Archives for June 2014

• BRAZIL: Renault confirms two ‘secret’ new products – Just-auto: During an announcement of a second round of new investments, to follow immediately after the expansion of its São José dos Pinhais, Paraná state plant is completed, Renault-Nissan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn said the time to invest in new products and increase the Renault model range in Brazil had come.
• Hyundai Counts on Alabama Plant – thedetroitbureau.com: The 2015 Hyundai Sonata is just starting to roll off the line at the Korean maker’s Alabama assembly plant – a factory stretched well beyond the production capacity it was designed for.
• Ford F-150 Ranks “Most American” In Annual Cars.com American-Made Index – Via Google News: The ranking takes into account three factors to determine how “American” cars are, including domestic-parts content[1] (percentage of a vehicle’s parts …
• CHINA: Beijing plans big EV charging network – Just-auto: Beijing’s municipal authority plans to build 10,000 public charging stations for electric vehicles by 2017.
• UK: “No plans to sell GT or MG5” – MG – Just-auto: A spokesperson for MG Motor UK has told just-auto that despite revealing a forthcoming sedan to selected media in England last week, there are no plans to sell the car here.
• Chinese SUV Featured in Transformers 4 Will Hit US Showrooms in 2015 – Via Google News: As it happens, the sports utility vehicle that looks like the bastard lovechild of the 2013 MazdaSpeed3 and the Volkswagen Tiguan was featured thanks …
• 2015 Porsche Macan Review: Get Terrific Fuel Efficiency And Unbelievable Power Not Available In … – Via Google News: In an effort to revolutionize their brand of Sports car, Porsche is making their move in converting a large quantity of petrol type vehicles into diesel with …
• Six Auto Models Fail to Live up to Fuel Efficiency Hype, Subject to Fines – Via Google News: Six car models, two locally-manufactured and four imported, failed to meet their fuel efficiency claims and will be charged with a penalty. On June 26 …

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• Takata Airbags Force Yet Another GM Recall – thedetroitbureau.com: Barely a day after ordering the stop-sale of its popular Chevrolet Cruze model, General Motors has announced it will recall nearly 30,000 of the compact sedans because of the risk posed by improperly manufactured airbags. It’s also a black eye for supplier Takata, now linked to one of the largest safety issues ever.
• Lauer Creates Furor Over “Mom” Question for GM’s Barra – thedetroitbureau.com: Was Today Show host asking a critical and valid question — or being a sexist – when he questioned why Mary Barra was named GM CEO, and whether she can handle CEO duties while also being a mom? His interview with Barra has touched off a firestorm.
• GM recalls 194,107 Buicks in China due to headlight issue – Reuters: A joint venture of General Motors Co in China will recall 194,107 locally made Buick vehicles due to Chinese consumer complaints about the cars’ headlights, the country’s quality watchdog said on Friday.
• GM’s current product chief was part of ’05 ignition-flaw debate – Automotive News: A top product-development executive still working at General Motors was involved in deliberations about a deadly ignition flaw kept from the public, newly released documents indicate.
• U.S. Prosecutors Issue Subpoenas in GM Probe – WSJ: Newly released General Motors emails and other documents show a U.S. grand jury is issuing subpoenas for documents and raise questions about the company’s assessment of who was at fault.
• UK: We have to be a Samsung, not a Nokia – Ford – Just-auto: Ford’s global product planning and strategy director, John Stanger, has told a conference on future urban mobility that the company is looking to other industries to learn how fast technological change impacts companies and to ensure that Ford is well-positioned for potentially disruptive change in the automotive sector.
• UK: Sunderland signs GBP295m manufacturing park deal to create 5,200 jobs – Just-auto: Sunderland – home to Nissan in the UK – has inked a deal to establish a GBP295m (US$502m) International Advanced Manufacturing Park designed to attract automotive and hi-tech industries which could create new 5,200 jobs.

