Top News
- US: GM fund approves 80 ‘ignition switch’ death claims – Just-auto: A fund General Motors set up to compensate victims of car crashes caused by faulty ignition switches has now paid out for 80 deaths.
- Russian Car Sales Plunge Most Since 2009 as Economy Contracts – Bloomberg: Sales of new cars and light commercial vehicles shrank to 139,850 units in March from 243,332 a year earlier, the Association of European…
- How we made the new Volkswagen Passat’s invisible tech visible – Guardian: How do you make the invisible, visible? State of the art motion capture tech helps Volkswagen highlight the 2015 Passat’s innovative new features.
- Tesla to Upgrade Base Version of Model S – WSJ:
- Tesla replaces cheapest Model S with more powerful, longer range 70D – Automotive News: Tesla unveiled a new version of the Model S called the 70D with more power, a longer range and an extra $5,000 on the price tag.
- Honda creates ‘never-ending’ YouTube clip for CR-V – Just-auto: Honda’s marketing campaign for a its revised CR-V includes what it claims is the world’s first ‘never-ending’ YouTube film. The clip is available to view…
- Carmakers hunt for share of the mobile wallet market – FT: No need to pay at the restaurant – the car’s computer already did that for him. Smartphones and, soon, Apple Watches can already function as…
- US: Autonomous vehicles will cause more ‘motion sickness’ – study – Just-auto: Autonomous or self-driving vehicles may come with a negative side-effect that will rekindle memories of long childhood car journeys punctuated by queasiness and emergency roadside stops.
- Polarising cars – get ready to love them or hate them – Autocar: Seat’s 20V20 was revealed at the Geneva motor show in March It’s rare to see so many new cars that will have a Marmite relationship with customers.
- Hyundai, Kia replace two overseas execs after Q1 sales falter – Reuters: Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors have replaced two senior overseas executives, the parent group said on Wednesday, after the South Korean automakers posted lacklustre first-quarter global sales.
- AMSTERDAM DEBUTS LIST: Opel Adam Rocks S to premiere – Just-auto: Opel is the first manufacturer to announce a world premiere for AutoRAI 2015.
- Used-Car Values Boosting Bond Bets Stoke Concern of Overheating – Bloomberg: With the supply of second-hand vehicles now poised to rise, it’s raising … Sales of securities backed by car leases have already surpassed $6 billion this … issued in 2014, data compiled by Bloomberg and Wells Fargo & Co. show.
- Ultima Evolution revealed with up to 1020bhp – Autocar: The Ultima Evolution is on sale now New Ultima Evolution models now on sale, replacing the record-breaking GTR and Can-Am and offering up to 1020bhp from GM-sourced V8 engines
- Mercedes-Benz Sales Race Ahead – WSJ: Mercedes-Benz sold nearly 15% more cars in the first quarter from the same period last year, setting the bar high for rivals Audi and BMW in the race for the top premium brand, amid strong demand for its C-Class sedans, sport-utility vehicles and luxury compact cars.
- JAPAN: Carbon fibre supplier reorganises to target automakers – Just-auto: Japanese carbon fibre reinforced plastic supplier Teijin said it had integrated its development and marketing units to strengthen the group’s business in the auto sector.
- UK’s new car market breaks more records in March – Autocar: The Ford Fiesta continues to be the UK’s best-selling new car SMMT figures show that almost half a million new cars were sold in the UK last month, the highest number since 1999
- Nissan becoming Argentine OEM to make new pickup – Just-auto: The Daimler-Nissan-Renault Alliance joint venture pickup truck project will lead to Nissan creating an OEM subsidiary in Argentina and becoming a…
- Fiat Chrysler launches $3 billion bond offer – Reuters: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said on Wednesday it plans a $3 billion unsecured senior bond issue that may be used to repay…
- CompaniesRenault shares fall as French state lifts stake – FT: Shares in Renault have fallen 1.4 per cent after the French government said it would spend as much as EUR1.23bn to temporarily lift its stake in the…
- France raises Renault stake to protect voting rights – Automotive News: The French government said it will spend up to 1.23 billion euros ($1.3 billion) to temporarily lift its stake in Renault to protect its influence on…
Other news, rumors and, gossip
- Mercedes, Renault-Nissan to work together on truck project – Autoblog: Rumors of a possible collaboration with Nissan followed, but Renault-Nissan Alliance CEO Carlos Ghosn refused to give any clear details.
