- Saudi government tries to thwart women driving campaign – Reuters. Will use force to stop any protest aimed at overturning the ban.
- New blow to Peugeot as GM alliance scaled back – Reuters. Analyst to Reuters: “Peugeot thought it had found a long-term partner, but the alliance seems to be disintegrating. This leaves a hole in their strategy, and I don’t see how they can fill it. Dongfeng doesn’t really offer an alternative.”
- Output at Czech Toyota/Peugeot car plant set to fall again – Reuters. Makes Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1.
- Ford’s Russian venture sees auto sales flat in 2014 – Reuters. “We are certainly concerned in the short term,” said Ted Cannis, CEO of Ford Sollers, “It’s not a crisis, but it’s certainly not going in the right direction.”
- Peugeot trims GM alliance ambition as sales fall – Reuters. Plans for a joint small-car program with GM “under review.”
- Honda To Unveil Mini Sports Car At Tokyo Motor Show – Nikkei. The Honda S660 CONCEPT is an open-top sports-type mini-vehicle (Kei car). Honda will also show the NSX CONCEPT next-generation super sports model, and the N-WGN, the 4th model of the N Series of mini-vehicles.
- Nissan, Toyota ramping up SUV Production in China – Nikkei. Nissan will more than triple production of two sport utility vehicles in China. Toyota will increase annual output capacity at its FAW joint venture Chengdu plant in Sichuan Province to 50,000 units from a current 30,000 units. Companies anticipate a pickup in demand amid waning anti-Japanese sentiment.
- VW labor leader seeks German-like workers council in Tennessee – Reuters. “Osterloh did not mention the UAW in his conversation with Reuters.”
- Chrysler begins Jeep Cherokee shipments after delay – Reuters, Had been delayed by about two months.
- Subaru maker to double U.S. output capacity – Nikkei. Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. plans to double its production capacity of Subaru vehicles in the U.S. to 370,000 units annually in light of brisk demand.
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