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• Hyundai, Ssangyong Face Fines for Overstating Fuel Efficiency – WSJ: South Korea’s transport ministry said it will fine Hyundai Motor and Ssangyong Motor for overstating fuel economy figures of their sport-utility vehicles.
• GM prepares to recall some Cruze sedans with Takata air bags – Reuters: General Motors Co is preparing to recall about 33,000 Chevrolet Cruze sedans with potentially defective air bags made by troubled Japanese supplier Takata Corp, the automaker said late Wednesday.
• GM’s Barra: more recalls possible, done firing workers over faulty switch – NBC – Reuters: General Motors Chief Executive Mary Barra said on Thursday more recalls are possible as the No. 1 U.S. automaker continues to look at data and take action if necessary.
• Daimler and Nissan approve joint Mexico production, report says – Automotive News: Daimler and Nissan have finalized a joint venture deal to build future Mercedes and Infiniti compact cars in Mexico, sources said today as the automakers called a news conference to unveil the plans.
• Honda, Audi, Hyundai and Volvo to get Android platform soon – Via Google News: Android Auto provides a seamless link between your android smart phone and your car’s infotainment system. Android Auto happens to be the first …
• Daimler and Nissan approve joint Mexico production: sources – Reuters: Daimler and Nissan have finalized a joint venture deal to build future Mercedes and Infiniti compact cars in Mexico, sources with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday as the automakers called a news conference to unveil the plans.
• Ram ProMaster City to take aim at Ford Transit Connect – Automotive News: When it arrives in dealerships early next year, the 2015 Ram ProMaster City will give Chrysler Group dealers a small commercial van to compete with the Ford Transit Connect. The front-wheel-drive van will be powered by the same 2.
• Jaguar roars once more with F-Type Coupe – DetN: This vicious, road-eating, ear-splitting cat is the first true sports car that Jaguar has made since the E-Type died off in’74. It is glorious.
• G.M. Holds a Corvette Track Day for Potential Customers – NY Times: The company used Polk data to find the drivers, sent them letters and let them flail new Corvette Stingrays on the track.
• GM Finds Air Bag Problem in Cruze – WSJ: Auto maker says about 33,000 of its 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze compact cars were equipped with air bag inflators that were assembled with the wrong part.
• General Motors Halts Sale of Cruze Sedan Over Takata Air Bags – NY Times: The car company says the mechanics of the air bags may be faulty, causing improper inflation.
• GM dealers stop selling some Cruze sedans with Takata air bags – Reuters: General Motors Co on Wednesday told its North American dealers not to sell an inventory of about 33,000 new and used Chevrolet Cruze sedans from model years 2013 and 2014 because of a potential problem with air bags made by troubled Japanese supplier Takata Corp .
• Renault plans new flagship MPV for 2015 launch – Autocar: Renault plans to head upmarket with its new, plushly equipped, seven-seat successor to the Espace.
• Next Ford Focus RS to get 300bhp from Mustang engine – Autocar: Ford has started development on its long-awaited next Focus RS model, with power coming from its 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine.
• Airbag recall could drive Takata into the red – Automotive News: Takata could face a $500 million charge and a net loss this year — its second in three years — as a widening recall of airbag inflators begins to kindle worries despite its deep pockets.

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• US: Chrysler adds stop-start to Cherokee and 200 – Just-auto: Chrysler Group is adding fuel-saving engine stop-start (ESS) technology as standard on some versions of the 2015 Jeep Cherokee and Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan models.
• GERMANY: Ford Europe adding US Edge to SUV range – Just-auto: Ford Europe, which last marketed a US-made SUV – the Explorer – over here from 1997 to 2001, reckons the new Edge SUV will help it “target a fast growing SUV segment that has doubled in the past five years”.
• Playtime gets revved-up with new 2015 Ford F-150 Power Wheels pickup – DetN: Ford Motor Co. isn’t toying around with the launch of its new 2015 Ford F-150 Power Wheels pickup.
• Lincoln’s Biggest Challenge May Come From Within – Wards: Ford is attempting to revive the moribund Lincoln brand, pouring considerable resources into launching new products, including the MKZ midsize sedan and the MKC CUV. Final Inspection
• JAPAN: Toyota reveals 2015 fuel cell sedan – Just-auto: Toyota has revealed the exterior design and Japan pricing of its hydrogen fuel cell sedan, first unveiled as a concept at the Tokyo motor show last year.
• Toyota to sell fuel cell vehicle in U.S., Europe from 2015 – Automotive News: Toyota’s highly-anticipated hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will debut in the Japan market by next April priced around 7 million yen ($69,348) and go on sale in the United States and Europe by the summer of 2015.
• BMW to Decide on New North American Plant Soon – WSJ: The German luxury car maker will decide before Bavarian summer vacations whether to build a new plant in Mexico or the U.S., its chief executive said.
• British company Ariel reveals premium motorcycle – Autocar: Makers of the super-fast Atom sports car have produced a bike that will cost around £20,000 and features a skeletal frame reminiscent of the Atom.
• Ferrari plans entry-level model – Via Google News: With one of its main competitors, McLaren, already working on a so-called P13 model, an entry-level sports car, Ferrari wants a piece of the pie and …
• Keep computer firms out of your cars – Via Google News: Most car journeys are boring, repetitive events. Flopping into the seat and telling the car to take you to work or the supermarket, while you snooze, …
• Japan bets big on making fuel-cell cars a near-future reality – Reuters: Japan’s government and top carmakers, including Toyota Motor Corp, are joining forces to bet big that they can speed up the arrival of the fuel cell era: a still costly and complex technology that uses hydrogen as fuel and could virtually end the problem of automotive pollution.
• NISSAN GIVES GAMERS 2020 VISION – Nissan: Virtual supercar created to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the legendary Gran Turismo driving game becomes real at Goodwood Festival of Speed

