According to tentative estimation JD Power Automotive, in December in Europe 1,120,091 car has been made. For comparison: in December, 2008 manufacture was reduced about 1,305,649 units (December, 2007) to 837,819 units, decrease has made 35,8%.
The European governmental stimulation
The gain is in many respects caused by action of programs of stimulation of sales financed by the European governments that has led to increase of demand in the basic markets of Europe. Besides, a little panic reduction of drains undertaken by leading motor-car manufacturers, «by inertia» has led to reduction of the commodity stocks, which companies have started to fill up now to the necessary level.
Autoconcern Renault and Romanian affiliated company Dacia became the champion in December. Good results also have shown Peugeot, Citroen and Lamborghini. According to JD Power, these motor-car manufacturers have increased manufacture in percentage by three-value figures.
The huge gain has given Dacia updated Logan, and also an exit on the market of model Sandero. As a result the ex-Romanian brand in December has increased manufacture of inexpensive cars by 487% — to 26,851 units. And here Opel, Chevrolet, Saab and Honda last month 2009 have received release falling for 19 or more percent.
Volkswagen — the European automobile leader
For 12 months the manufacture total amount has decreased for 17,7% and has made 15,251,224 units. These data include factories in Western and the Eastern Europe, and also in Russia and to Turkey. Last year in comparison with 2008 considerably increase manufacture could Renault, Dacia, Jaguar and Land Rover. Thus release of the British off-road cars has grown at once for 20,6% — to 107,910 units. Concern Volkswagen became the unconditional leader of annual manufacture — in the sum in 2009 3,346,223 cars have been made.
A number of brands have become successful on separate models. For example, at Mercedes release E-class and fantastic jump — almost three times has grown, has shown crossover GLK.
In total for a year in Europe 15,251,254 cars, that on 17,7% more low, than year before (18,520,697 units) have been made. However December acceleration can be the proof of that the worst times for the European motor-car manufacturers already behind.
Company Volvo plans to begin testing of 50 copies of the electric version of hatchback C30 in two years, informs magazine Autocar.
Electrocar Volvo
Tests of these cars partially (at a rate of 150 million Swedish crones) are sponsored by a Department of Energy of Sweden and will proceed throughout two years. Cars will give to specially selected group of persons on the basis of which responses it is planned to make operational development of electromobiles and to create a corresponding infrastructure.
Earlier Swedish motor-car manufacturer already represented the concept car on the basis of this model, however to coming a motor show in Detroit, opening in the beginning of January, the prototype has been a little modernised.
Electrocar by Volvo C30
First of all, electrocar now it is constructed on the basis of updated Volvo C30, and also has received completely updated interior.
The electromobile is equipped by the 111-strong electromotor which eats from lithium-ionic of the accumulators, capable to provide to the car movement throughout 150 kilometres. The maximum speed of a novelty, according to representatives Volvo, makes 130 km/h, dispersal with 0 to 96 km/h for 10,5 seconds, and on full gymnastics of batteries from the usual house socket it is required about eight hours.
Concern BMW has deeply plunged in muddy already enough while waters of hybrid technologies, however to stop on reached the company, most likely, does not gather. At least, such conclusion can be made if to familiarise with the new patent application submitted a German motor-car manufacturer.
Hybrid version BMW
Unlike other offers, in this or that kind present in the market or just preparing for introduction, BMW intends to use in a hybrid power-plant at once two petrol motors together with the electric.
Curious feature of the presented demand also is also that both engines working on mineral fuel are two-cylinder — most likely, by working out of the given concept designers leant against wide experience BMW in business of manufacture of such units for two-wheeled vehicles.
The patent for the hybrid engine
The most probable place of placing of the electric motor is transmission, and traditional motors, most likely, will be mounted in uniform assemblage. About plans on a batch production of the perspective design the manufacturer has not given any data, however the fact of application testifies that this possibility is perspective enough.
On the Frankfurt motor show company Peugeot has presented the supernumerary conceptual car BB1 which dimensional length makes only 2,5 metres.
Conceptual electrocar Peugeot BB1
Despite the small sizes of the car, in salon, taking into account that there there will be only a driver, it is possible to transport about 855 litres of cargo.
