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Toyota Maintains No.1 Position In Brand Value, With Tesla Recording A 32% Gain

The COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years brought industries to a standstill in 2020 as lockdowns were initiated in many countries. Then, as things seemed to get better in 2021, a global shortage of microprocessors (as well as other parts) slowed production, especially of motor vehicles.

Nevertheless, in spite of having tough challenges to overcome and growing waiting lists of customers, the leading automotive brands still saw their brand values rise in 2021. In the Best Global Brands 2022 listing released by US brand consultancy Interbrand, the top 10 brand leaders in the auto sector remained largely unchanged, with increased values last year.

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Hyundai IONIQ 5 Among Best 11 Cars For 2022-2023 Japan Car Of The Year Awards

Although Korean cars are becoming increasingly popular in major markets, including China, around the world, they have not penetrated the Japanese market and it is only this year that Hyundai Motor is returning to Japan. The company tried in 2001 and stayed for 8 years, pulling out after selling only 15,000 units.

It’s not a big market for imported makes as the total share for all foreign brands is only around 8%. With electrification growing, the Korean carmaker believes it now has products that will appeal more to Japanese consumers. Earlier this year, it launched the IONIQ 5 and hydrogen-fuelled NEXO EV. The latter model can be offered as Japan is steadily building a hydrogen refuelling network around the country.

Hyundai’s return seems to have been met more positively this time as the IONIQ 5 has been picked to be among the Best 11 Cars in the 2022-2023 Japan Car of The Year (JCOTY) program. There are 11 instead of the usual 10 because there was a tie. These are essentially the finalists from a list of nominees that had 48 models this year (the NEXO was included as well). It is probably the first time that Korean model is appearing in a JCOTY list as we can’t remember any other occasion in previous years.

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Lancia Delta Evo-e RX To Debut In World RX of Germany Next Weekend

The World Rallycross (RX) Championship has gone electric and since the first round of the 2022 championship in August, teams have been running cars which have been modified with electric powertrains. As in the WRC, the top tiers will run the new RX1e rallycross cars with twin motors, pushing out 500 kW (equivalent to 680 bhp) and 880 Nm of instant torque.

GCK Motorsport, which is entering its first event next weekend, is only starting as it did not make it in time for the first 9 races. However, its entry in the coming World RX of Germany is much anticipated by enthusiasts because Guerlain Chicherit’s GCK Motorsport will be running a car which was first launched in 1987 – the Lancia Delta.

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e:N2 Concept Previews Design Of Next Honda EV Exclusively For China Market

With Chinese being the largest EV market in the world, any carmaker wanting to sell there must have EV models to offer. There is little time to waste as so many brands keep coming out with new models and Honda has already started selling its e:NS1 and e:NP1 electric SUVs earlier this year.

They will be joined by the e:N2 in future and to give an idea of what the second set of models will be like, the carmaker is showing the e:N2 Concept at the Fifth China International Import Expo in Shanghai. By 2027, Honda plans to have 10 models in the e:N series which will be identified by the luminescent ‘H’ emblem in the front .

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Going Where No Porsche 911 Has Gone Before…

For a car that began life associated with the original Volkswagen Beetle almost 60 years ago , the Porsche 911 evolved in a very different way. It is not just an iconic car but the prime representative of German sportscars. Owners use it daily and racing teams push it to extremes on weekends.

Now, another test of the 911’s capabilities will be carried out and this is a very challenging one because it is in an environment hostile to motor vehicles. There are no roads; the air is thin; the temperature is far below freezing; and even plant life can’t survive. It’s on the steep slopes of Ojos del Salado, Chile, the highest volcano in the world.

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Seventh Mitsubishi Motors Outlet In Johor Opens in Kluang

Mitsubishi owners in Kluang, Johor, now have a more convenient location to go to when they need aftersales services or to purchase their next Mitsubishi vehicle. A new Mitsubishi Motors 3S Centre (Sales, Service & Spare parts) operated by K.M. Lim Auto Sdn Bhd has opened in Taman Tasik Indah to serve the surrounding areas.

The new dealership brings the number of outlets in Johor to seven. Nationwide, the Mitsubishi Motors brand is represented by 55 outlets (out of which 50 are 3S Centres) and 56 service centres. In East Malaysia, there are 14 showrooms (7 in Sarawak and 7 in Sabah).

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