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<title><![CDATA[RSS for Saturn]]></title>
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<link><![CDATA[http://search.autonews.com/]]></link>
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<title><![CDATA[Audi overtakes BMW as India's top-selling premium brand]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130518/ANE/305169895/audi-overtakes-bmw-as-indias-top-selling-premium-brand]]></link>
<guid>http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130518/ANE/305169895/audi-overtakes-bmw-as-indias-top-selling-premium-brand</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Sat, 18 May 2013 00:01:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[MUMBAI (Bloomberg) -- As India's car market took off in recent years, global luxury brands focused on selling sumptuous sedans and big sport utility vehicles in Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, home to the bulk of the country's wealthy. Audi shows that's changing. The brand has overtaken BMW as India's ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Behind the scenes, Straubel keeps Tesla running at pivotal time]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130518/OEM02/130519890/behind-the-scenes-straubel-keeps-tesla-running-at-pivotal-time]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130518/OEM02/130519890/behind-the-scenes-straubel-keeps-tesla-running-at-pivotal-time</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Sat, 18 May 2013 00:01:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[LOS ANGELES (Bloomberg) -- Elon Musk was fresh off the sale of PayPal and starting another business, commercial rocket service Space Exploration Technologies Corp., when he met kindred spirit JB Straubel. Their shared belief that consumer electronics advances could be applied to more earthly modes ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[North America car and truck production - 05/20/13]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130517/DATACENTER/130519891/north-america-car-and-truck-production-05-20-13]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130517/DATACENTER/130519891/north-america-car-and-truck-production-05-20-13</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 17 May 2013 17:24:30 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[In the Land of Many Buicks, one in particular stood out]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130517/BLOG06/130519893/in-the-land-of-many-buicks-one-in-particular-stood-out]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130517/BLOG06/130519893/in-the-land-of-many-buicks-one-in-particular-stood-out</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 17 May 2013 15:59:44 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[SHANGHAI -- If you were an alien from another world and your spaceship landed in Shanghai, you would immediately conclude that Buick is a planetary titan among automotive brands. Buick is the third-leading brand in China behind Volkswagen and Hyundai through March with 5.3 percent of the market, ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Average wholesale used-vehicle prices, April]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130517/DATACENTER/130519905/average-wholesale-used-vehicle-prices-april]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130517/DATACENTER/130519905/average-wholesale-used-vehicle-prices-april</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 17 May 2013 09:58:45 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Audi Q7 will shed weight]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130517/ANE/305179998/audi-q7-will-shed-weight]]></link>
<guid>http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130517/ANE/305179998/audi-q7-will-shed-weight</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 17 May 2013 00:01:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[INGOLSTADT, Germany -- The redesigned Audi Q7 that debuts next summer in Europe will weigh about 363kg less than the current model, company insiders told Automotive News Europe sister publication Automobilwoche . The company sources said Audi is also planning a hybrid version of the next-generation ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Tariff played a role in Mexico winning Audi plant]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130517/ANE/305179999/tariff-played-a-role-in-mexico-winning-audi-plant]]></link>
<guid>http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130517/ANE/305179999/tariff-played-a-role-in-mexico-winning-audi-plant</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Fri, 17 May 2013 00:01:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[There are lots of reasons Audi chose to build its Q5 crossover in Mexico: cheap labor, a government willing to offer incentives to close the deal and favorable trade agreements with several nations. But at the May 4 groundbreaking for the plant in San Jose Chiapa, CEO Rupert Stadler offered another ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Certified used-vehicle sales, April and YTD]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130516/DATACENTER/130519913/certified-used-vehicle-sales-april-ytd]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130516/DATACENTER/130519913/certified-used-vehicle-sales-april-ytd</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 16 May 2013 15:43:06 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[Customer Incentives]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130516/DATACENTER/130519914/customer-incentives]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130516/DATACENTER/130519914/customer-incentives</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 16 May 2013 15:39:58 EDT]]></pubDate>
