Electric Mustang Revealed! (No, Not That One)
Ford is going toward electric vehicles in a big way. And this is one that is really fast, to boot, although at this point, at least, it is just a concept
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, Automotive Design & Production
Mustang Concept EV Ponies Up 900 Horsepower
Ford Motor Co. took the wraps off a high-powered electric variant of its Mustang pony car this week at the Specialty Equipment Market Assn. show in Las Vegas.
Former ZF Exec Tapped to Head Chassix
Chassix Inc., a Southfield, Mich.-based supplier of aluminum and cast iron casting machined chassis, powertrain and sub-frame components, has appointed Andreas Weller as president and CEO, effective immediately.
California Consortium Formed to Promote EVs
A group of carmakers, energy companies, battery charging networks, local governments and other constituents have formed a consortium to promote electric vehicles in California.
Webasto To Open 11th Factory in China
Munich-based Webasto SE has finalized a deal to build its 11th factory in Wuhan, China, to produce automotive sunroofs, sources tell the Xinhua news service.
Drop-Top Range Rover Evoque Revealed
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd. has released images of the convertible version of the Range Rover Evoque ahead of its official debut at this month's Los Angeles auto show.
Ford Adds 17 Companies to Preferred Supplier List
Ford Motor Co. has named 17 parts makers and service providers worldwide to its preferred supplier network, thus bringing the list to 102 companies.
Polycarbonate Contributes to EV Range
Mass reduction is critical for fuel economy improvement in any vehicle.
EC Approves VW Purchase of Karmann Facilities
The European Commission has approved Volkswagen AG's plan to buy several assets of bankrupt Wilhelm Karmann GmbH, including the company's assembly plant in Osnabrueck, Germany.
Valmet Buys Karmann’s Convertible Roof Business in Europe
Finland's Valmet Automotive has completed its purchase of the European convertible roof operations of bankrupt Wilhelm Karmann GmbH, according to Karmann's insolvency administrator.
New Bimmer Rag-Top Breaks Cover
BMW AG says its revamped 6 Series convertible will be slightly longer and wider than its predecessor, thus increasing leg, head and shoulder room for backseat passengers.
Valmet to Buy Karmann Convertible Roof Unit
Valmet Automotive says it has agreed to buy the convertible roof operations of bankrupt Wilhelm Karmann GmbH an acquisition that eluded Canada's Magna International Inc. earlier this year.
Valmet to Buy Karmann Convertible Roof Operations
Valmet Automotive says it has agreed to buy the convertible roof operations of bankrupt Wilhelm Karmann GmbH.
VW Plans New Convertibles, Eos Doesn’t Make the Cut
Volkswagen AG is readying several new drop-top models that will be rolled out over the next 4-5 years, Car reports.
Something Big About Smart
Although the smart fortwo vehicle, which will be available in the U.S. early in ’08, is a comparatively small car—wheelbase: 73.5 in.; length: 106.1 in.; width: 61.4 in.; height: 60.7 in.—it has something that not even the biggest Maybach offers. “With an area of around 1.2 square meters, this is to date the largest polycarbonate roof module fitted in a production-line vehicle anywhere in the world,” claims Dr.
Webasto Closes Droptop Deal
Webasto AG has inked a deal to buy the North American convertible roof business of bankrupt supplier Wilhelm Karmann GmbH for an undisclosed price.
Webasto to Buy Karmann’s U.S. Convertible Roof Unit
Webasto AG has agreed to buy Wilhelm Karmann GmbH's North American convertible roof business, which Canada's Magna International Inc. tried unsuccessfully to buy earlier this year, The companies did not for disclose the deal's terms.
Webasto Buys Karmann’s U.S. Roof Unit
Germany's Webasto AG has signed a deal to buy the North American convertible roof operations of bankrupt Wilhelm Karmann GmbH for an undisclosed price.
Former French Coachbuilder to Remerge as Parts Supplier, EV Maker
France's Heuliez Group has emerged from nearly three years of bankruptcy as two independent companies.
Bidders Line Up for Karmann’s U.S. Convertible Operations
Half a dozen bidders are contending for the U.S. operations of Wilhelm Karmann GmbH's convertible-top business, Automotive News reports.
Magna Bid to Purchase Karmann’s Roof Unit Draws Antitrust Scrutiny
Germany's Federal Cartel Office tells Reuters it plans a "comprehensive examination" of Magna International Inc.'s plan to buy Wilhelm Karmann GmbH's cabriolet roof business.
VW Eos: Hats Off
Folding hardtops are becoming as common as iPods these days. Ford's 1957-1959 Fairlane Skyliner took technology originally developed for the Continental Mark II to production, but the complex and heavy mechanism never caught on. Years later, the idea was revived by the folding roof of the Mercedes SLK, and found its way into everything from the extremely rare Qvale Mangusta to Cadillac's XLR, before targeting more affordable offerings like Volvo's C70 and Pontiac's G6. Now VW enters the fray with its Eos, a Golf-based four-seater that adds a few tricks of its own to the mix.
Christopher A. Sawyer
Contributing Editor
Magna to Supply Camaro Drop Tops
General Motors Co. has reassigned sourcing for the convertible top for the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro to Canada's Magna International Inc., Automotive News reports.
C70 Story Starts @ the Top
In 2002, Volvo executives tasked their designers to come up with a replacement for the venerable C70, which, over its six years in production, sold 50,000 units, a respectable number for a convertible.
Folding Money: Mini Drops Its Top
Available across the line for an extra 4,500, the Mini Convertible aims to set the standard in the premium compact convertible segment.
Idle Worship
Blue Heat auxiliary heaters from Webasto.
Efficiency, Variety And Quality–keys At webasto
Although some may consider sunroofs commodities, at the Webasto plant in Utting, Germany, that word is eclipsed by "variety," "productivity," and "quality." Just look at the facts.
