving experience. The VELV consumes just 85 Wh per kilometre, which means that its environmental footprint is equivalent to that of a train trip. The VELV also complies with regulations concerning passive safety for passenger cars.

The concept is aimed at corporate fleets, traditional rental companies and self-service schemes like Autolib’, second-car buyers and numerous customers who want a better option for getting around town. The VELV responds to the new challenges of tomorrow’s transportation by contributing to the development of lightweight electric powertrains and providing impetus for the entire French EV industry, with support from ADEME.

Lastly, Michelin contributed its experience with management systems for in-wheel motors operating at high speeds.In the area of research, the IMS/LAPS labs in Bordeaux provided valuable insights into the dynamic behaviour of very small vehicles.

Source: http://www.psa-peugeot-citroen.com/en/psa_espace/press_releases_

Japanese Used Cars Auctions

Nissan Out To Impress At 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show

Nissan’s exhibition at this year’s Johannesburg International Motor Show promises to be a showstopper. Not only will motoring lovers get a sneak peek of the much anticipated Nissan Juke and multi-award winning Nissan LEAF, but they’ll also have the chance to show off their driving skills in a Nissan GT-R Playstation 3 simulator, with the added opportunity of winning some massive prizes.

Central to this year’s exhibition is the SUV/Coupé hybrid that motor enthusiasts just can’t seem to get enough of. The distinctively-styled Juke combines the multi-functionality offered by an SUV with the style and comfort of a luxury Coupé to create a new breed of crossover. In only five short months the Juke has already garnered a host of awards as well as a five star Euro NCAP safety rating. On display for the first time on African soil, the Juke is sure to be the talk of the show.

Joining the Juke on stage is the eco-friendly Nissan LEAF, the first mass-marketed fully-electric zero emissions vehicle in its class. As the winner of both the World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year awards, the Nissan LEAF is testament to Nissan’s innovative approach in providing the world with cleaner and more affordable cars.

Source: http://www.nissan.co.za/en/web/news/news_28901.htm

Japanese Used Cars Auctions

Unique Aston-powered P1800 to grace the Volvo Cars Heritage stand at Birmingham Classic Motor Show

On November 11-13, the Footman James Classic Motor Show will take place at the NEC in Birmingham and Volvo Cars Heritage will be there again, after a two year absence. The stand will also house the Volvo Owners Club (UK) during the show.

This will be the last of the Volvo P1800 50th anniversary activities and the Grand Finale of the hectic 2011 Volvo Cars Heritage event season.The collection of P1800 cars was impressive at the TechnoClassica show in Essen in April, but it may probably be even more impressive at the Birmingham show. The top attraction will be the P1800 from 1961 with an original 2.5 litre DOHC four-cylinder Aston Martin prototype engine which was fitted to the car at the Aston factory for test purposes. Although this project was never realized, the car has survived and is proudly owned and run by Mr Beat Roos of Roos Engineering in Switzerland.

Besides this fantastic car, the now famous P958-X1 prototype will continue its triumphant tour by also appearing in the UK, together with its designer and creator, Pelle Petterson who will be present during the show.The other cars at the stand will be ST1 - the white 1800 of a certain “Saint”, a very nice original one-owner Jensen-built P1800 and a serious-looking 1800S in rally guise.

Source: https://www.media.volvocars.com/global/enhanced/en-gb/Media/Preview.aspx?

Japanese Used Cars Auctions

Porsche inaugurates new paint shop in Zuffenhausen

Stuttgart - The opening of the new paint shop marks a new milestone for Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, in the modernisation of its traditional Zuffenhausen location. The innovative plant, organised on ecological lines, was officially commissioned in the presence of the Baden-Württemberg Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann, Lord Mayor of Stuttgart, Dr. Wolfgang Schuster, Supervisory Board Chairman, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, accompanied by numerous guests.

The 192 metre long and 52 metre wide paint shop building is where the body shells of the Porsche 911 and Boxster/Cayman model lines receive their anti-corrosion protection, are painted and surface-sealed in a multistage process. This is performed precisely in sync with the sports car production process as a whole. The plant makes Porsche even more efficient, increases the premium car manufacturer’s flexibility and underpins the achievement of the high quality standards the company sets itself.