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<title><![CDATA[In boost to EVs, report sees surge in charging outlets worldwide]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130516/OEM05/130519915/in-boost-to-evs-report-sees-surge-in-charging-outlets-worldwide]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130516/OEM05/130519915/in-boost-to-evs-report-sees-surge-in-charging-outlets-worldwide</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 16 May 2013 14:42:19 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[The steady growth in sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, along with public and private investment, is expected to drive a sharp rise in the number of charging stations worldwide by 2020, a new study says . The study, released today by IHS Automotive, estimates that the gradual ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Toyota plant in France launches Yaris output for U.S.]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130516/OEM01/305179985/toyota-plant-in-france-launches-yaris-output-for-u-s]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130516/OEM01/305179985/toyota-plant-in-france-launches-yaris-output-for-u-s</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 16 May 2013 08:48:29 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Toyota Motor Europe has started making the Yaris for North American export at its plant in Valenciennes, France, marking the first time the automaker's European-built models will be exported to the United States and Canada. The production switch maximizes Toyota's utilization of the French plant ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Toyota plant in France starts Yaris output for U.S.]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130516/ANE/130519918/toyota-plant-in-france-starts-yaris-output-for-u-s]]></link>
<guid>http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130516/ANE/130519918/toyota-plant-in-france-starts-yaris-output-for-u-s</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 16 May 2013 08:48:29 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Toyota Motor Europe has started making the Yaris for North American export at its plant in Valenciennes, France, marking the first time the automaker's European-built models will be exported to the United States and Canada. The production switch maximizes Toyota's utilization of the French plant ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Porsche says 918 Spyder will influence future models]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130516/ANE/130519919/porsche-says-918-spyder-will-influence-future-models]]></link>
<guid>http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130516/ANE/130519919/porsche-says-918-spyder-will-influence-future-models</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 16 May 2013 07:21:10 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Porsche's forthcoming hybrid supercar will have a big influence on future products. "The 918 Spyder will act as the gene pool for the Porsche sports cars of the future," the company said in a statement today. The car's plug-in hybrid drivetrain combines two electric motors with a V-8 gasoline ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Mercedes makes new S class leaner, greener]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130515/ANE/130519921/mercedes-makes-new-s-class-leaner-greener]]></link>
<guid>http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130515/ANE/130519921/mercedes-makes-new-s-class-leaner-greener</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 15 May 2013 17:50:59 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[HAMBURG -- The new Mercedes-Benz S class is 100kg lighter than the model it will replace and its greenest variant will emit less CO2 than a Smart ForTwo. The brand's flagship sedan also has six eyes (cameras) and six ears (radar sensors) that allow it to see and hear enough to drive itself at speeds up to 60kph. "It may sound like Frankenstein, but it's considerably better looking," Mercedes CEO Dieter Zetsche said during the S-class launch here on Wednesday. Mercedes hopes that the S-class's powertrain, technology and safety upgrades will help it remain the world's top-selling upper-premium sedan, a title Mercedes says the car has had for eight consecutive years. Money-maker The automaker also hopes the S class will help Mercedes meet Zetsche's goal of regaining the No. 1 spot in global luxury cars sales by the end of the decade. BMW passed Mercedes for No. 1 in 2005 and Audi pushed the Stuttgart-based automaker to third place in 2011. Mercedes also trails its rivals financially. While Mercedes achieved an operating margin of 7.1 percent last year, BMW's margin was 10.9 percent and Audi's was 11 percent. In October, Zetsche scrapped mid-term margin targets that were supposed to be achieved in 2013, and last month said his revised full-year guidance from February