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Mercedes considering Mexico for CLA production

Would you buy a Mercedes-Benz if it were made in Mexico? That's what the German outfit is wondering, as it considers localizing production of the its new budget model at a factory operated by Nissan, of which the automaker is a joint-venture partner.
According to a report from Automotive News, moving production of American-spec CLAs from Hungary to Mexico would protect Mercedes from currency fluctuations. "Mexico is the best location for the United States," Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche told AN. The CLA is also expected to become the brand's volume model in the US market, which makes North American production a logical move.
In the event that Mercedes approves the plan, Nissan would expand the capabilities at its Aguascalientes, Mexico plant, allowing production to begin in 2018.

Nissan, Mitsubishi confirm plans to invest in Renault EV unit Ampere

PARIS — Renault's longstanding alliance partners Nissan and Mitsubishi confirmed plans to invest in the French car maker's electric vehicle unit Ampere and use it to develop EVs for the European market, the companies said on Wednesday. After years of contentious partnership, the announcement on Wednesday confirms that the new alliance between the three automakers is smaller and more pragmatic, focusing on regional cooperation. Nissan and Mitsubishi confirmed they would invest respectively up to 600 million euros ($647.46 million) and 200 million euros in Ampere, which has been carved out from the rest of Renault and is due for a public listing next year. Nissan will become "a strategic investor" in Ampere, Makoto Uchida, CEO of the Japanese car marker told reporters, adding the company may use the EV unit's software and connectivity innovations in other markets outside Europe. "Developing electric vehicles all over the world alone would be very challenging," he said. Ampere will develop and manufacture an electric version of the compact Nissan Micra for the European market and a medium-sized electric SUV for Mitsubishi. Renault CEO Luca de Meo said Ampere will cut the costs for the Micra for Nissan by 50%. The alliance partners also confirmed their joint projects in Latin America and India. In September, Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi ended their common purchasing agreement, which they said would allow them to focus on individual projects and adapt more quickly to regional differences in automotive markets. At the end of July, Renault and Nissan finalised the terms of a restructured alliance after months of negotiations. Talks dragged on for months longer than expected due in part to Nissan, which was concerned about protecting its intellectual property in future collaborations. Related video: Earnings/Financials Green Mitsubishi Nissan Renault Electric

Nissan Juke Nismo RS sets world record for driving on two wheels

Motorcycle enthusiasts live by the epithet "two wheels good, four wheels bad." But what about when the two good wheels happen to be on a four-wheeled vehicle? And what, we might add, happens when said four-wheeled vehicle is trying to breaka a Guiness World Record? Well, you get the latest stunt from the Goodwood Festival of Speed. In between the vintage, occasionally crashy racers and modern metal, the British division of Nissan sent stunt driver Terry Grant out onto the famous Goodwood circuit in a Juke Nismo RS, where he ran the entire course while driving on two wheels. Really, you need to see it to believe it. But while the feat itself is truly impressive, what's most entertaining is the typically droll commentating of the British announcers. They're basically talking about this car in much the same manor as you or I might discuss the weather. Never mind that this is a small crossover driving 1.16 miles, along a twisty course, on just two wheels. While the distance is impressive, Grant also made the journey at a pretty reasonable speed. He completed the run in just two minutes and ten seconds. That means he had to average over 30 miles per hour across the entire course... while driving on just two wheels. You'll want to take a look at the video at the top of the page, just to experience and enjoy a truly impressive piece of driving.