The Goodwood Festival of Speed is set to feature an impressive lineup of past and present MotoGP heroes and legends from July 13 to 16, 2023. These riders will be taking on the renowned hillclimb event.
Ducati will be sending a trio of riders from the MotoGP paddock. Reigning Champion Francesco Bagnaia and teammate Enea Bastianini will be riding on both Saturday and Sunday. In addition, wildcard and test rider Michele Pirro will kick off the festivities on Thursday and Friday.
KTM Factory Racing will be represented by their long-time test rider Mika Kallio on Thursday and Friday. South African rider Brad Binder, a top contender for the 2023 Championship, will take over the reins over the weekend.
GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 will see the much-awaited return of Pol Espargaro, who will be riding on Thursday and Friday. Rookie teammate Augusto Fernandez will take over on Saturday and Sunday, making his debut at the event.
Aprilia Racing will also be present, with test rider Lorenzo Savadori riding on Thursday and Friday. The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team, part of the Noale contingent, will have Miguel Oliveira riding on Saturday, and teammate Raul Fernandez taking the reins on Sunday.
LCR Honda, winners of the Americas GP, will complete the MotoGP lineup at the festival. Although Alex Rins will be absent due to injury, their iconic livery will still be showcased as they take on the hillclimb.
In addition to the current MotoGP grid, the festival will also feature a legendary lineup of iconic figures who have had a significant impact on the sport. These include Giacomo Agostini, Mick Doohan, Freddie Spencer, Casey Stoner, Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Gardner, Kenny Roberts Jr, Alex Crivillé, and Randy Mamola.
The Polestar brand is a recent addition to the global automotive market. In October 2017, it became its own brand separate from Volvo, where it was originally a division for high-performance cars. This move was announced by Volvo Cars and Geely and marked the brand’s dedication to producing electric vehicles (EVs), coinciding with the 20th anniversary of its foundation by Flash / Polestar Racing.
A Unique Philosophy
The initial aim behind the creation of Polestar as a standalone brand was to compete in the emerging market of electrified cars. Their first model, the Polestar 1, was a large plug-in hybrid luxury coupe, followed by the Polestar 2, an all-electric midsize sedan that directly rivals the Tesla Model 3. Despite being a new brand, Polestar managed to sell around 110,000 vehicles worldwide between 2020 and May 2023, demonstrating their success in the premium segment.
A Better Volvo?
The confusion between Polestar and Volvo’s positioning began when Volvo introduced its first fully electric autonomous model, the Volvo C40. This highlighted Volvo’s plans to produce premium electric vehicles, raising questions about how the two brands will differentiate themselves while pursuing a similar goal.
Subsequently, Polestar unveiled the Polestar 3 around the same time as Volvo revealed the new XC90. Both vehicles are large premium electric SUVs, but their construction philosophies differ. Polestar’s existence is based on three fundamental pillars: design, innovation, and sustainability. They aim to produce a climate-neutral car by 2030, which aligns with Volvo’s values and objectives. However, the specifics of their differences are yet to be seen.
Volvo Will Also Become Fully Electric
As automakers transition from combustion to electric power, they are creating new brands or sub-brands to better position themselves in the new era. For example, BMW has the “i” sub-brand, and Mercedes has the “EQ” family. However, as the shift towards electric vehicles becomes predominant, manufacturers must avoid redundancy between these brands. Geely and Volvo Cars aim to position Polestar as a real alternative without negatively impacting Volvo’s sales.
Ultimately, the success and differentiation of Polestar will depend on the public’s response to their upcoming models. For now, both Polestar and Volvo can coexist, but only time will tell how they will continue to evolve.
The author of the article, Felipe Munoz, is an Automotive Industry Specialist at JATO Dynamics.
We are now in July 2023, and it has been a busy few weeks for Triumph, Bajaj, Harley, and Hero MotoCorp. These companies have been working hard behind the scenes to prepare Triumph’s Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, as well as Harley’s X440 for their debut. The excitement is palpable.
