Mass production of off-road vehicles begins at TMMTX plant in Texas Toyota Sequoia second generation. This model was a novelty for the company, because the first generation cars were produced at the TMMI plant in Indiana (along with the Highlander and Sienna models). Now, the Sequoia shares a production line with its sister Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Toyota has invested $391 million in upgrading the Texas site. This plant has been operating since 2003, and previously produced Tacoma mid-size pickups, and the total investment in this site has reached $3.1 billion.
Crossover production also started today Honda CR-V sixth generation. The first production was launched by a plant in Canada, but in a few days a start will be given at once at two enterprises in the USA (Ohio and Indiana). Such a number of assembly sites is necessary to meet demand: in the States alone, the Honda CR-V sold more than 360,000 units last year. At first, only gasoline cars will roll off the assembly lines, in October the production of hybrid versions will begin. Later, the new model will be produced in China and Japan.
A crossover Chevrolet Trailblazer out of production in China following only three years of assembly line life. Local JV SAIC-GM was the first site to launch this model in the fall of 2019, but in the local market Trailblazer failed miserably: a little more than 10,000 cars have been sold for all the time. The recently introduced crossover became the formal successor Chevrolet Seeker, which changed the format to a more sporty one. The production of Chevrolet Trailblazer crossovers continues in South Korea, including for export to America and Southeast Asia.
Modernized kei car family introduced in Japan Honda N-WGN. The only external change is a new grille for the prestigious N-WGN Custom version (in the photo it is in the foreground). The body color palette has also been revised. In the cabin, some finishing materials have been changed, the Honda Sensing electronic assistant complex has been improved. In honor of the decade of the modern N-series, the Style + Bitter package has been added to the range with additional chrome and rich interior trim. All equipment is the same: in the range there are 660 cc engines with 58 and 64 hp. Prices start at $9100.
Company Hyundai closed the project of a mid-engined supercar, which was supposed to become the flagship of the N-model sports range. The gas-powered, carbon-fibre-bodied coupe didn’t have a final name, but the developers called it the “chairman’s car” because the project was supervised by chief engineer Albert Birman. During the development process, several working prototypes were built, some of which were even shown to the public (pictured is the 2019 Hyundai RM19). But in the end, the board of directors closed the project: a supercar costing more than $150,000 did not fit into Hyundai’s lineup. However, now the Koreans are working on a hydrogen electric vehicle of a similar format.
Chinese mid-size crossover Ford Equator Sportwhich debuted a year ago, began to export, and under an alternative name Ford Territorywhich in China itself belongs completely different car. Mexico became the first foreign market: here the new Ford Territory will cost 30-36 thousand dollars. Moreover, the crossover entered the local market with a 1.8 EcoBoost turbo engine (187 hp), although in China the original Equator Sport has a 1.5 engine (170 hp). All cars – with a seven-speed preselective “robot” and front-wheel drive.
Chinese company Leap motor enters the European market. France became the first country: SN Diffusion, which already supplies Chinese Seres cars, has been appointed as a local distributor. The pioneer was the compact electric hatchback Leapmotor T03 (3.6 m in length), which should compete with the Dacia Spring model, which, by the way, is also produced in China. A five-door with a 109 hp electric motor, a traction battery with a capacity of 41.3 kWh and a passport range of 280 km (according to the WLTP cycle) will cost less than 20 thousand euros. Sales will begin before the end of this year, and already at the start, the distributor promises to open almost 50 showrooms in France.
A French company Ligier is preparing a new generation electric microcar. According to tradition, legally it will be a light quadricycle, which in France can be driven from the age of 14, that is, without a driver’s license. According to the rules of this category of vehicles, the power of the electric motor will not exceed 6 kW (8.2 hp) and the maximum speed will not exceed 45 km/h. So far, only teasers of the new Ligier Myli model have been published, and the expected range on a single charge will be regarding 100 km. The debut will take place in the spring of 2023.
Mazda set a new Guinness World Record. On September 18, Italy hosted the largest Mazda parade in the world: 707 cars gathered at the Modena race track at the same time, and these were only Mazda MX-5 sports cars all generations. The previous similar record lasted nine years: in 2013, representatives of the Guinness Book of Records counted 683 cars at a parade in the Netherlands.
Also today we talked regarding the crossover Mitsubishi Outlander with turbo engine, show car Renault 5 Turbo 3E and prices for SUVs Chery Tiggo 4 Pro.