- CHINA: Weaker economy slows car demand – Just-auto: A weakening trend for China’s economy is beginning to depress demand in China’s light vehicle market according to analysts at LMC Automotive.
- Automakers, Suppliers Confident China to Remain on Strong Growth Track – Wards: Alysha Webb Ford and GM are among those looking to expand their sales networks in the country and add models to their product portfolios. Most forecasts call for sales to rise 7%-10% in 2014.
- Japan’s worst car sales in 16 months usher in tax hangover – Automotive News: Vehicle sales last month in Japan fell to the lowest since December 2012 after Japan raised its consumption tax for the first time 17 years, according to industry figures released today.
- Chrysler volume rises 14% on Jeep surge – Automotive News: Behind another surge at Jeep, Chrysler Group posted a 14 percent increase in U.S. sales in April, extending the company’s streak of U.S. volume gains to 49 months.
- AUSTRALIA: Holden to rebadge Opel’s Astra, Insignia and Cascada – Just-auto: Having last year axed Opel and its separate dealer network in Australia after less than a year, General Motors’ local unit has confirmed earlier reports it will (again) rebadge some European-made Opel models for sale branded Holden, starting in the first half of 2015. The new models will also be sold in New Zealand.
- GM begins construction on race engine design facility in Pontiac – DetN: General Motors Co. said Wednesday it has started construction on a new facility for race engine design and development at its Global Powertrain headquarters in Pontiac, as the automaker works to bring together its North American powertrain engineering group for production as well as advanced and racing engines.
- BMW is innovating its way to the front of the market – Autocar: As an i3 joins our long-term fleet, it’s becoming clear that BMW is bringing the kind of designs and original thinking into the car market which could push it well ahead of its premium rivals.
- Fiat Chrysler maps out another 5 years – DetN: On Nov. 4, 2009, Sergio Marchionne took the stage at the Chrysler Technical Center in Auburn Hills to outline his vision for the born-again automaker. In four-and-a-half years, Marchionne and his team have accomplished most — but not all — of what they promised.
- Home to be built from shipping container unveiled in Detroit – DetN: The setting for what’s billed as the city’s first occupied home to be built from a shipping container was unveiled Wednesday.
- Ford optimistic about rollout of Transit commercial van – DetN: Ford Motor Co. is betting big on its new Transit van to maintain its lead in the U.S. commercial vehicle segment.
- Treasury shrinks forecast for overall bank, auto bailout losses to $12.3B – DetN: The Treasury Department says it now expects to lose $12.3 billion on its $85 billion bailout of banks, automakers and AIG in 2008 and 2009, down from its prior estimate of $13.7 billion.
- Peugeot planning Nurburgring assault as well as hot 308 R – Autocar: Hot new Peugeot production models planned as the firm seeks to tie up its motorsport activities with road cars. Peugeot is looking to link its motorsport and road car activities with a new era of hot cars, as well as a possible attempt on the 31-year-old Nürburgring lap record.
- UAW can still unionize VW plant after failed drive, experts say – Automotive News: The UAW still has several options to unionize Volkswagen AG’s Tennessee car plant, labor law experts said, after it failed to win enough support and last week dropped its challenge to the election results