New Mazda 2
As we reported earlier that old Mazda 2 production had been stoped, the Japaneese house is now ready to announce its third generation. The styling has undergone a complete change from that cubic micro MPV style to a new sleek and dynamic appearance resembling an all new CX-7 coming later this year. Another important change is production plant for European versions relocating from Spain’s Valencia (the plant belongs to Ford) to mather Japan land where Mazda 2 is known as Demio and its first generation had been once built there.
Renault To Expand Its Russia Plant
Renault plans to spend another US$150m at its Moscow plant where Dacia Logans are assembled for sale on the booming Russian market - in Russia the Logan is marketed under Renault brand and is considered a major rival for the local Lada. The investment will increase the Moscow plant output to 160,000 Logans a year from today’s 80,000. Meanwhile Renault experiences major sales decline in Europe in 2006.
Opel Kapitan To Replace Ill Fated Signum
GM Europe plans to revive its once famous Opel Kapitan brand as a 2009 replacement for the failed Signum. Will it help to promote another big Opel/Vauxhall? We seriously doubt. In 2006 in Germany Opel sold 8.040 Signums - compare with 64.643 Audi A6, 56.801 Mercedes E-Klasse and 50.828 BMW 5er.