The four-seater novelty has received a carbon body in weight of 600 kgs. The stock of a course of an electromobile makes 121 kilometre, and dispersal with 0 to 30 km/h for 2,8 seconds. On acceleration with 30 to 60 km/h 4 seconds is required even.
Peugeot BB1 on Frankfurt Auto Show '09
Whether it is planned to produce the similar car in lots at present it is not informed.
Company Renault has shown four conceptual electromobiles which give representation how similar serial cars will look on the Frankfurt motor show, whose statement on the conveyor is planned for 2011. The scale of electroprototypes includes double supernumerary car Twizy Z.E., small coupe Zoe Z.E., and also electric versions Kangoo and Fluence.
Concept car Renault Twizy
The length of city electromobile Renault Twizy makes only 2,30 metres, and width — 1,13 metres. In such car, according to representatives of the French motor-car manufacturer, it is possible to transport about 60 kg of cargo, and the storage batteries feeding the 20-strong electromotor, provide Twizy a stock of a course throughout 100 km. The maximum speed of a novelty makes 75 km/h.
Renault's concept cars
Other concept cars are equipped by identical electric power-plants: the 95-strong electromotor and storage batteries which allow cars to move without additional charge throughout 160 kilometres.
Let's notice, that versions Kangoo c usual engines already are on sale, and sedan Fluence will appear at dealers roughly in the beginning of next year. As it was informed earlier, Russia, Turkey and countries of Eastern Europe become the basic commodity markets Fluence, being the version of model Megane. The car will be offered with 110 and 140-strong petrol motors in volume of 1,6 and 2,0-l, and also with two 1,5-l turbodiesels developing 90 and 110HP.
Company BMW has extended the official information on the new version of a sedan 3-Series which representatives of a German motor-car manufacturer name the most economic and harmless BMW 3-Series for all history of model.
The average expense of fuel at the car which has received the name 320d Efficient Dynamics, makes 4,1 litres on 100 km of a way, and level of emissions CO2 is equal 109/km. About it is spoken in press release BMW.
To achieve such indicators in BMW modernised an engine design a little, have reduced a road gleam, have completed the car with special 16-inch wheel disks and tyre covers Michelin. Besides it, package Efficient Dynamics includes system of an automatic stop and motor start, system of regeneration of energy at braking, and also the indicator on panels of the devices, the optimal moment prompting to the driver from the point of view of profitability for transfer switching.
The novelty is equipped by the two-litre diesel engine power of 163HP (360Nm) and a six-step mechanical transmission. According to the manufacturer, with 0 to 100 km/h the most economic sedan 3-Series can be dispersed for 8,2 seconds. The maximum speed — 225 km/h.
The world premiere of such car will take place in September on autoshow in Frankfurt. In sale to the European dealers the novelty will arrive in January, 2010.
German designer Christian Fyorg has developed magnetic transport of the future.
Speedway Transport System it is created on the basis of idea of a children's toy — lines with contact lines energised which current collectors of the machine with the electric motor concern. And the author suggests to move the engine under a road cloth. The network of linear electric motors creates a magnetic field which pushes away the mobile part of system located on a vehicle.
The designer offers two modes of movement: city, with use of the small electric motor, and country, by means of contactless technology of linear motors. In a city the car height increases, and the width — decreases. In the country, for the purpose of decrease in aerodynamic resistance the car as if "lays down" on road.
At driving on a hi-tech cloth accumulators also can be charged, therefore at frequent country trips the electromobile will be always ready for inclusion of the usual electric motor in a city. In what sum re-equipment of 1,000 km (as a matter of fact will manage — creation anew) high systems, is not mentioned.
Chinese automobile company BYD is full determination to make for the world market family electromobile BYD e6.
At first, because of economic difficulties and necessity of technical improvement, occurrence of crossover BYD e6 has been decided to renominate with 2010 for 2011. Now Chineses again are guided for 2010. Obviously, it is connected with a premiere of the competitor — compact electromobile Nissan Leaf.
Cost of base complete set BYD е6 will make Car about $40,000 will equip with the block of storage batteries. Dispersal to 100 km/h for 10 seconds, and the maximum speed will make 160 km/h. The maximum run without a recharge — an order of 300 km.
The main market for car BYD sale e6 becomes the USA.
