- US: Cadillac takes on Merc S Class – Just-auto: Cadillac will launch a new large saloon to rival the Mercedes-Benz S Class and BMW 7 Series.
- CHINA: China levies big fines on Japanese parts makers – Just-auto: China’s regulatory authorities have found a group of Japanese automotive parts makers guilty of price fixing and handed out large fines.
- Estonian company Kia Auto fined by EUR 134514 in Latvia – Via Google News: The Competition Council has fined Estonian joint-stock company Kia Auto, the importer of Kia automobiles in the Baltic countries, for violations of …
- China levies record $200 million fine on Japan suppliers – Automotive News: China has fined 12 Japanese suppliers a record 1.24 billion yuan ($200 million) for alleged price fixing amid one of the broadest investigations since the nation’s antitrust law came into effect six years ago.
- Volvo Car Swings to Profit – WSJ: Swedish auto maker Volvo Car Corp. said Wednesday it swung to a net profit during the first half of the year as car sales increased 9.5% on strong demand in China, Sweden and Western Europe.
- What happens when a Tesla fanboy meets the Mercedes-Benz electric car – Via Google News: But this e-mail was from a stodgy old German car company, not from a brash kid in Silicon Valley. So I decided to take them up on their offer.
- CHINA: NDRC fines Mitsubishi Electric – Just-auto: Mitsubishi Electric saysi it has received an order from Republic of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), on 19 August, for payment of a surcharge amounting to CNY44.88m (US$7.3m).
- US: NGK Spark Plug to pay US$52.1m to DOJ in plea agreement – Just-auto: NGK Spark Plug says it has concluded a plea agreement with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), agreeing to pay a fine of US$52.1m based on charges that it violated antitrust laws in connection with sales of automotive spark plugs and oxygen sensors.
- CHINA: NDRC fines JTEKT for violating Anti-Monopoly Law – Just-auto: JTEKT says it has been fined CNY109.36m (US$17.78m) by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of People’s Republic of China for violation of Chinese antitrust law in relation to some past sales of bearings in Chinese market.
- CHINA: NDRC fines Denso $24.5m – Just-auto: The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China has announced that it decided to impose monetary sanctions on certain automotive suppliers for violation of China’s Anti-Monopoly Law in connection with sales of certain automotive components.
- Toyota Remains Unchallenged Global Hybrid Leader – Wards: Toyota sold 665,740 hybrids in the year’s first six months, 4.1% ahead of last year’s record pace. Honda followed with global sales of 158,696 units, a 105.8% spike, while Hyundai jumped 33% to 27,118.
- Buoyant China lifts Volvo first-half profit – Automotive News: Volvo said it swung to a profit for the first half on the back of sharply rising sales in China and growth in Europe, which more than offset lingering weakness in the U.S.
- NHTSA launches VIN tool to search for recalls – Automotive News: Car buyers and owners can use a vehicle’s identification number to identify open or unrepaired safety recalls with a new search tool released by NHTSA starting today.
- Geely Automobile’s First-Half Profit Falls 20% – Via Google News: Sales of Geely cars fell at home as local consumers shunned domestic brands and dropped abroad amid turmoil in key markets. The company exports …
- Fisker’s rebirth benefits electric vehicle industry – Via Google News: Tesla Motors Inc and Fisker Automotive Inc, both pioneers in the electric car industry, both recipients of grants from the US Department of Energy, …
- The Connected Car, Part 3: No Shortcuts to Security – Via Google News: The connected car is becoming a reality, but the gadget-filled roadways it travels will be paved with several options for in-car technologies.
- GM to build large Cadillac sedan on new platform – DetN: General Motors Co.’s top product development executive confirmed Tuesday that the automaker will build a large Cadillac sedan on a new platform.
- Lamborghini plans new rear-drive Huracan – Autocar: New variants of Lamborghini’s Huracán are planned to start arriving from next year, with an open-top Spyder version being followed by a rear-wheel drive special.
- Cadillac’s new flagship sedan to define innovation, excellence, Reuss vows – Automotive News: GM global product chief Mark Reuss said that a large luxury sedan being developed for Cadillac will “define its brand” and is a prerequisite to competing against rivals BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Lexus.
