FT.com: Audi to relaunch A2 city model with ‘apps’

Audi is developing a “revolutionary” new version of its pioneering but defunct A2 model that would allow drivers to download mobile phone-like “apps” to customise the car’s interior, features and driving style.

The car, in addition to its downloadable features, would be electric-powered, ultra-lightweight and designed for use in “megacities” with populations of 5m to 10m or more, a senior executive at the German carmaker told the Financial Times.

FT.com: Audi to relaunch A2 city model with ‘apps’

Tata Motors Plans to Build Jaguar, Land Rover Models in China

Tata Motors Ltd., India’s largest truckmaker, plans to build Jaguar cars and Land Rover sport- utility vehicles in China as it seeks to cut costs and expand sales of the luxury brands in emerging markets.

Tata bought Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008 from Ford Motor Co. for $2.5 billion. The Mumbai-based company, including the newly combined U.K. luxury-vehicle division, returned to annual profit in the last fiscal year as truck and bus sales rose in India and Jaguar Land Rover reduced its workforce and scaled back spending to achieve a pretax profit.

Read more, @BusinessWeek

KLM Economy Comfort Product with Ramana at Manchester Airport T2

Smile! This is a new guerilla marketing campaign for KLM. Spread the virus!

UAL and Continental agree to merge: Love is in the air

THE announcement of a merger to form the world’s largest airline, with the capacity to carry nearly 150m passengers a year, might once have caused a flurry of excitement. But the $3 billion all-share deal to bring together United Airlines (UAL) and Continental Airlines was greeted on May 3rd with a politely stifled yawn. Industry rivals, employees of the two carriers and even consumer advocates—all potential losers from the combination—expressed mild misgivings but concluded that such consolidations were a sign of the times.

Vi@www.economist.com

United and Continental Agree to Merge

United Airlines and Continental Airlines on Monday announced a $3 billion merger that would create the world’s biggest airline.

The all-stock deal would form a coast-to-coast American behemoth with a leading presence in the top domestic markets, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, along with an extended network to Asia, Latin America and Europe.

More at, NYT: United and Continental Agree to Merge