Archives for January 2014

• ­Fiat says completes deal to buy out U.S. unit Chrysler – Reuters
• PSA Peugeot Citroen confirms seeking EUR3bn capital increase – Just-auto. Says PSA: “Under the preferred scenario, the Company would implement a capital increase reserved to Dong Feng Motor followed by a Rights Offering in which Dong Feng Motor would participate. The French State may also participate in these two capital increases on the same terms and conditions as Dong Feng Motor.”
• FRANCE: Minister hails State involvement with PSA as “industrial patriotism” – Just-auto
• German car industry rocked by vote-rigging in auto prize – Reuters. “Germany’s ADAC car club, Europe’s largest and most influential, said on Monday revelations it had falsified results of its annual car award struck at the core of its credibility and critics raised questions about its car safety tests.”
• Geely insists happy with Volvo direction –Just-auto. Says all fine, never mind the Reuters story  of Li Shifu “growing increasingly frustrated with Volvo’s management team, many of whom are Swedish and other Europeans.”
• Renault sales buck Europe slump, gain in emerging markets – Reuters. Saved by the Clio, and Dacia.
• Ford’s aluminum F-150 faces insurance rate, repair shop challenges – Automotive News. “Ford Motor Co. now confronts a new challenge: preventing higher insurance rates and a dearth of mechanics equipped to repair its body from deterring buyers.”
• Cadillac Not Going Hog Wild With Variants, New Marketing Chief Says – Wards. “Newly minted Cadillac Chief Marketing Officer Uwe Ellinghaus says the fast-growing General Motors luxury brand intends to keep a lid on model variants to minimize complexity and does not anticipate a product sliding under the entry-level ATS anytime soon.”

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• Peugeot Seeks Capital; Sales Fall – WSJ
• Peugeot board approves outline cash deal – FT. Management may hammer out deal for €3bn investments by the French government and Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng.
• Peugeot Citroen close to Chinese investment deal – DetN
• UK: Where does Chevy pull-out leave expensive Man U soccer deal? – Just-auto. “An analysis by Reuters also noted that, by the time Chevrolet exits Europe by the end of next year, the players will be wearing a logo for a product that is non-existent in the region.”
• US: New GM CEO Mary Barra on $1.6m salary plus incentives – Just-auto
• Malaysia offers incentives for small, energy-efficient car production – Reuters. “Potentially benefiting Honda Motor Co Ltd and Nissan Motor Co Ltd who have operations there.”
• GM chief wants Vauxhall-Opel to lead European revival – Autocar. “But he believes the company still needs to work on its product range.”
• Mercedes-Benz expects GLA to be hot, scarce – Automotive News
• An Alphabet Soup of Luxury Models – WSJ. “BMW, Audi, Lexus and others are producing so many different models and variations that some are thinking of pooling test cars—dealers can’t begin to stock them all.”
• Toyota may rethink Thai investment plans if crisis lingers. –Reuters

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• BRAZIL: New safety rules axe six antique models – Just-auto
• Mini should have UK design studio – Autocar. Mini brand boss Schwarzenbauer: “We have to emphasize the British thing a bit more.”
• On show floor, go-go boots still key to pitch as glass ceiling shatters – Automotive News. “The General Motors CEO, the first female to head a global automaker, is a big pull, trailed by press scrums so large that bystanders risk being trampled. Among the other women attracting flocks of photographers are product models in form-fitting outfits pitching her cars.”
• Europe will test ‘uniter’ Barra – DetN
• Chevrolet Leaving Europe But Getting Boost in Russia – Wards. Just when the Russian market dropped 5.5%
• UK: Ford sounds warning on Britain exiting the EU – Just-auto, Ford would have to re-evaluate its operations in Britain.”Clearly we wouldn’t be alone in doing that. Would it mean tariffs? Would it mean duties? We’d take a look at what it meant,” Odell told the Daily Telegraph.
• Daimler-backed BAIC Motor revs up $2 billion Hong Kong IPO– Reuters.
• Gen Y likes tech-savvy green cars, but cost a barrier  Reuters. “Young U.S. consumers want vehicles outfitted with expensive technology that boosts gas mileage and keeps them safe and connected, according to a survey published on Thursday. But the high cost of car ownership remains a stumbling block.” Duh.
• Court dismisses citation against California woman who drove with Google Glass – Reuters. On the grounds there was no proof her Google Glass was operating when she was pulled over.

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• Old Problems Still Likely to Dog New GM CEO Mary Barra –  thedetroitbureau.com. Market share at home, red ink in Europe, competition in China.
• Barra: GM will leverage success in China, U.S. to boost other global markets – DetN. Everything will be fine.
• Retired GM chief says ‘optimistic’ about Opel brand – Reuters. Opel’s market share rose in Europe for the first time in 14 years, from 5.59% to 5.61%.
• Ford CEO Mulally seeks driver privacy laws – DetN. After Farley put his foot in his mouth, Washington is supposed to pull it out. Sure they will.
• UAW comes out fighting against Nissan Mississippi stance – Just-auto
• Best car deals: Citroen C4 Picasso, Peugeot 208, VW Up, Toyota Avensis –Autocar
• Baby 3.0L Jeep Wrangler Comes to China – Chinacartimes
• Nissan Sport Sedan Concept to inspire new Golf rival – Autocar
• Ford dealers ask EcoSport customers to either cancel or book other models – Indian Autos Blog. One out of five exported from India.

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