- US: Ignition switch plaintiffs can request documents from GM – Just-auto: Following a court hearing in New York, plaintiffs are now able to request documents from General Motors related to accidents, injuries and lost vehicle value linked to ignition switches that allegedly occurred after GM emerged from bankruptcy in 2009.
- BRAZIL: BMW i3 range extender now on sale at US$100,000 – Just-auto: BMW’s i3 is the first 100% electric vehicle to go on retail sale here in Brazil and is now available in eight regional capital cities for nothing short of US$100,000/BRL237,000.
- New Ford Mustang to Draw New Customers, Product Chief Says – Wards: Raj Nair, Ford group vice president-Global Product Development, says many different vehicle types are cross-shopped against Mustang.
- US: Ford makes ‘surveillance mode’ tech for police cars available to all – Just-auto: Ford has announced the availability of ‘surveillance mode’, first introduced on 2014 Ford Police Interceptor, to competitive vehicle manufacturers and for use in military applications to encourage expanded adoption and to help protect law enforcement officers and military personnel.
- Political Uncertainty Weighs on Russian Car Industry – Via Google News: Russia’s car industry has been hit hard by the economic downturn in the country and faces two years of stagnation, according to the head of Ford’s …
- Mahindra looking forward to buy the scooter division of Peugeot – Via Google News: Originally based in France, Peugeot is a leading name in the world of automobiles in Europe. Initially, it started off by manufacturing cars. Slowly with …
- Honda, GM crack down on certified-used rule benders – Automotive News: Honda and GM, among others, are closely monitoring dealerships’ compliance with certified used-vehicle programs — and cracking down on rule breakers.
- High-volume dealer sues after Mitsubishi sells SoCal site – Automotive News: Abbas Ahmadi’s passion for cars like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution has made him a star in the automaker’s retail network. His four Mitsubishi stores accounted for 3 percent of the automaker’s total U.S. sales last year.
- Toyota’s thrill-seeking side – Automotive News: The re-engineered 2015 Camry, which will arrive in U.S. showrooms this week, is a testament to the company’s quest under President Akio Toyoda to shed a reputation for selling cars that are dependable but dull.
- Toyota’s big leap to aluminum – Automotive News: Toyota is set to become the next big automaker to begin making the expensive shift from steel to aluminum for parts like hoods and liftgates. Look for them on upcoming versions of the Lexus RX 350 crossover and Toyota Camry.
- Can Cadillac make it in New York? – Automotive News: New Cadillac chief Johan de Nysschen confirmed to Automotive News last week that Cadillac is considering relocating some functions to New York.
- New Cadillac boss dusts off Audi playbook, pushes autonomy – Automotive News: Johan de Nysschen believes the people who work at Cadillac can’t just make cars to rival BMW and Mercedes — they need to think like those juggernaut brands, too.
- Volkswagen seeks higher margins with China-only luxury sedan: sources – Via Google News: The car will be based on Audi AG’s (NSUG.DE) A6, the country’s top-selling luxury sedan, the people said, declining to elaborate on the vehicle’s …
- Mercedes plans plug-in hybrids across lineup – Automotive News: Mercedes-Benz will introduce plug-in hybrids throughout its lineup.
- Tesla, dealers dispute impact of Mass. ruling – Automotive News: Tesla Motors Inc. says its win against dealers in Massachusetts’ highest court last week bolsters its argument for selling directly.
- Interview: Cadillac President Johan de Nysschen – Via Google News: Maybe even a sports car or two. In this interview, de Nysschen revealed that Cadillac will file separate financial results within General Motors to help …
- BMW i3 launched on the China car market – CarNewsChina.com: The BMW i3 has been launched on the China car market. The EV version costs 449.800 yuan ($73.000) and the hybrid version costs 516.800 yuan ($ 84.000). The BMW i3 is imported into China and is therefore not eligible for any green-car subsidies, but buyers might be able to claim other incentives like free license […]
- Daimler Makes India a Strategic Center – WSJ: Daimler is targeting emerging markets such as Africa and Southeast Asia with a line of stripped-down trucks produced in India.
