- New Chevrolet Trax Urban SUV Popular in China – GM: Sales of the new Chevrolet Trax urban SUV have reached 5,354 units since the model was introduced 33 days ago at Auto China 2014 in Beijing. The Trax has rapidly established a solid presence among SUVs priced between RMB 120,000 and RMB 160,000 through its contemporary styling, efficient powertrain and high quality.
- Shanghai GM Shows New Chevrolet Aveo Family Sedan – GM: Shanghai GM recently provided a preview of the new Chevrolet Aveo family sedan, which goes on sale across China in June.
- US: Fiat loses on every electric car – Marchionne – Just-auto: Fiat Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne told a conference in Washington that every electric Fiat 500 the company sells costs it US$14,000.
- Acura to sponsor Seinfeld’s show for 4 more seasons – Automotive News: Acura has signed up to sponsor comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” web series for four more seasons.
- JAPAN: Toyota recalls 466,000 vehicles – Just-auto: Toyota has announced it is recalling 466,000 minivans and cars globally, mostly in the United States, to check for possible faulty brakes and the potential loss of a spare wheel.
- Most Recalled GM Car? Chevy Malibu – WSJ: One family of General Motors’ vehicles stands out for its many recalls. And it isn’t the Cobalt, a compact last produced in 2010 that has become notorious for its place in a scandal over defective ignition switches.
- THAILAND: Sales drop 32% in April – Just-auto: New vehicle sales in Thailand fell by 33.2% to 73,242 units in April, from 109,658 units in the same month last year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries.
- THAILAND: Honda delays new plant, cuts output – Just-auto: Honda Motor plans to delay the start up of the new plant it is building in Prachinburi province in Thailand by up to one year because of the deteriorating market conditions in the country.
- Panasonic to spend double original capex plan on auto batteries this year- exec – Reuters: Panasonic Corp expects to spend over 28 billion yen ($275 million) on capex into its auto batteries this year, twice its confirmed budget, with some to be invested into lithium-ion batteries for Tesla Motor Inc’s electric vehicles.
- Why the mighty Porsche Macan wouldn’t make it onto my driveway – Autocar: The new Macan is a car that certain people will buy because they want a 4×4 as a status symbol, even though they don’t actually need a sports SUV in their lives. Ambivalence is a tricky condition to define. When a car makes me feel that way, it’s normally because I haven’t driven it enough. Not this week.
- Lexus NX crossover goes on sale – Autocar: Order books open for Lexus’ new NX crossover, which has gone on sale with prices starting at £29,495.
- Panasonic wants to be sole battery cell maker at Tesla project -exec – Reuters: Panasonic Corp wants to be the exclusive producer of lithium-ion battery cells at U.S. electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc’s planned multibillion-dollar battery factory, a senior executive of the Japanese company said on Friday.
- New Bentley SUV starts development journey ahead of 2016 launch – Autocar: First test mule for Bentley’s first-ever SUV spotted disguised under Audi Q7 bodywork, as engineers configure electrical and cooling setups.
- Thai unrest spurs Honda unit to cut output and delay new plant – Reuters: The Thai unit of Honda Motor Co has cut production at its Ayutthaya plant to 60 percent of capacity to reflect weak domestic demand, voicing concerns sales may fall short of its target this year after months of political unrest.
- Hong Kong court rejects EY’s case that China law protects mainland audit papers – Reuters: A Hong Kong court on Friday rejected auditor EY’s contention that Chinese law prohibits the mainland partner of the firm previously known as Ernst & Young from passing on documents related to a former China client.
- GM offering free loaner cars for some of its newer recalled vehicles – DetN: General Motors, which is providing about 33,000 rental cars for customers as part of its ignition switch recall, also is offering free loaner cars for some of its newer recalled vehicles such as the 2014 Cadillac CTS.
- Toyota wants to keep randd ties with Tesla, N.A. engineering chief says – Automotive News: Toyota hopes to continue working with Tesla Motors on battery technology even after a battery-supply agreement between the two companies ends this year, Toyota’s head of North American engineering and manufacturing said Thursday.
- Barclays: GM may continue recalls through mid-summer – DetN: General Motors Co. may continue recall announcements into mid-summer as the automaker continues to evaluate data on vehicles, Barclays Capital said in a research note Thursday.
- Toyota recalling 516,000 vehicles worldwide – DetN: Toyota said Thursday it will recall 516,000 vehicles worldwide in three new campaigns for rust and brake pedal issues — as the auto industry heads toward a possible record year for vehicle callbacks.
- U.S. wins WTO trade dispute with China over cars, auto components, report says – Automotive News: The World Trade Organization has ruled in favor of the United States in a dispute with China involving duties and subsidies on cars and auto parts, Bloomberg reported. U.S. officials are set to announce the victory Friday in Washington.
- U.S. charges Japanese executive with price fixing – DetN: A federal grand jury has charged a Japanese executive with conspiring to fix prices on auto parts.
- Volkswagen previews new 496bhp GTI Roadster Concept – Autocar: Gran Turismo video game car to be brought to life at Volkswagen’s Wörthersee fan meet. Volkswagen has issued a series of official design sketches hinting at the appearance of a radical open-top concept car which is set to be unveiled at the Wörthersee fan meet in Austria on May 29.
- U.S. Energy chief says driverless car suppliers may qualify for tech loan funds – DetN: Energy Department Secretary Ernest Moniz hinted Thursday that auto suppliers developing driverless car features could be among the next in line for more than $16 billion in unspent vehicle technology loan funds.
- U.S. senators seek to lift $35 million cap on NHTSA fines – Automotive News: Arguing that federal auto safety regulators cannot impose large enough fines to deter companies like General Motors from sitting on safety problems, a trio of Senate Democrats is proposing that the penalty cap be removed entirely.
- Analyst: GM recall onslaught could last into summer – Automotive News: General Motors’ barrage of safety recalls could last through mid-summer, a Wall Street analyst said today, citing a recent meeting with the company’s executives.
- Senators want end to cap on delayed auto recall fines – DetN: Three U.S. senators introduced legislation Thursday that would lift the $35 million cap on auto recall fines, arguing the current penalties are not effective.
- Fiat Loses $14K on Each 500e Sold – thedetroitbureau.com: One of the gaps in the FCA product line-up is a shortage of hybrid or electric vehicles. However, the company does have one available – the new Fiat 500e – whether CEO Sergio Marchionne likes it or not. Marchionne’s not a big fan because the company loses $14,000 on each one sold.