OUR ANGRY BRIDE IS STAYING WITH US - VW ON SUZUKI

Over the past few months the relationship between Suzuki and Volkswagen has soured to the point that the Japanese want the Germans to sell them their 20% stake in Suzuki, and they promise to sell their 1.49% stake in VW. Alas VW is not interested in breaking off the marriage at this point in time.

OPEL SEEKING AN EXTENDED RUSSIAN AFFAIR

Opel seeks to fire up its Russian love affair with an increase in market share within the next 3 years. Having sold about 50 000 cars in Russia so far this year, the German brand is looking at a rapid expansion, sponsored by the likes of the new Meriva, Zafira and performance models.

NEW RECESSION? WHAT NEW RECESSION? - PORSCHE

While some industry experts are increasingly whispering the words “double dip recession”, Porsche seems to be accelerating towards delivering even more cars this year. Company CEO Matthias Mueller says his order books are full, spurred on by demand for its best-seller, the Cayenne.

BMW M4 TO REPLACE M3?

Several claims have emanated from the UK publication Autocar, regarding the BMW 4 Series. Oh yes, it appears 3 is not enough, so we’ll be graduating to 4 as early as 2014. Rumours of a 4 Series have long been spreading, but this is the first true indication that they are real. Basically the premise of it all is that 3 Series Coupés and Convertibles will drop 3 and take up 4.

SMALL PORSCHE CAJUN COMING IN 2013

Porsche is expanding its Leipzig, Germany plant, in anticipation of increased manufacturing capacity. The plant produces the Cayenne and Panamera, and was the production site for the limited-edition Carrera GT V10 supercar when it was still in production. By 2013 it will start churning out what is expected to be baskets of Cajun SUVs.

VOLKSWAGEN, BMW DOMINATE EUROPE

BMW and Volkswagen appear to be the winners in a soft market, as their European deliveries increased over competitors’. VW sold 12.5% more cars last month (294 309), while BMW gained 6.8% more sales to 110 198 units. In comparison, Mercedes-Benz sold just 65 099 cars.

MINI GOES TO INDIA

BMW announced that it will introduce the MINI brand into the India market in 2012. India has not been selling the new MINI ever since it was introduced to the world in 2001. Global success means it’s likely to succeed on the sub-continent too, as long as it’s priced right.

GENERAL MOTORS TALKS TOUGH ON A SMALL FUTURE

Small turbocharged engines are back with a very loud bang. This revolution which began with Volkswagen and Audi at the turn of last decade, is running hard, spreading like melted cheese on a pizza. General Motors will not be left behind either after announcing a comprehensive turbo strategy for the next decade or so.

AUDI RS 3 SPORTBACK IS (ALMOST) THE REAL DEAL

Not once did I ever think I would say, or even think it, but after several laps on the Killarney Race track in Cape Town, the RS 5 is my kinda car. Mind you, I really liked the RS 5 each time I drove it, but I cannot say I fell for it. It’s a car I believe is better than the BMW M3 pound for pound, and after experiencing it on its natural turf, my beliefs have been reinforced. Strange that, given the launch was not for the RS 5 but for the RS 3 Sportback.

SAFA COLLECTS 53 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTERS

Mercedes-Benz South Africa has delivered 53 Sprinter buses to the South African Football Association (SAFA). The order was placed in May this year, and has actually been fulfilled ahead of the 01 October deadline. It is being executed by Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles East Rand.

BMW REVEALS BRAND NEW 3 SERIES!

BMW has blown the covers off the brand new, all-new shape 3 Series, which comes to South Africa in 2012. The premium sedan, currently in second place on Mzansi sales charts in its segment, is the world leader, having sold more than 12 million units since the first model came off the assembly line in 1975. Its makers are pinning their hopes on this the 6^th generation to keep this going.