KIA TOPS QUALITY RATINGS

KIA has topped the US list of J.D. Power’s 2016 Initial Quality Study. It is the first non-premium brand to win in 27 years of the study’s 30-year history. Kia’s Sportage and Soul were at the top of their segments, while the Rio, Cerato and Sorento were all in the top-three placings in their categories. The study, which cover 33 brands on the US market, gave second place to Porsche and third to Hyundai.

CAMARO/MUSTANG SHARE GEARBOX

CHEVROLET’S Camaro will share a gearbox with arch-rival Ford Mustang both car companies agree to use General Motors’ 10-speed automatic gearbox. The GM Chevrolet Camaro will use it first late this year, followed by the Mustang a year later. It will also be used on pick-ups from both companies. It’s not the first time the pair have shared components, having paired up to develop the six-speed automatic used in the Chevrolet (Holden) Malibu and Ford Fusion (Mondeo). The reason for the share-game is corporate cost cutting on both sides, a shortage of engineers and tightening emission regulations.

ASTON LOSSES CONTINUE

ASTON Martin has made a £127.9 million ($A228 million) pre-tax loss in 2015. It is the fifth consecutive year of losses. In 2014, it lost £71.8 million ($A128 million). It is blamed on falling car sales and a need to invest in expansion and new technology. It is now in an alliance with Daimler AG to use Mercedes-Benz drivetrains and electronic systems.

BENZ EXECS WORK THE CONCRETE

ABOUT 40 Mercedes-Benz USA head-office managers will spend their summer working at a Mercedes dealer to learn more about sales on the showroom floor. New CEO Dietmar Exler introduced the scheme to learn how decisions made in the corporate boardroom play out in the real world.

NEW GM TURBO

GENERAL Motors has patented a two-stage turbocharger that minimises lag and increases both low-speed and high-speed power. It works by using a low pressure and a high-pressure exhaust manifold duct that guides the airflow depending on engine speed. GM has not said on which engine the new turbocharger may be used but the test engine had four cylinders.

GERMAN CLEAN-UP

VOLKSWAGEN may fit petrol engines with diesel-engine particulate exhaust filters next year in an attempt to reduce emissions for the European market. Sources say the filters may be added first to the 1.4-litre Volkswagen Tiguan and the 2.0-litre direct-injection Audi A5. In September, the European Union will enact new particulate (seen as diesel soot) levels that will be one-tenth of today’s level. Mercedes-Benz is considering a similar move.

By Neil Dowling