- Google’s self-driving car is programmed to speed, just like you – Via Google News: The thought of self driving cars is pretty neat unless it’s a perfectly driving shaming machine that will only make you feel like a scofflaw all the time.
- Ford Heeds Call for Right-Hand Drive Mustang – thedetroitbureau.com: Ford Motor Co. has been churning out Mustangs continuously for a half century half a century now. The fabled pony car has seen many changes ranging from body styles to engine offerings and even the ill-fated Mustang II. Now it’ll see another first: right-hand drive. The car goes on sale in 120 countries next year, according to TheDetroitBureau.com.
- Volvo plans safety-first SUV in revamp under China ownership – DetN: Volvo Car Group is designing its first model under the ownership of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. with an emphasis on automotive safety to revive worldwide sales.
- Millennials Move from Cars to SUVs – Just Like Their Parents – thedetroitbureau.com: Conventional wisdom would suggest that Millennials would rather sit at home playing videogames and texting, but new studies show that not only is Gen Y getting into the car market in a big way — but young buyers are also opting more and more for the crossovers and SUVs their parents favor, rather than compact cars.
- New Corvette feature keeps an eye on valets – DetN: Face it. If you own a luxury or sports car, whenever you hand the keys to a valet, you imagine the car going on a high-speed joyride like the Ferrari in the’80s cult movie ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.’
- Competition heats up for Tesla’s gigafactory – DetN: Tesla Motors’ plan to build a massive battery manufacturing plant — its ‘gigafactory’ — has set off fierce competition for the country’s biggest economic development prize in years.
- Japan’s NSK fined by China in anti-monopoly case – DetN: A Japanese auto parts supplier, NSK Ltd., said Tuesday it was fined $28.2 million by Chinese anti-monopoly regulators in an unfolding probe of the industry.
- Subaru Canada: 2015 Legacy and Outback Achieve 2014 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ – Wards: The 2015 Subaru Legacy and Outback shine in IIHS small overlap test, earning TSP and TSP+ awards. Subaru has more 2014 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK vehicles than any other brand. Subaru is the only manufacturer with IIHS TOP SAFETY PICKs for all models for five consecutive years…
- Postwar Ferrari Wins Best in Show at Pebble Beach Concours – NY Times: John Shirley’s 1954 Ferrari 375 MM is the first of that marque to win a best in show at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance.
- Honda’s Mendel says U.S. sales ‘near top,’ warns market may suffer from ‘stupid things’ – Automotive News: Auto sales in the United States are approaching the highest levels that the market can sustainably support and could suffer long-term damage as automakers increasingly turn to subprime financing and seven-year loans to boost market share, the top…
- Russia Ready to Retaliate – and Automakers Could Take a Big Hit – thedetroitbureau.com: Slammed by sanction for its role in the Ukranian revolt, Russia is warning it may tighten retaliatory sanctions against the West by banning automotive imports. It could also take action to restrict Western automakers, such as Ford, now building cars in Russia.
- Uber Picks David Plouffe to Wage Regulatory Fight – NY Times: Mr. Plouffe, who ran President Obama’s 2008 campaign, will be in charge of policy and strategy for the car service start-up.
- Infiniti Prepping Flagship Concept for Paris Motor Show – thedetroitbureau.com: The cryptic statement reveals little…but TheDetroitBureau.com has learned that Infiniti is readying a new concept vehicle for the upcoming Paris Motor Show that could fill the yawning gap left open since the brand’s old flagship sedan, the Q45, went away.
- Aston Martin files trademarks for new DB names – Autocar: Registrations made for the trademarks DB10 through to DB14, in preparation for the planned 2016 launch of the DB9 successor.
- CHINA: Japanese companies fined in pricing probe – Just-auto: China’s antitrust regulator has fined Japanese bearing makers NSK and NTN a combined (US$47m) for violating rules in the latest clamp down on alleged industry pricing practices.
- Infiniti to reveal bold new concept car at Paris motor show – Autocar: Japanese manufacturer hints at new vehicle with cryptic front grille image, promising ‘style and substance that push any pre-conceived limits.