This week's snippets of automotive news include news on the Vinfast A2.0 saloon launch, the new Suzuki Jimny and Peugeot's chief executive on new WLTP emissions testing.
Peugeot's chief executive on WLTP:
Peugeot chief executive Jean-Philippe Imparato took a dig at other manufacturers’ homologation delays and unsold models due to the recently adopted Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) emissions legislation. He said: “We didn’t have to stop production. We didn’t have to store stock. We didn’t have to buy airports to park loads of unsold cars in. We were ready.”
Vinfast A2.0 saloon launch:
Vietnamese car manufacturer Vinfast wheeled out David Beckham to launch its new A2.0 saloon and SA2.0 SUV at Paris – but we reckon they missed a trick. Given Kia got Robert de Niro to endorse the Kia e-Niro, surely Vinfast should have signed up actor Vin Diesel rather than the footballer?
The new Suzuki Jimny:
Suzuki’s UK boss Dale Wyatt says it has had 4500 people sign up on its website as “interested” in the new Jimny, a first for the brand. That’s 150% of the previous model’s best annual volume. The problem for Suzuki is going to be the number it can build, because demand in Japan has been “staggering”. Wyatt is looking at 1100 cars in the first year and then 2000 per year thereafter.
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