European and Asian Automakers to Build More Cars than Detroit's Big Three in N. America by 2012

According to a new study from financial advisory firm Grant Thornton LLP, European and Asian automakers will churn out more cars in North America than Detroit's 'Big Three' by 2012. The study expects that after the completion of the restructuring of the domestic auto industry, the combined capacity of General Motors, Chrysler Group LLC and Ford in North America will fall by more than 4 million units or a 35 percent reduction compared to 2008, for a total of 7.5 million units in 2012.

At the same time, all other foreign automakers combined are expected to increase their North American production by around 1.5 million a year or 20 percent, to more than 8 million units.

"A new order is emerging where the Detroit companies may no longer be the volume leaders in their home market," said Grant Thornton LLP Principal Kimberly Rodriguez, co-leader of the firm's global automotive practice.

Grant Thornton LLP reports that Volkswagen and BMW will nearly double their combined production, increasing their output capability to around 1 million units a year while Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai are projected to expand their combined production by 20 percent, or nearly 1 million units.

The study finds that the dramatic shift in production will have a large impact on North American parts suppliers that will need to secure more business from European and Asian makers.

"Suppliers largely dependent on Detroit OEMs will have to present a new value equation to potential customers from Europe and Asia if they want to participate in the accelerated shift that is coming," said Kimberly Rodriguez.

VW to Partially Idle Mexican Plant from end of June until early August

The global slowdown in car sales is forcing Volkswagen to shut down parts of its Puebla assembly plant in Mexico beginning from next week and until early August. Union spokesman Arturo Monter was quoted by Reuters as saying that the temporary idling of parts of the factory would help preserve jobs and aid the German firm in making adjustments to the assembly lines.

Currently Volkswagen's only factory in North America, the Puebla plant produces cars like the New Beetle, Bora and Bora Variant models, with most models being exported to the U.S, Canada and Europe.

HS Motorsport VW Scirocco 'Remis': Limited Edition with up to 320HP

The VW Scirocco seems to be a huge hit among German European tuners as we see new proposals coming out by the dozen. The tuner's at HS Motorsport even created a special edition version of the German coupe called 'Remis' that will be produced in a limiter run. Using the Scirocco with the 200HP 2.0-liter TSI engine as a base, the tuner offers the Remis in two guises, with outputs of 290HP and 320HP. Both variants come with a newly developed exhaust system that promises to notify your neighbors every time you come home.

Other mechanical mods include a new H&R coilover kit and upgraded brake system from Brembo, plus 20-inch black alloy wheels with white outer rims that are shod in Vredestein rubber (245/30 ZR20).

Of course no tuning proposal is complete without styling updates and as such, HK Motorsports has outfitted the Scirocco Remis with a complete bodykit consisting of a carbon-fiber front and rear bumpers, and side skirts. The Remis is offered exclusively in a two-tone color scheme that combines a white body with a black rooftop.

Interior appointments include front and rear Recaro bucket seats and full leather treatment with special door panel inserts.

Skoda's Fabia Monte Carlo Anniversary Model Packs Style but Lacks Punch

VW Group subsidiary Skoda is celebrating the 100 years of the Monte Carlo Rally as well as its own 110 year-long involvement in motorsports with the presentation of the Fabia Monte Carlo, a special edition version of the five-door hatchback model with bespoke exterior and interior styling cues.

On the outside, the Czech special gets extensive piano-black trim covering the front grille and spoiler lip, wheel arch add-ons, side skirts and mirror housings. Furthermore, the Fabia Monte Carlo boasts a black roof, tinted windows and headlights, complemented by 17-inch Trinity alloys for the UK or 16-inch Comet rims for the rest of Europe.

Inside, customers can choose between all black or red and black sport seats which provide additional side support. In tone with the exterior’s color scheme, designers opted for black roof lining and leather steering wheel with red stitching, accompanied by leather handbrake and shifter knob. Silver footrests and steel pedals round off the interior upgrades.

