AutoNews24

■ Bernhard Bauer, the former Managing Director of CUPRA Germany, has been appointed as the new Managing Director of CUPRA USA

■ The Ineos Grenadier will be built again from January 2025! ■ After a break in September, Ineos plans to resume production of the Grenadier in January 2025, as the parts crisis has been resolved. Since mid-September 2022, Ineos has been manufacturing vehicles at the former Smart plant in Hambach, near Saargemünd. However, in mid-September 2024, the company announced that it would have to halt production on the assembly lines. This pause affects both the Grenadier off-road vehicle and the Quartermaster pick-up. The reason for the stoppage is the unavailability of a crucial component from a supplier. Ineos did not specify which supplier or component was responsible for the delay. ■ According to information from the trade magazine "Automotive News Europe," the seat manufacturer Recaro, based in Kirchheim unter Teck, Germany, filed for bankruptcy on July 29, 2024. While Recaro was temporarily placed under self-administration, Ineos sought a new seat supplier for its models. Since the start of production, Ineos has installed Recaro seats as standard in all its models. ■ The Ineos Grenadier is an off-road utility vehicle designed and produced by Ineos Automotive. It went into production in October 2022. The Grenadier was designed to be a modern replacement of the original Land Rover Defender, with boxy bodywork, a steel ladder chassis, beam axles with long-travel progressive-rate coil spring suspension (front and rear), and powered by a BMW B58 inline six turbocharged engine. #IneosGrenadier #Ineos #Grenadier

Germany ■ Tradition and Innovation, Autohaus Markötter

■ Porsche Reveals the Most Fashionable 993-Gen 911 Turbo Ever Made! This one-of-a-kind 911 is the most recent collaboration between Porsche and fashion brand Aimé Leon Dore. By Joe Kucinski ■ Every generation of the Porsche 911 Turbo is iconic, but arguably none is more attractive than the 993-gen Turbo — and now, one example is pickup up some stunning updates, thanks to Porsche and New York-based fashion and lifestyle brand Aimé Leon Dore. It marks the fourth collaboration between the brands — and the beauty is more than skin-deep, thanks to some upgrades borrowed from the 993-gen 911 Turbo S. ■ Eagle-eyed readers may notice that this car is also fitted with the exhaust, front splitter and rear wing that normally found only on the 993 Turbo S model. However, don't let that fool you: this car does retain the 408-horsepower, 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat six engine from the regular Turbo. Open the door, and you see that the Mulberry Green color scheme continues on the inside, with the hard seatbacks painted in that eye-catching color. The rest of the interior is a combination of dark brown leather, lambswool and gold accents. Open the frunk and you'll be greeted by the same leather-and-lambswool combination. ■ Another unique feature of this build: the shift knob. It's not the usual leather with an aluminum cap showing the six-speed shift pattern you'll find on most 993-generation 911s; instead, the shift knob in this car is designed to look like the World's Fair Unisphere in Queens, New York. (Why? Aimé Leon Dore was founded in that borough.) If you want to see the car in person, it will be on display at the Aimé Leon Dore London Flagship store at 32 Broadwick Street in Manhattan on November 22-23. Sadly, we doubt they'll let you drive it out of there, no matter how much money you wave under their noses. #Porsche #Fashion #911 #993 #Turbo #TurboS #AiméLeonDore

GuestCommentary&more! ■ China's Innovations Shaping the Future of the Automotive Industry! Prof. Dr.  Stefan Bratzel, Founder and Director CAM  ■ Dear Automotive Enthusiasts, In this eighth edition of the AutomotiveCOMPASS, we turn our focus to the dynamic Chinese automotive industry, spotlighting the innovations shaping the domestic market. While some brands and models may be less familiar to European audiences, they exemplify cutting-edge advancements that deserve global attention. Today, we present three standout innovations introduced by Chinese manufacturers, complete with our evaluation using the Innovation Index. These examples showcase the ingenuity and rapid technological progress driving China’s rise as a key player in the future of mobility. ■ Let's Collaborate for the Future of Mobility At the Center of Automotive Management (CAM), we are deeply invested in researching and driving the innovations that will define the next era of mobility. Whether it's Electric Vehicles (EVs), software-defined vehicles, autonomous driving, or mobility services, our expertise shows the future of the mobility industry. If you're interested in exploring partnerships or collaborative research opportunities, we'd love to hear from you. Contact me at: [email protected] #SAIC #GWM #BYD #GAC

MotorPeople&more! ■ Benjamin Zajda is a dedicated manager and oversees the Audi and VW brands as an authorised signatory at Auto Bach in Germany, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate. ■ Live @ Car Auction ■ Benjamin Zajda and his team attended the Audi used car live auction in Neckarsulm. ■ Last week, my team of leaders and buyers, along with me as the brand manager for Audi and Volkswagen, which specialises in used cars, had the opportunity to participate in the annual Audi GW live auction in Neckarsulm. This event is not only a highlight of our calendar each year but also provides an excellent opportunity for us to conclude the year together as a team and begin the next phase with renewed strength. ■ More than 2,400 vehicles were auctioned this year, a remarkable figure highlighting this event's importance and dynamism. ■ Benjamin Zajda stated, "We always value the opportunity to connect with colleagues from other car dealerships and have direct contact with Audi AG. This event goes beyond just an auction; it serves as a gathering place for professionals in the Audi used car sector to meet, share experiences, and learn from one another. It is this collegial exchange that makes the GW Live Auction truly special." He added, "A big thank you to Audi for organising this event and to my team, who show dedication and passion every day. We are already looking forward to next year!" #Audi #Gebrauchtwagen #AutoBach #Autohaus #Auction #Teamwork #Automobilhandel #Auktion

GuestCommentary&more! ■ Professor Jim Saker, regular Automotive Management contributor and president of the Institute of the Motor Industry

■ Join us for the weekly Sunday Automotive Retail Career, Hiring, and Job Special at AutoNews24!

■ Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, are strategising with other car manufacturers on how to make a delicate request of Trump!

■ The used EV market is rapidly maturing. BY Colin Velez, Dealership Guy