- NHTSA chief says GM made ‘incredibly poor decisions’ on recalls – Automotive News: The top U.S. auto safety regulator harshly criticized GM for not promptly reporting and recalling cars now linked to at least 19 deaths and said he has been meeting with top global automakers to develop a “new normal” for safety recalls.
- GM’s Opel Hunkers Down in Russia – WSJ: Adam Opel, the European unit of General Motors., is reorganizing its business in Russia in the latest sign that weakening sales there threaten GM’s turnaround in Europe.
- Tesla: high times – FT: Is the pioneering electric car company good value in the long term, but less so in the short term?
- JAPAN: Toyota stalls on Mexico plant plans – Just-auto: Toyota has paused plans for a new assembly plant in Mexico after company president Akio Toyoda called for a review of the North American market.
- Hyundai plans to build 2 more factories in China, not 1, reports say – Automotive News: Hyundai Motor Co. plans to build two factories in China instead of one, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters today.
- Bosch benefits as new ZF-TRW combo enters driverless car fray – Automotive News: Robert Bosch GmbH gained full control over key automotive technology, positioning the world’s biggest parts supplier as an unexpected beneficiary of ZF Friedrichshafen AG’s leap into the No. 2 position.
- GM’s Opel to cut Russia production as slowdown bites – Reuters: U.S. carmaker General Motors is cutting production and shedding around 500 jobs at its Opel division in Russia, hit by a plunge in local demand due to a slowing economy and Western sanctions.
Archives for September 2014
Tuesday morning car news roundup, September 16, 2014
September 16, 2014 By
No news today …
September 15, 2014 By
As you read this, I am winging my way from Tokyo to the West Coast for our traditional twice-yearly Daily Kanban Konference with Ed Niedermeyer, and the delicacies of the Portland food cart community.
Service could remain spotty throughout the week, but we will try! Please peruse the Daly Kanban Newsbot during the airline-induced outage.
Friday morning car news roundup, September 12, 2014
September 12, 2014 By
- US: Interior trim piece fit prompts Toyota curtain airbag recall – Just-auto: Toyota’s US unit is recalling around 130,000 2014 Tundra Crew-Max Cab and Double Cab pickup trucks to check curtain airbags.
- Tesla’s $1.3 billion incentive deal with Nevada includes direct sales – Automotive News: Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval signed tax breaks worth as much as $1.3 billion and a measure allowing Tesla Motors to sell directly to state residents, the final steps to bring the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory to Reno.
- Honda, Toyota Play Catch-Up on Automated Driving Tech – Wards: The top two Japanese automakers demonstrate their latest automated technologies, with an eye toward a 2020 launch.
- Auto market grows in China but domestic car brand share shrinks – Via Google News: Auto sales and production both rose in August from a year earlier in China, but the market share of the country’s indigenous brands continued to shrink …
- Ford to launch 4 new car models in India over 18-20 months -exec – Reuters: Ford Motor Co plans to launch four new car models in India and is looking to increase the amount of locally-made parts to reduce the cost of its vehicles sold in the country, the head of its local unit said on Friday.
- SEAT to Continue Audi Q3 Output With Next-Gen Model – Wards: Launch timing is unclear, but close to 2018 appears likely. Union sources say the Martorell plant beat out Volkswagen’s Belgium plant to win the job.
- JLR will build Range Rover Evoque in China – Automotive News: Jaguar Land Rover says the Range Rover Evoque will be the first model built at the company’s new China factory. The automaker also said that it may add production of its new Land Rover Discovery Sport at a later date.
- “Internet cars” made in China – Via Google News: SAIC Motor Corp and Alibaba Group signed an “Internet Car” agreement in Shanghai on July 23, which will enable SAIC to use Alibaba’s “YunOS” …
- Nevada Governor signs $1.3 billion tax break package for electric car maker Tesla – Reuters: Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval signed a package of bills on Thursday to provide $1.3 billion in tax breaks and other incentives for Tesla Motors, putting a bow on the deal for the electric car company to build a massive factory in the state.
- Air Bag Flaw, Long Known, Led to Recalls – NY Times: Failure to address an air bag defect was rooted in the auto industry’s ability to self-report safety problems in a minimal way.
- GM Issues ‘Stop Delivery’ Order on 2015 Corvettes – WSJ: General Motors Co. has issued a “stop delivery” order that will interrupt supply of one of its hottest selling vehicles: the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette.
Thursday morning car news roundup, September 11, 2014
September 11, 2014 By
- GERMANY/UK: Opel introduces Karl, Vauxhall revives Viva – Just-auto: Judging by the derisory comments on Twitter today, some British motoring writers aren’t impressed with General Motors Europe’s German unit Opel’s decision to call its new five-door small car Karl. UK unit Vauxhall will revive the Viva nameplate last used in 1979.