- Jonathan Collegio: Dealers are best deal for consumers, Tesla – Via Google News: A Tesla Motors Model S electric sedan stands on charge at a valet parking lot outside a hotel after a news conference in Tokyo. New-car dealers …
- Volkswagen Has A Bold And Risky New Plan For Higher Margins – Via Google News: Volkswagen is trying to mix things up overseas to try and nail down some higher profit margins. The car company is launching a luxury car designed …
- GM recalls cars due to parking brake fire risk – Via Google News: US-based automobile giant General Motors Co has issued recall of hundreds of thousands of cars over a defect in the parking brake that could cause …
- Volkswagen seeks higher margins with China-only luxury sedan: sources – Via Google News: The car will be based on Audi AG’s (NSUG.DE) A6, the country’s top-selling luxury sedan, the people said, declining to elaborate on the vehicle’s …
- Ian Callum’s Jaguar Mark 2 – NY Times: When Jaguar’s design director ordered up a special model of the classic Mark 2, it was for his own use. Now a limited run is planned.
- US: California issues first autonomous drive test permits – Just-auto: Autonomous cars received a further boost this week after the US state of California issued its first 29 permits to three companies to test self-driving cars on public roads.
- Fiat and Mitsubishi Teaming Up on New Midsize Pickup – thedetroitbureau.com: The Fiat side of newly merged Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has signed a tentative agreement to purchase a midsize pickup truck plant from Mitsubishi for re-sale by its commercial vehicle unit in Europe and Latin America. The deal has many wondering if the Chrysler side is rethinking its absence from the market, according to TheDetroitBureau.com.
- FCA, Hyundai Movin’ on Up with New HQs – thedetroitbureau.com: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Hyundai Motor suddenly have one thing in common: a willingness to spend big money for their new headquarters buildings in Great Britain and South Korea. The two companies recently plunked down cash on for posh locations in Seoul and London.
- JLR to offer world-first laser HUD tech on Range Rover Evoque – Autocar: aby Range Rover SUV first to get clearer, brighter head-up display tech – will be shown in Paris but can be ordered now.
- Nissan Charged Up about Battery Rumors – thedetroitbureau.com: Nissan officials dismissed speculation that it was preparing to scale back production at its battery plan in Smyrna, Tennessee. The maker’s EV program is considered by many to be one of Carlos Ghosn’s signature initiatives during his time at the help of the two companies.
- Citroen Show Car to Deliver 141 MPG – thedetroitbureau.com: It’s as big as a Ford Focus, lighter than a Mazda Miata, and can cut through the air nearly as efficiently as a jet. But what’s likely to stand out most about the new Citroen C4 Cactus Airflow concept is its fuel economy, an estimated 141 miles per gallon.
- ITALY: Mitsubishi to build pick-up truck for Fiat – Just-auto: Fiat-Chrysler will source a new midsize pickup for European and Latin American markets from Mitsubishi. The companies said the model will be based on the next generation L200.
- US: Safety advances and Silicon Valley ‘bit of Wild West’: Potomac Alliance – Just-auto: TRW’s public policy expert says rapid advances in vehicle safety allied with Silicon Valley technology are a bit of the “Wild West” as perceptions of transportation alter at startling pace.
- GERMANY: ThyssenKrupp develops lighter components – Just-auto: ThyssenKrupp says its research project ‘InCar plus’ has developed new components that offer weight savings of up to 50% and cost reductions of up to 20% on conventional parts.
- Infiniti boss sets out expansion plans – Autocar: Nissan’s luxury arm reveals plans for a glut of new models to gain traction in Europe and fight premium German rivals like BMW and Audi. Infiniti is set to hugely expand its model line-up in a bid to properly match BMW and Audi, according to the brand’s European boss, Francois Goupil de Bouille.
- Future Lotus plans could include new saloon and SUV – Autocar: New Lotus boss Jean-Marc Gales says the firm will look outside its primary sports car business for new models.