- SWEDEN: “Nine lives” NEVS at 8.9: FKG MD – Just-auto: Scandinavian automotive supplier body, FKG, is welcoming the latest potential for National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) to secure further investment following the automaker’s reorganisation extension announced today (11 December).
- Daimler brings Kallenius on board – FT: Mercedes-Benz executive to take charge of marketing and sales as German carmakers shuffle top teams
- SWEDEN: New NEVS reorganisation approved to “get things in order” – Just-auto: National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) says it has until 2 March to “get things in order” as it secures a latest approval to extend reorganisation.
- $2 Gas Could Crush Toyota U.S. Sales – Yahoo: [at 24/7 Wall St.] – Makers of hybrid and electric cars never saw $2 gasoline prices coming. Some of the most popular cars in America could see sales erode considerably.
- CHINA: Sales up 2.3% in November – Just-auto: New vehicle sales in mainland China rose by 2.3% to 2.09m units in November, from 2.04m units in the same month of last year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
- Trucks, SUVs Dominating $50,000 Price Point – thedetroitbureau.com: The perception of what constitutes a “luxury vehicle” may be changing, according to TrueCar. Trucks and SUVs will take six of the top 10 spots for vehicles costing $50k or more: a segment more closely associated with German luxury cars than trucks.
- $2 Gas Could Crush Toyota U.S. Sales – Yahoo: [at 24/7 Wall St.] – Makers of hybrid and electric cars never saw $2 gasoline prices coming. Some of the most popular cars in America could see sales erode considerably.
- Honda hiring supplier auditor as Takata airbag crisis grows – Automotive News: Honda, the automaker at the center of a global auto-safety crisis, is seeking to hire a senior quality engineer who would lead audits of suppliers’ quality assurance.
- UK: Land Rover introduces augmented reality ‘showroom walk-around’ – Just-auto: Tata Motors’ Land Rover has unveiled augmented reality (AR) technology ahead of the launch of the Discovery Sport, the Freelander replacement, bridging the gap between the announcement and vehicles arriving in showrooms. The technology will be available at all 117 dealers in the UK.
- GERMANY: Hyundai announces next wave of new models – Just-auto: Things are hotting up at Hyundai Motor which will introduce its fastest production model yet with the arrival of the new i30 Turbo next year along with a coupe version of the smaller i20.
- Mini Goes to the Max with New JCW Hardtop – thedetroitbureau.com: True Mini fans covet the brand’s wild side, and they’re not likely to be disappointed by the new John Cooper Works Hardtop the British marque plans to officially unveil at the North American International Auto Show barely a month from now.
- Volvo starts development of new three-cylinder petrol engine – Autocar: Swedish manufacturer begins the next step of its Drive-E strategy by testing three-cylinder, 1.5-litre engine destined for production in 2017. Volvo has started testing of its new three-cylinder petrol engine which will join its range of Drive-E powertrains in 2017.The 1.5-litre powerplant, first announced in August, is a key part of Volvo’s strategy to hit a fleet average of 95g/km of CO2 by 2020 purely with conventional internal combustion engines and without having to rely on hybridisation.
- 2014 Mazda3 Named a 2014 All-Star by Automobile Magazine – Via Google News: The selection of All-Stars is based on a variety of automobiles sold in the United States. The editors review cars ranging from passenger and sports…
- Japan automakers add 550,000 cars to Takata air bag recalls – Reuters: TOKYO (Reuters) – Three Japanese automakers will recall more than half a million cars globally to replace air bag inflators made by Takata Corp , bringing the total tally of Takata-related recalls across all brands to around 20 million since 2008.
- BMW Art Journey Sends Artists On An Endeavor Of Creative Discovery – Forbes: BMW is getting into the art prize game with the BMW Art Journey, which it announced last week during Art Basel in Miami Beach. Just don’t call it an art award. “The one thing I want to say about the art award is that it’s not an award,” said Dr. Thomas Girst, BMW’s head of cultural engagement last week in Miami. “We think of it more as a stipend or as an endeavor.”
- Nissan Unveils NV200 Taxi: A New Generation of Taxi for Hong Kong – Nissan:
- IPO Lifts China Auto Parts Entrepreneur Into World’s Billionaire Ranks – Forbes: Share gains by newly listed Chinese auto parts manufacturer Guilin Fuda have lifted its chairman Li Fuchao into the ranks of the world’s billionaires.
- Freescale Talks About Its Sweet Spot: The Growing Market For Connected Cars – Via Google News: … company that has doubled down on the automobile industry, the increasing prevalence of semiconductors in mid-range and lower-priced cars could…
- RPT-Honda to recall about 400,000 more cars for Takata air bag – Reuters: TOKYO, Dec 11 (Reuters) – Honda Motor Co said on Thursday it would recall an estimated 400,000 vehicles globally as a precautionary measure to replace potentially deadly air bag inflators made by Takata Corp.
- All you wanted to know about NEVS, Mahindra’s latest acquisition target – Via Google News: Swedish car maker Saab Automobile AB, formed in 1945, is one of Scandinavia’s best known industrial brands. It began as a manufacturer of small…
- Nissan to recall around 152,000 cars worldwide over Takata air bags – Reuters: TOKYO (Reuters) – Nissan Motor Co said on Thursday it would recall around 152,000 cars worldwide that carry potentially defective Takata Corp air bags.
- Cars take page from smartphone book – Via Google News: The tech giants have partnered with automakers to bring technology into vehicles that’s familiar and intuitive. Both sides are hoping to solve a problem…
- Nissan to recall around 152000 cars worldwide over Takata air bags – Via Google News: A Nissan logo is seen on media day at the Paris Mondial de l’Automobile, … 2 automaker said it was recalling cars using Takata’s passenger side air…
- Fiat Chrysler prices share offering at $11 each – Reuters: Dec 11 (Reuters) – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV said it had priced an offering of 87 million common shares at $11.00 each as the carmaker seeks funds to cut debt and pay for an ambitious investment plan.
- 2015 Volvo V60 T6 R-design station wagon review – Freep: Volvo brings boxy back with family vehicle that’s taut, toned and packed with value.
- Nearly Half of All EVs Sold in California – thedetroitbureau.com: Nearly half of all the battery-electric vehicles sold in the United States are going to customers in California, according to a new report. Additionally, Hawaii and Washington are the next most popular places for plug-ins.
- China car sales hit the brakes – Via Google News: SHANGHAI-China’s new-car sales gains fell to the lowest level in almost … The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers on Wednesday said…
- Oil crashes 5 percent, nears $60 on weak U.S. demand, Saudi inaction – Reuters: Oil prices tumbled as much as 5 percent on Wednesday, pushing U.S. crude to five-year lows near $60 a barrel after data showed a spike in U.S. inventories and Saudi Arabia’s oil minister reiterated that he has no plans to cut output.
- Volkswagen Strains to Keep Foot on Gas – Yahoo:
- 40 global reveals coming to Detroit auto show – Freep: German, Asian, American and Chinese automakers all to show new models at Detroit auto show
- Automakers Create Privacy Policies for Data From Connected Cars – Via Google News: “These landmark privacy frameworks, when applied to automobiles, should reassure auto customers that their privacy is taken seriously,” he said.
- Automakers will gather to coordinate Takata airbag testing – Automotive News: Several automakers will meet in metro Detroit Thursday to begin an industrywide investigation into the cause and scope of faulty Takata airbag inflators, according to two sources with knowledge of the plans.