From an international perspective, the partnerships behind the development of these bikes make perfect sense. In many Asian countries, there is a huge number of small-displacement motorbikes being ridden by a diverse range of riders who rely on their two-wheeled vehicles for their daily lives. Large displacement bikes are often subject to high taxes and are less common. This has created a demand for a middleweight bike that falls between the small and large displacement categories. These bikes offer a little more power without crossing into the realm of big bikes. The partnerships between manufacturers are also important for resources, geography, and maintaining attractive pricing structures.
Royal Enfield has been a prominent player in this middleweight segment with its 350 trio: the Meteor 350 cruiser, the Classic 350 retro-modern standard, and the Hunter 350 modern urban machine. Now, Triumph/Bajaj and Harley-Davidson/Hero are entering the market to compete for a share of this growing segment. Aprilia, part of the Piaggio Group, has also announced plans to launch its own mid-segment bike in 2023. All these companies have initially launched their bikes in India, the world’s largest motorcycle market, with plans to expand to other international markets later.
This segment is attracting attention because it offers a step up from a 125cc scooter, making it an achievable aspiration for many riders. It provides a sense of personal growth and achievement without being out of reach.
According to Bajaj managing director Rajiv Bajaj, Triumph could potentially sell 40,000 to 50,000 TR-platform bikes annually in the next year. Bajaj’s partnership with KTM has given him insights into the motorcycle market, as KTM’s annual sales have grown significantly over the past decade. The partnerships between these companies are aimed at replicating this success in the middleweight segment.
It is worth noting that China is also becoming a major motorcycle market, and KTM has a strong presence there through its partnership with CFMOTO. Recently, Pierer Mobility and CFMOTO announced plans to strengthen their cooperation to meet the increasing market demand in China and the Asian region.
Some More Middleweight Development Details Worth Noting
2017: Triumph and Bajaj formed their partnership.
2021: Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp formed their partnership.
Piaggio Group, the parent company of Aprilia, already has a presence in India and has not partnered with a local manufacturer for its middleweight bike development.
Triumph and Bajaj’s TR-platform bikes will be exclusive to Triumph and will not be used by Bajaj for their future bikes.
On the other hand, the partnership between Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp is similar to previous deals between BMW Motorrad and TVS Motor Company. This allows both companies to use the same platform for their respective bikes.
The Land Rover Defender, once a workhorse, has become a sought-after SUV among 4×4 enthusiasts. Rover Trophy specializes in maintaining and preserving the Defender’s legacy through customized builds. They are currently offering a unique opportunity to purchase a project from their inventory – the 1994 Land Rover Defender BIGS D110.
This particular build stands out as the rarest and largest among Rover Trophy’s creations. It features an additional pickup bed alongside the spacious full-size cabin. The exterior is finished in a stealthy grey paint color, with gloss black upgrades like widened fenders, a front winch, exterior roll cage, LED light rack, side steps, and a storage platform. It also boasts a new high-performance DME suspension system, 16-inch Mach 5 wheels, and 37-inch Maxxis Trepador off-road tires for excellent ground clearance.
Inside the cabin, the Land Rover Defender BIGS D110 offers a blend of style and comfort. The custom hand-sewn Hornback leather interior is complemented by a new AC system from Ministry of Defender, ensuring cool summer drives along the beach. Modern entertainment and technology features include a Kenwood entertainment center with Apple CarPlay, 8-speaker surround sound, kicker subwoofers, and a reverse camera.
Under the hood, this Defender is equipped with a GM Performance 6.2L naturally-aspirated V8 engine delivering 430 horsepower. A sophisticated 6L80 6-speed automatic transmission manages the power, which is applied to the Defender’s 4×4 system. Heavy-duty drivetrain components are installed for enhanced durability and safety.
The 1994 Land Rover Defender BIGS D110 Crew Cab is currently available for sale through Rover Trophy via duPont REGISTRY. Check out the link for more details and pricing.
This week in car news: New teaser from Kia, updates on upcoming cars, recall announcement, and more
In the final week of June, there were several notable events in the automotive world. Kia released a new teaser for an upcoming compact SUV, and Skoda provided updates on its flagship SUV. Additionally, there was news of a potential increase in highway toll prices. Let’s take a closer look at the major headlines from the week.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny Heading to Australia
The popular 5-door Maruti Suzuki Jimny, already available in India, will soon be launched in Australia. While specific details about the Australian version are currently limited, it is expected to offer an improved safety features package compared to the Indian model.
