Toyota and Suzuki are teaming up to share platforms and parts for markets other than the U.S.   
Suzuki will get two hybrid platforms for Europe.  Toyota will build vehicles on their RAV4 and Corolla Wagon platforms and also supply hybrid powertrain tech to Suzuki for use in other vehicles. 
Toyota will get access to Suzuki's new engine range designed for use under the new stricter EU emissions standards. Toyota will build the engines themselves in Poland. 
The two automakers are working together to build a two new compact vehicles for the India and four for the Africa markets. 


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Toyota and Suzuki are teaming up to share platforms and parts for markets other than the U.S.   
Suzuki will get two hybrid platforms for Europe.  Toyota will build vehicles on their RAV4 and Corolla Wagon platforms and also supply hybrid powertrain tech to Suzuki for use in other vehicles. 
Toyota will get access to Suzuki's new engine range designed for use under the new stricter EU emissions standards. Toyota will build the engines themselves in Poland. 
The two automakers are working together to build a two new compact vehicles for the India and four for the Africa markets. 

Last week, Hyundai released images of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata sedan, but was scant with the technical details.  Today, Hyundai revealed that the 2020 Sonata will ride on a new Third-Generation platform designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and driving performance. The platform underpinning the 2020 Sonata will eventually find its way into other products.
On the safety front, the platform uses super high tensile steel, hot stamping, and a multi-load path structure.  The Multi-load path helps in a collision by increasing the amount of energy absorbed by the structure and reduces intrusions into the passenger cabin.  In a small frontal overlap crash, the tires are designed to move outward to prevent spinning and possible secondary collisions.
To make the Sonata more efficient, the platform directs the flow of air to optimize cooling and heat dissipation. 
Stability and performance is enhanced by lowering the position of the engine and transmission to lower the overall center of gravity.  Dramatically increased lateral stiffness helps with handling agility.  Noise reduction is improved via reinforced sound-absorbing systems. 
Additionally, Hyundai has teamed up with Bose to create a specially tuned premium sound system with 12 channels. The system will use Bose Centerpoint technology to take a stereo signal and convert it to multiple channels. 
Powertrain information still has not been released.
The formal U.S. unveiling of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata is expected at the New York Auto Show next month.
 

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Last week, Hyundai released images of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata sedan, but was scant with the technical details.  Today, Hyundai revealed that the 2020 Sonata will ride on a new Third-Generation platform designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and driving performance. The platform underpinning the 2020 Sonata will eventually find its way into other products.
On the safety front, the platform uses super high tensile steel, hot stamping, and a multi-load path structure.  The Multi-load path helps in a collision by increasing the amount of energy absorbed by the structure and reduces intrusions into the passenger cabin.  In a small frontal overlap crash, the tires are designed to move outward to prevent spinning and possible secondary collisions.
To make the Sonata more efficient, the platform directs the flow of air to optimize cooling and heat dissipation. 
Stability and performance is enhanced by lowering the position of the engine and transmission to lower the overall center of gravity.  Dramatically increased lateral stiffness helps with handling agility.  Noise reduction is improved via reinforced sound-absorbing systems. 
Additionally, Hyundai has teamed up with Bose to create a specially tuned premium sound system with 12 channels. The system will use Bose Centerpoint technology to take a stereo signal and convert it to multiple channels. 
Powertrain information still has not been released.
The formal U.S. unveiling of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata is expected at the New York Auto Show next month.
 

