The country that gave the world the internal combustion engine is moving to outlaw it. Germany’s federal politicians have passed a resolution calling for the European Union to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2030. The proposal gained cross-party support in the Bundesrat, or Federal Council, effectively the upper house of the German Parliament. The country’s lawmakers are now … [Read more...] about Germany proposes ban on petrol, diesel cars by 2030
Volkswagen's Piech
Hardcore AMG C63 prototype surfaces at Nurburgring – see video below
Mercedes-AMG appears to be developing a more hardcore version of the C63 coupe, judging by the appearance at the Nurburgring circuit of a prototype with a huge rear wing – and without the usual camouflage. Could it be AMG’s answer to the BMW M4 GTS? Perhaps an ‘R’ version of the already hot C63 S Coupe? Or a return to the ‘Black Series’ name of the previous C63? Additions … [Read more...] about Hardcore AMG C63 prototype surfaces at Nurburgring – see video below
Toyota again the world’s most valuable automotive brand – survey
Toyota has been named the most valuable brand in the automotive world for the 13th year running, finishing ahead of Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The Japanese giant was ranked 5th overall in the annual Interbrand survey of global brand value, behind Apple (1), Google (2), Coca-Cola (3) and Microsoft (4). Rounding out the top 10 were IBM (6), Samsung (7), Amazon (8), Mercedes-Benz … [Read more...] about Toyota again the world’s most valuable automotive brand – survey
Made in Australia: Ford closes, Holden begins wind-down
The final Ford Falcon sedan and Territory SUV has rolled off the production line in Melbourne, on the same day that rival Holden delivered the last of its Australian-built Cruze models. Ford on Friday closed its plant in Melbourne, ending 91 years of manufacturing in Australia. Hours later Holden took the first step towards shutting its Adelaide production factory later … [Read more...] about Made in Australia: Ford closes, Holden begins wind-down
Tesla’s NZ plans sparks story of pioneering Kiwi engineer
News that Tesla will set up an outlet in New Zealand next year means, in a roundabout way, that the company is ‘coming home’. Why? Because if it wasn’t for a born-and-bred Kiwi the US electric carmaker might never have got off the ground. Dargaville electronics engineer Ian Wright was working for a US telecommunications company in the early 1990s when he recognised that … [Read more...] about Tesla’s NZ plans sparks story of pioneering Kiwi engineer