- Subaru boosts 2014 U.S. sales forecast to 500,000 vehicles – Automotive News: Subaru of America, expecting to sustain strong growth in the United States, has boosted its forecast for sales this year to 500,000. Last year’s total of 424,683 marked the Japanese brand’s fifth consecutive U.S. annual sales record.
- US: Volkswagen plans five-year model life cycles – Just-auto: Volkswagen is planning to adopt five-year life model life cycles in the US.
- GERMANY: Porsche 2014 sales up 12% – Just-auto: Porsche sales so far this year are up 12% to 120,000, the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer said.
- Lentuo Expects China Pre-owned Car Trading Volume to Reach 9 million in 2014 – Via Google News: According to the China Automobile Dealers Association (“CADA”), Beijing is poised for rapid growth with transaction volumes for pre-owned cars …
- Ferrari Chief Montezemolo Quits After Clash With Fiat’s Marchionne – Via Google News: Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne (2L) waves next to Ferrari CEO Luca Cordero di Montezemolo after the presentation of the new LaFerrari hybrid car on …
- Tesla tax breaks to be debated by Nevada lawmakers – Automotive News: Nevada lawmakers are set to convene a special legislative session in Carson City today to consider a package of tax breaks estimated at up to $1.3 billion aimed at cementing a deal with Tesla Motors for a $5 billion battery plant.
- GERMANY: BMW on target for 2m 2014 sales – Just-auto: BMW Group booked record August sales last month, selling 145,902 vehicles last month, up 4.5% year on year. Though Mini sales were down because of a model change, the group still expects to pass 2m sales this year.
- Russia Weighing Ban on Car Imports From U.S., EU, Japan – Via Google News: An expanded ban on car imports likely would have the greatest effect on global automakers without production capacity in Russia, including …
- UK: BMW’s MINI to stick to 2-plant assembly set-up – Just-auto: BMW board member Harald Krüger has told just-auto that Oxford will remain at the heart of MINI production plans in the future, but with the Dutch Nedcar plant at Born also an important addition for the long-term.
- ITALY: Marchionne to replace Montezemolo as Ferrari chairman – Just-auto: Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne will take over as chairman of of Ferrari after Luca Cordero di Montezemolo quits next month.
- Ferrari chairman quits after F1 failures – FT: Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne to take over from Luca Cordero di Montezemolo following a public spat over the sports car maker’s leadership
- UK: China’s regulatory clampdown ‘not having a big effect on our business’ – BMW – Just-auto: BMW board member Peter Schwarzenbauer has told just-auto that China’s regulatory clampdown of aftermarket parts and services prices is not having a big effect on the company’s business there.
- Montezemolo’s departure from Ferrari – be careful what you wish for… – Autocar:It’s the end of an era for Ferrari as Luca Cordero di Montezemolo resigns from his post as chairman, but what’s next for the supercar maker?
- Marchionne to become Ferrari chairman as Montezemolo quits – Automotive News: Luca Cordero di Montezemolo will step down as chairman of Ferrari as of Oct. 13 and will be replaced by Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, Fiat said.
- BMW Exec to Head Nissan’s Infiniti – WSJ: Nissan Motor says it has named Roland Krüger, a BMW executive, as head of its Infiniti luxury car division, moving swiftly to fill one of the positions left vacant by the pending departure of Andy Palmer, a top Nissan manager.
- China Said to Consider Relaxing Rules for Car Dealers – Via Google News: Chinese authorities are considering relaxing restrictions on car dealers so they would be able to sell vehicles from multiple brands in the same store, …
- Nevada lawmakers gathering for special session on Tesla tax breaks – Reuters: Nevada lawmakers are set to convene a special legislative session in Carson City on Wednesday to consider a package of tax breaks estimated at up to $1.3 billion aimed at cementing a deal with Tesla Motors Inc for a $5 billion battery plant.
- Test drive in the new Denza EV in China – CarNewsChina.com: Last week I was in Shenzhen where I was invited for a test drive in the brand new Denza EV. I was a passenger in this beautiful ‘Denza Blue’ example driven by one of the factory’s development-test drivers who knew the vehicle inside and out, and then some. We drove on steep and challenging roads […]
- Nissan taps BMW’s Krueger to head Infiniti – Automotive News: Nissan has poached BMW veteran Roland Krueger to head its leaderless Infiniti luxury unit, lending a touch of German flair to a brand struggling to break out of the second tier.
- Feds want automakers to share cybersecurity threats – Via Google News: Consequently, we are jointly working towards establishing a mechanism for sharing vehicle cybersecurity information, threats, warnings and incidents …
- Nissan Appoints BMW Exec to Head Infiniti – WSJ: Nissan Motor says it has named Roland Krüger, a BMW executive, as head of its Infiniti luxury car division, moving swiftly to fill one of the positions left vacant by the pending departure of Andy Palmer, a top Nissan manager.
- NHTSA boss: It’s time to worry about keeping cars safe from hackers – Via Google News: To date, no car has been hacked remotely, industry executives say. But Friedman said NHTSA knows hackers will try and that the risk increases as …
- BMW Offers First Look at New 2-Series Convertible – thedetroitbureau.com: For those who prefer open-air motoring, BMW is adding yet another cabriolet to its expansive line-up, a downsized model based on its recently added 2-Series coupe family.
- BMW’s larger 2-series droptop hits U.S. in early 2015 – Automotive News: BMW’s 2015 2-series convertible goes on sale early next year after debuting in October at the Paris auto show. The soft-top two-door will be launched in the U.S. as the 228i, 228i xDrive with all-wheel drive and M235i.
- GreenTech electric vehicle venture anticipates U.S. production in 4th quarter – Automotive News: A Chinese-affiliated electric vehicle venture that has generated more curiosity than cars during the past five years anticipates launching U.S. production by the end of this year.
- U.S. sales strength will hold through the year, Edmunds says – Automotive News: August’s surge in auto demand in the United States could help lift this year’s sales totals above levels last seen in 2006, Edmunds.com analysts said today.