Pressure to act on both sides
Both companies are under great pressure to act – Peugeot is due to the dependence on the domestic market and the southern states of the most hotly debt affected by the crisis, auto makers. The French were finally slipped in its core business into the red zone and harsh cuts have been announced. Opel is again for years, the problem child of the world’s biggest carmaker and GM faces a tough rehabilitation.

A tight integration of share holdings was not initially planned, BelTA learned from the negotiating parties continue. At most, small blocks of shares would be exchanged, which only had a symbolic significance. The company had an agreement but not yet near.

VW expands its leadership
Europe’s market leader Volkswagen PSA is the runner-up now hastens far: While VW sells on the way to the top of the world market targeted more and more cars – 2011 there were already more than eight million vehicles – Peugeot put off because of the recession in Europe, only 3.5 million cars, 1.5 percent less than in 2010. And is the GM subsidiary Opel has for years been fighting for market share and in return writes red figures, the patience of the parent company in Detroit with the Brussels daughter is getting less.

However, analysts were able to identify in a first reaction is difficult to potential benefits of cooperation. Finally, the two companies fought in Europe with similar problems and have therefore very little give, Hauser said Credit Suisse.

Peugeot confirmed on Wednesday though, there are talks with another manufacturer about a possible alliance, but gave no name. “There can be no assurance that these discussions will lead to an agreement,” shared with Peugeot. A GM spokeswoman said talks were common in the industry. More she would not say so.

Peugeot’s shares shot up around noon in Paris by 16 per cent upwards. On Tuesday evening in the French online newspaper LaTribune.fr of the talks the talk was that the Peugeot shares strong drive to the start of trading. The newspaper said the talks with GM to run for months.

Other partners
Of the more informed people called it, discussed the cooperation should go beyond Europe. Peugeot is working already Ford, Toyota and BMW together. In the ongoing discussions it was about more than such special arrangements for parts of the production. For Peugeot, it hooks in the Latin American business. There, the French are still losing money. Peugeot has long examined how to create the trend is there.

The Italian caretaker Fiat according to earlier media reports, is looking for a partner in Europe. Earlier this year the Italians had an interest in Peugeot been rumored. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchioness favors some time out for a consolidation of the industry. Officially, this is nothing known. Peugeot and Fiat are already partners in transportation vehicles. But Fiat wants to take leave from the joint venture.

Key characteristics
Interested parties can now select between the Micra and Micra Mouse Super Mouse. Both models feature the 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with 80 horsepower, which is one with an average fuel consumption of five liters per 100 kilometers on the economical in its class. Also common are the two side strips which are held depending on the body color to white or red. A logo on the tailgate has two additional models as members of the “mouse family”. The differences between mouse and Micra Super Mouse are in the equipment.

Mouse
The Micra Mouse comes with a promotional price of € 9990 a lot of equipment. Highlights include six airbags, ABS, ESP, Electric front windows, central locking with radio remote control, air conditioning and a radio-CD combination with a Bluetooth port, auxiliary input and four speakers.

Super Mouse
Tons of extras, the “Super Mouse”. She also has heated front seats, fog lamps, alloy wheels, power mirrors, a leather steering wheel with buttons for remote control of the audio system and hands-free, split folding rear seat backrests and the Easy Flat-floor system. Another highlight was the Super Mouse at a price of € 11 890 and the “Nissan Connect” on board – including navigation system with 5-inch touch screen, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth audio streaming and six speakers.

Audi offers its customers an interest-speed automatic dual-clutch 7-speed with paddle shifters. The RS4 rides on 265/35R19 tires base, but it is possible to opt for 260/30R20. Braking is provided by discs with 8 piston calipers at the front. It goes without saying that Audi receives all the necessary driver support. You have a family and you do not want to sacrifice performance for space? The RS4 Avant is for you!

This is the next Geneva Motor Show that the Italian caretaker intends to present its new F70 which wants the most powerful Ferrari ever created. It will likely be equipped with a V12 of 7.3 liters developing 920 horsepower. While Ferrari speaks of a maximum speed of 370 km / h, it’s a safe bet that the F70 will be able to cross the 400 km / h with such power.

Weighing just 1130 kg, the Ferrari F70 will certainly incredible performance. With its incredible weight / power ratio, the Italian sports will literally bite the dust at his few rivals, including the highly anticipated, McLaren F1, Porsche 918 and the Beattie Verona.

However, the F70, as all his posterity, will not occur within a few hundred copies and the next generation is unlikely to emerge before the next decade.

Athlete through and through
The concept car is named after the Soul’ster already the second study, which shows what is in the soul. The 250 bhp two-door model has emerged in the Kia Design Centre in Irwine (California), led by Tom Kearns. It is, however, remain unique. Pity, because the flat roof of the two-door is very good. Furthermore, the wear flared wheel arches, the 19er rolls are home to the sporty appearance at. Particularly stand out front the extra lights on the lower air intake in the eye. For the dynamic provides a double-outlet exhaust, sits in a black grille in the rear bumper. Inside, it continues in the same style. Again, the dominant colors red and white. Bucket seats, an Alcantara steering wheel and an extremely short gearshift lever accentuate the sporting character.