would also not be met. The disappointing results mean that even more will be expected of the S class, which analysts estimate makes Mercedes double-digit returns on each model sold, although the true figure is a closely guarded secret. "We invested massively in the new S-class ... more Mercedes than an S class isn't possible," Zetsche said. Tech center The S class has traditionally served as the showcase for Mercedes parent Daimler's latest technology, including safety features that the automaker helped pioneer. The S class that debuted in 1978 was the first car in the world to offer ABS, for example. Daimler says that the new S-class's 6-D technology dubbed Intelligent Drive will be standard. The system uses six cameras and six radar sensors and a proprietary algorithm to give the vehicle "eyes and ears" that cover 360 degrees. This helps the car automatically adjust its handling to the street surface and anticipates the direction of movement of other cars as well as cyclists and pedestrians. The new S class goes on sale in Europe starting in July at an after-tax base price of 79,790 euros in Germany. The new-generation S350 BlueTEC diesel will cost about 3,330 euros more than the previous-generation model with the same powertrain. Super-low CO2 While the new and old versions each are powered by a V-6 with 258 hp, the new model's CO2 emissions decrease to a low of 148 grams per kilometer from 164g/km and fuel consumption improves to a top rating of 5.0 liters per 100km from 6.2l/100km. Later, Mercedes will offer even more fuel-efficient versions of the S class. The S300 BlueTec diesel hybrid will consume as little at 4.4l/100km and emit 115g/km of CO2 and the S500 plug-in hybrid will offer fuel consumption of around 3.0l/100km and CO2 emission of less than 75g/km, Mercedes said. By comparison, the two-seat Smart ForTwo diesel's best CO2 result is 86g/km. Said Mercedes randd chief Thomas Weber: "These figures prove that the S class is our most important pacesetter on the road to zero-emissions driving." Six body styles The new S-class, which is the sixth-generation of car, also will take on an even more important role now that it will also replace Daimler's failed Maybach ultra-luxury brand at top of the company's pyramid. Zetsche revealed in November 2011 that the Maybach brand would be discontinued and replaced by new S-class body styles, which are set to grow to six with the new generation from three (the sedan, a long-wheelbase sedan and coupe). A larger and longer S class, widely expected to be called the Pullman, will compete head on with Rolls-Royce and Bentley for the hearts of the super rich. The S class is a critical product launch for a company struggling to make a dent in the lead that rivals BMW and Audi enjoy in sales and profit. "Image-wise the S class is the vehicle that most personifies Mercedes-Benz. If they get it wrong, it could damage the brand and all the vehicles under it," said Christoph Stuermer, research director at IHS Automotive in Frankfurt. "Three generations ago (in 1991) they screwed up the S-class and it nearly put the company on the brink, that's how important a role it plays." Reuters contributed to this report]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Detroit 3 research group targets next-gen hybrid, EV batteries]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130515/OEM06/130519925/detroit-3-research-group-targets-next-gen-hybrid-ev-batteries]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130515/OEM06/130519925/detroit-3-research-group-targets-next-gen-hybrid-ev-batteries</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 15 May 2013 15:46:06 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[With the U.S. Department of Energy's help, a research group managed by the Detroit 3 is launching a drive to speed development of next-generation battery technologies for hybrids and electric vehicles, the department said today. The U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium will coordinate randd and explore more efficient and cost-effective technologies for energy storage in vehicles. The consortium is part of the U.S. Council for Automotive Research, a partnership among Chrysler Group, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors, and is funded in part by Energy Department. The department will contribute $12.5 million annually for five years to fund the initiative, subject to congressional appropriations. Those funds will be matched dollar-for-dollar with private sources, the DOE said in a statement . "By investing in these cutting-edge battery technologies, the Energy Department is helping to cut America's oil imports and provide American families and businesses with more transportation options," the department said. The initiative aims to encourage cooperation among U.S. battery and component manufacturers, universities and national research labs. It also will contribute to the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, a department program unveiled by President Barack Obama in March 2012 to develop affordable EVs by 2022 . In the past, the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge has spurred initiatives such as the Workplace Charging Challenge, which aims to increase the number of charging stations tenfold within the next five years.