Based on the Ambiente (SE in the UK) trim level, the special edition model will be available with an extensive, market-differentiated engine line-up, including the 86/105 hp 1.2-liter TSI petrol and 75/105 hp 1.6-liter TDI diesel engines, all coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The Fabia Monte Carlo will make its first public appearance at this year’s Monte Carlo Rally (January 19-22), while its show premiere is planned for the Geneva Salon in March. Depending on the market, orders will be taken from January 24 (UK) or beginning from February.

Born in the USA: 2012 VW Passat, Previously known as NMS, Revealed Ahead of Detroit Show

Volkswagen has finally lifted the covers of its New Midsize Sedan [NMS], and it's name is... Passat. In other words, the Wolfsburg-based carmaker chose to retain the Passat name for its new mid size sedan model, which has been specifically developed for the North American market and will be built at the firm's new US plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The four-door saloon model will be launched in the States in mid-August with an entry-level price in the US$20,000 range, according to the company. Final prices will be announced in March. "There is hardly any other saloon of this size (exactly 191.7 inches or 4,868 mm long) that offers such high technology and quality at a comparable price," said Volkswagen in a statement.

As previously mentioned, the new, U.S. market Passat has a length of 191.7 inches (4,868 mm). Its wheelbase is 110.4 inches (2,803 mm) and its width is 72.2 inches (1,835 mm), meaning its size has increased in all three dimensions compared to the previous model. This should translate to increased passenger space over the same-name model it replaces.

The sedan's exterior styling draws its inspiration from the recently launched Jetta, and not from the refreshed, European market, Passat - not that there's a huge difference... Not surprisingly, the interior also looks similar to the Jetta, albeit with more upscale trim.

According to the German automaker, the car’s technology and styling came from Germany, while Volkswagen of America provided the conceptual direction.

Talking about technology (or the lack it...), the entry-level Passat will be offered in the States with VW's familiar 2.5-liter five-cylinder motor producing 170-horsepower, while returning an estimated 31mpg on the highway.

Other engine options will include a more frugal Clean Diesel (TDI) with 140HP and a highway fuel economy of 43mpg, and a six-cylinder petrol engine, the 3.6-liter VR6 with 280-horsepower, which is paired with a standard dual clutch transmission (DSG), returning 28mpg on the highway and completing the 0-60mph sprint in 6.5 seconds.

Buyers in the U.S. will have a choice of three equipment lines: S, SE and SEL. The base version will come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, ESP, ABS with braking assistant, Hill Climb Assist (with manual transmission and DSG), and six airbags

Other standard features include electric windows all round, air conditioning, insulating glass, an analogue clock in the center of the instrument panel, cruise control, outside temperature display with frost warning, radio-CD system (MP3-capable, plus external audio input) and a Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone system (with voice activation).

2012 Volkswagen Passat: Live Photos from NAIAS Plus Driving Footage and First TV Ad

One of the most highly anticipated world premieres of the 2011 NAIAS, the new U.S. market 2012 Volkswagen Passat, turned out to be one of the less exciting -at least in terms of design- introductions of the show. The US-built replacement for the European-sourced Passat literally looks like an extra-large Jetta, which drew its own share of criticism for its uninspired and generic looks. For comparison, we've added a few shots of the Jetta after the jump.

While the design may not be engaging, the car's lower sticker prices will certainly attract more buyers as the new Passat will start from around $20,000 or some $7,000 to $8,000 less than the 2011MY it replaces.

However, keep in mind that while the base 2011 Passat was offered with a modern 200HP 2.0 TFSI, the entry-level 2012MY Passat will come with VW's old 2.5-liter five-cylinder unit rated at 170HP.

Other engine options for U.S. buyers include a more frugal 140HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel that returns up to 43mpg, and a range topping 3.6-liter VR6 with 280HP and a 0-60mph sprint time of 6.5 seconds.

Volkswagen will manufacture the 2012 Passat at its new $1 billion Chattanooga factory in Tennessee, the automaker's first U.S. assembly plant since it shut down its Pennsylvania plant in 1988. The mid-size saloon will go on sale in the States in mid-August.