Nissan considers Foxconn EV output to save Oppama from closure, Nikkei says
Nissan's Oppama plant, which employs about 3,900 workers, has been a potential consolidation target in the struggling Japanese carmaker's restructuring plans, but the floated idea of producing Foxconn-brand EVs at its idle assembly lines could preserve the jobs and supplier networks, Nikkei said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
Ferrari Just Won Back the Rights to ‘Testarossa' After a 7-Year Legal Battle
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Ferrari came dangerously close to losing the rights to one of its most iconic names. But now, the courts have ruled in its favor. After several years of legal wrangling with a German toy company, the legendary badge remains in Maranello's hands. While Ferrari's business model may rub some enthusiasts the wrong way, it's hard not to be glad they won this round. The Battle Over the Testarossa Name Source: Bring a Trailer In Italian, Testarossa translates to 'red head'. In the autosphere, Testarossa is synonymous with Ferrari, referring to one of their most beautiful creations ever. The long, wide, side-straked wedge from the 1980s. Some argue it's even prettier than the new Ferrari Amalfi. But since 2017, Ferrari no longer holds the rights to the name. That's because Autec AG, a toy company based in Germany, applied to register 'Testarossa' for its own products. The company argued that Ferrari hadn't used the Testarossa name in a 'general use' for over five years, which could result in cancellation under EU law. Ferrari fought back, but in 2023, the Fifth Board of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) upheld the original decision. The board found that selling replacement parts and accessories wasn't enough to qualify as 'general use' of the trademark. How Ferrari Turned the Case Around Source: Bring a Trailer Fortunately, the story didn't end there. On July 2, 2024, seven years after the original case, the EU General Court overruled the earlier decisions. Because pre-owned Testarossas are sold through Ferrari's official resale network, Maranello may retain the original trademark, stating that 'when reselling second-hand goods, such use is capable of constituting 'genuine use' of that mark within the meaning.' In the court's eyes, this was more than enough to prove the name hadn't been abandoned, even though the last new model to carry it rolled out of Maranello in 1991. A Win for Heritage and Trademarks Source: Bring a Trailer The decision marks a win not just for Ferrari, but for other automakers who continue to support their vintage models without putting the nameplates back into production. And if Ferrari ever decides to bring back the Testarossa name, it'll be doing so with the full weight of its heritage, and now, with the legal rights to match. About the Author Marnus Moolman View Profile
Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
Toyota's New Engine Family: Here's Why Rivals Should Worry
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. A new Toyota engine lineup is causing competitors to double-take for more than one reason Many of today's powertrain developments are in the electric vehicle (EV) realm, but Toyota is expanding the limits of gas-powered engines. The automaker's next-gen engine lineup includes 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter sizes, which are entirely different from its previous internal combustion engines (ICE), leveraging more lightweight and compact designs. Toyota's new 1.5-liter achieves a 10% weight and volume reduction compared to the company's current 1.5-liter, while the new 2.0-liter offers similar gains to the existing 2.4-liter. In turn, Toyota is able to increase fuel economy and lower emissions without sacrificing power. Still, this next-gen engine family's efficiency extends beyond increased mileage and reduced emissions into areas like vehicle segment versatility. Let's take a closer look at how Toyota is giving its rivals increased competition with the innovation of its latest engine lineup. Toyota four-cylinder engine prototype — Source: Toyota Versatility across vehicle segments Flexibility is a focal point of Toyota's next-gen engine family, with the ability to mount longitudinally or transversely and be placed at a vehicle's front or rear. This flexibility supports the development of future, sportier Toyotas, plus the seamless implementation of all-wheel drive (AWD), RWD, and FWD layouts. Toyota can utilize the 1.5-liter engine to suit classes such as compact cars and hybrids, while the 2.0-liter turbo could fit larger trucks, SUVs, and sports models. Hybrid-ready and electrification-optimized 'With these engines, each of the three companies [Toyota, Subaru, Mazda] will aim to optimize the integration with motors, batteries, and other electric drive units,' Toyota said in a statement, according to The Daily Star. Toyota, which owns about a fifth of Subaru and roughly 5% of Mazda, added that its next-generation ICE engine lineup will help decarbonize ICEs by making them compatible with alternative fuel sources, such as e-fuels (synthetic fuels) and biofuels. Toyota four-cylinder engine prototype — Source: Toyota Performance without compromise While smaller engines often evoke thoughts of slower cars, their installation in upcoming Toyotas enables lower hoods, which enhances crucial performance factors such as aerodynamics and contributes to improved fuel economy. The engines' design flexibility also opens the door to Toyota reviving fan-favorite performance vehicles like the MR2 and streamlining the development of the upcoming Celica. American drivers could even see the engines in Gazoo Racing models like the GR Corolla and GR86. According to Toyota engineers who spoke with German publication Auto Motor und Sport, the 2.0-liter is easily capable of exceeding the 400-450-horsepower figure of the mid-engine GR Yaris M concept, or over 600 horsepower with a larger turbocharger. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Final thoughts Toyota's desire to expand the limits of ICEs arrives at a time when many automakers are reducing their investment in the technology. This decision from Toyota, along with its collaborators Subaru and Mazda, could pay off in a significant way by appealing to drivers who are not yet ready for full electrification, whether for reasons like lack of charging infrastructure or personal taste, but still seek improved efficiency. Drivers can also look forward to this ICE technology offering the ability to increase sports car mileage and reduce emissions while enhancing power. Many automakers have decided to stretch ICE production into the 2030s, but Toyota and its partners appear to have a leg up on competitors with this next-gen engine lineup offering innovation in the areas that matter most. About the Author Cody Carlson View Profile
