- Mercedes preps midsize cargo, passenger van for U.S. – Automotive News: Mercedes-Benz is using the giant Specialty Equipment Market Association show this week to preview a midsize van scheduled to arrive in North America in about a year.
- GERMANY: Daimler to take stake in Agusta – Just-auto: Daimler has said it will buy 25% of Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta.
- New Prodrive-built Volkswagen Golf rally car revealed – Autocar: Based on the five-door Golf, this competition car produces 300bhp from its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and is destined for use in Chinese rallying. Motorsport preparation company Prodrive has developed a new rally car based on the latest seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf .The car, called the VW Golf SCRC, has been designed to compete in the Chinese Rally Championship and will be used in anger for the first time this weekend.
- CHINA: Mercedes-Benz explores power-generating paint – Just-auto: To mark the opening of an engineering centre and design studio in Beijing, Mercedes-Benz has revealed the G-Code. This so-called Sports Utility Coupé (SUC) may herald a future small SUV.
- Five cars that nobody wanted – Autocar: No amount of pre-launch market research can prevent manufacturers from dropping the odd clanger when it comes to producing cars. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. On paper, and even in the metal, a new car may look very tasty indeed. However, if the customers don’t agree then suddenly a showroom will be full of embarrassing monuments
- Press Releases – Global Commercial Vehicle Meeting 2014 – ACEA: European, North American, and Japanese heavy-duty vehicle and engine manufacturers call for further promotion and…
- GERMANY: BMW posts strong Q3 results – Just-auto: BMW Group has posted strong financial results for the third quarter on strong demand for its SUV products. The company also reaffirmed its earnings forecast for the year.
- Nissan profit rises as record U.S. sales offset China slowdown – Automotive News: Nissan reported a slight increase in quarterly profit as record sales in the U.S. dulled the impact of a slowdown in China and continuing problems in Russia.
- UPDATE 6-Hyundai, Kia in record settlement with U.S. for overstating mileage – Reuters: Korean carmakers Hyundai Motor Co and affiliate Kia Motors Corp will pay $350 million in penalties to the U.S. government for overstating fuel economy ratings in what officials said on Monday was the biggest settlement of its kind.
- US: Cheap petrol fuels October light vehicle sales – Just-auto: With US petrol prices falling to levels not seen in years, Americans flocked to dealer lots to buy crossovers, SUVs and pickups, driving October light vehicle sales to a healthy 1.28m units, 6.1% ahead of last October and 2.8% ahead of September 2014.
- Honda China sales fall for fourth straight month in October – Via Google News: Sales growth in China’s auto market will halve to 7 percent this year weighed down by a slowing economy, the head of China’s automobile association …
- Nissan second-quarter profit inches up as record U.S. sales offset China slowdown – Reuters: Nissan Motor Co reported a slight increase in second-quarter profit on Tuesday, beating analyst estimates, as record sales in the United States dulled the impact of a slowdown in China.
- BMW Hits Speed Bump – WSJ: Germany’s BMW reported slightly lower profit on higher sales in the three months to the end of September amid investor concerns about a slowdown in profits at the world’s leading premium car maker.
- U.S. opens probe into Honda reporting of Takata air bag failures – Reuters: The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Monday it will examine whether Honda Motor Co Ltd failed to report deaths or injuries involving air bags that are now part of a sweeping federal review.
- Japan’s Oct. domestic auto sales fall more than 9% – Via Google News: Japan’s domestic sales of new cars, trucks and buses declined 9.1% … for the third consecutive month, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association … Auto sales, as measured by registrations of vehicles with the government, …
- Lexus teams with Hollywood for short films – Automotive News: Lexus partners with Hollywood producers The Weinstein Company to create two short films from new directors.
- REFILE-UPDATE 5-Hyundai, Kia in record settlement with U.S. for overstating mileage – Reuters: Korean carmakers Hyundai Motor Co and affiliate Kia Motors Corp will pay $350 million in penalties to the U.S. government for overstating fuel economy ratings in what officials said on Monday was the biggest settlement of its kind.
- Japan car makers skid in China – Via Google News: Guangzhou Automobile , another Hong Kong-listed car maker allied with … Honda set ambitious Chinese sales goals and shipped more cars to …
- Indian car sales still stuck in slow lane – Via Google News: More than 10 times as many cars were sold in neighbouring China in September, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, …
- Driver who was drunk, high during fatal crash sentenced – Via Google News: His vehicle landed on the victim’s car, killing Barbara Eakin, according to … Several other cars were involved in the chain-reaction crash, and Eakin’s … committed behind the wheel of an automobile very seriously in our culture.
