- Hyundai, Ssangyong Face Fines for Overstating Fuel Efficiency – WSJ: South Korea’s transport ministry said it will fine Hyundai Motor and Ssangyong Motor for overstating fuel economy figures of their sport-utility vehicles.
- GM prepares to recall some Cruze sedans with Takata air bags – Reuters: General Motors Co is preparing to recall about 33,000 Chevrolet Cruze sedans with potentially defective air bags made by troubled Japanese supplier Takata Corp, the automaker said late Wednesday.
- GM’s Barra: more recalls possible, done firing workers over faulty switch – NBC – Reuters: General Motors Chief Executive Mary Barra said on Thursday more recalls are possible as the No. 1 U.S. automaker continues to look at data and take action if necessary.
- Daimler and Nissan approve joint Mexico production, report says – Automotive News: Daimler and Nissan have finalized a joint venture deal to build future Mercedes and Infiniti compact cars in Mexico, sources said today as the automakers called a news conference to unveil the plans.
- Honda, Audi, Hyundai and Volvo to get Android platform soon – Via Google News: Android Auto provides a seamless link between your android smart phone and your car’s infotainment system. Android Auto happens to be the first …
- Daimler and Nissan approve joint Mexico production: sources – Reuters: Daimler and Nissan have finalized a joint venture deal to build future Mercedes and Infiniti compact cars in Mexico, sources with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday as the automakers called a news conference to unveil the plans.
- Ram ProMaster City to take aim at Ford Transit Connect – Automotive News: When it arrives in dealerships early next year, the 2015 Ram ProMaster City will give Chrysler Group dealers a small commercial van to compete with the Ford Transit Connect. The front-wheel-drive van will be powered by the same 2.
- Jaguar roars once more with F-Type Coupe – DetN: This vicious, road-eating, ear-splitting cat is the first true sports car that Jaguar has made since the E-Type died off in’74. It is glorious.
- G.M. Holds a Corvette Track Day for Potential Customers – NY Times: The company used Polk data to find the drivers, sent them letters and let them flail new Corvette Stingrays on the track.
- GM Finds Air Bag Problem in Cruze – WSJ: Auto maker says about 33,000 of its 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze compact cars were equipped with air bag inflators that were assembled with the wrong part.
- General Motors Halts Sale of Cruze Sedan Over Takata Air Bags – NY Times: The car company says the mechanics of the air bags may be faulty, causing improper inflation.
- GM dealers stop selling some Cruze sedans with Takata air bags – Reuters: General Motors Co on Wednesday told its North American dealers not to sell an inventory of about 33,000 new and used Chevrolet Cruze sedans from model years 2013 and 2014 because of a potential problem with air bags made by troubled Japanese supplier Takata Corp .
- Renault plans new flagship MPV for 2015 launch – Autocar: Renault plans to head upmarket with its new, plushly equipped, seven-seat successor to the Espace.
- Next Ford Focus RS to get 300bhp from Mustang engine – Autocar: Ford has started development on its long-awaited next Focus RS model, with power coming from its 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine.
- Airbag recall could drive Takata into the red – Automotive News: Takata could face a $500 million charge and a net loss this year — its second in three years — as a widening recall of airbag inflators begins to kindle worries despite its deep pockets.
- Defective Takata Airbags Force “Stop Sale” on 2013-1014 Chevy Cruze Models – thedetroitbureau.com: General Motors has issued a “stop sale” to its dealers advising them to stop selling any 2013 and 2014 Chevrolet Cruze sedans on their lots due to a potential airbag defect, with a recall likely to follow
- GM halts sale of some 2013-14 Chevy Cruze models for airbag glitch – Automotive News: GM told dealers in the United States and Canada to halt delivery of some 2013-14 Chevrolet Cruze sedans because of a potential problem with an airbag supplied by Takata, hampering sales of the company’s top-selling car amid an end-of-the-month sales…
- Automakers Charged Up About Electric Turbochargers – thedetroitbureau.com: With stiff new emissions and mileage mandates looming, manufacturers are looking for ways to increase fuel economy without sacrificing performance. Many are bolting turbos and superchargers on to smaller engines to accomplish the feat, including electric blowers that don’t waste power or suffer “turbo lag.”