Stuttgart’s Lord Mayor Dr. Wolfgang Schuster emphasised the development of the headquarters location: The fact that Porsche is investing a lot of money in a new paint shop enhances Stuttgart as a location and is at the same time a statement of faith in Stuttgart, where the Porsche success story began. The company is already present in numerous locations throughout Stuttgart and its engagement is exemplary. As a city, we wish to support Porsche if, for example, the company is thinking about expanding its location.

Source: http://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutporsche/pressreleases/pag/?

Japanese Used Cars Auctions

BMW Develops Laser Light for the Car

As a globally successful carmaker within the premium segment, the BMW Group attaches the utmost importance to advanced technology in all sectors of automotive manufacturing. Exclusive innovations and technological leaps secure BMW’s lead amongst the competition. In the field of exterior vehicle lights, BMW also leads the way for example with full LED headlamps for the BMW 6 Series and with new developments such as the “Anti-dazzle High- Beam Assistant”, as well as with Dynamic Light Spot.

The term Dynamic Light Spot stands for a marker light system that automatically illuminates pedestrians in good time, thereby guiding the driver’s attention. After LED technology, laser light is the next logical step in car light development. BMW engineers are currently already working on the introduction of laser light as a further pioneering technology for series production within a few years. Laser light could then facilitate entirely new light functions for even more safety and comfort and at the same time contribute significantly through its higher degree of efficiency towards a saving in energy and fuel respectively.

By definition, laser lighting is radically different from sunlight, and also from the various types of artificial lighting in common use . For a start, laser lighting is monochromatic, which means that the light waves all have the same length. And it is also what is known as a “coherent” light source, which means that its waves have a constant phase difference. As a result, laser lighting can produce a near-parallel beam with an intensity a thousand times greater than that of conventional LEDs. In vehicle headlights, these characteristics can be used to implement entirely new functions. Also, the high inherent efficiency of laser lighting means that laser headlights have less than half the energy consumption of LED headlights. Simply put, laser headlights save fuel.

Source: http://www.bmw.com.au/com/en/insights/newsandevents/latest-news/

Japanese Used Cars Auctions

Audi Urban Future Summit 2011 discusses cities of the future

The cities of this world will change. Space, time, air – resources are becoming scarce. How can we create a good quality of life in the cities of the future, and in what ways will people be mobile? Yesterday, at the first Audi Urban Future Summit in Frankfurt am Main, the experts were in agreement: dialogue and cooperation are the key to a better future. Specialists from a great variety of disciplines discussed the future of urban mobility in The Squaire at Frankfurt Airport.

The debate directly before the 64th International Motor Show IAA centered on two main theses: First, that the complexity of cities will increase exponentially. Second, that representatives of government, private enterprise and society will have to work together to find solutions for urban mobility.

After a message of welcome by Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Executive Board of AUDI AG, renowned speakers such as the sociologist and economist Saskia Sassen, the sociologist Richard Sennett and the author and trend researcher Charles Leadbeater held keynote speeches about the development of cities, their inhabitants and technologies. The central theme of the Summit, Energies that Shape Cities, was explored in three 90-minute workshops that focused on Data Networks, Social Cooperation and Resource Management.

Source: http://www.audi.com/com/brand/en/company/news/company.

Japanese Used Cars Auctions

Experience Audi virtually at the IAA

At Audi, the gates to the IAA 2011 are already opening users can go on a virtual tour through the brand’s show hall that has been set up especially for the occasion. Even before the opening of the IAA, the Audi brand’s whole exhibition is presented here – down to the last detail in almost photorealistic quality, and therefore almost like a real visit. And for the on-site visit to Audi at the IAA, the Audi IAA 2011 app turns your own smartphone into your personal information portal and audio guide. All important information for representatives of the press is made available very quickly and conveniently.

With the virtual tour Audi makes it possible to experience the IAA at home. The Internet user has access to nearly all the same possibilities and impressions as during an on-site visit: It is possible to move through the brand’s exhibition in any sequence, view all the displayed vehicles and exhibits from any desired perspective, and even attend presentations given by Audi at the IAA. In addition, it takes only a mouse click to access an abundance of information and technical data about the displayed models and Audi technologies.

The virtual tour also shows architectural details with almost photorealistic precision and impressive image quality – all the more interesting since this is the first time Audi will exhibit in its own temporary exhibition hall, which gives the brand a three-dimensional feel, and will also provide its own integral test track. Even the online tour gives the user a 360-degree view of the brand’s spectacular architecture. This is achieved by using four different camera perspectives as the user moves through the virtual exhibition, simulated by using the data records of the building and the exhibits.