JAGUAR LAND ROVER REPORTS US SALES FOR FEBRUARY 2019

Best February sales month ever for Jaguar Land Rover with 11,616 units sold; up 26 percent from previous best in 2017 Jaguar brand up 59 percent for the year Best February sales month ever for Land Rover brand; up 19 percent for the year (MAHWAH, NJ) – March 1, 2019 – Jaguar Land Rover today reported February 2019 U.S. sales: Land Rover had its best ever February sales month with 8,151 units, an increase of 19 percent from 6,828 in February 2018; Jaguar sales were 3,465­­­ units, a 59 percent increase from 2,185 units in February 2018. Jaguar Land Rover total February U.S. sales reached 11,616 units, a 29 percent increase from 9,013 units in February 2018. 
“We are pleased to have achieved our best February retail month ever for Jaguar Land Rover in the U.S.,” said Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO, Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC. “This result was driven by the continued sales momentum of the Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Jaguar XE and F-PACE.”
U.S. MODEL HIGHLIGHTS
Land Rover
The Land Rover brand reached a new February sales high of 8,151 units, an increase of 19 percent compared to 6,828 units in February 2018.
Land Rover Discovery achieved its best ever retail month since March 2017 with 1,039 units sold, up 25 percent from 829 in February 2018 and the Discovery Sport sold 1,283 units, up 86 percent over last year. The Range Rover Sport had its best February retail month, up 18 percent from a previous best of 1,827 units in February 2015.
In the U.S., the 2019 Land Rover model line-up features six models; two within the Discovery family, and four within the Range Rover Family.
The Land Rover Discovery and Discovery Sport – bring new levels of sophistication, desirability, capability and versatility to the Discovery family. With variable five- and seven-passenger seating options in both the compact Discovery Sport and full-size Discovery, this family of vehicles features the latest connectivity technologies, a variety of innovative storage solutions and the same on-/off-road capability Land Rover is best known for.
The Range Rover Evoque delivers Range Rover luxury and refinement in a compact footprint. For 2019, Land Rover offers customers further personalization options, including Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™3,4. 
Bringing a new dimension of modernity and elegance to the Range Rover family, the 2019 Range Rover Velar is designed to fill the white space between the Range Rover Evoque and Range Rover Sport; offering levels of luxury, refinement and all-terrain capability never before seen in the mid-size SUV segment.
For 2019MY the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models evolve with updated interior and exterior design enhancements as well as new driver assistance features.
Jaguar
For the month of February, Jaguar sales were 3,465 units, a 59 percent increase from 2,185 units in February 2018. The award winning Jaguar F-PACE continued to lead the brand’s performance with 1,345 units sold, up 34% for the year.
With the addition of the Jaguar E-PACE and the battery electric I-PACE, the New Generation of Jaguar lineup expands to seven models for the first time in the brand’s storied history, while new model derivatives like the Jaguar F-PACE SVR and the XF Sportbrake Prestige diversify the portfolio offering customers greater choice.
For 2019 the Jaguar ‘PACE’ family of SUVs and crossovers has expanded since the debut of the F-PACE, the brand’s best-selling model. Last year, Jaguar introduced the E-PACE compact crossover, as well as the brand’s first-ever all-electric production car – the I-PACE, mid-size performance SUV.
In addition to the ‘PACE’ family of SUVs and crossovers, the Jaguar brand includes the F-TYPE sports car, the  XE compact sport sedan, XF premium mid-size sedan, XF Sportbrake mid-size wagon and the brand’s luxury flagship – the full-size Jaguar XJ. Each model delivers segment leading driving dynamics, timeless design and the latest connected technologies.
For added peace of mind, every new Jaguar vehicle comes with Jaguar EliteCare, a Best-in-Class ownership package1. This warranty is further expanded for Jaguar I-PACE customers covering the electric battery for 8-years / 100,000 miles and a 70 percent state of health2. Jaguar EliteCare coverage includes a New Vehicle Limited Warranty, Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance and 24/7 Roadside Assistance, each for 5-years or 60,000 miles, as well as Jaguar InControl® Remote & Protect™ connected services for 5-years and unlimited mileage.
Jaguar Land Rover announced in 2017 that from 2020 all new, or significantly updated, models will incorporate some form of electrification either optional or as standard. The company will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across its model range in the coming years; embracing fully electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and mild hybrid (MHEV) vehicles as well as continuing to offer ultra-clean gasoline and diesel engines