Very mixed bag so far this morning:
- US: Golf off Ford CEO Mulally’s next-move list – report – Just-auto: Speculation is continuing to swirl around what Ford CEO Alan Mulally will do next but it apparently won’t be retirement golf in Florida.
- US: Single complaints prompt NHTSA Chevrolet brake and Bosch Leaf charger probes – Just-auto: The NHTSA has opened preliminary investigations into the 2014 Chevrolet Impala and a Bosch fast charger used with a 2013 Nissan Leaf model sold in the US after receiving just one complaint each about automatic braking and battery recharging respectively.
- Tesla seeks workers for ex-Chrysler property in Calif. – Automotive News: Tesla Motors Inc. has leased an idled parts-distribution center in rural California where it plans to hire engineers and technicians as the maker of luxury electric cars expands operations.
- US: Improved profits fettle Ford’s Fitch rating – Just-auto: Fitch Ratings has affirmed Ford Motor Company and its Ford Motor Credit captive finance subsidiary at ‘BBB-‘ and revised its rating outlook for both to ‘positive’ from ‘stable’.
- New GM struggles to shake off the past – FT: A court ruling that the company deliberately hid the seriousness of safety problems could allow plaintiffs to sue the post-bankruptcy GM for losses
- Report – Ssangyong X100 mini SUV Jan 2015 launch confirmed, seven seat variant in late 2015 – Indian Autos Blog: Top officials at Mahindra-owned Ssangyong Motor have revealed to a media gathering at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show this week that the Ssangyong X100, previewed by the Concept XLV, will be launched next year. The five-seat Ssangyong X100, which is Europe-bound, will launch next January if the schedule is unhindered.
- US: Toyota Mississippi exports first Corollas – Just-auto: Toyota has begun exporting Corollas built at its Mississippi plant for the first time.
- GERMANY: First four-cylinder Porsche since 1995 – Just-auto: Unlike the V4 in its new 919 WEC racer, the four-cylinder engine in the just-announced Macan is made by the Volkswagen Group, not Porsche.
- Toyota’s global sales top VW, GM for 3rd straight quarter – Automotive News: Toyota outsold VW Group and GM for a third straight quarter. Toyota sold 2.58 million units in the January-to-March period, it said today. Second place is too close to call as GM and VW said they each sold about 2.4 million vehicles.
- CHINA: Toyota adds local hybrid capacity – Just-auto: Toyota, the global leader in hybrid vehicles, will start to source hybrid components in China for its locally produced Corolla and Levin models from next year rather than import them from Japan.
- Audi plans hot new RS3 hatch for Paris motor show – Autocar: Year-end debut for hot new Audi RS3, which sits on lightweight MQB platform and gets new engine upgrades to outrun Mercedes and BMW rivals.
- Mercedes plans C450 AMG Sport for 2015 – Autocar: New performance-orientated C-class to join range next year, with twin-turbo V6 engine and 367bhpMercedes-Benz is planning to extend its new C-class line-up with a performance-orientated C450 AMG Sport.
- Land Rover launches LWB Range Rover Hybrid in Beijing – Autocar: China’s first ever diesel-electric hybrid goes on sale in May in LWB form, with 186mm of extra interior space and CO2 emissions of 169g/kmA long-wheelbase version of the Range Rover Hybrid has made its debut at the Beijing motor show.
- Scania Shareholder Alecta Rejects VW Bid – WSJ: Swedish pension fund Alecta said it would reject Volkswagen’s offer to buy out minority shareholders in truck maker Scania.
- Fields to take Ford wheel at prime stage – Automotive News: When Mark Fields took charge of Ford’s Americas operations nine years ago, it was a major repair job with record losses and a brush with bankruptcy. Today, Ford’s North American operations are the envy of the industry.
- Chinese-owned Fisker hopes to relaunch Karma in 2015 – DetN: A plan for Fisker Automotive Inc. is solidifying that would put the company’s gas-electric hybrid Karma luxury automobile back on the road in mid-2015, according to its newly appointed interim president.
- Vote Rejecting UAW at Plant Is Certified – WSJ: The NLRB certified a February election in which the UAW was rejected by workers at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee, bringing to an end a two-month battle over the result.