The recent 2008 BMW 7 Series spy shots have shown the upcoming 2008 7 Series will undergo some significant styling changes. Putting all the spy shots together, our computer graphic artist has rendered an image of the new 7 Series.

click to enlarge

Although the final product may be slightly different than seen above, we anticipate the new model will be more of an evolution of the current shape rather than a total redesign.

The current 7-series is available in Australia as a 740i and 750i as well as the long-wheel-base 740Li, 750Li and 760Li. Power plants range from the 4.0-litre V8 (225kW) in the 740i, 270kW 4.8-litre V8 in the 750i and a massive 6.0-litre V12 (327kW) in the range topping $346,000 760Li.

There are rumours from BMW insiders that the company might launch an M variant of the new 7 series, powered by a tuned version of the V12 found in the 760Li.

The current 7 Series has caused a lot of controversy with its Bangle-butt design but it has been a sales success for the German manufacturer. As far as records go, it is the most successful incarnation in the model’s history.

The new model faces a stronger list of competitors, not only will it have to compete with the S-Class Mercs, but it will now battle the Lexus LS 600hL V8 Hybrid. The new 7-series is expected to hit European showrooms later this year.

Click through for 2008 BMW 7-Series spy photos.

Photos copyright to Scoopy and used with permission for CarAdvice.com.au only.

Source: 2008 BMW 7 Series CGI

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Often a particularly challenging year is sent passing into the history books with a collective “good riddance” and sigh of relief. And while automakers selling vehicles in the U.S. surely are glad the tough 2007 is over, they are bracing for rather than embracing the arrival of 2008.

On Thursday, automakers report December and full-year 2007 vehicle sales. 2007 is likely to see the lowest sales since 1998.

Forecasters predict 2008 sales will be even lower. But 2009 could be a turnaround year.

How Low 2008?

Jesse Toprak, Edmunds.com’s executive director of industry analysis, is among the more optimistic of prognosticators, forecasting a 2-percent decline in 2008 sales from 2007. He predicts sales will drop to about 15.9 million units in 2008 from 16.1 million in 2007 due to current economic challenges and the uncertainty associated with the upcoming presidential election.

“Gas prices and the housing market will continue to help determine how strong sales are and what type of vehicle consumers will purchase in 2008,” said Toprak. “With many macroeconomic concerns heading into 2008, we believe it will be one of the slowest years for auto sales in nearly a decade.”

“But,” he added, “there is promise of a turnaround in 2009 when some macroeconomic factors may be very different than they are today."

Indeed, Ford and Chrysler are counting on it. Both have set 2009 as the year they turn the corner.

December Sales Off Year-Ago Levels

December’s new vehicle sales (including fleet sales) are expected to come in at 1.37 million units when automakers report them Thursday, according to Edmunds.com’s forecast. That’s a 3.6%  decrease from December 2006 but a 16.8% increase from November 2007.

"Adding this forecast to the sales totals year to date, we estimate that the industry will sell approximately 16.1 million vehicles in 2007, the lowest volume since 1998,” said Toprak.

The combined monthly U.S. market share for Chrysler, Ford and General Motors domestic nameplates is estimated to be 52.5% in December 2007, down from 52.7% in December 2006 and up from 51.1% in November 2007.

December’s Big Six Sales Forecast

Edmunds.com predicts:

GM will sell 332,000 units in December 2007, relatively flat at 0.7% lower than December 2006 and up 27.1% from November 2007. GM’s market share is expected to be 24.3% of new vehicle sales in December 2007, up from 23.5% in December 2006 and up from 22.3% in November 2007.

Ford will sell 209,000 units in December 2007, down 6.9% compared to December 2006 and up 17.7% from November 2007. This would result in a market share of 15.3% of new car sales in December 2007 for Ford, down slightly from 15.8% in December 2006 and up slightly from 15.1% in November 2007.

Chrysler will sell 178,000 units in December 2007, down 6.5% compared to December 2006 but up 10.7% from November 2007. This would result in a new car market share of 13.0% for Chrysler in December 2007, down from 13.4%in December 2006 and down from 13.7% in November 2007.

Toyota will sell 222,000 units in December 2007, down 2.9% from December 2006 and up 12.4% from November 2007. Toyota’s market share is expected to be 16.2% in December 2007, up slightly from 16.0% in December 2006 and down from 16.8% in November 2007.

Honda will sell 130,000 units in December 2007, down 1.4% from December 2006 and up 16.7% from November 2007. Honda’s market share is expected to be 9.5% in December 2007, up slightly from 9.3% in December 2006 and flat compared with 9.5% in November 2007.