Source: http://www.audi.com/com/brand/en/company/news/company.detail.

Japanese Used Cars Auctions

Audi and FX launch short-form original series, ‘Untitled Jersey City Project

Audi, in association with FX Networks, announces the launch of “Untitled Jersey City Project,” a jointly developed 16-minute short-form original drama featuring the all-new 2012 Audi A6. The first two episodes of “Untitled Jersey City Project” will premiere on Sunday, Sept. 25, and will roll out over four consecutive weeks as eight, two-minute episodes airing during FX’s Sunday primetime movies.

Audi is excited to partner with FX Networks on this exciting new short-form original series,” said Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer of Audi of America. “Since our inception, Audi has embraced creativity, innovation and new ways of thinking. What better way to engage with our progressive audience than through forward-thinking entertainment.

Each of the eight installments of “Untitled Jersey City Project,” produced by Audi’s Studio Progress Films to appear as fragments of a television series or film, supplies a piece of a puzzle involving men working for an architectural firm who are hiding a dark secret. The work-in-progress television drama – with story lines centered around fame, power, money and death – is set amidst the fast-developing Jersey City waterfront. A seasoned production team, drawn from the New York independent film world and including director .

Source: http://www.audiusanews.com/pressrelease/2605//audi-fx-launch-short-form-

Japanese Used Cars Auctions

U.S. debut of the Audi R18 TDI

In June Audi celebrated its tenth victory with the R18 TDI diesel race sports car and ultra-lightweight technology in a dramatic race at the famous Le Mans 24 Hours. Likewise, on October 1st, Audi Sport Team Joest is aiming for the brand’s tenth triumph at the U.S. counterpart, the “Petit Le Mans” at Road Atlanta in the state of Georgia.

Nine times Audi has won the event which alongside the Daytona 24 Hours and the Sebring 12 Hours is the most important endurance race in North America. From 2000 to 2005 the Audi R8 was unbeatable at the race that is run over 1000 miles or for a maximum of ten hours. In 2006, 2007 and 2008 the Audi R10 TDI triumphed three times in a row. After unfortunate defeats in the past two years with the R15 TDI, Audi is set on returning to victory lane with the new R18 TDI at Road Atlanta.

Audi Sport Team Joest is fielding two vehicles at the first overseas event of the R18 TDI. Each car will have three drivers due to the length of the race. Timo Bernhard and Marcel Fässler, who have been forming a driver team in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) since the round at Imola and have been on the podium twice, will be supported by Romain Dumas.

Source: http://www.audiusanews.com/pressrelease/2606//u.s-debut-audi-r18-tdi

Japanese Used Cars Auctions

Cpo Colin Dodge Says Nissan’s Only Problem Is Making Enough Cars

At the end of August, we’re 150,000 (cars) up on last year. However, we’re still 3.7% below business plan (BP), so my understanding of the situation is we’ve got 80 (thousand) still to recover to get back to the original BP. I think everybody is on track to do that. So, six months after the tragedy that occurred in March, we’re producing now the BP plus about 5%. And at the moment, it won’t be exactly by model or by country, because life’s not as simple as that, but we’re making a recovery plan to get back to the original BP, and we have 80,000 to go.

In terms of the regions affected, we’re 50 (thousand) down in the United States, 10 (thousand) in Europe, and 20 (thousand) in Japan. We’re up in China against BP, but we’ve got 80,000 to catch back. So, if you’re a manufacturing guy, you’re making more cars now than we planned to, and in the market itself, my observation is we’ve recovered from the earthquake as a company, it seems like, about two months quicker than Toyota, and Honda is still not recovered.

I think a combination of the business continuity activities that EVP [Mitsuhiko] Yamashita and EVP [Hiroto] Saikawa took care of, and the action of the quake recovery committee, which was done under the chairmanship of COO [Toshiyuki] Shiga and 100 people in this building the day after the earthquake, seems to be best one. So, we’re in pretty good condition relatively, but until we’re back to BP, I personally won’t be satisfied. I am forecasting intuitively, but unless there is a massive change in consumer sentiment in the next six to eight weeks, we’ll get back to BP. We’re doing pretty good and relatively very, very well, but for me .

Source: http://www.nissannews.com/pressrelease/2881//cpo-colin-dodge-says-nissan

Japanese Used Cars Auctions