Tour – All about car

In this week’s collection of motoring murmurs, we hear why BMW isn’t building another B-Class rival, how Hyundai is ready for any market eventuality, and more. Munich’s MPVs make way for high-riders Don’t expect to see a replacement for BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer and seven-seat Gran Tourer, at least for some time. BMW’s product management vice-president, Peter Henrich, claims the current MPVs have “done an excellent job in bringing new customers to our brand” but are now “not at the centre of what our brand today stands for”. “We will see about moving Gran Tourer customers to our SUVs,” he added. Volkswagen tightens its grip on power Volkswagen sales boss Jürgen Stackmann says the firm has no concerns over battery supply limiting its ability to produce 100,000 ID 3 electric cars per year from 2020 onwards. Some car firms are struggling to secure enough batteries to meet demand, but Stackmann said VW’s supply was secure “as far as you have security in life and business. We will have stable and good supply for the volumes we want to build.” Volvo grabs the green pump Volvo won’t follow Mercedes down the diesel hybrid route, according to UK operations director David Baddeley. “There will either be petrol, petrol hybrid or full battery electric,” he said. “Go back two or three years and we were 98% diesel in the UK. Now we are 60% diesel and moving quickly. You’ve got to anticipate these changes.” Hyundai: Fail to prepare, prepare to fail… New Hyundai UK boss Ashley Andrew claims the allure of the brand is that it has “completely future-proofed itself, whichever way it goes” in terms of powertrains. “If the market goes towards battery-electric vehicles, we have them; if it goes towards hydrogen quickly, we’ve got that. Not only that, we’ve got the intellectual
Origin: Autocar confidential: Hyundai won’t be caught short, BMW ends its ‘Gran Tour’ and more

The Hot Rod Power Tour is an amazing event put on by Hot Rod Magazine that sees enthusiasts from all over the United States – and even Canada – take part in a seven-day road trip across America, stopping at race tracks and car shows along the way. For the participants, it can be an awesome week of cruising with hundreds of other like-minded modified classic car nuts. But unfortunately, on this year’s Tour, there have been an unlucky few who have had their trips ruined by car thieves. One of the victims, the owner of a modified 1984 Monte Carlo, couldn’t believe that it was actually happening: “I thought it was a joke. Like, I really thought it was a joke,” Garrett Reed told the Charlotte Observer. “I didn’t get to make any memories in my car. Reed has been working on his car for the past nine months, and says he’s put countless hours into it; he also said it’s worth over $50,000. The Monte Carlo was stolen outside of the hotel parking lot in University City where he was staying. Another victim also had his truck stolen from the lot of his hotel, the Drury Inn. Roger and Debbie Bentley drove in from Dayton, Tennessee for the tour in their 1994 Chevy Silverado. “I was going to keep it and use it every year for the Power Tour. It was that nice of a truck and that much of a joy to drive,” Roger Bentley said. “I’m holding out hope that they’ll find it. The vehicles are insured, but that doesn’t reimburse the owners for the blood, sweat and tears that went into these highly customized and personalized builds. A Facebook group has been started for those that have had their vehicle stolen from the Hot Rod Power
Origin: Multiple classic cars stolen on Hot Rod Power Tour road trip