- Land Rover recalls 40,551 SUVs in U.S. due to air bag issue – Reuters: Jaguar Land Rover is recalling 40,551 Land Rover sport utility vehicles in the United States because the front passenger air bag may not deploy due to a part failure, according to documents filed with U.S. safety regulators.
- Toyota taps former U.S. Attorney David Kelley as safety monitor – Automotive News: Former federal prosecutor David Kelley has been appointed as the government monitor who will supervise Toyota’s safety after the company’s mishandling of vehicle recalls for unintended acceleration.
- GM, Ford Enjoy Blistering Sales Pace in China – thedetroitbureau.com: General Motors and Ford continued to roll up record sales in China last month where both companies are continuing to expand their presence in what has become the world’s largest automotive market. GM and its joint ventures surpassed 2 million in sales for the fifth consecutive year.
- CHINA: China’s anti-trust regulator investigates over 1,000 auto companies – Just-auto: China’s anti-trust probe has expanded to include over 1,000 local Chinese and overseas automotive companies, according to local sources quoting a Chinese government official.
- Saab Car Brand’s Chinese-Backed Owner Faces Credit Crunch – Via Google News: The company confirmed reports Wednesday that one of its suppliers, Labo Test, has petitioned a Swedish court to declare the auto maker bankrupt …
- Cowin Auto plans to develop connected car with Xiaomi and Baidu – Via Google News: New Chinese car brand Cowin Auto is looking to develop smart and connected passenger vehicles with smartphone maker Xiaomi and internet …
- Former U.S. attorney to monitor Toyota safety efforts – DetN: Former U.S. Attorney David Kelley will oversee Toyota Motor Corp.’s compliance with a deferred prosecution agreement with the Justice Department after the automaker was charged with defrauding consumers by issuing misleading statements over unintended acceleration recalls.
- GM would see European profits by mid-decade, says Opel brand CFO – DetN: General Motors Co.’s European chief financial officer reaffirmed goals to be profitable for Europe by mid-decade, as the automaker sees sales improvement in Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.
- Study: Young adults increasingly use smartphones to shop for cars – DetN: Young people are increasingly buying cars on their smartphones, and have done extensive research before stepping onto dealer lots, a new study says.
- GM Weighed In on Stewart’s Race Exit – WSJ: General Motors, a prominent sponsor of three-time Nascar champion Tony Stewart, weighed in on the driver’s decision to pull out of a race after his vehicle hit and killed fellow racer Kevin Ward Jr., people familiar with the matter said.
- Hyundai to Settle Mileage Suit – WSJ: Hyundai Motor issued an apology for inflating the fuel economy of a sport-utility vehicle and offered to pay up to 56 billion won ($54.3 million) to settle a suit against the company, which also targeted five other auto makers.
- Put the brakes on the auto-lending bubble before it bursts – Via Google News: The U.S. auto market is booming, with new car sales on track to hit 16.5 million in 2014, the best year since 2006. On the whole, this is great for the …
- TrueCar growing at faster pace than strong U.S. vehicle market – Automotive News: TrueCar, the online car-shopping site that went public with its stock in May, is growing its sales and dealer network faster than overall U.S. vehicle sales and faster than analysts expected.
- GM says joint venture in China contacted by antitrust regulator – DetN: General Motors Co. said its passenger-vehicle joint venture in China was contacted by that nation’s antitrust regulator amid an industry investigation that has seen at least seven foreign carmakers cut prices.
- DealBook: Moody’s Tamps Down Concerns About Surge in Auto Loans – NY Times: In a new report, Moody’s says banks have remained “conservative” in their lending. The report acknowledged rising auto loan balances, but it concluded that “consumers owe less now than they did during the recession so they can afford to take on more debt.”
- GM hails Opel dealership take-up in European turnaround plan – Automotive News: General Motors’ European transformation is gathering pace, with the vast majority of its former Chevrolet dealers in the region now selling only Opel-branded vehicles to boost the once-flagging brand, the automaker said today.
- Millennials Reshape the Car Buying Process – thedetroitbureau.com: Reports of the death of the American love affair with cars have been greatly exaggerated, especially when it comes to young Millennial buyers, according to a new report – but what Gen Y wants, and how they go car shopping, is very different from prior generations.
- Sleeker GM, Honda SUVs have buyers shunning sedans – DetN: When Dennis Bashaw last considered buying a sport-utility vehicle a decade ago, he saw them as gas-guzzling road hogs. So he was stunned last month to find an array of compact, smooth-riding SUVs that get good mileage.
- Even millennials bypass social media during car-buying journey – Automotive News: Despite years of hype by automakers and dealers, social media remain a non-starter for car shopping. Just 1 percent of car buyers use social sites to shop for a vehicle, according to an AutoTrader survey.
- Consumer Reports: Tesla Model S shows flaws over time – DetN: Tesla Motors Inc.’s Model S, ranked as the best-reviewed car of the year by Consumer Reports, exhibited minor flaws after months of driving as the magazine’s staff continued to test the vehicle.
- SWEDEN: NEVS production staff at home as supplier woes continue – Just-auto: National Electric Vehicle Sweden says some of its 250 production employees are at home following further struggles with short-term financing.
- Record rainfall in Michigan disrupts Detroit 3 operations – Automotive News: Southeast Michigan experienced record rainfall Monday, causing closures or slowdowns at Ford, General Motors and Chrysler plants and tech centers throughout the area.
- Toyota-BMW Engine Collaboration Spins Off Sports Cars – Wards: BMW reportedly is leading the development of the cars’ chassis, banking on its experience with aluminum, carbon fiber and high-strength steel to create a lighter and stiffer composite body structure, while Toyota is focusing on high-performance hybrid technology.
- Saab owner faces bankruptcy petition – DetN: The company that lifted Swedish automaker Saab out of bankruptcy is now facing financial difficulties of its own.
- Chrysler Creates Vehicle Safety Office, Puts Veteran in Charge – NY Times: Chrysler Group LLC on Tuesday announced the establishment of a new office called “vehicle safety and regulatory compliance” led by a veteran company senior vice president, Scott Kunselman.
- China Puts Pressure on Foreign Carmakers – NY Times: Audi was recently a target in an antitrust investigation by Beijing, which is examining prices for replacement parts.
- CHINA: Citroen readies small crossover for China production – Just-auto: Citroen has reportedly commenced pilot production of its C-XR concept, which was unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show in April where it looked production ready.
- New engines and styling for sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro – Autocar: Upcoming Chevrolet Camaro spotted testing ahead of Detroit motor show debut; new four-cylinder turbocharged version planned.
- UK: Mini Clubman production ends – Just-auto: BMW has confirmed to just-auto.com that production of the Mini Clubman and Clubvan models has ceased. Each was manufactured at Plant Oxford (Cowley).
- Audi will ‘accept penalty’ in China anti-monopoly probe – Automotive News: Audi will accept punishment from Chinese authorities for breaching anti-monopoly laws in the world’s largest car market, according statement from the automaker today.