- Aisin Seiki is among suppliers involved in Toyota’s recalls, report says – Automotive News: Aisin Seiki is among suppliers involved in Toyota’s recall of more than 6 million vehicles, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.
- Lexus NX compact crossover will have 3 powertrains – Automotive News: Lexus plans to unveil the production version of its NX compact crossover at this month’s Beijing motor show with three powertrains, including a turbo and hybrid for America.
- TAIWAN: The fold away electric scooter by appointment to Audi – Just-auto: It’s possibly the ultimate accessory for the Audi owner about town – a fold away electric mini scooter, branded with the German company’s name and logo, which can be tucked away in a corner of the boot until needed.
- GM Raises Recall Charge to $1.3 Billion – WSJ: General Motors may be facing its first quarterly net loss since emerging from bankruptcy protection in 2009 after disclosing recall costs would reach $1.3 billion in the first quarter.
- TAIWAN: The bubble car is back, fit for the 21st century – Just-auto: A front entry, rear engine bubble car which rekindles memories of the 1950s Isetta is making its global debut at the Taiwan EV Show – but this one brings the idea of a low-cost, low-consumption city runabout slap bang into the era of low emissions.
- New Citroen crossover concept leaked – Autocar: First reportedly official sketches of the Beijing-bound Citroën concept show is cool new crossover.
- Mercedes-Benz B-class Electric Drive enters production – Autocar: Mercedes says RHD versions of its first electric car are slated for the UK in 2015. B-class EV will be a rival to BMW’s stylish i3.
- Honda Targets 70,000 Fit Sales Annually in U.S. – Wards: The Fit has enjoyed stronger demographics than its subcompact competitors in the U.S., and Honda expects that trend to continue with the new generation.
- On Leadership: Getting GM employees to speak up about safety – Washington Post: As General Motors tries to recover from the ignition switch failure linked to the recall of more than 2 million cars, 13 deaths and Congressional hearings for its new CEO, the company announced a new effort on Thursday to get its employees to speak up about potential safety issues.
- TAIWAN: British kit-car builders to aid Japanese EV project – Just-auto: British kit-car know-how will be used to help a Japanese company to develop rolling chassis for electric vehicles which, it is hoped, will go on sale in the Far East and Europe in less than a year’s time.
- Virtual-Reality Lab Crystal Ball for Ford Oz Techies – Wards: Virtual technology will be vital in helping deliver improved quality and customer experiences as Ford grows its global lineup of vehicles.
- INDIA: Maruti confirms fuel filler recall – Just-auto: Maruti Suzuki India has confirmed it will recall and replace fuel filler necks in 103,311 vehicles, about 50,000 less than an earlier report had suggested might be called back.
- Fiat Mounts Comeback in Spain – Wards: After years of red ink, group sales growth is outpacing the market, and the automaker believes it has shored up its retail network for a near-term return to profitability.
- US: GM adds lock cylinders, new keys, to ignition switch recall repair – Just-auto: General Motors now will replace lock cylinders, as well as ignition switches, in a recall of 2.2m older model cars in the US.
- Hyundai Raising Stakes in Struggle for China Market – Wards: Under the agreement, Chongqing will provide tax breaks and other incentives for the plant, Beijing Hyundai’s fourth in the country. Construction could begin late this year, with production launching in 2016.
- Hope for India car sales despite slump – FT: After a prolonged downturn, analysts predict a pick-up in 2014 as economic growth accelerates in the wake of the general election
- Porsche Panamera Turbo S UK first drive review – Autocar: Better at crushing your windpipe than appealing to your heart, but this Turbo S is nonetheless impressive.
- IAB Report – Mercedes-Benz to expand family by 12 cars globally by 2020 – Indian Autos Blog: Mercedes-Benz announced that it will introduce 12 brand new cars that do not have any predecessors by 2020. The announcement came at the brand’s annual shareholder’s meeting which was held in Berlin this week.
- Safety advocates alarmed by fatal accidents in recalled GM cars – Reuters: Safety advocates say two recent fatal accidents involving recalled General Motors Co cars provide evidence that the automaker should advise owners to take vehicles off the road until they are repaired.
- Daniel Howes: Lines blur between old, new GM – DetN: The hits keep on coming for the engineering diaspora of ‘old GM.’
- New ‘super GTI’ Volkswagen Golf spotted – Autocar: First pictures of a hot new Volkswagen Golf testing at the Nürburgring spark rumours that VW is trying to break sister brand Seat’s lap record.
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