Auto Blog
4 hours ago
- Auto Blog
Here's What The Cheapest Volkswagen Gets You In 2025
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. VW packs a lot of value into its most affordable car The cheapest Volkswagen you can buy depends on where you live. Across the pond, Volkswagen sells a number of affordable subcompacts and compacts that aren't available in the United States. These include the ID.3, the Polo, and the normal Golf (America only gets the Golf GTI and R). This means there are limited options for fans of VW with a tight budget. However, all is not lost, and VW has one model in the USA that still sells for less than $23,000. What is it, and is your money better spent on Toyota and Honda rivals? Let's find out. 0:08 / 0:09 VW will introduce a sub-$20,000 EV, but probably not here Watch More The Cheapest New Volkswagen Is The Jetta S Source: VW Starting at just $22,495, the entry-level Jetta S (note that the 2025 Jetta pictured here isn't the base model) is the most cheapest VW on sale right now. That price excludes any options and the destination charge of $1,225. Not many cars are available this cheaply anymore, and even cheap used cars are vanishing. In this segment, the Volkswagen goes up against the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Both of those rivals are also the cheapest models for those manufacturers; the Toyota starts at $22,325, almost exactly as much as the Jetta, while the Honda begins at $24,595 (2026 model). As all are similarly priced sedans from well-established brands, comparing them is inevitable, and we'll do just that when running through the specifications of the Jetta S, Volkswagen's cheapest car. Design: A Sense Of Solidity VW implemented some neat updates to the Jetta's design for the 2025 model year. New LED headlights, a revised front fascia, and a tweaked rear-end with a light bar are some of them, and they do a good job of keeping the car fresh. Even so, there's nothing jaw-dropping about the design, but the same can be said of all its rivals. The Jetta looks more substantial than most competitors, and that's not just an optical illusion. It's about as wide as a Civic, but the Jetta is nearly two inches longer and exactly two inches taller. The following exterior features are standard on the Jetta S: 16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires LED headlights, DRLs, and taillights Rain-sensing wipers Power-folding mirrors The color palette is basic and includes white, a few greys/silvers, Deep Black, and Monterey Blue. We would have liked to have seen some more wheels on the options menu, but you have to stick with the standard ones. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Volkswagen revised the dashboard for the 2025 Jetta, and it mostly comes across as a successful update. Three horizontal lines now stretch across the dashboard, and there's a standard eight-inch touchscreen display (replacing the older 6.5-inch unit) and eight-inch gauge cluster, so it looks more modern than the analog gauges in the base Corolla. Cloth upholstery is the default on this cheapest Jetta S, with either Titan Black or Storm Gray color schemes. Passenger space is comfortable, and the trunk measures a useful 14.1 cubic feet. Standard 60/40 split-folding rear seats allow you to accommodate longer items. The following features are standard in the Jetta S: Auto-dimming rearview mirror Climatronic Touch dual-zone automatic climate control Leather-wrapped steering wheel Adaptive cruise control Forward collision warning A basic four-speaker sound system is standard, and, while the touch controls for the climate control system look high-tech, they're not as easy to use as the simpler physical switches of older Jetta variants. We gradually got used to them when driving the 2025 Jetta, though. Better sound systems, a larger driver's display, and heated seats are available on upper Jetta trims. You can't add these items on the S, so keep this in mind. Performance: The Manual Is Gone For Cheaper Jettas Source: VW Unless you spend much more on the Jetta GLI, you can't have Volkswagen's sedan with a manual. All models now rely on the eight-speed automatic, paired to a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine with 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. While a base Corolla is more powerful, it's not turbocharged, so the Jetta's meatier torque delivery gives it superior drivability. It takes over seven seconds to hit 60, but that's perfectly acceptable for a car in this class – and at this price point. Only front-wheel drive is available. Fuel efficiency works out to 29/39/33 mpg city/highway/combined for the base Jetta S, so it's not as efficient as the cheapest Corolla (35 mpg combined) or Civic (36 mpg combined), but still quite reasonable. The smaller wheels and tires of the Jetta S help to cushion harsh road surfaces more effectively than models with larger wheels, and the VW handles well. It's not as enjoyable to drive as the Mazda 3 or Honda Civic, though. Other Affordable Volkswagens Other than the Jetta S, you can spend more on other Jetta models like the Sport ($23,775), SE ($25,275), and SEL ($29,000). The SE looks like the sweet spot in the range with features like a power driver's seat, keyless access, CloudTex upholstery, and wireless charging. However, there's another affordable Volkswagen that's worth a look. Volkswagen Taos S ($24,995) Source: VW VW's cheapest crossover, the Taos S retails for almost the same price as the Jetta SE. Being a crossover, it's a more practical vehicle, boasting 27.9 cubic feet of trunk space behind the second row. Its 1.5L engine also has more punch than the Jetta's, with the same torque but more power – 174 hp, to be precise. However, this model isn't as well-equipped as the Jetta SE, lacking the nice upholstery, fancier climate control system and heated seats. Final Thoughts At almost exactly the same price as the cheapest Corolla, the VW Jetta S also provides a solid choice for first-time buyers or anyone looking for a new car that won't break the bank. The Jetta is comfortable, just about quick enough, practical, and is equipped with all the essentials. The Corolla is more efficient, but we'd say the two are on par in terms of specification. Honda charges more for the Civic, with its main benefits being spaciousness and enjoyable handling. For VW fans shopping in this segment, the Jetta S is a no-brainer, but these three cars are too closely matched for one to emerge as the clear class leader. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