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• UK: Jeep emerging from falling sales, dealer-deserting ‘nightmare’ – Just-auto: Fiat-Chrysler UK’s Jeep brand is emerging from a nightmare of falling sales and dealers fleeing the brand to post nine months of consecutive growth, said UK chief Steve Zanlunghi.
• UK: New Vauxhall chief to redefine brand – Just-auto: Redefining General Motors Europe’s UK brand Vauxhall as a brand is the number one task for new chairman Tim Tozer, who took over the post in February.
• UK: BMW targets fleet buyers with 4 Grand Coupe – Just-auto: BMW GB has completed its 4 series range with the local launch of the Gran Coupé, a model primarily targeted at the fleet market.
• UK: Government survey shows low interest in EVs – Just-auto: A UK Department of Transport study – Public Attitudes to Electric Vehicles – is pretty grim reading for EV makers with only 5% of respondents saying they were thinking about buying an electric car or van.
• Mulally says he’ll advise Fields, stays mum on other post-Ford plans – Automotive News: Outgoing Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he’ll continue to advise his successor, Mark Fields, and remain in touch with the company after he steps down next month.
• BMW tops Porsche’s 911, GM’s Corvette in Consumer Reports review – DetN: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG’s M235i high-performance car has secured the German automaker its highest-ever score from Consumer Reports, beating the costlier Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette in road-test reviews.
• US: NHTSA asks BMW to check Takata airbags in high-humidity markets – Just-auto: At the request of the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, BMW is to inspect Takata airbags installed in 2000-2006 E46 3-series cars sold in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
• Nissan CEO Ghosn earns $10 millon, stays one of Japan’s top-paid execs – Automotive News: Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn earned more than $10 million last year, putting him on track to become the best-paid Japan executive for the fourth time in five years.
• UK: Renault gets Clio boost in Europe’s May sales numbers – Just-auto: Data released by JATO shows that Renault in Europe enjoyed a strong sales boost from its Clio model in May.
• Ferrari to use turbo V-8s, hybrid V-12s to cut CO2 20% by 2021 – Automotive News: Ferrari wants to reduce its fleet carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent by 2021 while simultaneously boosting performance. To do this the supercar maker will use turbochargers on V-8 engines and hybrid systems on V-12s, a top executive said.
• Daimler set to approve Mercedes output in Mexico, report says – Automotive News: Daimler’s executive board will approve in two weeks production of a Mercedes compact sedan and the CLA at a Nissan plant in Mexico, a German press report said.
• New reality show ‘Motor City Masters’ pits car designers against one another – Via Google News: But now comes something many Michigan people are more passionate about — car design. “It is a work of art that takes you places,” said Harald …

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• No apologies from Cadillac CMO – Automotive News: Uwe Ellinghaus is unapologetic about pushing four-wheeled symbols of affluence.
• US: Ford Explorer exhaust gas intrusion under scrutiny – Just-auto: Ford’s popular Explorer SUV is under scrutiny in the US for exhaust gas intrusion into the passenger compartment.
• Nissan, Honda recall almost 3M vehicles over air bags – DetN: Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. recalled almost 3 million vehicles to repair flaws in Takata Corp. air bags, adding to a call back by Toyota Motor Corp. earlier this month.
• Honda, Nissan and Mazda Join Recall Over Faulty Air Bags – NY Times: The expanded recall covers a total of almost three million cars worldwide whose air bags could rupture and injure passengers.
• Are Self-Driving Cars Safe? – Via Google News: The idea of trusting a car to drive itself can be eerie. Though most of us rely heavily on complex technology, we’re also very used to glitches in our …
• Honda, others recall another 2.9 million vehicles over air bag flaw – Reuters: Honda Motor Co and other Japanese automakers on Monday recalled more cars with potentially explosive air bags supplied by Takata Corp, bringing the total recall so far to around 10.5 million vehicles over the past five years.
• JAPAN: Honda, Mazda and Nissan recalls add to Takata airbag woes – Just-auto: Recalls of some 3m vehicles have been announced by Honda, Mazda and Nissan to fix possibly defective airbag inflator propellant made in North America by Japan’s Takata Corporation.
• JAPAN: Government plans subsidies for fuel cell vehicles – Just-auto: The Japanese government has published plans for subsidies aimed at encouraging sales of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Japan.
• CHINA: Great Wall reshuffles top management – Just-auto: Great Wall, one of China’s emerging independent automakers, has replaced three top executives as its sales continue to slump amid new product delays.
• BMW extends joint venture with Brilliance China to 2028 – Via Google News: Brilliance China Automotive Holdings also declined to comment. … its 3-series and 5-series cars in plants run by BMW Brilliance Automotive in China.
• AA lists after private equity sale – FT: Britain’s biggest roadside recovery service is valued at nearly £1.4bn in listing supported by institutions such as Aviva and BlackRock
• Honda, Nissan, Mazda expand recalls over Takata airbag flaw – Automotive News: The recall storm embroiling Takata airbags widened today with Honda, Nissan and Mazda calling back nearly 3 million vehicles to fix possibly defective inflator propellant made in North America.

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