Making headlines this morning: Beijing, Mulally, UAW, and more.
- Auto China Opens in Beijing – NY Times: This year’s edition of the biennial show includes many models custom-tailored to the Chinese market.
- BEIJING SHOW: Audi pushes PHEVs for China – Just-auto: Audi has shown the production version of its A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid at the Beijing Motor Show and confirmed that it will build the Audi A6L e-tron (long-wheelbase version) sedan in China.
- BEIJING SHOW: Toyota plans heavy investments in China – Just-auto: Toyota announced it plans a substantial expansion of its production base in mainland China, as it as it looks to make ground on key rivals such as General Motors and Volkswagen in the world’s largest vehicle market.
- Automakers unveil China-focused models in Beijing – DetN: Ford Motor Co. unveiled a new Escort sedan designed in China for global sale at a Beijing auto show that highlighted the growing influence of Chinese tastes on the industry.
- Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV points to a larger crossover lineup – KBB: Unveiled at the Beijing auto show, the Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV indicates that the German automaker is looking to expand its lineup of crossover SUVs with a sporty 4-door designed to rival the similarly conceived BMW X6.
- Ford to name Fields as CEO soon, replacing Mulally – source – Reuters: Ford Motor Co will soon name Chief Operating Officer Mark Fields as successor to Chief Executive Alan Mulally, a person familiar with the plans said on Monday.
- Insider Expected to Succeed Mulally at Ford – NY Times: The automaker is said to have chosen Mark Fields, its No. 2 official, to succeed Alan R. Mulally, possibly before the end of the year.
- US: Ford Mulally successor announcement expected – Just-auto: Ford will soon name Mark Fields its next chief executive officer and reveal when current CEO Alan Mulally will retire from the company, according to a media report.
- Mulally to end ride at Ford; Fields to take the wheel – DetN: Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally, the man credited with saving America’s most iconic auto company, plans to hand over the keys to the Blue Oval this year.
- UAW drops VW vote challenge – DetN: The United Auto Workers union said today it was ending its legal challenge to a union election in February at Volkswagen AG’s Chattanooga plant.
- UAW Drops Appeal on Volkswagen Vote – WSJ: The United Auto Workers union withdrew an appeal before the National Labor Relations Board of a Volkswagen assembly plant vote in Tennessee, allowing the February rejection of union representation to stand.
- US: UAW pulls NLRB Chattanooga vote objections – Just-auto: America’s UAW body says it has withdrawn its objections with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), relating to what it referred to as “interference by politicians” in elections for Volkswagen Chattanooga workers.
- Julian Blissett Appointed Executive Vice President of Shanghai GM – GM: Julian Blissett has been appointed Executive Vice President of Shanghai GM, effective May 1, 2014. He will also be a member of the Shanghai GM Executive Committee and report to Matt Tsien, GM Executive Vice President and President of GM China.
- SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai steps up green car programme – Just-auto: Hyundai Motor said it planned to target a greater share of the rapidly expanding market for low and zero emission vehicles, following the launch of the fuel cell electric Tucson SUV last week.
- BEIJING SHOW: VW launches e-mobility campaign for China – Just-auto: Volkswagen Group is to start an electro-mobility campaign in China spearheaded by the electric up! and e-Golf models. VW Group CEO Dr Martin Winterkorn hailed it as the “biggest initiative for e-mobility in China’s automotive history”.
- GM seeks court protection against ignition lawsuits – Reuters: General Motors Co filed a motion in a U.S. court to enforce an injunction contained in its sale order, which GM says bars plaintiffs from suing the reorganized company for any claims related to its predecessor.
- Dodge turns 100, Honda ad turns tragic – Automotive News: Dodge is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a campaign for the Challenger featuring individuals born circa-World War I.
- Tesla’s Delays Upset Some China Buyers – WSJ: A group of disgruntled Tesla customers in China is protesting delayed deliveries of their cars one day before the electric-vehicle maker is set to make its first China delivery.
- Audi TT Offroad Concept foreshadows Q4 crossover model – KBB:
- Audi has made no secret of its plans to expand the next generation of its TT model lineup, which was introduced last month in Geneva.
- BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept previews upcoming luxo flagship – KBB:
- Offering an early look at what we could well see in the next-generation BMW 7 Series — or possibly a range-elevating 9 Series model — the BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept was unveiled at Auto China 2014 in Beijing.
- Volkswagen Golf R 400 Concept: A dream that could come true – KBB:
- As promised, the Volkswagen Golf R 400 Concept made its high-intensity debut in Beijing offering a look at the potential lurking within the production Golf R model.
- 2015 Jaguar XK Final Fifty will say farewell in style – KBB:
- Jaguar has confirmed that with the arrival of the new F-Type, next year will be the last for its veteran XK Series.
- Buick’s Big Turnaround is No Fluke – KBB:
- The 2009 forced-closure of Hummer, Pontiac, and Saturn was a tough pill to swallow for the General Motors faithful, and an especially baffling decision for some who questioned Buick’s survival.
- Volvo shows new Inflatable Child Seat Concept – KBB: Intent on creating a viable alternative to a conventional child seat that can provide all of the requisite protective characteristics but be far lighter and more compact when not in use, Volvo has developed a revolutionary variation on the basic theme.