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Revamped Mercedes S class strives to set new luxury mark]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130515/OEM04/130519930/revamped-mercedes-s-class-strives-to-set-new-luxury-mark]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130515/OEM04/130519930/revamped-mercedes-s-class-strives-to-set-new-luxury-mark</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 15 May 2013 14:00:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[HAMBURG, Germany -- Mercedes-Benz is heralding the redesigned 2014 S class as a flagship that will set new benchmarks for luxury sedans with its packaging of technology, safety gear and opulence. Mercedes-Benz executives vow the latest sedan will fortify the brand's credentials as it strives to recapture the world's luxury sales crown since falling to No. 3 behind BMW and Audi. "Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were 'the best or nothing' in every respect," said Dieter Zetsche, CEO of parent company Daimler AG. "No car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S class." The 2014 S class goes on sale in the United States in September. It was introduced today by American singer Alicia Keys before more than 750 international journalists at the customer delivery center for the Airbus A380, Europe's largest passenger airplane. Only the S-class sedan variants with a short and long wheelbase have been unveiled. The United States will receive the long wheelbase. In coming years, the latest S class is expected to be marketed in several new body styles including a stretched wheelbase to replace the Maybach, which was axed because of slow sales, and a convertible. Mercedes said it sold 65,128 S-class sedans worldwide in 2012, down from 68,969 in 2011. The new S class is especially aimed at China , where the luxury market continues to grow, though at a slower pace, and where Mercedes has fallen further behind leader Audi and second-place BMW. Mercedes forfeited the global luxury sales title to BMW in 2005, and fell to third place behind Audi in 2011. Zetsche has vowed to recapture the title by the end of decade. Modern styling Bidding to enhance fuel economy, Mercedes has increased the amount of lightweight materials used in the construction of the new S-class . The entire outer skin, including the roof, is now made out of aluminum, while the internal structure uses a higher percentage of hot formed multigauge steel. It will also emit less CO2 than a Smart ForTwo , Mercedes says. S-class styling hasn't been radically changed but the shape is more modern. The car's width grows by an inch for a slight improvement in interior room . The wheelbase and length are unchanged from the current model. The sedan has a larger and more upright grille. The biggest visible change is the new integrated taillights. Mercedes-Benz says the S class will be the world's first car to use LED technology throughout the exterior and interior, meaning there are no light bulbs. Overall, it has nearly 500 light-emitting diodes inside and out, including 300 for the interior. By switching to LEDs, Mercedes says it has lowered the intensity of the brake lights at night or when the car is stopped at traffic lights "out of consideration for any road users behind." The S class also has a new generation of driver-assistance packages, with 30 features, that have been combined into what Mercedes-Benz calls Intelligent Drive. Eleven of the 30 features are new or significantly enhanced for 2014. They include systems to help prevent collisions, a pedestrian-recognition feature and lane-keeping, parking, distance-control and night-vision assistance. Some are optional and others are standard. Details about U.S. packages are undisclosed. Intelligent Drive In an interview last month, Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon said the Intelligent Drive features are "a milestone step along this road of accident-free driving." "If you look out into the future, autonomous driving is what everyone is talking about and we think there are steps along the way," Cannon said. "The S class will be another step." Standard technology features include: An upgraded mbrace2 communications and navigation system Interior LED light features with an optional seven colors Two 12.3-inch high-resolution screens and a new instrument cluster Optional equipment includes: A "magic body control" feature that uses stereo cameras to scan the road and adjust the suspension dampening automatically to individual or multiple wheels New seat massagers with a hot-stone feature A heated steering wheel, front and rear armrests and rear seats. The package also includes rear power and memory seats An air balance package that filters and adds fragrance to the air through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system Initially, the United States will get the S550 with a 4.7-liter V-8 direct-injection twin-turbo engine that generates 455 hp and 516 pounds-feet of torque. The all-wheel-drive S550 4Matic and S63 high-performance AMG models go on sale in November. Hybrid and diesel models will be launched in 2014. Mercedes-Benz says it has sold more than 500,000 units of the current-generation S class since worldwide sales begin September 2005. In the United States, the average S-class buyer is 61 with an annual income of $371,000. About 76 percent of the buyers are male and 83 percent are married, Mercedes-Benz USA says. While the U.S. market for large, premium sedans has declined in recent years, it remains a symbolic battlefield for luxury brands. U.S. sales of the S class totaled 11,794 last year, down 4 percent from the prior year. BMW sold 11,098 7-series sedans in the United States last year, down 2 percent from 2011. And U.S. sales of the Lexus LS totaled 8,345 last year, down 13 percent from the previous year. Sales of the S class in the United States during the past decade hit a high of 30,886 units in 2006. Lexus LS volume peaked at 35,226 cars in 2007 and deliveries of the BMW 7 series hit a high of 20,473 units in 2003, according to the Automotive News Data Center. Pricing on the new S class will be announced closer to launch. The current S550 has a base price of $95,905, including shipping.