Sometimes to come too early where is worse, than to be late. While BMW, Audi, Porsche in eager rivalry offer five-door hatchbacks business- and a premium-class, firm Renault has made the decision on the termination of release of flagman model Vel Satis.
Vel Satis, mass-produced seven years ago, became the first hatchback of a business class. Company Renault, generating one-volume imaginations one another is more unusual, has decided to "compete" with a Mercedes in respect of creation of the competitor to the E-class. Losing to Germans in image and reliability, Frenchmen have tried to take originality.
Working out of model Vel Satis constructed on one platform with the Lagoon of the previous generation and minivan Espace, has managed all in half-billion euro.
However, neither a spacious body, nor borrowed at Nissan engine V6, impressing safety — nothing has helped Renault Vel Satis...
The risk has appeared unjustified, and company Renault stamped all these years Vel Satis more likely to spite, than on sale...
Photographers-spies could photograph pre-series copy Mercedes-Benz C-Class not covered with a camouflage 2011 modelling years.
White universal has got to an objective of the paparazzi during transportation on an autotrailer. Changes in appearance can be carried to the superficial: C-Class has received the updated forward bumper with light-emitting diode in "the running line" daylight, as at S-Class 2010 modelling years, and also a new back bumper and back headlights. In salon of the car to spies to glance it was not possible, but experts Worldcarfans consider, as there updatings will be "cosmetic".
Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2011 the same set of engines, as current model, but engines modernised will receive to improve their profitability and ecological compatibility. It is expected, that the world premiere of the updated car will take place on the Geneva motor show in March of the next year.
In the autumn in the European shows-rumah of the Bavarian mark there will be new "six" which will differ richer equipment in a base complete set.
As writes edition Аutocar, a number of engines of model remains invariable, however, now each updating can be ordered in complete sets SE, Sport and M Sport.
The navigating system, professional radio, communicative technology BMW ConnectedDrive are registered in base equipment of the car, Bluetooth and function of management by a voice.
Company Ford plans to make the version of crossover Kuga, writes British magazine AutoExpress.
According to the edition, three-door Kuga can superficially resemble coupe-crossover BMW X6, essentially differing on the price. Presumably Kuga Coupe in a base complete set will receive under a cowl a 1,6-litre turbo-engine power to 178HP, transmission with double coupling Powershift and a full drive. For the first time before public the model can be shown on one of world motor shows in 2011.
On Thursday supervisory board Volkswagen had been approved merge with Porsche which should be carried out in some stages within 2010-2011.
On it informs Deutsche Welle referring to a source in supervisory board VW in Wolfsburg.
After merge with Porsche the motorcar giant will keep former name Volkswagen. Will head incorporated concern Martin Winterkorn. The head of board VW Martin Winterkorn will supervise over the new enterprise. Probably, Martin becomes also the new chairman of board Porsche Automobil Holding SE.
Porsche becomes the tenth mark of concern VW which becomes, thus, the largest motor-car manufacturer in Europe.
The group of the American scientists of Madison's university has developed an internal combustion engine which can work on a diesel engine-petrol of a fuel mix.
Proportions of each of fuel kinds are compared depending on loading on the motor, for example, at driving uphill the gasoline share in a gas mixture can reach 85% whereas at at movement on equal road volumes of both kinds of fuel will be equal. As informs Science Daily, the efficiency of this engine for 20% exceeds indicators of usual petrol units.
One of the basic advantages of the motor is decrease in working temperature for 40% that has led to smaller losses of heat. It became real thanks to more flexible regulation of structure of a gas mixture. As an example scientists have presented a pre-production model of modified diesel engine Caterpillar with the EFFICIENCY equal to 53% whereas the best indicator among internal combustion engines belongs to a duple ship turbodiesel — 50%. At petrol automobile motors of EFFICIENCY makes all about 25%.
According to Rolf Reitz project, these engines can be used both in cars, and in lorries. Exact terms of occurrence of serial samples of such motors are not informed.
By calculations of scientists if all cars in the USA have been equipped a diesel engine-petrol by engines consumption of oil by America would decrease on third or on four million barrels a day. Now the USA consume 21 million barrels of oil daily.
