Nissan Cube Coming To European Markets

The third generation of Nissan’s boxy Cube minicar will make its way into the European market according to Brit auto magazine, “Whatcar”. The current, second generation Cube is available solely in Japan but “Whatcar” reports that Nissan's CEO Carlos Ghosn has confirmed that due to the positive reaction to the minicar, its next generation 'will be seen in many markets'. Since the current model has been in the market since 2002, the 3rd generation Cube should be arriving in 2009 or 2010 the latest. -Continued

Measuring in just over 3,7 meters in length but 1,6 meters in height, the Cube is larger than the Fiat Panda (3,5m) but about the same size as the new Opel Agila and Suzuki Splash. Based on the Micra (March in Japan), the Cube is powered by a 109 Hp 1.5-liter engine. Notably, in Japan is also offered with a seven-seat configuration with the third row of seats apparently aimed towards minors.

Via: Whatcar

EU Approves €143 million Romanian Government Aid To Ford

The European Commission has given its consent to the Romanian government to grant Ford €143 million (approx $226 million) for the production of vehicles and engines in Craiova, in the South West of Romania. Ford’s total investment costs in the area amount to €435 million for the vehicle project and to €165 million for the engine project, while the actual government aid amounts are €94 million and €49 million respectively. -Continued

Last October, European regulators launched an official investigation to find out whether the Romanian government violated EU rules on state aid with its decision. Under EU rules, state aids to businesses are allowed only if they boost employment in poor or underdeveloped areas.

According to the European commission, Ford’s plans to completely overhaul the two Romanian plants it purchased to manufacture vehicles and engines will create approximately than 40 000 direct and indirect jobs in Craiova which is considered as one of the EU's poorest regions.

Fiat Signs Agreement to Acquire Zastava, Readies 500 Based Topolino Successor

The Fiat Group is one step away from acquiring Zastava as the Italian carmaker and the Serbian Ministry of Economy and Regional Development (Zastava is 99.9 percent-owned by the government) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the acquisition of the assets of the Zastava plant at Kragujevac, 140 km South-East of Belgrade. According to a joint press release, if deemed feasible, the two companies will enter into a definitive agreement in the course of the coming months.

Sources familiar with the Italian carmaker's plans told Automotive News Europe that the former Zastava plant in Serbia will become the sole factory to build Fiat's new minicar, dubbed Topolino after the iconic 1936 model that led to the 500 in the mid 1950’s. The modern Topolino, expected to be introduced towards the end of 2009, will be based on the 500 / Panda platform, shortened though to about 3,150 mm in length. -Continued

Commenting on the agreement between Fiat and the Serbian government, Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Group and Fiat Group Automobiles, said, “This initiative represents a further step in Fiat Group Automobiles’ strategy aimed at supporting its growth and volume aspirations. It follows a number of targeted alliances and partnerships signed with leading carmakers and automotive suppliers over the last four years.”

“Moreover, it demonstrates our confidence and trust in Serbia, its industry, management competence and the skill of its workers, not to forget the Serbian automotive market itself, which we consider an integral extension of our domestic market. 54 years ago, Fiat and Zastava signed an accord for the construction of the factory at Kragujevac where the Fiat Punto is manufactured today”

“We believe that, together with Zastava, we have played an important role in enhancing the Serbian automotive industry from both the manufacturing as well as the technological point of view. We are proud that many Serbian engineers and technicians have been trained at Fiat in Italy and in Serbia.”

2009 Dacia Logan Facelift Snapped Off-Guard

Apparently, security measures aren’t that much of an issue at Dacia’s Romanian plant as these cell-phone pics of the restyled Logan Sedan prove. From what we can tell, the Renault Group’s inexpensive compact-sized sedan has received a rather mild facelift that includes redesigned bumpers along with a wider grille up-front and modified tail-lamps at the rear. Logically, the 2009 Logan should go on sale in Europe over the next few months. –Click through for more pics

Via: Logan-Club

Nissan GT-R Officially Laps the Nurburgring in 7min and 29 sec

Last time we heard about the 2009 Nissan GT-R and the Nurburgring race track was last year when the Japanese carmaker announced that its 473Hp supercar managed to lap the famous “ring” in 7 min and 38 sec. But then, the course was slightly damp…

On April 16 and 17, 2008, GT-R chief test driver Tochio Suzuki took a base specification car fitted with standard Japanese market tyres back to the Nurburgring. This time the track was dry and Suzuki achieved a lap time at the notorious Nurburgring track of 7 minutes and 29 seconds which is one of the fastest times for production road cars. -Continued

“At last year’s testing, we were frustrated by the conditions at the Nürburgring, always believing that the GT-R could go under seven minutes 30 seconds,” said Kazutoshi Mizuno, Chief Vehicle Engineer for GT-R. “Below seven minutes 30 seconds, the GT-R proves it is among the fastest mass-production cars in the world. We set out to build a multi-performance supercar accessible to anyone, anytime and anywhere – I believe the GT-R has delivered that promise.”

Sales of the all-new GT-R began in Japan in December 2007. The US and Canada are set to follow in this July while Europe and other markets are expected to get the GT-R over the next 12 months.