- Ford project to develop ‘near zero particulate emission diesels’ – Just-auto: Ford says its European research arm is leading an EUR3.5m research project to investigate the use of alternative fuels that offer could offer the potential for extremely low particulate emissions and enhanced fuel efficiency.
- Nissan Gripz concept to preview upcoming Z car – Autocar: The Gripz previews a next-generation Zed car Radical next-gen Nissan Zed to be previewed by Gripz concept at Frankfurt – and it’s due on sale by 2017
- BRIEF-Fiat Chrysler expects to launch Maserati SUV by end of Q1 2016 – Reuters: Fiat Chrysler’s head of EMEA region Alfredo Altavilla says:
- CHINA: Sales drop 3% in August, flat YTD – Just-auto: New vehicle sales in China fell by 3% to 1.66m units in August, from 1.72m units in the same month of last year, according to data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).This marks the fifth successive monthly sales decline and reflects weakening domestic sentiment, with the country’s financial and equity markets correcting sharply in August.
- UK: Toyota UK manufacturing ‘at full capacity’ – Just-auto: Toyota’s UK manufacturing operations are operating ‘absolutely at full capacity’ as Toyota ramps up for new models and higher demand from a recovering West European car market.
- Borgward BX7 SUV revealed ahead of Frankfurt motor show – Autocar: Reborn German manufacturer Borgward will present its new premium SUV in Frankfurt ahead of sales starting in 2016
- Toyota suspends output at three Japan plants due to heavy rains – Reuters: Toyota Motor Corp said it had canceled the day shift at three factories in northeastern Japan due to heavy rains that earlier on Friday burst the banks of a river in the city of Osaki, in Miyagi prefecture.
- Oil falls more than 2 percent after Goldman cuts forecasts – Reuters: Oil prices fell more than 2 percent on Friday after Goldman Sachs cut its crude forecasts, citing global oversupply and concerns over the Chinese economy, and after Saudi Arabia dismissed the idea of an oil producer summit.
- Why are “green” vehicle sales withering on the vine? – CBS News: Toyota and other makers of hybrid and electric vehicles have seen sales of their cars slide as a global glut in oil keeps gas prices low. AAA reports that…
- Lamborghini CEO eyes new sales record in 2015 – Reuters: Volkswagen’s Italian brand Lamborghini expects to hit a new sales record this year, benefiting from strong demand for its latest model Huracan, its chief executive said.
- Daimler Trucks Expects Brazil Crisis to Get Worse Before Revival – Bloomberg: Daimler AG said it expects demand for trucks and buses in Brazil to plunge as much as 50 percent this year as the crisis in South America’s largest…
- “From big to strong”: China sees competitive edge in green cars – Reuters: … for developing and making ‘new energy’ vehicles, a Chinese catch-all term for electric and highly electrified cars, data compiled by Reuters shows.
- Daimler trucks boss braces for prolonged Brazil slump – Reuters: “I expect no fundamental recovery in the next years,” Daimler trucks chief … Stuttgart-based Daimler said last month it had struck a labour deal with…
- A car’s real danger zone: Its computer network – Reuters: Every computer is hackable – even our cars. But the big automobile manufacturers seem to be following the Detroit tradition of fighting change rather…
- Why China’s Car Makers Will Have Trouble Shifting Into Lower Gear – WSJ:
- Silence irks some in UAW rank-and-file – Detroit News: Bargaining committees successful in keeping negotiations out of the public eye
- Japan’s Amari says Japan-US auto trade talks ‘very severe’ – Reuters: Negotiators from the two nations started bilateral talks over auto issues in Washington on Wednesday, while Japan also plans to hold talks with…
- Nissan Boosts Leaf Electric Car Driving Range by 27% Amid Slump – Bloomberg: Nissan Motor Co. will extend the driving range of its Leaf electric car by 27 percent, aiming to reverse a sales slide as Tesla Motors Inc. and Toyota…
- Slowing Economy Drives China Car Sales Lower – WSJ: China’s new car sales fell for a third month in August, as auto makers continued to grapple with sluggish demand amid an economic slowdown and slumping stock prices.
- Toyota tells dealers that below-invoice ads are taboo – Automotive News: Toyota told dealers assembled at a national dealer meeting that they would no longer be permitted to advertise vehicle prices below invoice. The company is implementing the prohibition beginning Jan.