- GERMANY/UK: Opel introduces Karl, Vauxhall revives Viva – Just-auto: Judging by the derisory comments on Twitter today, some British motoring writers aren’t impressed with General Motors Europe’s German unit Opel’s decision to call its new five-door small car Karl. UK unit Vauxhall will revive the Viva nameplate last used in 1979.
- China auto sales growth slows – Via Google News: China’s auto sales reached 1.72 million vehicles in August, a rise of just 4.0 percent compared with the same month a year ago, …
- MEXICO: Toyota considers the lure of south of the border – Just-auto: Toyota reportedly is looking to build a new vehicle plant in Mexico to take advantage of the country’s low labour costs and numerous free trade agreements.
- China fines Volkswagen, Chrysler for price-fixing – Via Google News: China’s anti-monopoly authority NDRC has imposed hefty fines against German carmaker Volkswagen (VW) and US auto group Chrysler.
- Audi and Chrysler fined for price-fixing – FT: Carmakers are handed penalties totalling $50m by the Chinese antitrust regulator as part of a probe into foreign automakers
- China fines Audi and Chrysler for price-fixing – Via Google News: China’s anti-monopoly regulator has fined Volkswagen’s Audi and Fiat’s Chrysler for fixing the price of cars and replacement auto parts, as part of a …
- Opel to launch budget family car in Europe by 2015 – Reuters: General Motors will launch a budget family car under the Vauxhall and Opel brands next year in a bid to woo customers of the company’s Chevrolet brand, which is set to be discontinued in Europe at the end of 2015.
- China fines Volkswagen affiliate $44.2 million – Via Google News: FAW-Volkswagen Sales Company, Ltd, a partnership between the Frankfurt-based firm and Chinese auto maker FAW, has been ordered to pay …
- China Auto Sales Grow at Slowest Pace in Five Months – Via Google News: Passenger-vehicle sales in China rose at the slowest pace since March as the economy slows and the government steps up anti-monopoly probes …
- US: Subaru hikes sales forecast – Just-auto: Subaru of America has hiked its 2014 full year sales forecast 40,000 units to a record 500,000 vehicles and expects a year on year rise of over 17%.
- GM to launch 40 new cars in India, other international markets – Reuters: General Motors Co plans to launch 40 new cars in India and in other international markets excluding China, north America and Europe, Chief Executive Mary Barra said on Thursday.
- Vauxhall reveals more efficient 2.0-litre diesel engine – Autocar: Frugal new diesel engine, set to be presented at the Paris motor show next month, to be offered in Insignia and Zafira Tourer models next year.
- China’s auto sales slow in August – Via Google News: China’s auto sales growth decelerated further in August to 8.5 percent while sales of popular SUVs surged by nearly a third.
- Fiat awards outgoing Ferrari chairman $35 million severance – Automotive News: Outgoing Ferrari boss Luca Cordero di Montezemo will receive a severance package of nearly 27 million euros ($34.78 million). Montezemo quit as Ferrari chairman after clashing with Sergio Marchionne over the sports car maker’s future.
- JAPAN: Kobe Steel investigates new materials for fuel cell cars – Just-auto: Japanese steel giant Kobe Steel is reportedly working on a new generation of lightweight composite materials designed for fuel cell vehicles with a view to saving weight and improving the safety of hydrogen tanks in collisions.
- China Car Sales Rise 8.5% – Via Google News: Passenger-car sales in China rose 8.5% in August from a year earlier, an industry group said. Above, a Chrysler car parked on a Shanghai street.
- Honda successfully launched its driverless car named Acura RLX in Detroit – Via Google News: While fellow Japanese company Toyota is reluctant in whipping up driver-less cars, Honda on the other end just rolled out and showcased its very …
- Miata slims down for 25th birthday – DetN: Twenty-five years after resurrecting the roadster, Mazda has unveiled the latest version of its MX-5 Miata, the bestselling two-seat convertible in history.
- Venucia Chenfeng EV hits the Chinese auto market – CarNewsChina.com: The Venucia Chenfeng EV has been launched on the Chinese auto market. Price, including all green-car subsidies, starts at 267.800 yuan and ends at 281.800 yuan ($43.600 – $46.000). The Venucia Changfeng EV was formerly known as the Venucia e30. The late name-change is unexpected, all the early-production cars, which were used on various media […]
- Toyota scouting Mexico for assembly plant, reports say – Automotive News: Toyota, the last of the world’s major automakers without a full assembly plant in Mexico, is scouting the country for possible factory sites, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said.
- Mary Barra Addresses Intelligent Transport Society – GM: General Motors CEO Mary Barra addressed the 21st annual Congress of the Intelligent Transport Society on September 7. Her prepared remarks are below. As always, the speaker’s words are definitive.
- Component Costs Deter Implementation of Driverless Technology – thedetroitbureau.com: Cars loaded technology that allows them to drive themselves have been cruising the streets of downtown Detroit this week, but unless the costs of a critical component come down, don’t expect to see them in showrooms soon. Makers say sensor costs are too high for any large-scale use in cars right now.
- Wheelies: The Russian Shutdown Edition – NY Times: Volkswagen closes its plant in Russia for 10 days as sales there flag; BMW announces pricing for its 2 Series convertible.
- Suzuki Swift to get more efficient Dualjet petrol engine in 2015 – Autocar: Host of upgrades to Suzuki’s 1.2-litre petrol engine boost average economy to 65.7mpg and cut emissions to 99g/km of CO2A new 1.2-litre ‘Dualjet’ petrol engine, set to be introduced to the Suzuki Swift range in 2015, is claimed to offer significant improvements in efficiency. The engine, which is currently undergoing evaluation by Suzuki GB, reputedly averages 65.7mpg and emits 99g/km of CO2. Consequently it betters the existing 1.2-litre petrol by 9.2mpg and 17g/km respectively – and is also…