- CHINA: VW needs more capacity to keep pace – Just-auto: Volkswagen Group has said it will expand its vehicle assembly operations in China further than expected to keep pace with continuous growth in the Chinese market.
- Ford Continues Fuel-Efficiency Drive – WSJ: Ford Motor Co., one of the world’s largest car makers, will press ahead with developing more fuel-efficient vehicles even as lower oil prices make the strategic push less of an urgent matter, a senior company executive said.
- Bentley drops the top on Mulsanne flagship – Automotive News: Bentley is hinting at plans to take on the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe with the unveiling of a new concept — the Grand Convertible. The four-seat convertible would be Bentley’s most expensive car if it is built.
- UAE: Bill Ford highlights connectivity opportunity but warns of ‘global gridlock’ – Just-auto: Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford has highlighted the opportunities ahead for the auto industry presented by advanced technologies, but also warned of the dangers of ‘global gridlock’ as the numbers of vehicles in use across the world continues to rise.
- Ford, GM business seen buoying Takata as U.S. probes airbags – Automotive News: Carmakers continue to support Takata even as the Japanese supplier suffers widening scrutiny by United States regulators over airbags blamed for at least five deaths.
- Toyota’s Lentz says more replacement inflators coming next month – Automotive News: Toyota, seeking to speed up progress on a recall begun in 2013, is anticipating a greater supply of inflators for Takata airbags being replaced in millions of cars.
- Daimler targets China for Maybach revival – FT: Mothballed luxury car brand to be relaunched in world’s largest automotive market
- Bill Ford, KPMG see radical change in future transport – Via Google News: While the auto world’s eyes focused on the newest and shiniest wares in Los Angeles, two voices weighed on the vastly shifting role of the automobile …
- U.S. auto regulator seeks nationwide recall of Takata air bags – Reuters: The U.S. auto safety regulator has told Japanese supplier Takata Corp and five automakers to expand nationwide a regional recall of potentially lethal air bags, increasing pressure on the industry to move faster in a growing scandal.
- Michael Cramer: ‘Transport sector is nullifying Europe’s climate efforts’ – Via Google News: Cars will still be in demand but not forever. Only those automobile companies that will understand the need to diversify manufacturing capabilities will …
- Mazda Fills in a Few Blanks About New MX-5 Miata – thedetroitbureau.com: Mazda left plenty of questions unanswered when it gave a sneak peek at the new MX-5 Miata last summer. As it preps the roadster for its LA Auto Show debut it is filling in more critical details.
- Explorer Goes Upmarket; Adds 2.3L EcoBoost to Mix – Wards: 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show Ford is taking the Explorer even more upscale to compete directly with the Jeep Grand Cherokee and GMC Acadia SUVs, which have more-lucrative, higher-priced models in their lineups.
- ’16 Ford Explorer Unveiled – Wards: Set for its public unveiling today at the auto show here and due to hit U.S. showrooms next summer, the revised Explorer features a few styling tweaks, including a more-sculpted hood, but most of the news is around its new top-of-the-line Platinum trim level.
- Chrysler Aims to Recapture Magic With New ’15 300 Sedan – Wards: 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show Chrysler seeks to replicate impactful design of original ’05 300 with new version.
- Ford freshens Explorer with higher trim package for ’16 – Automotive News: Aiming to lure more upscale customers to its Explorer crossover, Ford today at the Los Angeles Auto Show is unveiling a freshened 2016 Explorer with more available content.
- Chrysler 300 refreshed with rotary shifter, updated front fascia – Automotive News: Designers used a light touch to refresh the 2015 Chrysler 300, with a new front fascia and the addition of a rotary shifter as the biggest differences for what will be the 60th anniversary of the original 300 in 1955.
- U.S. auto sales might hit record 6th year of growth – Via Google News: Deliveries of new cars and light trucks in 2015 will probably total 16.7 … On Monday, the National Automobile Dealers Association weighed in with an …
- Mazda zoom zooms into tiny CUVs with CX-3 – Automotive News: With the CX-3, which stands 4 inches taller than a Mazda3 compact five-door from road to roof but 7 inches shorter from bumper to bumper, Mazda joins the growing list of automakers offering off-road looks and premium content in a package that was…
- 2016 Mazda CX-3 Crossover Arrives at L.A. Auto Show – Via Google News: Mazda is hopping on the subcompact crossover train with its new 2016 CX-3, and this new model is unmistakably Mazda in every way. Sharing its …
- Cadillac rolls out V series versions of ATS sedan, coupe – Automotive News: Cadillac is seeking some much-needed momentum for its entry-level ATS nameplate with the launch next spring of V series track-ready versions of the sedan and coupe.
- Takata senior VP to testify before U.S. Senate committee – Reuters: Representatives of Takata Corp, Chrysler Group Llc, Honda Motor Co Ltd and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will testify before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday to answer questions about the dangers posed by air bags supplied by Takata.
- Feds call for nationwide Takata airbag recall – Via Google News: The defective Takata airbags were used in cars manufactured by … ?The most recent recalls for Takata airbags now encompass 10 automobile …
- Ford preps larger, 3-row Edge for China – Automotive News: Ford will make a version of the Ford Edge with three rows of seats for the Chinese market, Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president of global marketing, sales and service, told journalists Tuesday on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show.
- Takata faces nationwide recall order for driver’s-side airbags – Automotive News: Federal safety regulators are seeking to expand regional recalls of faulty driver’s-side airbags made by Takata into a nationwide campaign, prompting the supplier to warn of potential parts shortages.
- GM pickup production forecast bumped up by 6% for 2015 – Automotive News: IHS Automotive raised its 2015 production forecast for General Motors’ full-sized pickups by 6 percent over previous estimates — betting that tamer gasoline prices will juice demand for GM’s biggest money-maker and help blunt the threat from…
- AT&T And LG Announce Collaboration On The Future Of Connected Car – Via Google News: As a telematics leader, AT&T already provides mobile internet access in vehicles manufactured by both US and non-US automobile makers.
- JLR app joins battle for the dashboard – FT: In-car technology recognises voice requests for navigation and messaging
- Honda owners can request new airbags even if their cars weren’t recalled – Automotive News: After recalling millions of vehicles over potentially life-threatening Takata airbag inflators, Honda said it will replace airbags, as appropriate, for concerned customers who were not subject to the recall.
- Hydrogen cars lack fuelling stations – FT: Worldwide, there are just 70 stations open to the public, with Denmark pioneering a network