The planned merge of motorcar giant Volkswagen (VW) and the manufacturer of sports cars Porsche will reverse a car industry picture to Germany, and also an alignment of forces on a world car market where VW while concedes to Japanese company Toyota and American concern General Motors, influential economic newspaper Financial Times Deutschland (FTD) writes on Wednesday.
Concern Volkswagen plans to sign on August, 13th with the manufacturer of expensive sports cars, German Porsche, the agreement on purchase of a share holding of the company at a rate of 49,9 % of the authorised capital approximately for 4 billion euro. Such decision to a management of both companies should be accepted owing to heavy financial position Porsche because of financial crisis. According to German mass-media company debts make about 14 billion euro.
"The concern with headquarters in Wolfsburg (Volkswagen) will want to become the first as soon as will finish joining Porsche", — is spoken in article. The newspaper quotes opinion of the head of Institute of the motor industry considering, that such chance at incorporated concern Volkswagen-Porsche is.
"However it will be hard to beat Toyota Motor. The weakest the link here for VW is the North America where the Japanese company sells much more cars. On the other hand, at VW there is also a big advantage are much stronger, than at Toyota, positions in China", — quotes FTD the German expert.
As the newspaper notices, though on pure to sale quantity indicators (99 thousand cars last financial year) Porsche looks the gnome in comparison with other marks Volkswagen (the total amount of sales in 2008 has made 3,6 million cars), creation of the integrated concern making all chain of automodels from Golf to sports cars and lorries becomes treasured dream of patriarch Volkswagen of Ferdinand Pieha — the grandson of the trailblazer of a German car industry Ferdinand Porshe. After all VW already and so luxury models of type Bentley and Lamboghini belong.
All other autocompanies of Germany, have less wide spectrum of made models and a smaller sales volume: concern BMW together with marks Mini and Rolls-Royce has sold in 2008 1,4 million cars, company Daimler could sell last year 1,3 billion units Mercedes-Benz, Smart and Maybach, and Opel with mark Vauxhall hardly has increased volume of the sales to 1,5 million cars.
From the point of view of the known autoexpert of professor Ferdinand Dudenheffera from university Duisburg-Essen, Volkswagen after merge with Porsche will take predominating positions in a segment of cars of a class lux which requirement annually makes 550 thousand cars. But it, according to the expert, can cause legal questions.
"If to count the general sale of group Volkswagen-Porsche in 2007 their share in the luxury market has made 37,9%, and in 2008 — 34,1%, and if to add here model Porsche-Panamera which will go on sale since September of this year this share can increase from an average index in 36% to 40%. It unequivocally means dominating positions in a luxury segment in which Volkswagen without Porsche on the average has 20%", — the newspaper quotes the express analysis of the German professor.
Meanwhile autoexpert Villi Dits considers, that competitive pressure is especially high on Daimler and BMW. "Company Audi in a segment of models of class Premium has already reached their level and has benefited by technological designs of concern Volkswagen. To concerns Daimler and BMW principle business on it to react", — the autoexpert considers.
Automobile hybrid technologies are accessible not only to the large companies like Toyota and General Motors, but also to small firms which, besides and have no experience of building of the car in general. But the automobile world promptly varies, and hybrid technologies become popular, so demand for such cars grows. While the big companies struggle with crisis, small represent the new models.
All are already familiar with autocompany Tesla and two models: Roadster and representation sedan Model S. Now one more new company tries to declare itself — Velozzi which is going to begin manufacture of hybrid cars loudly.
Velozzi the State of California — a place very successful for start of the hi-tech project is based in Los Angeles. We will remind, to California on emissions of exhaust gases the most rigid ecological standards are entered into environment.
In the young company there are scientists, engineers and designers who are engaged in working out of transport ecological technologies. The company purpose is the batch production and bulk selling of ecologically safe, powerful, beautiful and functional hybrid cars.Today Velozzi shows the working out — crossover Solo. Unlike other hybrids is an easy and spacious car. The majority of modern electric and hybrid cars are under construction on the same a principle. As old kind cars with traditional petrol motors, using, by and large, the same design. The general director of new company Roberto Velozzi considers, that manufacture of new effective vehicles with use of out-of-date methods of building is impossible.