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[New Mercedes S class strives to set new luxury mark]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130515/ANE/130519928/new-mercedes-s-class-strives-to-set-new-luxury-mark]]></link>
<guid>http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130515/ANE/130519928/new-mercedes-s-class-strives-to-set-new-luxury-mark</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 15 May 2013 13:58:29 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[HAMBURG -- Mercedes-Benz is heralding its latest-generation S class as a flagship that will set new benchmarks for luxury sedans with its packaging of technology, safety gear and opulence. Global sales of the S class are modest but Mercedes executives say the new model will fortify the brand's credentials as it strives to recapture the world's luxury sales crown since falling to No. 3 behind BMW and Audi. "Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were 'the best or nothing' in every respect," said Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Mercedes car unit and its parent company Daimler. "No car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S class." The S class was introduced here today to more than 500 international journalists at the final assembly plant of the Airbus A380, Europe's largest passenger airplane. European S-class sales start in July at a starting price of 79,790 euros with tax in Germany. At launch, the S class will be offered with a choice of three different powertrains: gasoline, diesel and gasoline-electric hybrid, sales and marketing boss Joachim Schmidt said on the sidelines of the event. U.S. sales start in September. Schmidt said that U.S. pricing will be announced ahead of the cars launch there. In coming years, the S class is expected to be marketed in six new body styles that will arrive over the next three years, Schmidt said without elaborating. Those body styles include a stretched wheelbase to replace the Maybach, which was axed because of slow sales, and a convertible. Mercedes said it sold 65,128 S-class sedans worldwide in 2012, down from 68,969 in 2011. The new S class is especially aimed at China, where 51 percent of all S-class units were sold last year and where the luxury market continues to grow, though at a slower pace. Mercedes needs a boost in China as it ranks third in premium-car sales behind leader Audi and second-place BMW. Mercedes forfeited the global luxury sales title to BMW in 2005, and fell to third place behind Audi in 2011. Zetsche has vowed to recapture the title by the end of decade. Modern styling S-class styling hasn't been radically changed but the shape is more modern. The car's slightly wider for a slight improvement in interior room. The wheelbase and length are unchanged from the current model. The sedan has a larger and more upright grille. The biggest visible change is the new integrated taillights. Mercedes says the S class will be the world's first car to use LED technology throughout the exterior and interior, meaning there are no light bulbs. Overall, it has 500 light-emitting diodes inside and out, including 300 for the interior. By switching to LEDs, Mercedes says it has lowered the intensity of the brake lights at night or when the car is stopped at traffic lights "out of consideration for any road users behind." The S class also has a new generation of driver-assistance packages, with 30 features, that have been combined into what Mercedes-Benz calls Intelligent Drive. Eleven of the 30 features are new or significantly enhanced. They include systems to help prevent collisions, a pedestrian-recognition feature and lane-keeping, parking, distance-control and night-vision assistance. Some are optional and others are standard. Mercedes says it has sold more than 500,000 units of the current-generation S class since worldwide sales begin September 2005. Douglas A. Bolduc contributed to this report]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[True Value of Tesla? (5/15/13)]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://search.autonews.com/v/74945928/true-value-of-tesla-5-15-13.htm?]]></link>
<guid>http://search.autonews.com/v/74945928/true-value-of-tesla-5-15-13.htm?</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 15 May 2013 08:22:26 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[Snyder: Is EV start-up really worth more than Fiat and PSA?; driving losing popularity; 'Talking car' wildcard.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Ford will build EcoSport in Russia for local market]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130515/ANE/130519938/ford-will-build-ecosport-in-russia-for-local-market]]></link>
