The biggest auto news around the globe – May
Across the Americas, Asia and Australasia, the big-breaking stories in May were all about SUVs, EVs, luxury sedans and performance cars
After many teasers and spoilers, May saw Volkswagen launch the Taos – a new SUV to compete with the Jeep Compass, the top-selling model in Brazil’s medium SUV segment. And given the strength of the segment and brand, it was the top story for the month.
The launch follows Volkswagen’s recent strategy of simplifying model ranges. Just like the Nivus compact crossover that launched last year, the new Taos will only have two versions in the Brazilian market, both with a 110kW 1.4 TSI turbo-petrol flex-fuel engine, front-wheel drive and six-speed automatic gearbox.
Encar.com (South Korea)
A brand-new large sedan, the Kia K8, topped the stories in Korea last month. After unveiling the K8 in February, Kia announced that the all-new model would become the successor to the K7, which is known as the Cadenza in some markets.
The first model to debut after the second-largest South Korean manufacturer changed its company logo in January, the K8 emphasises new design, technologies and more.
It looks cool, but should the K7 badge have been discontinued? What are the reasons behind Kia changing the name from 7 to 8? Let’s find out!
carsales.com.au (Australia)
Aussies love a big SUV and the Toyota LandCruiser holds a special place in local off-road folklore. Little wonder, then, that the biggest story Down Under in May was news around the next generation, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.
The global unveiling of the 300 Series has just taken place, but back in early May we were still speculating on the details of the new Toyota eight-seater.
carsales wrote: “Sources with knowledge of the project have confirmed the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series will be the first vehicle to use the manufacturer’s new-generation TNGA ladder-chassis scalable platform architecture, which will provide the building blocks for the new Toyota Tundra full-sized US pick-up truck, the next-gen Toyota Prado and eventually the all-new Toyota HiLux by 2025.”
Were we right? You should all know by now.
Chileautos.cl (Chile)
News of the launch of the battery-electric MINI Cooper SE was the top story in Chile.
MINI chose the Chilean market as the first in Latin America to get the electric MINI, with a successful online presale of 15 units.
MINI expects the Cooper SE will be the spearhead in terms of electromobility, followed by hybrid models that will arrive later this year. Watch the chileautos team’s coverage of the official rollout of the battery-powered MINI.
Soloautos (Mexico)
It was a hot hatch that grabbed the soloautos audience in Mexico with news the Spanish performance brand CUPRA has launched the Leon.
One of the top and fastest hot hatches in the industry, the CUPRA Leon arrives as the third model for the brand in Mexico. It hits the premium sports car segment in terms of performance and handling, but with significantly lower prices than established models.
Mexico has a very good relationship with CUPRA and is number four for sales for the brand outside of Europe. The world´s first CUPRA Garage was established in Mexico City.
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