Top News:
- China’s $3 Trillion Stocks Rout Puts Car Sales in ‘Meat Grinder’ – Bloomberg: An increasing number of car buyers in China are canceling their purchases and risking forfeiture of their down payments after a stock-market rout that…
- Nissan says Takata air bag inflator caused fire in Japan crash – Reuters: Nissan Motor Co on Wednesday said an air bag made by Takata Corp installed in one of its cars had deployed with too much force and caused a fire in a light crash in Japan, marking the automaker’s first such case in the country.
- Vehicle tax system to be overhauled for 2017 – Autocar: In his first budget of the new Conservative government, Chancellor George Osborne says new tax bands will be created from 2017 Chancellor
- Ford pins China hopes on new models after flat first half – Reuters: Ford Motor Co is looking to a raft of new sedan and SUV launches in China later this year to regain momentum in the world’s largest auto market, after its sales barely grew in the first half of 2015.
- China Auto Sales Slump for First Time in More Than Two Years – Bloomberg: China’s passenger-vehicle sales fell for the first time in more than two years as the nation’s economic growth slowed and a stock-market rout dented…
- Moguls in Sun Valley Get Briefed on E-Cars, ‘Green Disruption’ – Bloomberg: A meeting schedule obtained by Bloomberg News provides a rare glimpse into the plans for the invite-only event hosted annually by investment bank…
- China Stocks Drop With U.S. Futures as Contagion Fear Boosts Yen – Bloomberg: BYD Co., the electric-car maker backed by Warren Buffett, plunged more … The Bloomberg Commodity Index has fallen 4.2 percent in two days, the…
- Mercedes readies advanced safety tech for next E class – Automotive News: Mercedes-Benz will introduce a new suite of advanced safety and autonomous driving features on the redesigned E-class sedan next spring.
- Fiat Bets Maserati Can Replace Ferrari as Prestige Profit Driver – Bloomberg: Fiat is spinning off Ferrari later this year, losing its top luxury brand. Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne badly needs Maserati to fill the vacuum.
- Mercedes reveals tech secrets of new E-Class – Autocar: Mercedes offered a sneak preview of the new E-Class at the recent technical presentation
- Ferrari picks UBS for stock listing, report says – Automotive News: Ferrari SpA, the supercar maker being spun off by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, picked UBS Group to help manage its initial public offering in New York later this year, people with knowledge of the matter told Bloomberg.
- EVs Going Mainstream, Insists Renault-Nissan’s Ghosn – Detroit Bureau: Despite recent struggles in the market, battery-electric vehicles are going “mainstream ,” or so says Carlos Ghosn, CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. In a wide-ranging op-ed piece, Ghosn outlines what drives his optimism — including plans to announce new, longer-range batteries this year, reports TheDetroitBureau.com.
- Infiniti QX60 ad pays homage to ‘Vacation’ movies – Automotive News: Infiniti’s new QX60 ad pays homage to a classic scene in 1983’s National Lampoon’s Vacation where an alluring blonde, played by supermodel Christie Brinkley, suddenly pulls up in a Ferrari alongside Chase’s character Clark Griswold as he takes his…
- Toyota’s next Prius hybrid takes on fastback styling – Automotive News: The next-generation Toyota Prius hybrid may be getting a lot closer in looks to the 2016 Chevrolet Volt. A five-door hatchback wearing heavy disguise spotted during testing in California could offer the best look yet at the next Prius.
- Mazda3 repackaged for 2016 with more features, new base price – Automotive News: The Mazda3 sedan and hatchback are getting more standard features for 2016 and a new base price.
- 90% of Cars to Be Connected to Internet by 2020: Hitachi – Bloomberg: Morgan Stanley Lead Auto Analyst Adam Jonas discusses internet connectivity for vehicles. He speaks on “Market Makers.” (Source: Bloomberg)…
- Google begins testing self-driving vehicles in Austin – Automotive News: Google has begun testing its self-driving vehicles in Austin, Texas, expanding efforts to gather information on how the prototypes interact with traffic, road conditions and people.
- GM Sets New First-Half Sales Record in China – Detroit Bureau: General Motors and its joint ventures reported record retail sales of 1,719,202 vehicles during the first six months of the year in China. Get details at TheDetroitBureau.com.
- Hyundai i30 hot hatch to kick-start N performance division – Autocar: Hyundai is preparing a hot version of the i30 hatchback
- New Vehicle Fuel Economy Slides in June – Detroit Bureau: U.S. consumers continue buying large vehicles instead of fuel efficient small cars, driving down the average fuel economy in June. For details, go to TheDetroitBureau.com.
- Smartphonelike car displays challenge safety policymakers – Automotive News: When it comes to dashboard displays that are more like smartphones, two things are clear: Customers want them, and automakers are intent on supplying them. But are they really a good idea?
- Divine DS concept car – its role in the future of DS, plus first drive – Autocar: DS Divine highlights styling and technology of future DS cars
- 2017 Honda CR-V to grow in size – Autocar: Next version of the CR-V looks set to grow and could offer seven seats as standard when it goes on sale in 2017
- BRIEF-SAIC Motor posts June car sales up 5.5 pct – Reuters: July 7 SAIC Motor Corp Ltd. * Says sold 445,243 vehicles in June, up 5.5 percent from 421,966 vehicles a year ago. Source text in Chinese
- Trouble Selling Grandma’s Cars Led to $1 Billion Startup – Bloomberg: In the summer of 2012, Christian Bertermann was a frustrated young man trying to get rid of two old cars that belonged to his grandmother. Bertermann…
- Insight – Car dashboards that act like smart phones raise safety issues – Reuters: SAN FRANCISCO When it comes to dashboard displays that are more like smart phones, two things are clear: Customers want them, and automakers…