Car Torque: Rolls-Royce, Holden, Subaru, Nissan news

Rolls-Royce will build off-roader
It’s official: Rolls-Royce will build a sports utility vehicle (SUV). The company announced the development of the new model in an open letter to customers and media this week, stating that it will offer “the luxury of a Rolls-Royce in a vehicle that can cross any terrain.”

The letter contains few technical details about the car but does emphasise that it will be based on a brand-new aluminium architecture, putting to rest speculation that such a model might have been based on the platform of the forthcoming BMW X7 from Rolls-Royce’s parent company.

The letter also reminds customers that Rolls-Royce has a long tradition of overland competition and durability. The brand’s reputation was partly built on early-20^th century events such as the Scottish Reliability Trials and the Alpine Trials.

Speculation has already begun on when the new model might be launched and what it might be called. Industry commentators are picking 2017 as the earliest possible launch date.

New appointments at Holden
Holden New Zealand has made two new senior appoinments. Sean Tupp is the new general manager sales, while Stephen Matthews is now general manager aftersales. The pair replace Nick Martin, who has returned to Holden Australia, and Terry McEwan, who has retired after more than 40 years at the company.

Mr Tupp has been a familiar face at European Motor Distributors in recent years, including his most recent post as general manager of Skoda.

Mr Matthews has been in the car industry for 36 years, including time at BMW. He joined Holden eight years ago.

Subaru Boxer hits 15 million mark
Production of Subaru’s signature horizontally opposed engine layout – otherwise known as the boxer – has reached 15 million units since it was launched 49 years ago.

The first Subaru to be powered by a boxer engine was the 1000 from 1966. Since then, horizontally opposed engines have powered the majority of Subaru production models. The company claims the horizontally opposed layout allows the engine to be mounted lower in the engine bay, reducing the centre of gravity and improving handling.

Japanese car unions demand raise
Japan’s car workers are demanding raises for the next financial year, following predictions of a ¥4 trillion annual profit from the industry. Eleven unions have joined together in asking for a 6000 yen ($NZ67) monthly increase in wages, beginning in April. The Confederation of Japan Automobile Workers Unions has more than 760,000 members.

Thanks partly to a weakened yen that boosts overseas sales, record earnings are expected this year from Toyota, Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru), Mazda, Mitsubishi and Suzuki.

Nissan Leaf now glows

The paint is spray-applied and absorbs UV energy during the day so that it glows for eight to 10when the sun goes down. Nissan is the first carmaker to directly apply glow-in-the-dark paint at the factory. It’s intended to highlight the environmental advantages of using solar power at home to charge an electric vehicle overnight.