- Google reveals Android interface for autos – Automotive News: Claiming commitments from most of the world’s most popular car brands, Google Inc. today revealed Android Auto, an in-car control system for smartphones that will compete with Apple Inc.’s new CarPlay interface.
- ‘Key pullout,’ another GM ignition flaw, was quietly fixed years before recall – Automotive News: More than seven years ago, GM fixed two design flaws that allowed the key in some Chevrolet Cobalts and Saturn Ions to come out of the ignition while the engine was on, but the company didn’t notify existing owners about the problem until an April…
- Google Premieres Android Auto, Putting Your Android Phone in the Car – Via Google News: At its annual IO developers conference on Wednesday, Google announced the release of a new car-based operating system that lets you connect …
- Wheelies: The Hydrogen Toyota Edition – NY Times: Toyota unveils the body styling and pricing in Japan for its hydrogen fuel-cell car; G.M. to install solar energy arrays at Michigan plants.
- Daimler Says ‘Shooting Brake’ Compact to Go on Sale in 2015 – WSJ: Mercedes-Benz will build the fifth model in its family of CLA compact cars at its factory in Hungary, owner Daimler said Wednesday.
- Hyundai Sonata to have Apple, Google phone tech by year-end – Automotive News: Hyundai will offer in-car smartphone operating systems from Apple and Google on the 2015 Sonata mid-sized sedan by year end — making it the first nonluxury vehicle in the United States to offer the systems.
- Ford’s Mulally, Fields Make Early, Informal CEO Transition – thedetroitbureau.com: Officially, Alan Mulally had nearly a week left before his retirement, Mark Fields still in the on-deck circle. But informally, the outgoing Ford Motor Co. CEO handed the baton over to his successor this week during Ford’s annual summer media preview. TheDetroitBureau.com was there and looks at the legacy and challenges facing Fields.
- The Ten Worst Car Factories In History – Via Google News: These are the car plants where competence, build quality and all your hopes and dreams went to die. Their cars should have come with a sticker that …
- Faulty airbags add millions to vehicle recalls this year in US – Via Google News: The automobile airbag, one of the most critical safety components, has emerged as a major concern of automakers and regulators. The New York …
- Google to launch in-car software – FT: Launch of new platforms to compete with Apple for control of cars’ dashboards, with the aim that a new product called Auto Link will give cars full internet connectivity by 2025
- Hardcore Lotus Evora GT4 racer tested to the limit on track – Autocar: We head to the track in Lotus’ gentleman racer, the 355bhp, V6-powered Evora GT4 to see what kind of race car £125,000 can buy Built for the gentleman racer, Lotus’ Evora GT4 costs £125,000 and can reach 62mph in around 3.0 seconds. It’s powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine with 355bhp, so how does it stack up on track?
- GERMANY: Ford transformation plan on track – Odell – Just-auto: The launch of the new Edge SUV is another step forward in the company’s transformation plan said Ford of Europe chief Stephen Odell – a plan that will see 25 new models and updates between 2013 and 2018.
- Self-Driving and Connected Cars: Conference Highlights Clash of Cultures Between Auto and Tech – Via Google News: At a CE Week 2014 panel in New York City, it was unclear whether cars built for the “Internet of Things” age will be designed around a common …
- McLaren 650S MSO gets Goodwood debut – Autocar: McLaren’s Special Operations division has added its own performance upgrades to the 650S supercar, with just 50 units to be sold.
- Japan Moves to Fast-Track Cars Powered by Hydrogen Fuel Cells – NY Times: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s growth strategy is expected to help Toyota and Honda start selling the less-polluting autos next year.
- Hot new 543bhp Range Rover Sport showcased – Autocar: The fastest and most powerful production car ever made by Land Rover will be seen for the first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend before going on sale next year.
- Nissan Gran Turismo concept jumps from virtual to reality – Autocar: Virtual Nissan concept car becomes real-life model for Goodwood Festival of Speed, and could point towards the next GT-R.