Alex Kaufmann, Author
Articles
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Industry giants Toyota and GM are racing to become the first carmaker with a production plug-in hybrid in its fleet and even BMW and Mercedes-Benz have confirmed plans to launch electric and... -
Volvo not for sale says chairmanVolvo's sales slump of the past several months has led to a pretax loss of $151 million in the first quarter of the year, and with no sign of turnaround in sight analysts are predicting Ford could end up selling the carmaker just as it did with Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin. According to...
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Toyota to help fund Japan's first passenger jetToyota announced this week that it would invest up to ¥10 billion ($96 million) to help fund development of Japan’s first ever commercial passenger jet. The new project is being set-up by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and along with Toyota is being funded by Japanese firms Mitsui and Sumitomo...
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London borough joins Porsche's fight against c-chargeLast month Porsche confirmed that it would challenge the London's £25 ($50) congestion charge in the High Court of Justice and this week the sports carmaker gained a new ally in the form of London borough Kensington and Chelsea. Porsche has continually asserted the increase of the congestion...
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Ghosn: 'U.S. auto market is not going to be great again'U.S. auto sales have been on the decline for the past 12 months and there’s no sign of a major upturn anytime soon. The market, which for years has been the world’s biggest in terms of auto sales, could soon be overtaken by Europe and possibly China and according to Renault-Nissan CEO...
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Land Rover turns 60When the original Land Rover Series 1 made its public debut at a motor show in Amsterdam back in 1948, few would have suspect the brand would go on to become a major player in the international luxury SUV market. Today, Land Rover features a five-model lineup and is selling vehicles at a record...
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With the official start last month of the Automotive X Prize – a competition with a $10 million cash prize for the first team to build and successfully market a genuine 100mpg vehicle –... -
VW accused of spying on Porsche with babyphonePolice in Germany are investigating a possible industrial espionage case involving Volkswagen spying on Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking. According to German media, VW personal used a baby-phone hidden behind a sofa located in a hotel room Wiedeking was staying in during a trip for a VW supervisory...
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PSA Peugeot-Citroen developing new low emissions engine familyWith lawmakers in the U.S. and Europe planning strict new emissions and fuel economy regulations over the coming years, carmakers have been forced into drastically changing their thinking about all aspects of vehicle design. No stone is being left untouched as engineers look at ways to make cars...
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Nissan GT-R used for 'Tokyo Smart Driver' campaignNissan, together with Capital City Highway Corp., has developed a new safety campaign in Japan dubbed the ‘Tokyo Smart Driver’ project, which aims to not only reduce the death toll, but also cut carbon emissions. Organizers hope to achieve these goals by getting drivers to be more...
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Video: James Bond DBS fished from Italian lakeOver the weekend we reported that an Aston Martin DBS used for filming in the latest James Bond flick, Quantum of Solace, ended up at the bottom of a lake in Italy after the driver, on route to the film set, lost control in rainy weather. We now have video footage of the car after it was extracted...
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Edo Competition Ferrari 630 Scuderia based on the 599Germany’s Edo Competition is an expert when it comes to modifying ultra-rare exotics so who better to tune one of Ferrari’s fastest cars ever produced, the 599 GTB Fiorano. Squeezing more power from a highly strung engine like a Ferrari V12, where peak power levels are developed at...
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Toyota has confirmed via its Japanese press site that its upcoming Lexus LFA supercar will contest the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance challenge--dubbed the 36th ADAC Zurich 24h Race 2008--in... -
Weak U.S. economy damages ToyotaYou know the economy is experiencing hard times when even industry leader Toyota announces a major profit warning. Toyota is expected to suffer its first drop in operating profit in more than nine years, due mostly to falling U.S. sales and a stronger yen, and most analysts are predicting profits...
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Daimler to boost R&D spending to $21 billion by 2010Daimler and its luxury Mercedes-Benz brand are renowned for being pioneers in the field of automotive technological developments. But being at the forefront of technology doesn’t come cheap and despite the high cost of investment Daimler intends to keep its reputation. In fact, the carmaker...
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New UK biofuel law does more harm than goodNew laws that came into effect in the UK this week mandating all fuels for cars and trucks must have some biofuel content has been found to do more harm to the environment than good. A number of charities including Oxfam and Greenpeace as well as science groups claim the production of biofuel will...
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Hamann-tuned E92 BMW M3 CoupeHamann has released its latest performance and styling kit for the E92 BMW M3 Coupe, boosting performance of the high-rev V8 engine as well as adding a lift-reducing bodykit and brake package. The Laupheim-based tuner has been modifying BMW’s since 1986 both for motorsport use and personal...
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Ferrari F1 to sell hybrid KERS system to customer teamsForce India looks set to step up its relationship with Ferrari for 2009. Not only will the Silverstone based team continue to use a customer engine built by the famous Italian marque next year, Force India is reportedly planning to run a KERS kinetic energy-recovery system that is also developed by...
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Holden’s in-house tuner HSV recently took the wraps off a new super-sedan concept destined for production later in the year. The new concept was the HSV W427, a VE Commodore powered by the... -
Transport for London research shows c-charge actually increases CO2 emissionsPorsche has consistently claimed London Mayor Ken Livingstone’s argument that his new congestion charge will help reduce CO2 levels in the UK capital is based on false information and now the carmaker has some substantial evidence. A report from King’s College never publicly released by...
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Video: Heffner 850HP Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder TTThe Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder is already one of the most desirable cars on the planet with its stunning good looks and monster of an engine. The owner of this Gallardo Spyder, however, just wasn't happy with the stock 500hp 5.0L V10 so decided to call on Heffner performance to add a couple of...
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Hyundai rolls out Tiburon TSIII limited edition in UKHyundai is preparing for the launch of its all new Genesis coupe but before it arrives officials have given the car it will replace, the Tiburon Coupe, one last hurrah with the unveiling of the new TSIII limited edition model. On sale in the UK only, the Tiburon TSIII has offers a number of styling...
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VW Eos tops Consumer Reports convertible shoot-outInfluential magazine Consumer Reports has given the Volkswagen Eos the best overall score in its latest convertible comparo, putting it ahead of six other contenders ranging from $32,660 to $49,525 in price. Coming a close second was BMW’s 328i cabrio, followed by the Saab 9-3 and Volvo C70...
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MANSORY 'Stallone' Ferrari 599 GTB FioranoUpdated: New images The gorgeous Ferrari 599 is probably the last car in need of any modifications but German tuner Mansory has developed a range of carbon-fiber accessories and performance upgrades designed specifically for the stunning GT. The tuner has unveiled the latest package for the 599 at...
Alex Kaufmann