- South Korea: Import sales rise by 34% in September – Just-auto: Sales of imported cars in South Korea increased more than 34% to 17,027 units in September, from 12,668 units a year earlier, according to data released by the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association.
- THAILAND: Toyota calls for more auto stimulus – Just-auto: Toyota Motor called on the Thai military government to introduce measures to stimulate the domestic vehicle market during a meeting in Bangkok this week.
- Twenty Years On, Kia Finds Perception Changes Slowly – Wards: The Korean brand’s U.S. executives are finding the public’s perception doesn’t change as quickly as the speed at which it collects industry accolades.
- SWEDEN: Court allows NEVS reorganisation to 29 November – Just-auto: Vänersborg District Court has allowed National Electric Vehicle Sweden’s (NEVS) reorganization to continue until 29 November.
- UK: Bentley unveils nine-month global deliveries up 19% – Just-auto: Bentley has posted nine-month global deliveries up 19%, to 7,786 cars, up from 6,516 cars in the same period in 2013.
- IRAQ: Iran Khodro to double daily vehicle output – Just-auto: Iran Khodro has announced its intention to double daily vehicle output at its Iskandariya assembly plant in central Iraq.
- Marchionne rebuilds Fiat-Chrysler at 200 mph to woo Wall Street – Automotive News: As CEO Sergio Marchionne prepares to help ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Monday to mark the debut of Fiat Chrysler shares, he is racing to create a lineup of cars that will lure buyers into showrooms worldwide.
- Alternative Vehicle Power Gains Traction in U.K. – Wards: Conventional hybrids such as the Toyota Prius were the most popular choice among alternatively fueled vehicles, with 19% of those surveyed indicating they would consider buying such a vehicle within the next two years.
- 2014 Ford Mondeo Estate 1.5T EcoBoost Titanium first drive review – Autocar: In larger estate form the new Ford Mondeo continues to impress, offering increased practicality and passenger comfort. The estate version of the new Mondeo. It’s launching alongside the hatchback, with the same engine lineup and starting at £22,045 for the entry-level Style model – a £1250 walkup from the five-door car that’s reflected across the board. That buys you around 20kg more bodywork, and all the usual advantages that come with it. The hatchback is hardly short on boot space, but load the…
- New Mercedes-AMG GT tech secrets revealed – Autocar: Mercedes’ new GT goes on sale this month, featuring a lightweight aluminium chassis and a new 4.0-litre V8 engine. We get the inside story on how the GT was made.
- New York City Council Passes Bill Lowering the Speed Limit on Most Streets – NY Times: The speed limit on residential streets in the city will be reduced to 25 miles per hour from 30 m.p.h. starting on Nov. 7.
- Mercedes-Benz rewarded with EPA credits for adopting start-stop – Automotive News: Mercedes-Benz will get extra credit on U.S. fuel economy standards for putting start-stop systems in its luxury cars — but not as much as the automaker had hoped.
- Bills Would Restrict Access to Cars’ ‘Black Box’ Data – Via Google News: New Jersey lawmakers may soon enact legislation that would limit access to information from event data recorders installed in automobiles that track …
- Tesla Motors Expected To Reveal All-Wheel Drive Model S, Crash Avoidance Tech, And Maybe … – Via Google News: Visitors look at a Tesla Model S car displayed on media day at the Paris Mondial de l’Automobile, October 2, 2014. Tesla is scheduled to make a big …
- Jay Leno Set to Return to TV With CNBC Show About Cars – NY Times: Since leaving “Tonight,” Mr. Leno has been quiet about his plans. The CNBC show would cater to his obsession with cars and motorcycles.
- Audi Readying Plug-in Hybrid Assault – thedetroitbureau.com: Audi planners are hoping to decide on which of three prototype versions of the maker’s popular TT model to put into production. And the odds are good that it will feature a plug-in hybrid drivetrain by the time it reaches showrooms. Like its parent, VW, Audi is ready to introduce a spate of plug-in hybrids.
- Mitsubishi maintains profit guidance, uncertain on sales outlook – Automotive News: Mitsubishi Motors expects to meet its full-year guidance for operating profit for the 2014-15 financial year, but is not yet certain it can meet its forecast for sales, a spokesman for the company said on Wednesday.
- Dealers Reject Fed Plan Single Interest Rate for Car Buyers – thedetroitbureau.com: In a speech to the Automotive Press Association, Forrest McConnell, NADA chairman, said a proposal mandating all lenders charge the same interest rate to all car buyers will cause to pay more for vehicles because it eliminates competition between lenders
- Johnson Controls fires consultant after affair with CEO – Automotive News: Johnson Controls fired a consulting firm after learning that one of its principals had an extramarital affair with CEO Alex Molinaroli.
- BMW hires Ferrari’s former chief engineer to polish tech prowess – Reuters: BMW has hired Ferrari’s former chief engineer as it seeks to strengthen its technical prowess amid intensifying competition with rival German luxury carmakers Audi and Mercedes-Benz.
- Near-Term Recovery Doubtful as Sales Continue to Slide in Russia – Wards: To date, the market is down 13.0% from year-ago and automakers see that pace continuing, with the year expected to wind up at only 2.45 million units.
- Carmakers struggle in southeast Asia – FT: US and EU manufacturers playing catch-up with Japanese rivals
- Audi wants $2.5 billion in annual cost cuts to offset tech spending, reports say – Automotive News: Audi wants to rein in costs by about $2.5 billion a year to offset surging spending on new technology, according to people familiar with the matter