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From €13,000 to €1: How a Bugatti Owner Outsmarted the System

The cost of keeping a supercar on the road has always been high, but one Bugatti Veyron owner recently proved that it doesn’t always have to be astronomical—if you’re smart, well-connected, and a little bit lucky.

Carl Hartley, director of a high-end supercar showroom in the UK, shared a cautionary yet amusing tale from the world of hypercar ownership. His Bugatti Veyron—an icon in modern automotive history and the first production car to break the 1,000-horsepower barrier—developed a minor issue: the adjustment wheel on the exterior mirror became loose.

A trivial problem by everyday car standards, but not when you own a Veyron.

Upon visiting an authorized Bugatti service center, Hartley was quoted an eye-watering £9,500 plus VAT—roughly €13,300—for the repair. The reason? The official fix reportedly required a full replacement of the door trim, mirror motor, and wiring harness, all due to a single small switch.

But rather than hand over the sum, Hartley decided to challenge the system.

Leveraging connections in the motorsport world, including a friend with Formula 1 experience, he discovered a far simpler—and significantly cheaper—solution. With Bugatti being part of the Volkswagen Group, many of its components are shared with less exotic models. A replacement wheel sourced from a genuine Volkswagen parts kit cost just over €1. The fix took 20 minutes. The bill? Nothing—his friend refused to charge for the job.

“It’s ridiculous when you think about it,” Hartley remarked. “They were quoting me more than thirteen grand for something we solved with a one-euro part and a bit of time.”

His story underscores a broader issue facing owners of aging hypercars. While the upfront cost of owning a Veyron easily exceeds one million euros, the long-term maintenance costs can be even more daunting. Between specialized service, rare parts, insurance, and sky-high fuel consumption (at top speed, the Veyron drains its tank in just 12 minutes), the expenses can exceed €250,000 over the car’s lifetime.

For many, it’s the price of admission into an elite club of automotive aficionados. But as Hartley’s experience shows, even the world’s most exclusive machines are not immune to absurd repair costs—and sometimes, common sense and a few connections can trump the official route.

So next time your mirror adjustment wheel acts up, maybe skip the dealer—unless you’re okay with trading a one-euro fix for a five-figure bill.

Source: Carscoops

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The Hidden Cost of Owning a Million-Euro Hypercar
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Ford Executive Says Car Buyers Are Moving Beyond Horsepower

In a bold reflection of the automotive industry’s shifting priorities, Ford Motor Company’s Vice President, John Lawler, has drawn a clear line under what once defined car culture: the powertrain. At a recent industry conference, Lawler stated that the era when buyers obsessed over horsepower, torque, and engine displacement is rapidly disappearing.

“For years, the mechanical aspect has been one of the trademarks and the central pillar that automakers have used to promote their vehicles,” said Lawler. “I don’t think consumers think about powertrains the way they did 30 years ago.”

The rise of electrification, he explained, is fundamentally altering how people think about cars. Where once turbocharging and fuel injection were major selling points, today’s buyers are prioritizing factors like software integration, design, efficiency, and sustainability. The traditional engine—a symbol of power and prestige for over a century—is quietly taking a back seat.

A New Era of Decision-Making

This transformation isn’t just technological—it’s cultural. Consumers are becoming more focused on how a car fits into their connected, environmentally conscious lifestyle than how fast it goes from zero to sixty. Lawler emphasized that hybrid and electric models are reshaping performance expectations, delivering instant torque and smooth power delivery without the fanfare of a roaring engine.

“Electric motors increase the overall powertrain power and provide immediate torque,” he noted. “We’re seeing a completely different way of understanding vehicle performance.”

Strategic Shifts and Global Competition

But the evolution isn’t without its challenges. As legacy automakers adjust to new consumer expectations and regulatory demands, the rise of Chinese manufacturers looms large. With aggressive development timelines, sophisticated software, and strong electric vehicle (EV) offerings, Chinese brands are becoming formidable global competitors.

“China will be a force to be reckoned with globally,” Lawler warned. “And we will have to compete with them on every front—from development speed and software capabilities to electric architecture.”

To remain competitive, Ford is exploring new alliances, including the possibility of co-developing internal combustion engines for select markets. The goal: reduce costs, accelerate innovation, and better position the company against rising Asian competitors.

Beyond the Chinese Market

Lawler also issued a candid warning about the limits of relying too heavily on China as a growth engine. “Today’s large automakers can no longer survive solely on profits from the Chinese market,” he stated. Diversification, adaptability, and global readiness are now key to survival in a rapidly changing industry.

John Lawler’s remarks underscore a deep transformation in the automotive world. As electric vehicles gain ground and consumers redefine what matters in a car, the industry’s traditional icons—the roar of the engine, the thrill of torque—are giving way to silence, software, and strategy. Ford’s message is clear: adapt, innovate, or fall behind.

Source: Ford

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Refreshed Ford Territory Launches in Brazil with Updated Styling and Tech

In the ever-evolving world of global car branding, Ford’s “Territory” nameplate is once again making headlines—this time in a new guise and refreshed for 2025. Though the name may spark memories of the now-defunct Australian crossover based on the Falcon, today’s Ford Territory is an entirely different creature. Built in China and known domestically as the Equator Sport, the SUV has carved out a niche for itself in export markets like South America, where it continues to grow in popularity.

This month, Brazilian buyers will be the first to experience the facelifted Territory, a mid-cycle refresh that subtly but effectively updates the SUV’s appearance and features. While maintaining the same overall dimensions—measuring 4,685 mm (184.5 inches) in length—the revised model debuts a redesigned front fascia. Gone is the split headlight design, replaced with a sleeker, more upscale grille adorned with a chrome-accented pattern. Both front and rear bumpers have been re-sculpted and now include body-colored inserts, offering a more refined aesthetic.

Along the sides, changes are minimal, but noticeable. The SUV rides on new 19-inch alloy wheels and features chrome-finished door handles. For now, Brazil will receive only the Titanium trim, Ford’s flagship version of the model.

Inside, the updated Territory continues with its digital-first design, retaining the dual 12.3-inch screens that form its digital cockpit. New upholstery color options and trim materials add a touch of freshness to the cabin, although the overall layout remains consistent with the outgoing version. Full equipment details are still under wraps and are expected closer to launch.

Mechanically, the facelift doesn’t reinvent the wheel. The SUV will continue to be powered by a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged engine, delivering 166 hp and 260 Nm of torque. The powertrain is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and drives only the front wheels. Notably, the plug-in hybrid option available in China will not be offered in Brazil—at least for now.

The updated Territory made its public debut at the Interlagos Festival in São Paulo, where Ford highlighted the model’s growing success. In fact, sales of the Territory in Brazil quadrupled last year, surpassing 5,000 units. The automaker hopes that the facelifted version will keep the momentum going, especially in the competitive midsize SUV segment.

While official pricing has yet to be revealed, the current model starts at R$ 215,000 (approximately $38,900). The new version is expected to remain in a similar range, with potential for modest increases depending on feature upgrades.

Looking ahead, Ford plans to roll out the refreshed Territory to several additional markets beyond Brazil, including Argentina, Mexico, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia—underscoring the model’s role as a key global player in Ford’s crossover strategy.

In a market that values both affordability and premium feel, the Ford Territory’s evolution demonstrates how a familiar name can be reborn across continents—adapting to new expectations, but still recognizable in spirit.

Source: Ford

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Refreshed Ford Territory Launches in Brazil with Updated Styling and Tech

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