Ferrari ups profits while cutting production (2013) CAR report

Eyebrows were raised in May 2013 when Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo confirmed to a group of journalists, including CAR’s own Ben Barry, that the illustrious supercar maker wanted to slow its production rate and sell fewer cars in 2013. The strange-sounding order was decreed to help the brand retain its exclusivity, yet despite the gastric band on output, the Ferrari boss insisted profits could be upped. Impossible?

Audi to build cars in Mexico

Volkswagen Group has settled on Mexico as the location for a factory for Audi. The Audi supervisory board decided in favor of Mexico over a site next to VW's factory in Chattanooga, Tenn., which opened last year to build the VW Passat. The Mexico plant will provide a boost to the VW Group’s sales prospects and manufacturing operations in North America, where its light vehicle output rose 25 percent in 2011 to a record 542,363 units.

Mitsubishi Compact Crossover revealed

The new Mitsubishi Compact Crossover Mitsubishi is working to re-align itself in the market place. It wants to be seen as a manufacturer of ‘environment-friendly passenger cars & crossovers’ instead of an SUV focused manufacturer. It sees cars like the i-MiEV, Colt, Lancer, Grandis and Outlander as the future, although it intends remaining in the ‘Authentic off-roader’ segment with cars like the Shogun.