Car News

Audi is preparing to extend its SUV line-up with several “sporty” and “exclusive” models such as a TT SUV, and Q6 and Q8 derivatives. Speaking at the Detroit motor show, Audi board member for technical development Ulrich Hackenberg began by explaining that a naming rights issue is central to the reason the company is calling its compact model the Q1 in two years’ time, and is now looking into an SUV version of the TT instead of a potential Q4.

At the Detroit motor show this time last year, Cadillac chief marketing officer Uwe Ellinghaus spelled out the future of his rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan platforms in no uncertain terms. “[Future] platform and component sharing is the name of the game to reduce costs,” the German-born ex-BMW executive told CarAdvice.

Jeep says it’s working to address its growing customer dissatisfaction in Australia as the number of product recalls reached record levels last year. Jeep issued 14 voluntary safety recalls last year, 11 of which were for the popular Grand Cherokee (six affected the 2014 model). Fiat Chrysler Australia issued 16 recalls in total in 2014. Global Jeep CEO and president Mike Manly said work has already started on improving customers’ aftersales satisfaction.

Alfa Romeo will be going straight for BMW with its future products as it seeks to upscale its new range of upcoming models. The brand’s global boss, Sergio Marchionne, told the media at the Detriot Motor Show today that Alfa Romeo was “pretty much dead on BMW” and that the German brand was within “shooting range” when the Milan-based brand unveils its 3 Series rivaling sedan later this year.

Bentley has used the 2015 Detroit motor show to confirm that its first SUV will be christened the Bentley Bentayga. This news confirms a report in November by Dutch outlet Autovisie.