- RUSSIA: “Serious concern” from AEB as auto sanctions rumours fly – Just-auto: Russia’s Association of European Businesses (AEB) is expressing its “serious concern” surrounding reports Moscow could target the automotive sector in a burst of retaliatory sanctions.
- China Accuses Daimler of Price Manipulation – WSJ: A Chinese regulator uncovered evidence of monopolistic behavior by Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz, according to a government official quoted in state-owned media, amid new scrutiny of foreign luxury car makers.
- Cadillac Working on Possible CLA, A3 Fighter – thedetroitbureau.com: It’s turning into a busy season for Cadillac, what with a string of new product launches ahead and a new global boss, the luxury division is contemplating entering into a new segment: small sedans. Competing with the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA could critical to its growth outside the U.S.
- CHINA: FAW-VW faces probe into suspension fault – Just-auto: Quality inspectors in China have launched an investigation after receiving complaints from owners of Volkswagen Sagitar models over broken rear suspension control arms.
- No Fast Cash from Porsche, Appeals Court Rules – thedetroitbureau.com: Dozens of hedge funds looking for a payoff from the controversy surrounding Porsche’s failed 2008 bid for Volkswagen AG suffered were shot down in court: again. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by the funds that claimed to suffer big losses over Porsche’s attempted takeover.
- Maine woman sues GM after suffering burn from heated seat – DetN: A Maine woman who says she suffered a third-degree burn from a heated seat in Chevrolet Suburban has sued General Motors.
- China cars: limited partners – FT: China has found Mercedes-Benz guilty of price fixing, but the government’s fiddling in the car market has not worked as planned
- Newspaper: Russia mulls car import restrictions – Via Google News: Russia may impose import restrictions on foreign-made cars if European and US sanctions are expanded further, according to a local newspaper.
- Inside the Re-Engineering of Volvo – WSJ: Volvo next week will unveil its first model developed under Geely’s ownership, testing whether a Chinese firm can run with Germany’s luxury-auto makers.
- China finds Mercedes-Benz guilty of price fixing: Xinhua – Reuters: Germany’s Mercedes-Benz has been found guilty of manipulating prices for after-sales services in China, the official Xinhua news agency reported, adding to pressure on foreign carmakers in the world’s largest auto market.
- Americans Aren’t Sure How to Feel About Driverless Cars – Via Google News: Americans were optimistic about the potential benefits of traveling in a driverless car. The survey found people believed automated cars would reduce …
- CHINA: Mercedes-Benz ‘guilty’ of aftermarket price fixing – reports – Just-auto: Media reports in China say that Mercedes-Benz has been found guilty of vertical price fixing in the aftermarket by the anti-monopoly investigation launched by Jiangsu Price Bureau.
- Russia may ban car imports if West applies new sanctions, report says – Automotive News: Russia may ban cars imports if the West applies additional sanctions on Moscow over its involvement in Ukraine, a daily newspaper reported.
- UPDATE 1-Russia may ban car imports if West applies new sanctions-Vedomosti – Via Google News: Vedomosti reported that a ban on vehicle imports was among additional proposals put before Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he had …
- China finds Mercedes guilty of price fixing, report says – Automotive News: Mercedes has been found guilty of manipulating prices for aftersales services in China, the official Xinhua news agency reported. Foreign automakers have been under scrutiny in China amid reports by state media that they are overcharging consumers.
- SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai considers new investment strategy in China – Just-auto: Hyundai Motor is considering a new investment strategy in mainland China involving two additional vehicle plants, according to media reports in South Korea.
- China: billionaire auto executive wants increased competition – Via Google News: Li Shufu, the Chinese billionaire chairman of both Volvo Cars and local automaker Geely Automobile, said the government should open the …
- GM and the year of record recalls: what’s in it for consumers – Via Google News: The number of General Motors recalls in 2014 has reached 66, and the rest of the car makers are ringing up the recalls as well. “This is the all-time …
- China says Mercedes-Benz fixed prices – FT: German group is latest multinational carmaker after Audi and Chrysler to face Chinese scrutiny and threat of fines over pricing of spare parts, repair and maintenance
- Subaru in Capacity Crunch as 600,000 U.S. Sales ?Feasible’ – Wards: The ascendant Japanese brand will have to wait another two years before additional capacity comes on line at its sole U.S. plant in Lafayette, IN.
- Volvo to launch ‘symbolic’ new model – FT: Swedish carmaker to unveil a make-or-break model, the XC90, as it bids to double sales, in test for the global ambitions of the Chinese car industry
- Russia May Ban Car Imports if West Imposes New Sanctions, Sources Say – Via Google News: Ilya Naymushin / ReutersRussian mechanics work on an Arctic Trucks all-terrain vehicle, based on the Lexus LX570 car, at an assembly shop of the …
- Falling used-vehicle values threaten recovery – Automotive News: The long-awaited decline in used-vehicle prices has finally arrived, only it may turn out to be steeper drop and a bigger threat to the overall market than almost anyone expected.
- Dude, where’s my Escalade? – Automotive News: Cadillac dealers nationwide are frustrated over the choppy rollout of the ’15 Escalade, the first redesign of the luxury barge in eight years.
- Chrysler purchasing chief faces tall order – Automotive News: So much for Tom Finelli’s honeymoon phase as Chrysler Group’s new purchasing chief for North America. The protégé of the late and highly respected Dan Knott has little time to win the trust of wary suppliers.
- Crash rule threatens Aston Martin, dealer says – Automotive News: Aston Martin’s U.S. stores could be put out of business when a new federal safety rule lands next month, a top dealer said in a petition.
- No key ring tags, GM tells dealers – Automotive News: In its recall-induced quest to strip customers’ key chains of any dangling tchotchkes, GM has raised the alarm about promotional key tags.
- Global unrest worries Detroit’s Big 3 carmakers – DetN: Cars and trucks are selling at a brisk pace in the United States at a pace not seen since before the recession. But political turmoil and economic uncertainty in South America, Russia, Thailand and the Middle East have automakers worried about selling cars, losing money, protecting workers and recruiting new suppliers.
- Mercedes-Benz found guilty of part price fixing in China – CarNewsChina.com: The Chinese government is investigating major car makers on accusations of price fixing and breaking anti-monopoly laws. In a new development the local Chinese governments are going after the embattled car makers too. Mercedes-Benz has been reportedly found guilty of vertical price fixing of car parts by an anti-monopoly investigation launched by the Jiangsu Province […]
- Volvo to Release SUV, First Under Chinese Ownership – WSJ: Volvo next week will unveil its first model developed under Geely’s ownership, testing whether a Chinese firm can run with Germany’s luxury-auto makers.
- Plaintiffs Attorneys Chosen in GM Ignition Suit – WSJ: Two attorneys who sued Toyota over unintended acceleration in vehicles will join a Texas lawyer in suing General Motors for economic losses, personal injury or deaths tied to the auto maker’s recall of a defective ignition switch.