Currently reading: Autocar confidential: Mazda, Seat, BMW, DS
Our reporters empty their notebooks to round up this week's gossip from across the automotive industry

This week's gossip from the automotive industry brings news of Mazda's future online, Seat's electric car is getting tuned, hydrogen power at BMW and DS's premium badge.

Mazda's online future

Mazda will not rush into selling cars through an online platform, but will instead look to enhance its dealer experience.

Although rival firms like Hyundai are seeing success with online platforms like Rockar, Mazda says it will instead look to build better relationships with its customers in dealerships.

Read more: Mazda MX-5 RF vs used Mercedes-Benz SLK - which is best?

Seat's electric car is getting tuned

Seat is already working on tuning its forthcoming electric vehicle to ensure it delivers the brand’s dynamic characteristics.

Company boss Luca de Meo told Autocar he is determined the new model, which could be based in the recent eMii concept and is due to go on sale in 2019, will feel different from related cars from other VW brands thanks to battery control software unique to Seat.

Read more: Electric Seat e-Mii concept showcases new 2018 tech for manufacturer

Hydrogen power at BMW

BMW will have its first hydrogen-powered model in production in 2025 as part of a modest roll-out of fuel cells, according to development boss Klaus Frolich.

He said the technology was being developed at BMW, but only with use in larger models in mind. The US and Japanese markets are expected to be the most keen to initially adopt hydrogen as a fuel.

Read more: All-electric BMW i8 in the works

DS's future as a premium badge

DS will succeed as a premium brand because of its heritage, according to UK boss Arnaud Leclerc. “We have had authenticity for more than 50 years, and that allows us to bring French luxury to the car market in a way that nobody else can,” he said. The DS name first appeared on a Citroën in 1955.

Read more: DS E-Tense supercar edging closer to production

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scotty5 18 April 2017

'Allo 'Allo

It is I, LeClerc !
sabre 18 April 2017

DS as a premium brand

Mr. Leclerc says: "DS will succeed as a premium brand because of its heritage".
But past DS didn't succeed because of its heritage as a premium brand, it succeeded because of its technological progress. It didn't succeed because of doubtful reliability, which is not welcome for a premium brand. Only much better quality control will make it a viable premium brand. The acquisition of Opel will negligibly contribute in that aspect. Some Japanese heritage may do.
manicm 18 April 2017

sabre wrote:

sabre wrote:

Mr. Leclerc says: "DS will succeed as a premium brand because of its heritage".
But past DS didn't succeed because of its heritage as a premium brand, it succeeded because of its technological progress. It didn't succeed because of doubtful reliability, which is not welcome for a premium brand. Only much better quality control will make it a viable premium brand. The acquisition of Opel will negligibly contribute in that aspect. Some Japanese heritage may do.

They're getting there, if you've been reading lately you'd know they're developing a new sophisticated suspension system that seems very promising. I'm rather optimistic.

I also think they're developing the DS brand late. The C6 from 10 years ago was actually a very good, very beautiful car (to my eyes anyway), which rode very well. I'm sure had they marketed it as a DS it would have sold more. And it had a fab interior.