Top News:
- At Mazda, a team of 50 searches for rotary-engine breakthrough – Automotive News: For the last eight years, a team of 50 engineers has slaved away on Mazda’s signature rotary engine, seeking a breakthrough for the unique design Mazda had championed for decades, almost alone in its enthusiasm.
- Fiat Chrysler studies making Suburban/Expedition fighter under Ram – Automotive News: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is studying whether to build a large Ram SUV to compete with the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition.
- JCI to repay Michigan $3.75 million after failing to meet job targets – Automotive News: Johnson Controls agreed to repay the State of Michigan $3.75 million as a result of failing to create at least 400 jobs at its lithium ion battery plant in Holland, Mich., according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
- EU caves in to auto industry pressure for weak emissions limits – Guardian: NOx emissions from diesel vehicles can cause emphysema, bronchitis, … The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) welcomed the…
- European Commission Softens Plan for New Car-Pollution Tests – Bloomberg: The European Union’s industrial-policy chief scaled back proposed tougher tests on car pollution at the insistence of EU governments concerned…
- VW emissions scandal – Volkswagen boss Muller sets out new priorities for recovery – Autocar: The rising costs of its emissions scandal pushes Volkswagen into the red in the third quarter of 2015, but the firm has a plan to fight back
- EU member states reach compromise on car engine tests – Reuters: European countries reached a compromise deal on new testing rules for cars on Wednesday that allows vehicles to…
- Ford to offer discount plan on most models – Detroitnews: Ford Motor Co. is rolling out an extensive incentive program next week that will offer significant discounts on almost all its models in a year-end push to…
- Subaru shows design direction with 2 concepts – Automotive News: Subaru is ushering in a new styling era with the Impreza 5-door Concept unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show Wednesday.
- Drive a Mini Cooper? You’ll want to read this – Fortune: BMW has issued a recall for some of its Mini Coopers because of issues with its power steering feature. The recall will affect Mini Cooper and Cooper…
- FCA Safety Chief Takes New Job; Maker Gets Federal Monitor – Detroit Bureau: FCA and NHTSA agreed to appoint former Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater as an independent monitor for the maker’s safety efforts, just as Scott Kunselman is leaving to take another job. Details at TheDetroitBureau.com.
- GM, UAW deal offers signing bonus up to $8,000, report says – Automotive News: GM’s tentative labor agreement with the UAW offers hourly employees a signing bonus of as much as $8,000 and better profit sharing than the contract approved by workers at Fiat Chrysler, a person familiar with the details said.
- FCA reports $331 million Q3 loss on charge for ‘regulatory and recall environment’ – Automotive News: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles reported a net loss of $331 million in the third quarter despite a strong performance in North America and recoveries in Europe and Latin America.
- How Ford is innovating with materials science – Fortune: Henry Ford would be proud that his namesake company is leading the automotive industry’s charge to work advanced materials into vehicles and…
- Subaru Teases Next-Gen Impreza with Tokyo Show Car – Detroit Bureau: It may be called a “concept,” but expect to see the Subaru Impreza Concept reappear in production form about a year from now.
- VW CEO Wants Workers to Have Some Fun Again – Bloomberg: Mueller said he will evaluate each of the group’s car models, which range from Lamborghini sports cars and ultra-luxury Bentley sedans to little Seat…
- Toyota’s take on VW scandal: Avoid fixation on being the biggest – Automotive News: Toyota President Akio Toyoda weighed in for the first time about the scandal engulfing Volkswagen, stressing his resistance to getting consumed with sales targets.
- Toyota sticks up for diesel – Just-auto: Although Toyota’s hybrid technology leaves it well placed to be a beneficiary if major markets turn against diesel in the wake of the current furore…