- India likely to get car-safety norms in 4-5 years – Via Google News: Within the next 4-5 years the government will ensure vehicles provide basic safety in line with global standards for adult occupants, …
- Audi prepares all-new A4 for 2015 launch – Autocar: High-tech new MLB-Evo architecture to underpin the next generation of Audi’s biggest-selling model. Audi’s all-new A4 is one of its most technically advanced cars yet and a crucial model for the firm. The new A4, which replaces what is currently Audi’s biggest-selling model with 338,449 units sold globally in 2013, also marks the debut of Audi’s MLB-Evo architecture. MLB-Evo has been under development for five years and represents a huge investment for Audi. Dumping the traditional welded steel…
- Antitrust fines fail to stall automakers – FT: The euphoria from the biggest automotive boom in industrial history is being tempered by unexpected risks
- China’s antitrust fines for foreign car companies fail to stall growth – Via Google News: Foreign automobile executives argue that the relatively high prices asked for cars ? especially premium vehicles that can be almost twice as …
- Honda being probed by U.S. over Takata airbag failures – Automotive News: Federal auto safety regulators have ordered American Honda to answer questions under oath about how it reports defect-related death and injury claims to the government after the automaker last month was accused of failing to report at least two…
- ‘Tsar-engine’ for president: Russian-manufactured VIP cars will have up to 850 horsepower – Via Google News: It has been reported that German automobile giant Porsche might take part in … The convoy cars will be designed to match the limo’s road stability and …
- BMW tops in luxury sales, despite Mercedes’ best month of 2014 – Automotive News: The BMW brand had its strongest October sales performance ever to top Mercedes-Benz, which recorded its best month so far this year. While BMW and Mercedes-Benz duke it out for the top two spots, Lexus had its 13th consecutive month of sales gains.
- New Vehicle Buyers Gobble up Trucks, SUVs, Luxury Cars – thedetroitbureau.com: The sales numbers from October have given carmakers a renewed sense of confidence that sales will remain strong in the months to come as consumers continue to buy more trucks, utilities and luxury vehicles. A long string of carmakers reported increased sales during October, according to TheDetroitBureau.com.
- ‘Car Talk’ co-host Tom Magliozzi dies at age 77 – Automotive News: Tom Magliozzi, the retired co-host of National Public Radio’s ‘Car Talk’ show known for his contagious laugh and car-infused banter, died today, NPR said. Magliozzi died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 77.
- Hyundai, Kia Agree to $100 Million Fine – thedetroitbureau.com: Hyundai and its sister company, Kia, have agreed to pay a $100-million fine for providing false mileage rating on 1.2 million vehicles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Justice Department. Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Mini have made similar mistakes. For details, go to TheDetroitBureau.com.
- U.S. October auto sales best in several years, GM misses – Reuters: Automakers reported their strongest U.S. October sales in years on Monday, but top-seller General Motors Co missed expectations.
- Toyota Sees Best October in Seven Years – Wards: Light trucks and the Camry were strong for Toyota last month, while Lexus sees its weakest result of the year and Scion continues to struggle.
- CFPB Proposes Federal Oversight of Auto Financing Companies – Via Google News: The new rules would involve the inclusion within the Bureau’s supervisory capacity grants of credit for the purchase of an automobile, refinancings of …
- Takata Uncertain When It Will Have Enough Parts for Recall – thedetroitbureau.com: Despite pressure from automakers and automotive regulators, embattled Japanese safety systems supplier Takata says it has no idea how soon it will be able to provide the parts needed to complete last month’s recall of 7.8 million vehicles due to potentially deadly airbags. For more information, click on TheDetroitBureau.com.
- Hyundai and Kia settle US mileage claims – FT: South Korean carmakers hit with record $300m penalties for overstating fuel economy
- Car Sales Slip in France in October – Wards: October’s sales slump touched the French automakers as well as importers, but both PSA Peugeot Citroen and Renault continued to gain share.
- Low Gas Prices Keep Sales Going in October – thedetroitbureau.com: New car sales, aided by falling gasoline sales and the popularity of trucks, remained robust in October. Not only did trucks perform well, but smaller cars, such as the Chevy Cruze, Nissan Versa and others also saw impressive returns.
- SOUTH KOREA: Kia slows growth to focus on quality – Just-auto: With its factories around the world operating at capacity to keep up with demand and no increase in production on the horizon until 2016, Kia has embarked on a “qualitative growth” programme in place of the previous emphasis on raising volumes.
- CHINA: Nissan cuts China sales target on slower market – Just-auto: Nissan has lowered its Chinese sales volume estimate for this year due to slower demand in China.
- FRANCE: La Poste and Renault to deepen cooperation on EV mobility solutions – Just-auto: Philippe Wahl, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of La Poste group (France’s public sector mail utility), and Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Renault group, have signed a partnership “to pursue and strengthen their cooperation on the search for eco-mobility solutions”.