For effective, ecologically pure car it is necessary to use easy materials to improve the fuel expense, to reduce environmental contamination and to increase safety of passengers. Velozzi now has developed modular technology with use of modern easy materials that allows engineers to think freely not adhering to technical restrictions traditional for automobile branch. Under statements of experts of the company the new technology allows to simplify assemblage of the car and to reduce industrial expenses. As a result, the end production will cost more cheaply, and in the car it will be possible to use more expensive and powerful engines.
Besides, cars Velozzi in the world will use for the first time high-strength hydrocarbon. At the heart of a new material carbon with cylindrical structure, so-called CNTs is used.
Velozzi mechanical durability of a material which on 40% is more effective, than used is necessary today, first of all. Besides hydrocarbon very easy also gives in to secondary processing. Crossover Solo, will use still set of hi-tech decisions, including, come and from the Formula-1. But the principle of work of hybrid installation becomes the main feature of the car. For gymnastics of super condensers and lithium-ionic of batteries onboard Solo fuel microturbines will be used some.
That is cars Velozzi are the normal electromobiles which electromotors receive a food at the expense of a combination lithium-ionic of the battery and super condensers which, in turn, are charged from several onboard fuel microturbines or the usual city electric system. Microturbines Velozzi can use fuel any kind, including, gasoline, diesel fuel, ethanol, biodiesel fuel and natural gas. If it is necessary, the car can work as a diesel engine-generator and to feed with the electric power the whole house with all house electrodevices.
By calculations, the car will be constructed only in 2011.
Solo it will be capable to reach speed in 210 km/hour, to be dispersed to hundred for fantastic for an off-road car of 6 seconds, and to spend 2,4 litres of fuel for 100 kilometres. Utopian for today figures, nevertheless, can define success of the new company in the future.
Except crossover Solo in plans at Velozzi building of the hybrid super car. For realisation of plans Velozzi already has now involved in working out of 17 future suppliers of components of the serial car.
The chairman of board of directors Volkswagen Martin Vinterkorn has informed that autoconcern plans to begin mass release completely electric cars by 2013.
By estimations of the head of the company, in 2020 company Volkswagen can capture to 1,5% of the world market of electromobiles.
The first cars of the German manufacturer working exclusively on electric draught, will enter into ruler New Small Family. Within the next ten years the given innovation will replenish with models for various segments of the market. It is planned, that these cars will be focused on the most democratic circle of buyers.
To be engaged in release completely electric cars concern have induced new ecological requirements and the politician of the competitors for a long time developing this direction. Till now harmless workings out Volkswagen were limited basically to diesel decisions and hybrid cars. So, in May of current year "Volkswagen" has signed the contract with Chinese company BYD on a trial lot of electromobiles and models with the hybrid engine.
The first hybrid cars have appeared in the market almost five years ago. Toyota, Lexus and Honda in the market hybrid cars, however a share of such models actively enough advance is still smallest and makes about 0,2%.
The European sales of new cars have grown in June on 2,4%. The main merit that the automobile branch of Europe has started to show ability to growth, belongs to the governments of some European states which stimulated with the actions and money resources a consumer demand. The average index of sales on all European countries has increased first time for last 14 months i.e. since the industry was included into a heavy economic crisis.
The association of the European Manufacturers of Cars (ACEA) also ascertains, that the trend on serious falling of sales was designated in May, 2008. In June of last year recession of the European sales made 7,9% in comparison with June 2007. The first time was outlined In June of this year growth and, in total, this month 1 461 859 cars have been sold and registered.
In first six months of this year of sale of passenger cars in Europe have fallen as a whole to 11%. 7 425 762 new cars are sold For the first half of the year 2009 in Europe against 8 346 828 year before.
To the European zone of statistics ACEA carries 27 EU member states plus of country EFTA except for the countries-islands: Cyprus and Malta.
The countries of the former socialist camp are called now as new members of EU, and ACEA considers on them the separate statistics. In these countries recession of sales of new cars for June has made 25,3%. From the East European countries it is better than itself today feel only Czechia (growth in June of 18%) and Slovakia (phenomenal growth of sales on 57,4%). Critical figures has reached falling of sales in Latvia (-72.6%). In absolute figures Poland remained the largest East Europe market as falling of sales in June was absolutely insignificant (-2,5%). By results of a half-year the leading countries of region have increased sales: Slovakia (+18,4%), Czechia (+7,9%) and Poland (+0,2%) though as a whole the market in region has decreased (-27,1%).