- China auto sales growth slows – Via Google News: China’s auto sales reached 1.72 million vehicles in August, a rise of just 4.0 percent compared with the same month a year ago, …
- MEXICO: Toyota considers the lure of south of the border – Just-auto: Toyota reportedly is looking to build a new vehicle plant in Mexico to take advantage of the country’s low labour costs and numerous free trade agreements.
- China fines Volkswagen, Chrysler for price-fixing – Via Google News: China’s anti-monopoly authority NDRC has imposed hefty fines against German carmaker Volkswagen (VW) and US auto group Chrysler.
- Audi and Chrysler fined for price-fixing – FT: Carmakers are handed penalties totalling $50m by the Chinese antitrust regulator as part of a probe into foreign automakers
- China fines Audi and Chrysler for price-fixing – Via Google News: China’s anti-monopoly regulator has fined Volkswagen’s Audi and Fiat’s Chrysler for fixing the price of cars and replacement auto parts, as part of a …
- Opel to launch budget family car in Europe by 2015 – Reuters: General Motors will launch a budget family car under the Vauxhall and Opel brands next year in a bid to woo customers of the company’s Chevrolet brand, which is set to be discontinued in Europe at the end of 2015.
- China fines Volkswagen affiliate $44.2 million – Via Google News: FAW-Volkswagen Sales Company, Ltd, a partnership between the Frankfurt-based firm and Chinese auto maker FAW, has been ordered to pay …
- China Auto Sales Grow at Slowest Pace in Five Months – Via Google News: Passenger-vehicle sales in China rose at the slowest pace since March as the economy slows and the government steps up anti-monopoly probes …
Wednesday morning car news roundup, September 10, 2014
September 10, 2014 By
- Subaru boosts 2014 U.S. sales forecast to 500,000 vehicles – Automotive News: Subaru of America, expecting to sustain strong growth in the United States, has boosted its forecast for sales this year to 500,000. Last year’s total of 424,683 marked the Japanese brand’s fifth consecutive U.S. annual sales record.
- US: Volkswagen plans five-year model life cycles – Just-auto: Volkswagen is planning to adopt five-year life model life cycles in the US.
- GERMANY: Porsche 2014 sales up 12% – Just-auto: Porsche sales so far this year are up 12% to 120,000, the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer said.
- Lentuo Expects China Pre-owned Car Trading Volume to Reach 9 million in 2014 – Via Google News: According to the China Automobile Dealers Association (“CADA”), Beijing is poised for rapid growth with transaction volumes for pre-owned cars …
- Ferrari Chief Montezemolo Quits After Clash With Fiat’s Marchionne – Via Google News: Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne (2L) waves next to Ferrari CEO Luca Cordero di Montezemolo after the presentation of the new LaFerrari hybrid car on …
- Tesla tax breaks to be debated by Nevada lawmakers – Automotive News: Nevada lawmakers are set to convene a special legislative session in Carson City today to consider a package of tax breaks estimated at up to $1.3 billion aimed at cementing a deal with Tesla Motors for a $5 billion battery plant.
- GERMANY: BMW on target for 2m 2014 sales – Just-auto: BMW Group booked record August sales last month, selling 145,902 vehicles last month, up 4.5% year on year. Though Mini sales were down because of a model change, the group still expects to pass 2m sales this year.
- Russia Weighing Ban on Car Imports From U.S., EU, Japan – Via Google News: An expanded ban on car imports likely would have the greatest effect on global automakers without production capacity in Russia, including …
- UK: BMW’s MINI to stick to 2-plant assembly set-up – Just-auto: BMW board member Harald Krüger has told just-auto that Oxford will remain at the heart of MINI production plans in the future, but with the Dutch Nedcar plant at Born also an important addition for the long-term.
- ITALY: Marchionne to replace Montezemolo as Ferrari chairman – Just-auto: Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne will take over as chairman of of Ferrari after Luca Cordero di Montezemolo quits next month.
- Ferrari chairman quits after F1 failures – FT: Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne to take over from Luca Cordero di Montezemolo following a public spat over the sports car maker’s leadership
- UK: China’s regulatory clampdown ‘not having a big effect on our business’ – BMW – Just-auto: BMW board member Peter Schwarzenbauer has told just-auto that China’s regulatory clampdown of aftermarket parts and services prices is not having a big effect on the company’s business there.
Infiniti gets daredevil CEO, Asia remains in focus
September 10, 2014 By
Nissan did not lose much time plugging the holes left by the sudden departures of Infiniti-chief Johan de Nysschen and Infiniti chairman Andy Palmer. Nissan hired BMW’s sales chief for Germany, Roland Krüger, and will dispatch him to Nissan’s Hong Kong headquarters, where he will assume the role as CEO once the Germans let him out of his contract.
Krüger negotiated an important concession: He will report directly to Carlos Ghosn. De Nysschen reported to Infiniti chairman Andy Palmer. With Andy gone, the decision came easier.