<guid>http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130515/ANE/130519938/ford-will-build-ecosport-in-russia-for-local-market</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 15 May 2013 02:57:16 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[FRANKFURT (Reuters) -- Ford Sollers, the Russian joint venture of Ford Motor Co., will build the EcoSport in Russia next year, at a time when the market for small SUVs is gaining traction in the country, Ford officials said. "The Russian market will be the largest in Europe in the coming years and represent an important growth opportunity," Ford Europe chief Stephen Odell said in a statement. Production of the Ford EcoSport will start at one of the joint venture's two plants in the Russian republic of Tatarstan during the second half of next year. The move comes as demand for SUVs grows in Russia. The EcoSport will open Ford to a new range of consumers looking for a small SUV, Ted Cannis, head of the Ford Sollers, said. Cannis said that there are very few competitors in this segment and many other automakers import their SUVs to Russia, which increases prices. Building the EcoSport in Russia allows Ford to offer this vehicle at a lower price. "This one, I can do blindfolded," said Cannis, who helped launch the first EcoSport in Brazil in 2003 when he led Ford's operations in Argentina. "This is easy math. This will be a massive success." Formed in late 2011, the JV currently operates another vehicle assembly plant in Naberezhnye Chelny in Tatarstan as well as one in Vsevolozhsk near St. Petersburg. In 18 months, Ford Sollers has advanced from building just two vehicles -- the compact Focus and mid-sized Mondeo -- to seven, including the Galaxy large minivan, S-MAX large minivan, Transit van, the Kuga medium SUV and the Explorer large SUV. Engine plant Ford Sollers broke ground on a $274 million powertrain plant in Russia on Tuesday. Ford is expected to employ 500 workers at the new factory, which will be located in Elabuga in Tatarstan, where the venture already produces vehicles. The new powertrain plant will manufacture three different versions of the 1.6 liter Duratec engine from December 2015. The engine plant will have an annual capacity of up to 105,000 units, with the possibility for further expansion to up to 200,000 engines a year. At least 30 per cent of Russian-built Ford vehicles will be equipped with these engines.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[BMW's Reithofer tells Germans to embrace EVs]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130515/ANE/305149937/bmws-reithofer-tells-germans-to-embrace-evs]]></link>
<guid>http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130515/ANE/305149937/bmws-reithofer-tells-germans-to-embrace-evs</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 15 May 2013 00:01:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[FRANKFURT (Bloomberg) -- BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer told his fellow Germans to set aside their worries and embrace electric-vehicle technology. "Germany is respected and admired the world over for its engineering expertise and powers of innovation, but 'German angst' is also a concept the rest of the world is familiar with," Reithofer said on Tuesday in Munich. "We like to engage in long and fearful discussions because we Germans tend to see more problems than opportunities, and it is no different with electro-mobility." BMW aims to get its first electric vehicle -- the i3 city car, which will go on sale later this year -- off to a good start even as demand for battery-powered cars has disappointed because of cost and concerns about their range. The car is key for BMW's image as the world's largest luxury-car maker seeks to keep rivals Audi and Mercedes-Benz at bay. To counter electric-car concerns, BMW started a global marketing campaign on Tuesday to promote its "i" sub brand through print and Internet ads and a series of nine online videos. The automaker manufacturer will also offer the i3 with an auxiliary engine that kicks in if the battery runs out of power. The range extender can allow the car to drive over 300 kilometers before needing to recharge, more than double the normal distance on the battery alone. 'Disenchantment phase' "After the hype, we're now in a phase of disenchantment on electric mobility," said Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management at the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. "In Germany, that's a good thing because you look at things more pragmatically." Bratzel estimates that battery-driven cars will account for just 2 percent to 3 percent of the global car market in 2020, while hybrid vehicles account for about 12 percent. BMW, which held its annual shareholders meeting in Munich on Tuesday, stuck to its goal of setting a sales record for the third consecutive year with the 4-series coupe set to help offset a slump in Europe. BMW forecasts that rising demand in China and the United States and 11 new models in 2013, including the i3 and coupe-like 3-series GT, will ward off the effects of the sovereign-debt crisis on Europe's car market, which is sliding to a 20-year low. 