Americans love the Soul
In the U.S., the B-segment Headquartered Soul proved to be successful. Were sold in Europe since the model starting around 50,000 vehicles were sold last year alone 102 000 Soul in the United States. The U.S. is the most important market for the model.

In engineering terms, we find under the bonnet the same 3.7-liter V6 with dual overhead cam head which is rated at 332 horsepower mated to a gearbox 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic. Regarding the Nismo version, the power to 350 horses, and finally we find a little more luxury items.

Both are equipped with the same small 1.2 liter engine developing 69 horsepower. They also benefit from the same system “Stop & Start”.

The main difference between both cars is therefore manifested in anesthetics. The Ford KA Metal is entitled to a metallic paint and a specific interior black and chrome. However, the only three colors available for the latter are Starry Grey, Pearl Grey and Black Celeste.

Although the base price of the Metal KA is set at 13,050 Euros, it is possible, until February 29, you get it for less than 9000 Euros. The principle is simple, bring a car with 10 years or more to the dealer and receive a discount of 4,060 Euros to buy a Ford KA Metal 2012.

In reality, the Ford KA Metal is not being a finish of many of the small city of the American manufacturer. Still, it’s a safe bet that Ford will not hesitate to apply that formula to all of its vehicles if the Metal KA is a great success.

Inside, the lighting is always reddish in the SLT, there are patches of aluminum in the center console, in the doors and dashboard. It is also possible to obtain an infotainment system with touch screen, HD radio, the rear-view camera, Bluetooth connectivity and hands-free system. The engine is still the 3.6-liter V6 with 288 horsepower mated to a six-speed automatic reports and tensile strength. The integral is optional. It will ship in late 2012.

High goals
China is already the largest market for the automaker. With 220,000 vehicles sold in 2011 a quarter of its Skoda cars in the Middle Kingdom. Skoda last year gave a total of 880,000 vehicles to customers – an increase of 15.3 percent over the previous year. By 2018, sales should rise around the world annually to 1.5 million vehicles, said stack man.

Europe remains important – 19 new models
Although Skoda is counting on emerging markets, aiming for the car makers to further growth in Europe. Stackmann expects “that the absolute number of sales for Europe will continue to rise. Our market share in Western Europe at three percent. I see more potential in any case.” As previously reported, Skoda brings in the next few years 19 (!) New models (including facelifts) at the start. We start with the city car Citigo and the new Rapid is from the 2012 Geneva Motor Show presents (from 8 March), the production version. The car will bridge the gap between Octavia and Fabia and shows for the first time the brand new face

Equipment
Inside, passengers will feel extremely safe, according to Citroen. The materials and quality perception will set new standards. There are photos from the cockpit isn. A highlight is the standard panorama glass roof that lets lots of light desired in the interior. It has an electric sun blind with sequential control. Via the multifunction steering wheel, the driver can operate the radio, cruise control and the speakerphone. An automatic headlight activation, a rain sensor and automatic dimming rearview mirrors are also on board. In addition, there are numerous shelves and a chilled glove compartment. The front and rear center armrest is fitted each with two cup holders and a storage compartment with a 12-volt power outlet, USB port and an audio port. A sound system, keyless entry and start system and automatic air conditioning round out the standard equipment. There is an additional charge e.g. a rearview camera that is connected with the navigation system.

Motors and drives
C4 is the Aircross it with front-or all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive (4WD) automatically distributes the force on the front and rear axle – in normal operation as far as possible to the front wheels (about 98 percent). In more complex terms will be automatically sent to up to 50 percent of torque to the rear wheels. A lock mode distributes the power at low speeds 50:50.

Saving the master engine “HDi 115″ is. It is used in conjunction with a six-speed manual transmission, both in a 2WD version with a standard consumption of 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers (CO2 emissions of 119 g / km), and four-wheel drive and a consumption of 4.9 liters ( 129 g of CO2/km) offered. The four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.6 liters delivers an output of 115 hp. The maximum torque of 270 Nm (up to 280 Nm with the “overboost”) is at 1,750 rev / min available.

In addition, the C4 Aircross from launch is also available with a diesel engine ‘HDi 150 “(1.8 liter, 150 hp) and standard four-wheel drive available. Here, the standard consumption of 5.6 liters/100 km. The 1.6i petrol engine is offered as a 2WD version with a five-speed manual transmission. The engine combines an output of 115 hp with a consumption of 5.9 liters per 100 kilometers (135 g CO2/km).

Outside Europe, the gasoline engine is still 2.0i with 150 hp (FWD and AWD) with a five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT) on offer.

A start-stop system and an electronically controlled generator for regenerative braking help save fuel.

Availability and prices
Prices Citroen has not yet revealed. The launch takes place in May 2012 – a few weeks after the presentation in Geneva.