First Teaser Released for 2023 Kia Seltos
Ahead of its India debut, Kia released the first teaser for the facelifted version of the Seltos. The teaser provided a detailed look at the updated interior, which closely resembles the international variant of the compact SUV.
Recall Announced for Kia Carens
Kia issued a recall for certain units of the Carens due to a potential software issue in one of its electronic components. The affected owners will be directly notified by the carmaker. This is the second recall for the Kia MPV within a year.
New Details Revealed for 2024 Skoda Kodiaq
Skoda is gearing up to globally unveil the second-generation Kodiaq. Prior to the official reveal, the Czech automaker released new details about the SUV, including a wide range of powertrain options.
Milestones Achieved
This week, two popular Indian SUVs reached significant production and sales milestones. Mahindra celebrated the production of the 9 lakhth Scorpio unit, while Tata announced that the Nexon EV had achieved 50,000 unit sales in India.
Update on 5-Door Mahindra Thar Unveiling
There have been rumors circulating on the internet about the 5-door version of the Mahindra Thar making its debut on August 15 in South Africa. However, Mahindra has clarified the situation and provided an update on the unveiling of the 5-door variant.
Spy Shots Unveiled
Last week’s spy shots featured two upcoming SUVs: the facelifted Kia Seltos and the Tata Punch EV. New images of the Tech Line variants of the updated Seltos were leaked, providing a glimpse of its interior. Additionally, spy shots showcased the revamped interior of the Tata Punch EV.
Toll Prices Set to Increase
Unfortunately, road trips are set to become more expensive as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to raise toll prices annually. The increased toll fees will allow NHAI to recover its debts at a faster rate.
Prior to Chuck Sun’s epic Motocross des Nations heroics in 1981 while racing for Factory Honda, he was a Husqvarna star out of Oregon. This shot is from the 1976 Saddleback Trans Am and Chuck’s Husqvarna machine is Fox Air Shock equipped, which the Husky team ran on all of their machines. In 1978 he won the 250 class at the Trans-AMA and then got signed by Honda and went on to win the 1980 500cc National Championship, along with a GP win at Carlsbad in 1981.
NEWS
SOCIAL DISTORTION
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VIDEO JUKEBOX
THESE ENDURO GP GUYS ARE FLAT ON IT!
AND FROM OUR SIDE OF THE POND: ANGUS, BARNES AND GIRROIR HAULING THE MAIL
GLEN HELEN USGP 2016- EPIC TOMAC CAIROLI BATTLE
SHOT OF THE WEEK
Bummer.
GEAR BAG
Billet Kickstand for ’23 YAMAHA YZ450F
No need to lay down your new YZ! The Fastway Billet Kickstand is machined in-house with the same features you’ve come to trust in a Fastway stand! Internal Spring never gets lost, and keeps tension in the Up or Down position. Simple bolt-on installation!
This is Sunrise Cycle Park in Adelanto in 1981. It was my first big test with Yamaha and Ed Scheidler, who I worked with for years until he retired. Ed was the first person I worked with who shot video of the testing, and then we’d review it in his box van. He was a stickler, always asking us what the bike was doing. He’d make suspension changes, and then would again cross examine our explanation. Half the time he wouldn’t change anything and if you claimed you felt a difference he’d crucify you…all in a good way. He taught us how to test, evaluate and think about what the motorcycle was doing. This is the 1981 Yamaha YZ465.
Carlos Ghosn, the former CEO of Nissan, has filed a lawsuit in Lebanon against his previous employer, seeking more than $1 billion in damages. The lawsuit accuses Nissan, two other companies, and 12 individuals of defamation, fabricating evidence, and other offenses. Ghosn is specifically asking for $558 million in lost compensation and costs, as well as $500 million in punitive damages.
In late 2018, Ghosn was arrested by Japanese authorities on charges of underreporting his compensation and financial misconduct. He has consistently denied these charges. In late 2019, Ghosn managed to escape house arrest and fled the country in a box, eventually finding refuge in Lebanon, which does not extradite its citizens. However, he still has pending criminal charges in Japan. Nissan has also filed a lawsuit against Ghosn for monetary damages.
