Short Torque

FAW-Toyota to launch new Corolla in August

Sino-Japanese joint venture FAWToyota is to launch the 12th-generation Corolla in August. It is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, which is shared by high-end models including the Camry and Avalon. The model has new styling, which makes it sportier and more appealing to younger customers. The body is extended by 15 mm in length, standing at 4,635 mm long, 1,780 mm wide and 1,435 mm tall. It has an improved interior, including an air purifier and heated seats. The car also boasts a head-up display, adaptable cruise control, lane departure warning and pre-collision warning. The model will be available in gasoline and hybrid versions, said the carmaker.

VW, Ford unveil global alliance details

Volkswagen and Ford plan unveiled a broader global alliance on Friday that will focus on developing autonomous technology and electric vehicles. Ford chief executive James Hackett and Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess held a news conference on Friday morning to update the joint-venture they unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January. The two companies intend to share costs on developing autonomous cars and electric vehicles, two expensive ventures expected to become more central to the auto business in the coming years, industry sources said.

Daimler cuts profit forecast again

German auto giant Daimler, maker of Mercedes-Benz, on Friday slashed its 2019 profit forecast for the second time in a few weeks after booking a 1.6-billion-euro ($1.8 billion) operating loss in the second quarter. Unforeseen events, including a mass recall over faulty airbags and government probes and legal cases related to the "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal, prompted the company to set aside more cash and increase estimated costs for the year, Daimler said in a statement.

Joint venture to focus on EV technology

FAW Group, JAC Motors and Star Charge, a China-based EV charging infrastructure manufacturer, and Volkswagen China announced a new joint venture named CAMS New Energy Technology that focuses on EV charging on Thursday. It has a registered capital of 812 million yuan ($118.18 million). Volkswagen China, FAW Group, Star Charge holds 30 percent each and JAC Motors holds 10 percent of the new joint venture. The CAMS will cover the R&D, design, manufacturing and sale of EV wallbox chargers, charging poles and the installation, maintenance and operation of charging poles. The new joint venture will focus on technical fields, such as an autonomous charging and wireless charging.

FCA bets big on greener Fiat 500

Fiat Chrysler plans to spend 700 million euros ($788 million) to take the Fiat 500 electric. It comes after the carmaker saw its $35 billion bid to merge with France's Renault fail. FCA chief operating officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Pietro Gorlier, announced the company's biggest single bet on an electric vehicle at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, northern Italy on Thursday. FCA's investment is part of a plan announced last year to spend 5 billion euros in Italy up to 2021. Gorlier told reporters that FCA had started building the new production line at Mirafiori to produce 80,000 of the new 500 BEV. It will be its first battery electric vehicle to be marketed in Europe.

Motoring - Agencies

(China Daily 07/15/2019 page19)