- Document: GM initially sought to repair air bag problems, not recall SUVs – DetN: General Motors Co. initially sought to repair 1.3 million SUVs for air bag problems through a customer service campaign, rather than a safety recall, according to a newly disclosed document.
- GM was reluctant to recall 1.2 million vehicles for airbag issue – Automotive News: Even after revealing that it waited years to recall cars in which faulty ignition switches caused airbags to fail, a General Motors document suggests the automaker last month remained reluctant to issue a recall for a long-known problem with airbags…
- JAPAN: Mazda ready to sell Flat Rock plant stake to Ford – Just-auto: Mazda CEO Masamichi Kogai has said the company is ready to begin talks with Ford to sell Mazda’s stake in a joint venture that operates the Flat Rock plant in Michigan, Reuters reported.
- Shaky Economy Threatens Russia Vehicle Sales, GM Manager Says – Wards: Russia’s economy faces a number of challenges, including a heavy reliance on oil and natural-gas exports, that may negatively affect future vehicle sales, says a GM senior manager.
- Volkswagen Extends Offer Period for Scania Shares – WSJ: Volkswagen has extended the deadline by three weeks on an offer to buy out minority investors in Swedish truck maker Scania after the German auto maker failed to meet its initial target of shareholder acceptance by April 25.
- Foxx wants to hike NHTSA penalty cap to $300M – Automotive News: Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx asked Congress today to hike the maximum civil penalty for a violation of federal auto safety laws more than eightfold to $300 million to push automakers to more quickly issue safety recalls,
- Volvo starts self-driving car test in Sweden – Autocar: A fleet of 100 cars starts a large-scale autonomous car test in Sweden today, with the aim of bringing the technology to market by 2017A fleet of up to 100 self-driving Volvo S60 and V60 models today will start long-term testing in Sweden.
- Loophole in Spanish Subsidy Program Open to Clunkers – Wards: Each PIVE program offered subsidies to new-car buyers who had to show they were scrapping a model 10 to 12 years old. But because none set a minimum ownership period, some old vehicles changed hands without leaving the junkyard. Content Classification: Curated
- Saloons win fans to boost Daimler profits – FT: Carmaker’s revenues rise in spite of euro’s strength against emerging market currencies with sales of saloon and compact vehicles accelerating.
- Daimler first-quarter profit surges on Mercedes compact car demand – Automotive News: Daimler’s first-quarter operating profit more than doubled as its expanded compact car range and demand from China and the U.S. boosted vehicle sales to record levels.
- Daimler: Net profit almost doubles in first quarter of 2014 – Wards: Total unit sales of 565,800 vehicles at record level in first quarter Revenue up by 13% to €29.5 billion Disproportionately high increase in Group EBIT to €1,787 million (Q1 2013: €917 million) Net
- NBA ban on Clippers owner clears path for sponsors Kia, M-B, CarMax to return – Automotive News: With Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling banned for life from the NBA for making racially insensitive comments, the door appears open for corporate sponsors such as Kia Motors America and CarMax to one day return to the team.
- White House Wants to Lift Ban on Interstate Tolls – NY Times: Ending a prohibition as old as the national highway system could help address a shortfall in funding for repairs, the Obama administration said.
- World Vehicle Sales, March 2014 – Wards: World vehicle sales by region for total vehicles and light vehicles for March 2014.
- Tesla plans at least 2 battery sites in U.S., Musk says – Automotive News: Tesla Motors is close to naming sites in at least two U.S. states for a planned battery “gigafactory” and will break ground at each to ensure one is ready to supply lithium ion packs within three years.
- Wheelies: The Solo Alfa Romeo Edition – NY Times: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles may present Alfa Romeo as an independent brand.