Carlos Ghosn was initially hired by Renault in 1996 to restructure the French automaker. Three years later, Renault and Nissan formed a partnership to share resources and reduce costs. Ghosn played a crucial role in turning around Nissan as the chief operating officer in 1999 and eventually became the CEO of both Nissan and Renault in 2001. Mitsubishi joined the alliance in 2017.
Even though Ghosn has been absent from Nissan for several years, his presence continues to be a source of trouble for the company. In 2022, the Japanese Financial Services Agency fined Nissan 200 million yen ($1.4 million) for Ghosn’s alleged misconduct, which was reported by the company in 2019. With this new lawsuit, it is likely that the legal battle between Ghosn and Nissan will prolong for years to come.
Since his escape, Ghosn has not held back in his criticism of his former employer. He referred to Renault-Nissan as “small and fragile” and criticized the company’s lack of vision in its electrification strategy.
In early 2023, Nissan announced an updated roadmap, revealing its plans to introduce 27 new electrified models and 19 new EVs by 2030. The company aims for up to 98% of its sales to be electrified in Europe by 2026 and 40% in the US by the end of the decade.
Over the past 20 years, we have witnessed the increasing connection of global economies through globalization. This has led to trade agreements and increased migration, which has in turn encouraged closer integration among the world’s economies. The automotive industry has been one of the major beneficiaries of this trend.
However, along with the benefits, new challenges are emerging that are undoing the progress made so far. As China becomes a real competitor to Western dominance, we are heading towards an inevitable confrontation between these two blocs. Among the achievements of globalization, trade is perhaps the most exposed to this new reality, and it has already started to impact the new cars we see on the roads.
One World, One Product?
We are starting to see an increase in cars specifically designed for certain markets, as opposed to a global standard. Just like before the 1990s, different regions and markets are becoming more independent in terms of product and supply chain. In fact, localization is being favored to source locally and produce locally manufactured cars.
For instance, Toyota, the world’s largest automaker by sales volume, used to be a good example of global autos. The Corolla and RAV4, manufactured in different locations, were virtually identical in all regions. They were the best examples of successful global cars. However, we are now witnessing the introduction of new localized products that are not available everywhere.
Take Toyota’s Yaris as an example. Apart from the Yaris models available in Europe and Asia, Toyota has recently introduced the new Yaris Cross for emerging markets, which is much larger than the one available in Europe. The brand also rebadges select Suzuki cars for its lineup in India, Africa, and the Middle East.
Citroën’s C-Cubed plan is another example of growing localization. It is a strategy that involves the development, production, and sale of cars designed for emerging markets, specifically for India and South America. This has led to the introduction of a different Citroën C3 and recently, the Citroën C3 Aircross. These cars use different platforms from their European counterparts and are cheaper to produce.
Hyundai is also adopting more localized approaches. The small crossover Exter, also known as the Hyundai Casper, will soon be launched in India. Brazil has its own version of the i20 with the HB20. In both cases, localization is the response to the changing income conditions of consumers. This can also be seen with the Fiat Panda for Europe and the Mobi for South America.
The South American Case
Due to income gaps, regulations, or simply differences in taste between markets, there are many other cases of localization. The most famous example is the Toyota Tacoma for North America and its counterpart, the Hilux, for the rest of the world.
Nissan still sells the fourth generation of the Micra in Latin America, where it is called the March, while the latest-generation model is available in Europe. A similar case can be seen with the Renault Captur; the first generation is still popular in the Latin American B-SUV segment, while the latest model is available in Europe. Suzuki offers two different Altos depending on whether you are in India or Japan. The Volkswagen Tiguan, available in Europe and China, has been replaced by the cheaper Taos in most Latin American markets.
The author of the article, Felipe Munoz, is an Automotive Industry Specialist at JATO Dynamics.
Aside from new launches and unveils, we saw a spy shot debut of a new Mahindra electric SUV
The past week witnessed some of the most awaited announcements and unveilings from Maruti and Honda. Volkswagen also launched its new colour editions, while Maruti announced the unveiling date of its new flagship product in India. In the same week, we saw a few interesting spy shots of upcoming cars from Hyundai and Mahindra.
Let’s have a look at all important highlights of week:
