New Denza EV brand to be launched by Daimler-BYD joint venture

Mercedes-Benz sources have confirmed that Daimler and BYD Auto's Chinese joint venture is set to launch Denza, a new zero-emissions brand. The first Denza will be unveiled at next month's Beijing motor show and is based on the underpinnings of the first-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class W245. The car's design is believed to have been undertaken by Daimler's Advanced Design Center in Beijing, led by Olivier Boulay.

BMW X4 confirmed – one more time

It was always going to be on the cards after the unexpected success of the X6, but the birth of the BMW X4 – a coupé version of the new X3 – has been the subject of endless rumours, almost since the X6 started to sell in unexpected numbers. We reported as far back as April 2010 that BMW were close to deciding an X4 was a no brainer; after all, with a lot of the world ‘downsizing’ their transport, a smaller X6 should be a seller. By this time last year we heard that BMW had already made the decision and we had it on good authority that the X4 was confirmed and signed-off and would be heading to showrooms by 2013.

Rolls-Royce wants to make an electric Phantom

Rolls-Royce boss Tom Purves has revealed he wants to build an electric Phantom By Gavin Green Motoring Issues 23 October 2008 11:21 Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves would like to make an electric-powered Phantom. ‘Many of our customers do small mileages exclusively in the city,’ says Purves, who took over the helm of BMW-owned Rolls-Royce in July 2008. ‘For these customers, an electric Rolls-Royce would be ideal.’Purves has just driven the new electric Mini, which debuts at next month’s Los Angeles auto show, and was ‘bowled over by it.