- CHINA: Mercedes-Benz opens new R&D facility – Just-auto: Mercedes-Benz has opened its new Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Centre in Beijing and extended its local R&D network.
- GERMANY: Continental is supplier on faulty Audi airbags – Just-auto: Continental has said that it is the supplier of faulty airbags that are the subject of an 850,000-unit global recall by Audi.
- US: NHTSA fines Ferrari US$3.5m for failing to submit early warning reports – Just-auto: The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that Ferrari will pay a US$3.5m civil penalty and has been ordered to comply with NHTSA oversight requirements as set forth in a Consent Order for failing to submit early warning reports (EWR reports) identifying potential or actual safety issues.
- FRANCE: Car sales down 3.8% in October – Just-auto: News car sales in France fell 3.8% last month according to figures from the country’s CCFA industry association.
- CHINA: FAW-Volkswagen recalls 270,635 Audi cars for airbag software issue – Just-auto: FAW-Volkswagen Automobile will recall 270,635 Audi cars in China over an issue with airbag software, Reuters reported.
- Carmakers tune up range for older drivers – FT: Industry focuses on functionality over flashiness as spending power shifts up the age curve
- Chrysler, Nissan set pace as U.S. sales rise 6% on truck demand – Automotive News: U.S. light-vehicle sales, led by double-digit increases at Chrysler Group and Nissan Motor, rose 6 percent to 1.28 million in October, matching forecasts, with crossovers and light trucks fueling much of the industry’s gains.
- Mercedes-AMG acquires 25 per cent of MV Agusta – Autocar: High-performance arm of Mercedes-Benz buys a 25 per cent stake in Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta and signs ongoing partnership deal. Mercedes-AMG, the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz, has bought a 25 per cent stake in Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta.The companies have also signed a deal to cooperate on developing a long-term partnership, which will encompass areas including marketing and sales. Collaborating will allow the brands to widen their customer bases worldwide, and give…
- Nissan produces two millionth Qashqai – Autocar: Japanese manufacturer celebrates as two million Qashqais are produced in eight years – becoming the fastest model to do so in the history of the UK car industryNissan has produced its two millionth Qashqai at its Sunderland plant. The milestone comes less than eight years after the model was first launched. The Japanese manufacturer says the Qashqai has reached this production milestone faster than any other model in the UK car industry. By comparison, it took the new Mini 10 years to reach the same…
- Mercedes previews Audi Q1 rival with new G-Code concept – Autocar: New concept previews entry-level SUV to rival the Audi Q1; features a hydrogen-electric powertrain and high-tech energy systems. Mercedes-Benz has previewed its plans for a new price-leading SUV to be positioned beneath its existing entry-level A-class line-up. The firm showed its intentions by unveiling the G-Code, an advanced, hydrogen-electric 2+2 hatchback concept. The G-Code is said to provide tacit clues to a more conventionally engineered high-riding urban-based SUV model already under development at…
- GM, Renault, VW, others bet on megaplatforms – Automotive News: GM, Volkswagen, Toyota and Renault-Nissan are among the automakers embracing flexible, globally compatible megaplatforms as a key to future success. Rivals that don’t join them, including Fiat Chrysler, run a risk of being left behind, analysts say.
- Nissan’s global product boss drives a smoky motorcycle – Automotive News: Keno Kato, Nissan Motor Corp.’s global head of product planning and strategy who directs a global team of 500 planners, is a buzz-cut 1960s-muscle car fan from rural Japan.
- Car industry faces £10bn cost to take next economy steps – Autocar: Experts warn the cost of producing greener cars could prove to be too great for some manufacturers,. The extra costs of building more fuel-efficient cars could prove ruinous to some European manufacturers, experts have warned. According to a study by ISI Automotive, the automotive industry as a whole will have to spend “around £10bn between now and 2022” in order to comply with the EU’s fleet average C02 target figure of 95g/km. ISI said most of what in engineering terms is “low-hanging fruit”, such…
- New Skodas to major on space – Autocar: Czech brand set to distinguish itself by ensuring its future models offer more room than rivals’ cars. Future Skoda models will flesh out the brand’s reputation for practicality by offering more interior and luggage space than the opposition. Dr Frank Welsch, Skoda’s board member for technical development, told Autocar that the new Fabia and other future models would “deliver on the company’s brand values of roominess at a reasonable price”.Welsch said the next-generation Superb “would have a…
- New battery aims to transform electric cars – FT: It can cut costs and triple driving ranges, and could be on shop floors in just over a year
- China’s carmakers stuck in reverse – FT: Quality improvements have not been enough to arrest a dramatic drop in market share for local car companies this year