The Geneva Motor Show, which takes place every March, is a fantastic litmus test for the automotive industry. Three years ago, just after the economic crisis hit, the show was a muted affair, and there was a distinct low-key presence of 4x4s. Since then however, carmakers have dusted themselves down and started looking forward. There’s a continuing trend for going ‘green’ with alternative fuels, in particular electric, all the rage. So from the gas-guzzling image of the past, 4x4s are now looking as respectable as the Queen’s butler. And with that new polished image is the belief that we all want vehicles that can go anywhere, anytime and in any weather. So there seemed to be a proliferation of SUV and crossover style vehicles.

Jaguar Land Rover has reached an agreement with the Chery Automobile Company on a proposed joint venture in China. This is a significant move by JLR and the joint venture is said to include manufacture of JLR branded vehicles, engine manufacturing and the establishment of a brand new research and development facility.

Chery Automobile is actually a relatively ‘new’ car manufacturer, having only been founded in 1997, so linking with a premium brand like JLR must represent a significant step forward in the company’s development. In 2011 Chery products (which include cars, SUVs as well as engines and transmissions) saw the company record sales of 643,000 units, making the company the sixth biggest in China.

Pictures of the third generation of the very popular Hyundai Sante Fe have been released. Code-named the DM in Korea, the new model will make its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show this April. Despite the code-name, Hyundai will be keeping the Sante Fe name for the new model, which was first seen in 2000. Impressively, the total sales of the 4×4 is around 2.56 million units. The new look, which from these pre-release pictures looks very conservative, follows Hyundai’s design concept with the much more dynamic title of ‘Storm Edge’. The company talks about “sophisticated and refined lines, which are in harmony with bold and voluminous surfaces, completing a more aggressive and classic look than its predecessor.” It would appear that the third generation is going to be ‘softer’ than the original design concept, but will again offer good value for money and good carrying capacity – both for people and their luggage.

After receiving a good response at the recent Geneva Show, the new Volkswagen Passat Alltrack will be available in UK showrooms at the end of May. The Alltrack has VW’s 4MOTION four-wheel drive system, and a raised ride height, which VW claims will give it ‘greater agility off-road’. The UK will have two available models; a 2.0-litre TDI 138bhp with six-speed manual gearbox, which is priced at £28,475, and a 2.0-litre TDI 168bhp with six-speed DSG transmission, priced at £31,025. 

THE 1,000,000th Land Rover Discovery has left its ‘birthplace’ in Birmingham, to make a ‘Journey of Discovery’ by driving to Beijing in China – one of Land Rover’s fastest growing markets, and the country of an exciting new joint venture (see News page 13). The journey will be a 50-day, 8000 mile trip and will end at the Beijing Motor Show on 23rd April. The promotional tour also allows Land Rover the the opportunity to launch its ambitious fund-raising project for the company’s Global Humanitarian Partner, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) which aims to raise £1million to support a water sanitation project in Uganda.