Andrei Costea
343 ARTICLES
Personal motto:
Drive quick through turns, they're dangerous! - his driving instructor
His favorites include the 60s-70s American muscle cars, 80s-90s Italian super cars and contemporary mean machines like the Murcielago or the 599 GTO. He dreams that one day he'll have the opportunity to drive alongside renowned racers on a track, or at least do a time attack in a reasonably priced car on BBC's famous show Top Gear.
Chrysler-Badged Lancias Come to the UK
19 Dec 2010, 19:17 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Fiat announced it would bring the Lancia Delta and the next generation of Lancia Ypsilon city-cars under the Chrysler brand in the UK. The Delta will be available from June and will include almost no modifications as compared to a Chrysler, except ...
GM Pondering Cadillac Plug-in Hybrid
19 Dec 2010, 17:32 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Cadillac is developing a plug-in hybrid vehicle that will use the same range-extender technology as the Chevrolet Volt, according to media reports from Detroit, cited by just-auto. As reported, GM would attempt to revive its plans to develop a Buic...
Land Rover Discovery 4 Armoured Keeps You Away from Danger
18 Dec 2010, 15:21 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Land Rover expands its range of factory-supported armored vehicles with the introduction of its new Discovery 4 Armored. The model replaces the outgoing Discovery 3 model, offering the same great off-road capability and level of protection, but an ...
GM's US Marketing VP Gets Promoted
18 Dec 2010, 15:18 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / General Motors announced on Friday that Joel Ewanick has been appointed Global Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Ewanick had joined GM at the end of May 2010, taking the role of vice president of U.S. marketing. Before that, the executive had been wor...
Honda Fit Recalled for Headlight Issue
16 Dec 2010, 16:25 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Honda said Thursday morning it is recalling more than 1.3 million Honda Fit vehicles globally for potential headlight problems. The American division said that in the US alone, a total of 143,083 vehicles from the 2007 and 2008 model years are affe...
Mercedes Benz Leaks Details of 2012 C-Klasse Coupe on Facebook
16 Dec 2010, 15:52 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Although Mercedes-Benz has been very discreet about its 2012 C-Class Coupe, the company has revealed some new information about the model. As part of its "Tweet Race to the Big Game" announced earlier this week on Twitter and Facebook...
BRIC Countries to Produce 37% of Global Output by 2016
16 Dec 2010, 15:14 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / The sustained growth of world auto industry led by Brazil, Russia, India and China will continue until 2016 the least, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) presented at Brazilian automakers association Anfavea’s year end pres...
Opel's Antwerp Plant Made its Last Opel Astra
16 Dec 2010, 14:21 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Opel's Antwerp production line spawned its last Astra yesterday (December 15) as speculation on the future of the Belgian plant continues to confuse the media. GM, the Belgian government and European Union representatives, all seek a buyer for...
BMW Wants to Sit and Watch Market Reactions to EVs
16 Dec 2010, 12:55 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / While most automakers seem to follow the eco-mobility trend, some remain skeptical about whether the market is ready for EV adoption or not. BMW, launching its electric car program in 2013, said it would wait to see if the first EVs enjoy a warm we...
Homemade Electric Doohickey Makes us Drool
16 Dec 2010, 12:53 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / The internet is filled with videos of home made electric vehicles and other silly contraptions that follow the recent trend of green mobility, but just a few of the bunch manage to impress like George Fortin's electric kart. Fortin had buil...
MINI Gets Involved in Extreme Winter Sports
16 Dec 2010, 10:51 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / BMW owned British icon MINI announced a partnership with renowned snowboard manufacturer Burton for the 2011 winter season. The brand will also be continuing its involvement with Austrian energy drink producer Red Bull, which is focused on the Red ...
Renault Offers New Fixed Price Service Plan in the UK
16 Dec 2010, 10:08 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / In these times of economic uncertainty, automakers try to provide their customers with financial peace of mind and some longer term money saving. Renault customers in the new year will benefit from a new three-year/30,000-mile fixed price Renault S...
BMW Connected Keeps You in Touch with Your Facebook Account
16 Dec 2010, 09:34 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / BMW is now offering selected iPhone applications in a BMW for integrated use in the vehicle. The new capability enhances the BMW ConnectedDrive package and underlines BMW's leading role in the field of in-car integration technology. The fea...
2012 BMW 1 Series Gets Minor Updates
16 Dec 2010, 08:40 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / BMW is giving its entry-level model a light revision for the 2012 model year. The 1 Series coupe and convertible will receive several sporty modifications. Don't expect a power increase, though, as this little sportscar already gives all it�...
First Mercedes Benz B-Klasse F-CELL Delivered to US Customer
16 Dec 2010, 07:36 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Automakers are battling amongst themselves in a race towards eco-friendly mobility and a sustainable society. The first Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt were delivered just days earlier and now it's the Europeans' turn to begin deliveries o...
First Chevrolet Volt Delivered in the United States
15 Dec 2010, 18:01 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / With Chevrolet Volt deliveries just started, people are queuing up to at least catch a glimpse of the first mass produced and mass marketed extended-range electric vehicle. Retired airline pilot Jeffrey Kaffee on Wednesday became the first customer...
Volkswagen Recalls 377,000 Cars For Fuel Leak Hazard
15 Dec 2010, 15:56 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Volkswagen AG announced it would recall more than 377,000 vehicles over concerns that a faulty windshield washer reservoir could cause fuel leaks. The recall involves approximately 228,236 2007-2009 MY Volkswagen Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen built...
Toyota Yaris Gets UV Protective Front Windows
15 Dec 2010, 15:08 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Toyota announced that the front door glass in its redesigned Yaris (Vitz in Japan) reduces ultraviolet (UV) penetration by approximately 99% and claims its use is a world first. The new model is scheduled for launch at the end of this year. When...
Nissan and Mitsubishi Are in a Relationship and It's Complicated
15 Dec 2010, 13:44 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Nissan's relationship with Mitsubishi is stretching even further, the two manufacturers discussing development of a one-ton pick-up truck to be built in Thailand. This means that future generations of the Navara and Triton could share the same...
Volvo Appoints New Head of Product Strategy and Vehicle Line Management
15 Dec 2010, 12:22 UTC · By: Andrei Costea / Volvo's new Chinese owners continue to make changes to the company's management team, appointing Lex Kerssemakers as head of product strategy and vehicle line management as of January 1. After 25 years of experience at Volvo, having held ...