Tuesday morning car news roundup, September 9, 2014
September 9, 2014 By
- Bill Ford Supports Autonomous Cars, Trains in Megacities – Wards: A conundrum: Isn’t Ford in the business of selling as many cars and trucks as possible? “I think any business only exists to make people’s lives better, period,” Ford says. “Shoving more vehicles into an urban environment isn’t doing that.”
- Cadillac to Introduce Advanced ‘Intelligent and Connected’ Vehicle Technologies on Select 2017 Models – GM: Cadillac will begin offering advanced “intelligent and connected” vehicle technologies on certain 2017 model year vehicles, General Motors CEO Mary Barra said Sunday during her keynote address at the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) World Congress in Detroit.
- Dodge Challenger Hellcat dealer ordering begins — with a catch – Automotive News: Dodge will open dealer ordering for its new 707-hp 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat today, but the brand is changing its normal allocation methods to make sure the high-powered coupe gets into the hands of waiting enthusiasts.
- CZECH REPUBLIC: Skoda breaks August sales record – Just-auto: Volkswagen’s Czech brand Skoda said a 14.3% year on year sales rise last month to 73,200 vehicles was the best ever result for August.
- GERMANY: Audi hikes 2014 target to 1.7m – Just-auto: Volkswagen’s premium group Audi is now targeting global sales of 1.7m – up from “well over 1.6m” a month ago – after August sales rose 5.6% year on year to about 125,300 vehicles. Year to date, sales were up 10.5% to 1,138,700 with North American volume up 22.6%.
- US: Opel and Chevrolet show off connected/automated vehicles – Just-auto: Not to be outdone by big brother Cadillac, General Motors’ German unit Opel plus top US brand Chevrolet are demonstrating future of automated driving and connected mobility at the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress (7-11 September) with an Insignia research vehicle, a Chevrolet EN-V 2.0 concept vehicle and a Chevrolet Cruze equipped with vehicle to pedestrian (V2P) connectivity.
- UK: Jaguar “takes over London” for XE reveal – Just-auto: Tata Motors’ Jaguar claimed to have taken over London on Monday night (8 September) as it presented a “star-studded show” at Earls Court to reveal its new BMW 3-series-targeting XE to an audience of 3000 “VIPs” narrated by actor John Hannah.
- RUSSIA: August sales dive 26% in jittery market – Just-auto: Russian sales of new passenger cars and LCVs dropped sharply yet again in August, plunging 26% to reach a fraction more than 172,000 units.
- Delphi Takes Back Seat in Autonomous Driving Debate – Wards: Delphi already provides vision and radar systems, such as lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control, that warn drivers of a threat. Its V2V technology goes a step further.
- Tesla’s Self-Driving Electric Cars could be closer than you think – Via Google News: Brian Sandoval, extreme left, at a press conference where Nevada was announced as the new site for a $5 billion car battery gigafactory, at the …
Monday morning car news roundup, September 8, 2014
September 8, 2014 By
- RUSSIA: Volkswagen lowers Kaluga production target – Just-auto: Due to falling real wages and a weakening rouble, Volkswagen plans to reduce production at its plant in Kaluga, Russia.
- Texas governor says lower tax, regulatory hurdles lure companies such as Toyota, Tesla – Automotive News: Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a potential presidential candidate in two years, said companies such as Toyota will invest where they’re least burdened by taxes and regulation.
- Russia New Car Sales Down 25.8% on Year in August – Via Google News: The car market in Russia has come under pressure this year as real disposable incomes across the country have declined, while ruble weakness has …
- Musk anticipates another Tesla-Toyota project in 2-3 years – Automotive News: Tesla CEO Elon Musk says his company and Toyota could team on another ‘significant’ joint project in two or three years, and at higher volumes than the soon-to-end RAV4 program.
- Cadillac to Offer Nearly Autonomous Car by 2017 – thedetroitbureau.com: Cadillac will introduce a nearly autonomous technology called Super Drive in an all-new model it will launch in 2017, while also debuting a new vehicle-to-vehicle communications system that could alert drivers to highway and weather problems. TheDetroitBureau.com has the story.
- Jaguar targets iPad generation with XE sedan – Automotive News: Jaguar’s new XE sedan is a critical test of the brand’s ability to compete for entry-level luxury buyers after production of the Ford Mondeo-based X-Type was stopped in 2009 because of disappointing sales. The XE is being unveiled today in London.
- US: Cadillac plans “advanced intelligent connected” 2017 models – Just-auto: General Motors’ US flagship brand Cadillac will begin offering advanced “intelligent and connected” vehicle technologies on some 2017 model year vehicles, the automaker’s CEO Mary Barra said at the weekend in a keynote address to the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) World Congress in Detroit.
- Ferrari losses raise pressure on chairman – FT: Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne is critical of team’s lack of Formula 1 wins and has considered listing the sports car manufacturer since 2005