- Tesla Stock Jumps on Introduction of New Base Entry Model S – The Street:
- New entry-level 4WD Tesla Model S 70D on the way – Autoexpress: News 8 Apr, 2015 Tesla Model S 70D is a new entry-level four-wheel drive model costing from PS54,500 with a range of 275 miles
- Car sales in the US are going bananas – here’s why they could go even higher – Businessinsider: Even the disruptors are being welcomed with open arms. Tesla? You’re awesome! Apple Car? Bring it on! Any of a number of economic shocks could…
- Bakkie Benz will have Nissan genes – Iol: So while much of the basic componentry beneath the skin will have been engineered by Nissan, parent company Daimler has assured us that Bakkie…
- Tesla Motors Inc Model S Collides With Mazda 6 In China – Valuewalk: Tesla was in the news recently in China but for the wrong reason, as during a test drive, a Model S ran into a Mazda 6 in a collision that was described…
- Tesla Motors fires up the Model S 70D (TSLA) – Seekingalpha: Tesla Motors (NASDAQ:TSLA) is taking orders for the Model S 70D which adds features to the base version of the model. The upgraded 70D has a…
- BREAKING: New $75000 Tesla Model S 70D: AWD, 240 Miles Of Range – Greencarreports: Leave it to electric-car maker Tesla Motors to spring another surprise on the world. This morning, it announced a brand-new version of its signature…
- US: Honda and Nissan exchange blows, also signal upcoming woes – Inautonews: “As we see the industry flatten, nobody is flattening production volumes,” warns Honda of America Executive Vice President John Mendel. During a…
- Tesla’s new base Model S costs more, but adds features and power – Channelnewsasia: Tesla Motors Inc began taking orders on Wednesday for a new base version of its Model S electric sedan that is US$5,000 more expensive than its…
- WEC: Davidson: Toyota could be leapfrogged at Silverstone – Crash: Anthony Davidson anticipates this year’s World Endurance Championship to be tighter than ever and isn’t certain where his Toyota Racing team will…
- Toyota opens registration of drivers for Etios racing – Economic Times: Bangalore: Toyota Kirloskar Motor opens online registration applications for new driver selection for the third Etios Motor Racing (EMR) season in…
- Has Daimler just knocked Tesla off its pedestal? – Manufacturingglobal: Tesla Motors might have it sights on building the its first gigafactory, the world’s biggest lithium-ion manufacturing and reprocessing facility to date, but…
- GM and SAIC Announce Insurance Joint Venture in China – Gm: SHANGHAI – General Motors and SAIC today announced the establishment of SAIC Motor Insurance Sales Co., Ltd. (INSAIC)
- Govt didn’t buy 6 luxury cars, BMW clarifies – Therakyatpost: BMW managing director and chief executive officer Alan Harris says the group will be providing a fleet of BMW 7 Series and BMW 5 Series for the…
- OEMs collaborating on new global pickup truck platform – Fleetowner: The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Germany’s Daimler AG are collaborating on a new Mercedes-Benz-badged midsize pickup platform to be built in…
- Nissan Lannia – production sedan designed for the Chinese market to debut at Auto Shanghai 2015 – Paultan: Initially previewed as the Nissan Friend-ME concept in 2013 and in sedan form as the Lannia concept a year later, the production version of the…
- Honda Aircraft Company Announces HondaJet World Tour – Honda: Honda Aircraft Company announced today that the HondaJet will begin a world tour in late April with the advanced light jet making its first appearances in Japan and Europe.
- Hertz introduces Nissan Leaf electric vehicle at London locations – Fleetnews: Hertz has introduced the Nissan Leaf electric car to its fleet at its main London locations. Customers who hire the Leaf will be exempt fromLondon’s…
- China and Bahrain may show limited McLaren gains – Espn: McLaren-Honda has endured a slow and frustrating start to its new partnership but there was a clear step forward between Australia and Malaysia,…
- Mercedes-Benz and BMW Want to Stop Illegal Imports of Luxury Cars into China – Autoevolution: It’s a known fact that if you want a BMW, Mercedes-Benz or Audi in China you’re out of luck. Not because they don’t sell over there but because the…
- i-Road: Toyota’s zippy new electric car – Economic Times: Some might call a cross between a zippy scooter and an eco-friendly electric car. In pic: Toyota’s electric personal mobility vehicle i-Road in Tokyo.
- Zotye Auto is going Smart & Tesla with new EV for the Shanghai Auto Show – Carnewschina: Zotye Auto has released the first images of the new Zotye E01, a new small two-door electric vehicle that will debut later this month on the Shanghai…
- Fiat Chrysler plans to offer $3 bln in unsecured senior debt securities – Rttnews: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCAU: Quote) said it plans to offer $3 billion in aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior debt securities in one…
- Alibaba makes move into auto industry – Ecns: Alibaba and SAIC Motor Corp announced on Mar 12 the founding of a 1-billion-yuan ($163 million) fund to develop Internet connected vehicles.
- Large Outflow of Money Witnessed in Tesla Motors, Inc. – Woodbridgedaily: Shares of Tesla Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) advanced slightly to $203.25. The price had gained 0.07% or 0.15 points intraday. The latest trading…
- Why put national emblem on BMWs if Proton just as good? MPs ask Putrajaya – Malay Mail: PKR’s Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said he was tipped off by the public that six BMW 7-Series cars — which bore the national emblem but no license…
- Zacks Rating Update On General Motors Company – Tradejourno: Analysts at Zacks have given a short term rating of buy on General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) with a rank of 2. The counter has received an…
- Volkswagen, the struggles of being American – Inautonews: While overall the Volkswagen Group is en route to keep up its promise of topping Toyota Motor for world automotive leadership, the group still has…
- Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler to develop pickup truck for Mercedes-Benz – Manufacturing: Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler have agreed to extend their partnership to develop a pickup truck for Mercedes-Benz, which recently forayed…