Innoson Motors stops production, sack of workers imminent due to Dollars scarcity

At a factory in southeast Nigeria, dozens of new white buses stand at the end of the production line, apparently ready to take on some of Africa’s toughest roads.

Unfortunately for Nigeria’s main domestic vehicle assembly firm, they are going nowhere for now.

In an economy starved of dollars because of the slump in oil prices, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) cannot buy imported components, leaving the buses without engines – a metaphor for the problems afflicting Africa’s most populous nation - Nigeria.

Crossover-Based Hyundai Santa Cruz Truck Deemed Too Soft for Australia: Report

If you were hoping to get behind the wheel of Hyundai’s upcoming Santa Cruz mini-truck, we hope you’re not an Aussie. According to a report from Motoring, Hyundai deemed the soft, crossover-based Santa Cruz not suitable for the Australian market.

Hyundai Australia COO Scott Grant confirmed to Motoring that the tiny truck will not see duty in Oz, claiming the Santa Cruz is not up to the task of dealing with those who use trucks in the rugged areas of Australia. “The Santa Cruz is not in any way suitable for Australia, therefore it is not even being considered for this market,” Grant told Motoring. “From our point of view we want a proper HiLux, Ranger, Navara type of product, and the Santa Cruz won’t work for us. It’s too small and lightweight. We just don’t think it’d sell – Australian consumers won’t go for it.”

More details and pictures after the cut

Toyota Chief Engineer Wants Supra Name for Joint Sports Car

There’s no question Toyota is jointly developing a new sports car with BMW. There is some uncertainty, however, about what it will be called. Many would like to see the Toyota Supra name return to the lineup, including Toyota’s own chief engineer Tetsuya Tada.

In an interview with CarAdvice, Tada said, “I love the Supra and I love the Supra name.”

Honda Looks to the Revamped Acura NSX to Fire Up Its Brand

With its aggressive design and six-figure price tag, Honda Motor’s revamped NSX is a far cry from its “cheap and cheerful” Civic sedans, but the automaker is betting the sports car launched in Japan on Thursday will turbo-charge its brand image.

The new NSX, jointly developed by Honda’s  HMC 0.07%  U.S. and Japanese engineers and produced in the United States, marks the revival of the model after the automaker stopped production of the “Asian Ferrari” in 2005. First launched in the 1990s, the model redefined the supercar genre by marrying a high-performance sportscar with everyday driveability.

OMG: New From Honda, Developing 11-Speed Triple-Clutch Transmission | What Do You Think?

Just when you thought 8- and 9-speed automatic transmissions were ridiculous, Ford and General Motors (GM) announced a 10-speed. As if that's not enough, then Honda takes the lead as of late patent a 11-speed, triple clutch transmission. Though many car makers are adding more gears to transmission for improve fuel economy, and swapping in dual-clutch units for conventional torque-converter automatics. With this announcement the Japanese company is surely ready to take the lead , as it recently applied to patent an 11-speed transmission with three clutches.

TOYOTA PRIUS: Toyota unveiled it's 2017 Plug-in Hybrid, The Prius Prime (Photos)

The world’s hybrid vehicle leader unveiled the latest addition to its lineup with the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, the ultimate version of the iconic hybrid. The Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid with 22 miles of electric range, an ultra-efficient hybrid powertrain, unique styling and features the most advanced technology ever seen in a Prius. The second plug-in in the Prius’ 19-year history, Toyota expects the Prime to boast an MPGe rating of 120 or above, making it one of the most efficient cars on the road. More Pictures Below