'Bold actions' The BMW Group is stepping up investment on new vehicles and technologies as Audi and Mercedes seek to claim the lead in luxury-auto sales by the end of the decade. The additional spending may hold back earnings growth, even as sales advance. "Being the spearhead of change means taking a calculated risk," Reithofer said Tuesday at the Munich meeting. "Progress has to be imagined, earned and paid for. The future belongs to those who dare to take bold actions." BMW reaffirmed its target that pretax profit this year will match 2012's figure of 7.82 billion euros. Earnings before interest and taxes for the auto division are forecast to be in a range of 8 percent to 10 percent of sales in 2013, compared with 10.9 percent last year. BMW shareholders voted at the meeting in favor of a three-year extension for Chairman Joachim Milberg, who was BMW CEO from 1999 to 2002. Investors also approved a dividend of 2.50 euros per common share and 2.52 euros per preferred share for 2012. Sales lead The manufacturer extended its sales lead over its main competitors through the first four months of the year, boosted by higher demand for the X1 compact sport-utility vehicle and the 3-series sedan and wagon. Deliveries of BMW's namesake brand increased 7.1 percent, beating the 6.7 percent gain by Audi and the 5.6 percent advance by Mercedes. In an effort to maintain its edge, BMW will roll out 25 new models by the end of next year, with 10 of them having no predecessor. Its rivals are expanding as well. Mercedes plans to introduce 13 all-new models by the end of the decade, while Audi will doubling its lineup of SUVs to six by 2020, a person familiar with the matter said in February.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[A Nissan in Chevy Clothing (5/14/13)]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://search.autonews.com/v/74923325/a-nissan-in-chevy-clothing-5-14-13.htm?]]></link>
<guid>http://search.autonews.com/v/74923325/a-nissan-in-chevy-clothing-5-14-13.htm?</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 14 May 2013 15:10:17 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[GM turns to rival to build cargo van, cites 'speed to market'; Ohio site chosen for Acura NSX; Cadillac sits out volume chase.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Honda to convert Ohio seat plant for Acura NSX output]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130514/OEM04/130519952/honda-to-convert-ohio-seat-plant-for-acura-nsx-output]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130514/OEM04/130519952/honda-to-convert-ohio-seat-plant-for-acura-nsx-output</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 14 May 2013 11:00:00 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[MARYSVILLE, Ohio -- Honda Motor Co. said today it will invest $70 million to convert a former seat plant here to assemble the next-generation Acura NSX. The plant will be staffed with about 100 specially trained production workers and equipped with robots to build the gasoline-electric hybrid ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[BMW CEO raps EU calls for stiffer car emissions goals]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130514/ANE/130519958/bmw-ceo-raps-eu-calls-for-stiffer-car-emissions-goals]]></link>
<guid>http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130514/ANE/130519958/bmw-ceo-raps-eu-calls-for-stiffer-car-emissions-goals</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 14 May 2013 07:25:26 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[MUNICH (Reuters) -- BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer criticized calls by European Union lawmakers for tougher fuel efficiency goals. He said their demands would hurt the European industry in competition with the United States and China. EU politicians last month backed a target to cut fleet average CO2 ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Infiniti to add new halo car, more crossovers]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://www.autonews.com/article/20130514/OEM04/130519959/infiniti-to-add-new-halo-car-more-crossovers]]></link>
<guid>http://www.autonews.com/article/20130514/OEM04/130519959/infiniti-to-add-new-halo-car-more-crossovers</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 14 May 2013 07:11:53 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[KAMINOKAWA-MACHI, Japan -- Nissan Motor Co.'s premium Infiniti marque plans to add a new top-tier halo nameplate above its Q70 flagship sedan and expand its crossover offerings to build the brand and fuel sales, President Johan de Nysschen said. The roll out is part of Infiniti's drive to cover 90 ...]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Infiniti to add new halo car, more crossovers]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130514/ANE/305149952/infiniti-to-add-new-halo-car-more-crossovers]]></link>
<guid>http://europe.autonews.com/article/20130514/ANE/305149952/infiniti-to-add-new-halo-car-more-crossovers</guid>
<pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 14 May 2013 07:11:53 EDT]]></pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[KAMINOKAWA-MACHI, Japan -- Nissan Motor Co.'s premium Infiniti marque plans to add a new top-tier halo nameplate above its Q70 flagship sedan and expand its crossover offerings to build the brand and fuel sales, President Johan de Nysschen said. The roll out is part of Infiniti's drive to cover 90 ...]]></description>
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