Nissan will sell 91,000 units in December 2007, roughly flat at 0.8% lower than December 2006 and up 12.8% from November 2007. Nissan’s market share is expected to be 6.6% in December 2007, up from 6.4% in December 2006 and down slightly from 6.9% in November 2007.

Source: 2007-2008 Vehicle Sales: Slowest Years in a Decade

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As if anyone who's been semi-conscious for the past six months couldn't see it coming, Bloomberg predicts December's auto sales numbers will close the year on a sour note. Based on their survey of six industry analysts, they estimate deliveries were down by 5.6 percent at GM, 7.8 percent at Ford and 7.9 percent at Chrysler. They expect smaller declines from the transplants. Americans bought an estimated 16.1 million cars and light trucks last year which is the lowest since 1998. Analysts across the board are predicting an even worse year in 2008. We'll see how far off Bloomberg's stats are when the overall sales figures are released tomorrow. Look out for TTAC's wrap-up on 2007 sales via the specific models we've been tracking. 

Bloomberg »

Source: Bloomberg Offers a Piercing Glimpse into the Blindingly Obvious: December Car Sales Crash

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According to a New Year's PR greeting from ToMoCo Prez Katsuaki Watanabe, Toyota is going so damn green you'd be hard-pressed to find it in a field of clover. Just before I nodded off (sorry), Watanabe pledged to "contribute to the sustainable development of society and the earth in the future" in three main areas: research and development, manufacturing and social contribution. Yada, yada, "sustainable mobility," "cellulosic ethanol," "planting trees" and "hands-on environmental education at the Forest of Toyota." And now for the real news: Toyota wants to achieve "hybrid vehicle sales of 1 million units annually as soon as possible in the early 2010s," and put a Synergy Drive (possibly lithium-ion equipped) into every one of their models (hybrid Tundra?). As for those pesky quality issues dinging their brand rep, Watanabe is so committed to rectifying the situation he's quoting himself: "I am always saying that 'without improving quality, Toyota cannot expect to grow', and I believe that quantitative growth is the result of improved quality. For this, we understand well that corporate management must achieve growth that maintains a balance between corporate activities and environmental preservation, as well as between volume and quality." What, a pragmatic approach to multiple demands rather than seamless spin and endless hype? Where's the fun in that?

Toyota PR statement via Autochannel.com »

Source: “Without improving quality, Toyota cannot expect to grow”

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Ralph Kalal
Filed in: Chrysler | industry news

At the end of the year, it’s the custom to make predictions for the next year – no less so in the magazine business than in any other. So, New York magazine has decided to offer it’s business predictions for 2008, among which is this:
 
“In the first real debacle of the private-equity era, Cerberus Capital Management, the quiet hedge-fund king, fails in its bid to resuscitate Chrysler—not a surprising turn, given that it picked Bob “I ruined Home Depot and all I got was $200 million” Nardelli to run the country’s worst car company.

The combination of Chrysler and the 51 percent of GM’s lousy mortgage business that it paid top dollar for forces former Treasury secretary John Snow to seek a bailout for Cerberus. Amazingly, given the love of hedge-fund contributions by both parties, Congress agrees and writes checks for billions to save Cerberus’ wealthy investors. Call the Chrysler failure a lock. The bailout? I’d say 5 to 1.”
 
Well, when the conventional wisdom goes one way, that’s often a sign that the smart way is the other way. Among the other future guesses at New York are $5 per gallon gasoline, a federal bailout of Citigroup, and Verizon becoming a cable company. 
 
So, maybe there’s hope for Chrysler, after all.
 
The magazine’s prognosticator – James J. Cramer – has a track record.
 
In 2005, he predicted that the year would bring a boom in domestic oil production, a national ID card, and social security reform, along with predicting that all domestic airlines would go bankrupt. 
 
In 2006, he predicted that General Motors would file for bankruptcy.
 
On the other hand, maybe Bob Nardelli ought not get too comfortable. The notion that Congress would bail out Cerberus and Chrysler seems pretty far-fetched.
 
Bob Nardelli isn’t Lee Iacoca.

Source: Internal

Source: Perhaps there’s hope for Chrysler, after all

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Simona Alina
Filed in: KTM | UK | KTM X-Bow

KTM Powersports AG has confirmed that its stunning new X-Bow sportscar will be exhibited at the Autosport International Racing Car Show starting on 10 January.