In the Western Europe sales in June have grown on 4,6%. The five of the leading countries of Europe (Germany, Italy, France, the Great Britain, Spain) incurs the lion's share of the European automobile market. The majority of the countries was entered by measures on consumer demand stimulation when buyers receive monetary awards at delivery of the old cars in breakage and purchase of brand new, more harmless cars.
Change of number of sales of new cars in June, 2009 in relation to June, 2008:
Germany +40,5% Italy +12,4% France +7,0% The Great Britain -15,7 % Spain -15,9% THE USA -27,7% Russia -56,0%
Following the results of a half-year Germany (+26.1%) and France (+0.2%) could increase and keep accordingly demand for cars in comparison with last year. However if to take results of all West European countries, the market of cars has decreased on 9.8 % to that decrease in sales in Italy (-10.7%) promoted, to the Great Britain (-25.9%) and to Spain (-38.3%).
Chief executive Renault Carlos Ghosn has declared last week, that 2010 for motor industry will be same difficult, as well as 2009. The exit from crisis will not be simple and some years will proceed.
Sales of bonus marks have fallen last month, but decrease was not so serious, as well as the last months. "There are first signs of some restoration," — the executive member of board of directors BMW AG Ian Robertson has declared. BMW, the world's largest manufacturer of magnificent cars, in June is in the lead on a sales volume. However, sales BMW have fallen to 13% (to 105220 cars) in comparison with result of June, 2008. As a whole for the first half of the year 2009 of sale BMW have decreased on 19%.
In 2008 VW was in the world only the third motor-car manufacturer, after General Motors and, until recently, supersuccessful Toyota which became at last the largest manufacturer of cars in the world. Now VW has outstripped GM and has seriously reduced backlog from Toyota.
Chief executive VW Martin Winterkorn wants, that the German giant became the world's largest motor-car manufacturer by 2018. VW is on a way to this purpose thanks to last year's growth of sales worldwide on 1,3% to 6 271 724 cars and to manufacture growth on 2,1% to 6 346 515 units. Toyota, on the contrary, has a little lost on sales (-4,2%) to 8 972 000 and manufacture (-2,9%) 9 225 000 for the same period.
If to take longer period and to trace tendencies of development of manufacturers for last years here an unaided sight the enormous progress VW which global sales have grown since 2004 on 23,5 % is visible. For same period Toyota has increased sales on 19.5 %. Manufacture on VW has grown on 24,6% (it is 1,25 million cars), and Toyota has made in 2008 of cars on 22,2% of percent more than for 2004.
Sales Ford have decreased on 10,8%, and already company Hyundai-Kia indicators very little lag behind. Koreans have felt behind themselves force and have increased sales on 5 % to 4 157 904. These companies now on 4 and 5 places in the world. A difference between them all 1,2 million sold cars.
On result of sales of 2009 in company GM closing and sale of brands Saturn, Hummer, Pontiac and Saab will seriously affect. Global sales of these marks made 720 550 cars in 2008. Still it is not known, how many the person from among the former clients of these marks will prefer other brands GM, and how many will leave on to competitors.
Even more important that GM will lose Opel and Vauxhall. After all if GM will lose the control over these marks (and all goes to such result) sales Opel/Vauxhall will not get any more to statistics GM. This loss can blow up a rating of world motor-car manufacturers.
In 2008 Opel and Vauxhall have together sold 1 503 100 cars. The basic commodity market of these marks — Europe. Take away from global sales GM these indicators, and also lost Saturn, Hummer, Pontiac and Saab and then still the recent leader of an automobile industry will be rejected on 4 place.
Is unsweetened it is necessary American Chrysler. Together with economic losses and bankruptcy position of the company in a rating of world manufacturers worsens also. In 2007 Chrysler still was the manufacturer of cars №9, now — №13. Company sales have gone on recession still in 2008 when the break-even sales level indicator has fallen to 24,9 % to 2 010 800 units in 2008.
