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The 2013 SRT Viper might make its way to Europe after all. Despite Chrysler confirming earlier this year that the Viper wouldn't be available in Europe, Munich-based importer GeigerCars says it will import a small number of models to Germany. Internet rumours price the imported Vipers at £120,067 ? considerably more expensive than the £64,632 the Viper costs in the US. Chrysler said it wanted to focus its resources on making sure the model was received well in its home market. It also cited unfavourable exchange rates and continuing economic uncertainty as reasons for not bringing the car to Europe.
Tesla has paid off its entire government loan of £309.4 million to the US Department of Energy, nine years earlier than expected. The loan, awarded in 2010 as part of the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program, required Tesla to match the loan value with private capital. The repayment makes Tesla the only American car company to have paid back its government loan. The manufacturer says its loan is often confused with the financial bailouts awarded to GM and Chrysler, themselves ineligible for the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Programme because a stipulation of the loan was proof of financial health. Tesla's chief executive offer and co-founder Elon Musk said: "I would like to thank the Department of Energy and the members of Congress and their staffs who worked hard to create the ATVM program, and particularly the American tax payer from whom these funds originate. ?I hope we did you proud.?
Ford has announced that it will end all production in Australia in 2016, closing two plants which employ 1200 people. It has blamed the strength of the Australian dollar, high business costs, mounting losses and a declining market. The president of Ford Australia, Bob Graziano, said: "Our costs are double that of Europe and nearly four times Ford in Asia." The manufacturer will shut its Geelong-based engine plant and its vehicle production facility in Broadmeadows, both of which are in the state of Victoria. Dealership and development facilities will remain open, however, and Ford will become an import-only brand. Among the vehicles produced at Broadmeadows are the Fiesta and the Falcon. Ford has been active in Australia since 1925; last year it built approximately 37,000 vehicles but suffered a loss of £93m. Graziano stated that Ford had lost, in total, £386.5m in Australia over the past five years. The strong Australian dollar has made it difficult for Ford to sell its products at a competitive price against foreign rivals. It is expected that Ford will continue to participate in the Australian V8 Supercars series until at least 2016, despite it withdrawing its local manufacturing facilities.
BorgWarner has confirmed that it will supply turbocharging technology for the next generation of four-cylinder engines from Jaguar Land Rover. In order to assist with production of the new engines, BorgWarner is planning to enlarge its existing 35-year-old manufacturing facilities in Bradford, as well as building a new engineering centre. This centre will provide engineering, design, simulation, testing and production validation labs. To ensure that development and production continues long in to the future, the company is also establishing a master's degree program in turbocharger engineering at the nearby University of Huddersfield. "With our investment in local production and testing, BorgWarner will provide Jaguar Land Rover with fast-to-market, high-quality advanced technologies adapted to their specific needs," said Frederic Lissalde, president and general manager, BorgWarner Turbo Systems. "BorgWarner's investment in innovation will also help support the local economy with highly skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs, and our increased collaboration with the university will help develop the talent needed to drive turbocharging advancements for the future." The news follows the announcement that Jaguar Land Rover is planning to spend £2.75 billion each year for the next four years on new products and production facilities. Ian Harnett, Jaguar Land Rover's purchasing director, said, "Jaguar Land Rover remains committed to enhancing and developing the automotive supply chain in the UK. This contract is a great example of how we want to work in partnership with our supply chain to develop innovative solutions to support future growth. Jaguar Land Rover's new range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines is expected to launch in 2015.
Spy shots have revealed what appears to be a BMW X1-based crossover from Zinoro. The brand, a result of the collaboration between BMW and Chinese manufacturer Brilliance, was reputed to be basing its first models on BMW's E90 3-series saloon and X1. Compared to a normal X1, the prototype vehicle has a different grille, headlights, bumper and other minor styling tweaks. The rear end of the prototype was heavily disguised, concealing any updates. It's thought that Zinoro's cars will be all-electric and, initially, that they will only be offered in China. They will be sold through unique dealerships with no direct link to BMW. Zinoro's cars will also focus on practicality and comfort, in order to distance them from the more sports-orientated BMW offerings. Various tie-ups have appeared recently, as foreign maufacturers attempt to gain a foothold in the lucrative and rapidly expanding Chinese market. Rivals include Nissan, which has collaborated with Dongfeng to create the Venucia brand, and Mercedes-Benz, which partnered with BYD to form Denza.
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