New Cars to Look Out For in 2008

2008 is going to be a busy year for manufacturers launching new models.  With many new cars hitting our showrooms next year consumers will need to carefully narrow down their choices when deciding on which vehicle to buy.

Firstly we can look forward to a barrage of fast and luxurious cars that were designed before the European Union (EU) got to grips with CO2 emission targets. Rolls Royce and Bentley will both be launching coupes, likely to be the most expensive closed cars either has put into mainstream production.

Volkswagen (VW) will not only launch a new Scirocco coupe, but it’s subsidiary Audi will bring the fantastic RS6 to market with a 580bhp engine! Meanwhile BMW readies the new X6 for sale – the most sporting SUV ever to wear the BMW badge. A little quieter over at Mercedes-Benz, although the AMG versions of the new C-Class and SL sports car will be launched.

From Japan, the new Nissan GT-R with 473 bhp will the wowing performance car enthusiasts.  With performance to out gun the Porsche 911 Turbo at half the price the anticipation is palpable. And 2008 should be the year that Lexus finally puts it LF-A supercar into production.  Mazda is also set to launch a new version of its successful RX-8 rotary-engined coupe.

Jaguar will also be going all-out to establish its new XF saloon in the marketplace. Ford will look to follow on from the successful launch of the new Mondeo in 2007 with the all-new Fiesta and a replacement for the much-loved Ka. They will be joined by the Kuga SUV.

2008 will also see the arrival of the much heralded Citroen C5, seemingly one of the most imaginative and interesting family cars of recent times. Vauxhall will launch the Insignia as a replacement for the timeless Vectra and there will be all-new successors to the Honda Jazz and Accord.

Porsche Close to Majority Ownership of VW?!

I read with continued interest the story of Porsche AG attempts to secure the majority ownership of VW.

Hang on a minute…. Niche sports and performance car manufacturer Porsche is seeking a majority ownership stake in motor manufacturing behemoth VW?

Most recently the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled against a 47-year old law protecting Volkswagen from a hostile foreign takeover. In a judgement with potentially far reaching consequences for German companies, the ECJ ruled that the so-called ‘VW Law’ could not be justified on the grounds that it protected the interests of minority shareholders.

This gives the green light to Porsche chief executive, Wendelin Wiedeking, to increase the current stake of 31% to 51%, thus gaining overall control and majority ownership of Volkswagen. 

If you are still slightly confused how a seemingly niche player like Porsche is able to amass such buying power it is worth noting that the company based in Stuttgart is the world’s most profitable car company in terms of margins. Hence it’s ability to both expand the Porsche model range and acquire companies the size of Volkswagen!