French Renault SA, on the contrary, has entered in 10st the largest manufacturers of the world though has lost in 2008 4,1 % of sales. For crisis 2008 and against other companies it is faster success, than failure. Besides Renault acts as an united front with Nissan. Their alliance is successful enough and copes one person, powerful Carlos Gonom. But cross possession of actives of the companies not so is great and consequently world sales Renault and Nissan still will be separately considered. Together Renault and Nissan have sold in 2008 about 6,1 million cars. If they were one company, instead of is simple partners would be considered as the fourth motor-car manufacturer on size in the world.
Fiat SpA while owns only 20 percent Chrysler, that also does not allow to unite indicators of sales of two companies. But the given state of affairs can change, if Fiat, finally, nevertheless will catch most part Chrysler. If indicators of two companies to unite, in 2008 incorporated corporation Fiat-Chrysler would take the general fifth place.
Only ten years ago, in 1999, Swedish Volvo Group has sold to concern Ford the branch Volvo Cars, having conceded to Americans of the right of use of mark Volvo for cars, minivans, minibuses and sports cars.
Despite change of the owner, main priorities Volvo Car Corporation remained former — safety of all participants of movement and convenience of the car to the driver and passengers. So, the Scandinavian firm began to care and of ecology. However year before engineers from the Geteborg have changed the important approaches to a design of cars.
In May, 1998 the Swedish company Volvo has stopped manufacture of cars of classical configuration S90/V90 (a series 940-960 till 96th year) and has completely started the production cars with a cross-section arrangement of the power unit and forward (or full) a drive. So the decisive step has been dictated by the weighty economic and technical reasons. Front-wheel cars with a cross-section arrangement of the engine have lower cost of manufacture. To consumers their operation more cheaply manages. But besides it front-wheel cars possess also the best stability, than the cars having a drive on back wheels. More precisely so affairs were for that moment when managers Volvo Cars made it fatal the decision, at a characteristic level of development for this time of automobile electronics.
To go through a hard time and not to change to the constructive principles it was possible only to Germans — to Bavarians and firm Mercedes-Benz. Having spent a heap of money and a great lot of efforts to system engineering of management by a stream of power and stabilisation of movement of the car, they could level a difference in levels of course stability.
And here traditional advantages, characteristic for cars of classical configuration, remained at them. After all only similar configuration allows to counterbalance in regular intervals weight of the car on axes. And this circumstance, along with absence of traction effort on forward wheels, helps to achieve the best controllability of the car.
Thus, if extremely to simplify the description of a today's situation both to the manufacturer, and the consumer needs to choose between size of expenses and comfort and controllability level. With reference to the automobile company it, in particular, means the following: if you wish to make the high quality car use classical configuration. Japanese firms Lexus and Infiniti, followed Germans, have well acquired this true. And for compact and, especially, inexpensive cars the best configuration will be that at which the engine will take places across a motor coupe (that took less places), and the drive was carried out on forward wheels.
Volvo today
Designers Volvo use such configuration on all models without an exception already more than ten years. But just absence of exceptions also creates problems. For car Volvo C30, S40 and V50 the similar layout scheme is more than pertinent, and the platform from car Ford Focus corresponds almost ideally. Swedes only needed to choose parametres of adjustment of the chassis (it is a problem for experts in marketing) and to correct a suspension bracket according to them (a problem for engineers).
Models Volvo S60 and XC60 already are as though "boundary", both on a class, and on the sizes. In the sense that at their designing it would be possible to use any of the mentioned schemes and to achieve thus the relatives almost identical, results. And here above on a class the picture any more does not look so iridescent. Versatile person V70 is still, all right. But sedan Volvo S80 and crossover XC90 (the biggest car Volvo) from the point of view of designing and engineering are perceived by "wrong".
Certainly, these cars go, and it is rather quite good. But engineers from the Geteborg had to do the big work to compensate a consequence once the made choice — the layout scheme. It is necessary to notice, that a design of transmission Volvo with a drive of all of 4 wheels when back wheels are connected to some extent in case of proslipping of lobbies, here not in attention it undertakes intended, because it is a separate theme and also full of compromises.
Probably, one of consequences of excessive propensity of designers Volvo Cars to compromises is refusal of German manufacturers to enlist the Swedish company in the elite club. For the same reason sharp motorists on language have thought up for Volvo a personal class — "pseudo-premium". Thus nobody challenges the main priorities of the Scandinavian firm, as well as achievements in recognised areas.
