Archives for February 2014

Not so much today. Flacks are in the air to Geneva, Switzerland.

• New-Car Transaction Prices Fall for Second Consecutive Month – Wards
• Nissan sets production and sales records in January – Just-auto
• Nissan develops “smart rearview mirror” – Just-auto
• GM names former VW India chief to head Holden – Just-auto
• Opel GT added to GM ignition switch recall – Just-auto
• Ford nips at Toyota in U.S. retail sales race – Automotive News
• London set to ban older private petrol and diesel cars – Autocar
• US: Light vehicle market hit by weather in February – Edmunds – Just-auto
• Carmakers look to credit to revive Europe – FT
• VW previews future SUV styling with T-ROC crossover concept – Automotive News
• EUROPEAN PREMIERE OF THE NEW LEXUS RC AT THE 2014 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW – Toyota

[Want more news? The Daily Kanban Newsbot works for you 24/7.]

• US: General Motors mulled ignition switch problem for a decade – Just-auto
• GM put off ignition switch recall for years; 13 deaths linked to issue – DetN
• GM Expands Ignition-Switch Recall – WSJ
• GM tells NHTSA Silverado, Sierra glitch ‘inconsequential’ – Automotive News
• US: GM doubles size of ignition switch recall – Just-auto
• Panasonic eyes Tesla battery plant investment – report – Just-auto
• Panasonic eyes Tesla battery plant investment – report – Just-auto
• Toyota design chief Fukuichi to head Lexus – Automotive News
• Analysts: Global vehicle sales will likely peak in next decade – DetN
• Honda ends Insight hybrid output as sales trail Prius – Automotive News
• Tennessee VW workers challenge UAW objection to plant vote – Reuters
• Tenn. VW workers ask for right to defend UAW vote – DetN
• Tesla Model S Tops Consumer Reports List – WSJ
• A BMW With the Heart of a Lawn Mower – WSJ

[Want more news? The Daily Kanban Newsbot works for you 24/7.]

• Investors recoil over VW plans for Scania – FT
• Scania appoints committee to mull Volkswagen US$9.2bn bid – Just-auto
• VW books record operating profit in 2013 – Just-auto
• Could the United Auto Workers get a do-over in Chattanooga? – Washington Post: “After employees at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. narrowly voted against joining the United Auto Workers a couple weeks ago, union officials vowed the fight wasn’t over: Outside groups had muddled the results with “threats and intimidation,” they said, and the election shouldn’t stand. On Friday, they lodged a formal objection with the National Labor Relations Board, asking it to hold the whole thing over again.”
• Tracing the UAW’s struggle with foreign automakers – Automotive News
• VW labor leaders try to save works council – Automotive News
• With On-Going Smog-a-thon, Shi Jia Zhuang City Introduces Car Limits – Chinacartimes
• Fisker, new Chinese owner plan to restart Karma production this year – Automotive News
• Lamborghini China Sees Slowing Market Growth – WSJ
• Honda to appoint first woman board member – FT
• Honda taps first female board member in diversity push – Automotive News
• Honda names first foreigner, female to top management – Reuters
• Hyundai Motor reinstates former R&D president – Reuters
• Chrysler turned away by bankruptcy court in tax-refund quest – Automotive News
• Tesla cuts losses but sees costly year ahead – Automotive News: “Tesla Motors finished its first year as a full-fledged automaker with 22,477 cars sold, $2 billion in revenue and a net loss of $74 million.”

[Want more news? The Daily Kanban Newsbot works for you 24/7.]

Today’s blog writing worksheet:

• Nissan March/Micra Falls to Venucia Brand – Chinacartimes: “Dongfeng-Nissan’s own sub brand seems to be the end place for vehicles that fail to meet the sales and age requirements of the Nissan brand, the last generation Tiida twins, Lavina and now the March/Micra mini car have headed over to Venucia.”
• Daimler names former VW, BMW CEO Pischetsrieder to supervisory board – Automotive News. And he’s baaaaack … Rumor had it, Piech made him CEO just so that he can torture him at leisure.
• Zetsche gets pay raise after record Mercedes deliveries – Automotive News. Good boy!
• China auto lobby, policymakers collide over foreign investment – Reuters: “China’s auto lobby has urged Beijing to support local carmakers after the regulator said it was considering further opening up the market to outside investment amid a deepening row between policymakers and state-owned car firms.”
• Ford Aims to Tip Million Mark in China – WSJ
• Honda’s Accord beat Camry as top U.S. car in individual sales – Automotive News. Panic in Bunkyo!!!
• Electric Nissan e-NV200 van on sale in May – Autocar
• THAILAND: Market crashes in January – Just-auto. Land of frozen smiles.
• It’s time to lower the drink-drive limit to match the rest of Europe – Autocar. Last call!

[Want more news? The Daily Kanban Newsbot works for you 24/7.]

Bloggers, this will be a tough day. Recommend editing a few slideshows for traffic. News lousy so far:

• Ford splits with longtime TV pitchman Mike Rowe – Automotive News. Check Youtube for old commercials.
• Porsche Working Up Plans for 7th Product Line – thedetroitbureau.com, Cue “brand dilution—-”
• Porsche recalls all 911 GT3 cars made this year amid fire probe – Reuters Cue sirens
• Finance Minister pledges no PSA factory closures – Just-auto. He’s a politician. Can say anything.
• FINLAND: Nokian develops tyre with retractable studs – Just-auto. That’s just what we need. Studs that retract
• Analyst Seeks Common Ground in Malaysian Auto Policy – Wards. I’m glad
• GM India confirms export plans, to commence later this year – Indian Autos Blog

[Want more news? The Daily Kanban Newsbot works for you 24/7.]