Costa Life Auto News - April 2009

Confirmed: Fiat interested in majority stake of Opel/Vauxhall

Rumors have been circulating lately now that Fiat is close to
linking a deal for a majority stake in General Motors
Opel/Vauxhall brands, but neither automaker has confirmed
those reports. However, a German official has spoken on
behalf of all parties involved, revealing that Fiat is on the short
list of suitors for Opel/Vauxhall. No other details were given about
the negotiations, but it is now clear that Fiat is vying for a
majority stake in Opel and its sister Vauxhall brand. The
confirmation also puts

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Meet Mini's Speedster
Eye-catching two-seater drop-top is set to be firm’s fastest, most daring model to date -
and it will go head-to-head with Mazda MX-5 and Honda CRZ. Feast your eyes on the fastest and most desirable MINI ever! This is the Speedster - a head-turning two-seater drop-top that will combine dramatic looks with sizzling performance.
Rumours have been circulating for a number of years about the Speedster, which will rival the next-generation Mazda MX-5, as well as Honda’s upcoming CRZ. But it appears posses at MINI's parent company BMW have finally plucked up the courage to make the firm's first genuine sports car a reality.
Distinctive roll hoops, a lower and wider stance and oversized wheel arches make up the car’s classic roadster proportions. But the split front grille, familiar bonnet scoop and chrome-rimmed tail-lights, as well as the twin central exhausts, ensure it's unmistakably a MINI.
A premium of £2,000 over the Convertible is likely, so prices should start at around £18,000 for the Cooper S version when it goes on sale here in 2011

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Nissan formalizes Spanish restructuring
Ibiza FR to debut with new Leon Cupra.
The heat is on at SEAT. Bosses at the Spanish firm have announced they will unveil fiery performance versions of the Ibiza super mini and Leon hatch at this month’s Barcelona Motor Show.
The new Ibiza FR gets a 1.4-litre turbo and supercharged TSI engine. This has 148bhp, so the car should show rival warm hatches a clean pair of heels, although emissions and fuel economy have also been improved.
A familiar seven-speed DSG gearbox is also on the cards, as is EAT’s XDS system, which reins in wheel spin and improves grip. The FR features a new set of bumpers, honeycomb grille, 17-inch alloys and twin tailpipes.
Joining it on the stands will be the Leon Cupra. This retains the outgoing car’s 238bhp 2.0-litre TSI, but gets a new look for 2009. The sporty exterior has honeycomb cooling vents, 18-inch alloys and bulging arches, as well as a polished steel oval tailpipe.
Expect the Ibiza FR in showrooms from September, with a starting price under 15,000 euros The Leon is due in July, and will cost around 21,000 euros.

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Nissan appoints dealer expert to head Spain and Portugal sales

Nissan has appointed dealer specialist Manuel de la Guardia to head its sales operations in Spain and Portugal.
De la Guardia, a former top executive with Ford Motor and Mazda in Spain, replaces Nissan Iberia managing director Jose Munoz, who moves to North America to head Nissan’s Mexican operations. De la Guardia, a Spaniard, comes to his new job post from Nissan’s European headquarters in Rolle, Switzerland, where he managed dealer network development.
Nissan recently completed a reorganization of its Spanish dealer network, which Munoz started two years ago. The carmaker closed about 500 of its 700 Spanish sales points between 2007 and 2008. It opened 31 new showrooms -- many of them multi-million euro sales palaces in strategic metropolitan locations -- over the same period. Another 20 superstores will open this year.
Simon Thomas, Nissan’s head of sales and marketing for Europe, said de la Guardia’s expertise in dealer network development and his extensive sales and marketing background will help the carmaker in Spain and Portugal.
‘‘The appointment of Manuel will enhance and strengthen our already capable team in Spain,’’ Thomas said. New-car sales in Spain fell by 28.1 percent to 1.16 million units last year. Nissan did better than its major competitors because its sales dropped 16.9 percent to 45,924. Spain has traditionally been one of the Japanese carmaker’s leading European markets.