Feeler
If to take into consideration the above-stated reasonings conceptual project Volvo SC90 which has appeared in this year will cease to seem so unexpected. And value, on the contrary, will increase and will be beyond the student's work made during training of the author in the Californian studio of design of company Volvo. Young designer Nufon Bansasin (Nouphone Bansasine) has drawn very beautiful car.
Certainly, the lattice of a radiator of the six-coal form forces to recollect conceptual car Volkswagen Iroc. But this unique loan which can be found in the project. And it is harmoniously entered in an obverse part of new car Volvo. Though there is also one more. But this similarity of absolute other sort.
In image and forms of a new coupe that power of the compressed spring which so is well familiar on cars BMW any more one generation is felt. Actually, Volvo for a long time to aspire to something similar. But only in work of designers Volvo this energy is felt so powerfully. And it is surprising. Because both the general form of the car, and separate elements of design have with cars of the Bavarian firm no anything the general. Though, is not present: a back part of the car, it is accurate in a profile, in that drawing on which there is east beauty, gives rise to very thin associations with BMW. But it only associations. It is necessary to look at the same element under any most insignificant corner, and similarity there and then "evaporates".
Sides of a body of coupe SC90, combining convex and concave surfaces are interestingly executed. These surfaces as if are imposed on a pure silhouette of the car, creating an additional visual image. As to an ex-terrier on level of stylistic study the given project can successfully argue with the most expensive supercar of a planet — Aston Martin One-77, something imperceptible reminding last.
Very important that, as in shape of the car, and in salon firm lines Volvo is guessed absolutely definitely.
Only it is absolutely new — young, dynamical, resolute, impudent and extreme Volvo!
The new classics
Thus the external beauty sports Volvo SC90 not only speaks for itself, but also informs other extremely useful and important information. After all a small forward plumb of a body and long, but a low cowl in the forward part eloquently I testify that on the car is planned to use the engine of great volume which not only is located along a longitudinal axis of the car, but also it is strongly shifted for a forward axis.
It is available — classical configuration of the car in a combination to a back drive and ideal distribution of weight on axes. The made assumption confirms also the computer videoclip applied on the project. In this video film the author of the project not only shows a class and character of the car, but also directly shows configuration.Most likely, developers used motor Yamaha with which crossovers XC90 are completed now by working out of the project. After all it is unique engine V8 which company Volvo Cars has for today. Besides the car is rather advanced on a design — very easy, compact and giving in to modernisation. It is enough to recollect, that on supercar Noble power of this motor at equipment by a turbo-supercharging reaches 600HP.
In too time concern Ford at the moment finishes working out of wide scale of motors V6 and V8 which are equipped with pressurisation already initially. And among them there are the engines possessing power sufficient even for such car.
The foggy future
Actually the destiny also depends on the further development of relations with "Ford" not only the given project, but also all company Volvo. Certainly, a stumbling-block is not the problem of motors, and huge debts Ford Motor. And not looking that within approximately year their "Ford's" managers successfully reduce, shareholders of the American concern demand to sell the Swedish firm, to accelerate this process.
Itself Volvo Car Corporation by and large in this situation it is not guilty. The car, of course, is today unprofitable but who has today profit? Though, in all honesty, it is necessary to admit that last ten years Volvo Cars was far not successful though and concerning the safe company. Who knows, perhaps, the project of new coupe Volvo SC90 is that counterbalance which will overcome bowls of scales in the necessary direction therefore the Scandinavian company remains as a part of concern Ford.
And though the common sense prompts, that hardly it is necessary to expect a great demand on expensive cars in the foreseeable future, and the logic of crisis especially demands to reduce costs and to make the cheap cars, above described example BMW and Mercedes-Benz says that sometimes it is not necessary to run together with all.
Sale Volvo Car Corporation to Chineses can become the nominal transaction of this century. By and large the transaction is not favourable any of three companies. Including to Chineses. Unless only Ford will receive the money. And that the reputation can suffer more.
Supercar Volvo SC90 is a project which is capable to approach Volvo to an ideal. But only in the event that money, and Volvo — time will suffice "Ford".
