- Marchionne foresees merger creating a new No. 1 automaker – Automotive News: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne sees potential to form a new No. 1 automaker as companies grapple with low returns on the growing amount of money needed to develop a new car.
- ITALY: Marchionne planning his exit for 2018 – report – Just-auto: Fiat-Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne is reportedly planning to step down on completion of the merging group’s current five-year strategic plan in 2018.
- GERMANY: Sales records tumble at Mercedes – Just-auto: Mercedes-Benz posted its strongest-ever sales month in September delivering 162,746 vehicles, an increase of nearly 14% over the same month a year ago.
- SOUTH KOREA: Hyundai-Kia to expand hybrid range in 2015 – Just-auto: South Korea’s Hyundai and Kia plan to strengthen their low-emission line-ups in 2015 with hybrid versions of the mid-segment Sonata and K5/Optima models.
- Honda says September China auto sales down 23.1 per cent – Via Google News: Honda, which operates car ventures in China with Dongfeng Motor Group Co Ltd and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co Ltd , aims to sell 900,000 cars …
- New in-car safety technology could still be dangerous – Via Google News: Sophisticated technology that enables motorists to use voice commands to control the car radio, climate control system and make phone calls could be …
- I Drove a 3D Printed Car – Via Google News: Let me repeat: I drove a 3D printed car. It wasn’t for long, and it wasn’t far, but it was a singularly awesome experience. The car, known as the Strati, …
- How Carlos Tavares plans to save PSA Peugeot Citroen – Autocar: PSA Peugeot-Citroën has already turned a profit since Carlos Tavares took the helm last year, but it isn’t out of the woods yet. When ex-Renault chief Carlos Tavares arrived at PSA last December, soon to become president, it’s fair to say there was a good deal more apprehension to be felt within the group HQ on Paris’s imposing Avenue de la Grand Armée than Christmas cheer.
- Porsche adds 4 GTS variants to 911 lineup for 2015 – Automotive News: Porsche, feeling the heat from such cars as the redesigned Chevrolet Corvette, is giving the venerable 911 a tune-up for 2015.
- Siri can be distraction to drivers: US study – Via Google News: “Technologies used in the car that rely on voice communications may have unintended consequences that adversely affect road safety,” said Peter …
- Are Chinese regulators biased against foreign firms? – FT: Study of NDRC enforcement actions reveals a complicated picture, writes Tom Mitchell
- Will India Follow China’s Lead In The Luxury Car Market? – Via Google News: The Indian luxury automobile market is capturing the interest of automakers like Toyota and Volkswagen. The question is, will India surpass China in …
- AAA Claims Toyota’s Hands-Free System is Best – thedetroitbureau.com: Automakers are coming out with a multitude of hands-free systems, which are supposed make it safer for drivers to stay in touch with the world outside of the car and in command of the inside. When it comes to what system is best, or the least distracting, Toyota’s Entune takes top honors.
- Chrysler Dumps Viper Racing Program – thedetroitbureau.com: After taking home a championship trophy last weekend, the Chrysler Group has dropped the Viper racing program supported by its Street and Racing Technology (SRT) unit. The move isn’t as much of a surprise as one might think as Sergio Marchionne has complained about the maker’s involvement in racing repeatedly.
- BMW hires Ferrari’s chief engineer – Automotive News: BMW has hired Ferrari’s former technical director, Roberto Fedeli, for an as-yet unspecified role. Fedeli joined Ferrari in 1988 and has been responsible for the engineering of all Ferrari cars since 2007.
- Marchionne says he’s ‘done’ after 2018 Fiat Chrysler plan – Automotive News: Sergio Marchionne, Fiat’s CEO and the architect of its merger with Chrysler, said that he plans to step down after completing a five-year strategic plan to expand the combined carmakers. He says his role may be split among more than one executive.
- UPDATE 1-Daimler, Linde to boost Germany’s fuel-cell station network – Reuters: Daimler, Linde to build 20 new hydrogen fuelling stations
- Toyota says September China auto sales up 26.1 % YoY – Via Google News: Toyota Motor Corp and its two Chinese joint ventures sold about 91,100 vehicles in China in September, up 26.1 percent from a year earlier, …
- China’s Chengshan wins Cooper Tire factory battle – FT: Tyre manufacturer to take over US company’s largest factory
- Toyota supplier Denso considers Japan expansion as yen weakens – Automotive News: Denso is giving Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a reason to believe his weak yen policy will eventually boost investment by manufacturers.
- GM recalls 7,601 Chevrolet Caprice police cars – Automotive News: General Motors is recalling 7,601 Chevrolet Caprice police vehicles from the 2011-13 model years for a problem with the gear shifter that could allow the car to roll away while in park.
- SWEDEN: NEVS administrator to propose extension to 29 November – Just-auto: National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), says today’s (8 October) meeting to discuss the company’s reorganisation, will see administrator, Lars Eric Gustafsson, propose the situation continue until 29 November this year.