The lightweight, high-performance X-Bow marks motorcycle manufacturer KTM’s groundbreaking move into the four-wheeled market, and will be presented to UK driving enthusiasts for the first time finished in the new optional ‘Gleaming White’ bodywork.

The Autosport Show appearance will mark the KTM X-Bow’s fourth major show outing following its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show last year, its starring role at the 2007 Middle East International Motor Show in Dubai – where it was voted one of the event’s ‘Top Attractions’ by visitors – and its more recent showing at the end-of-year Bologna Motor Show, in Italy.

The Autosport Show takes place at Birmingham’s NEC from 10-13 January, and visitors will be able to see the new KTM X-Bow on Stand 9450 in Hall 9.
Production scheduled to begin with limited-edition ‘Dallara Series’

With customer orders for X-Bow exceeding all expectations, series production of KTM’s newcomer is scheduled to commence with a run of 100 limited-edition ‘Dallara Series’ models. The special ‘Dallara Series’ will feature extra equipment to boost the track-day sporty potential of X-bow. Subsequently, KTM will produce up to 1000 X-Bow sportscars per year at its new dedicated four-wheeled Centre of Excellence manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria.

Source: Internal

Source: KTM X-Bow to Make UK Debut

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Ralph Kalal
Filed in: Toyota | F1

Kingfisher Airlines is dropping its sponsorship of Toyota’s Formula One team, by mutual agreement.
 
The move had been anticipated, as the primary owner of Kingfisher is Vijay Mallya, who recently acquired his own Formula One team, the former Spyker team, now named Force India. 
 
Toyota released a statement in which it wished him well:
 
"Toyota Motorsport GmbH has enjoyed a successful partnership with Kingfisher Airlines, collaborating on several promotional events both in India and across the world. However, Dr Mallya is now focusing on his new F1 project and Kingfisher Airlines’ request for an early end to the partnership has been agreed to be in the best interests of both parties."
 
The team’s boss, Tadashi Yamahina, added, “I would like to thank Kingfisher Airlines for its support during 2007 and I wish Dr Mallya good luck with his new F1 venture. I look forward to seeing him next season, even if he is now associated with a rival team."
 
Kingfisher, which is one of the companies controlled by Mallya, was an associate sponsor of the Toyota Formula One team, but certainly not central to that team’s financial stability.

Source: Internal

Source: Toyota F1 loses sponsor

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Lascelles Linton
Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, MPG, Land Rover, Detroit Auto Show

The video above shows us an early look at the Land Rover “baby” LRX concept before it debuts at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show this month. The video includes Land Rover’s design director Gerry McGovern saying the LRX “clearly conveys messages that we take sustainability seriously.” The LRX is the smallest SUV Land Rover has ever made and includes an green “economy mode” which makes the car’s internal lighting literally turn green. The LRX will also have a diesel/electric hybrid power train and gets 40 miles per gallon. Wow, someone give Rover a bone!

Related:

• Move over crossovers, 2008 will be the year of the Super-Mini SUV (Top 10 list included)
• Frankfurt 2007: Land Rover goes all mini
• Land Rover to show driveable hybrid prototype this year
• Study commissioned by Land Rover finds small cars are bad for the environment
• Land Rover going aluminum for next generation Range Rover
• Geneva Motor Show: Details of Land Rover’s new CO2 Offset program

[Source: YouTube]

Source: Detroit Auto Show 2008 video preview: LRX, Land Rover’s 40 MPG, diesel-electric concept

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Xavier Navarro
Filed under: Diesel, Legislation and Policy, Germany

Starting on the first day of this new year, three German cities (Berlin, Hannover and Cologne, pictured) have applied a complete ban on all vehicles that have no catalysers or DPF (Diesel Particulate Filters) in the city centers. To enter, cars must have a windshied sticker stating the installation of such devices.

German authorities try to keep city centers as clean as possible. The extension of these areas differs (we’re speaking about very different cities here) but they include more than the historical city centers. Drivers can purchase identification labels for their vehicles and, in Berlin’s case, it’s estimated that 80 percent of the city’s 1.2 million vehicles already have these labels. For now, Berlin’s enforcement will be flexible; it’s not until the end of January that drivers without such identificators will be fined. But from then on, the fine is 400 EUR.

Similar plans are currently being applied in cities around Italy (with mixed results). Other cities in Europe are also thinking about similar bans.

[Source: Agencia EFE via El Economista]

Source: New year, new bans: Berlin, Hannover and Cologne banning non-catalysed cars

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