Top News:
- Suzuki patriarch appoints son as president and likely successor – Automotive News: Osamu Suzuki, the outspoken patriarch of Suzuki Motor, positioned his son Toshihiro as his successor, appointing him president and COO of the family’s namesake carmaker. Osamu Suzuki will keep his positions as chairman and CEO.
- SWITZERLAND: WTO rules against Ukraine import tariff hike – Just-auto: The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has ruled that emergency tariffs imposed by the Ukraine in 2013 on imported vehicles violated global trade rules and is urging its government to reverse them.
- Consumer Reports: Some newer cars burn too much oil – Detroit News: Consumer Reports found that some engines force their owners to add a quart as often as once a month
- GM directors don’t have to face ignition switch claims – Automotive News: General Motors directors don’t have to face investors’ allegations that lax supervision allowed the company to make cars with faulty ignition systems blamed for more than 100 people their lives.
- COMMENT: BMW & Mercedes battle over self parking – Just-auto: With Daimler’s head of R&D confirming that next year’s W213 E-Class will be able to park itself, Mercedes-Benz seems keen to undermine BMW’s…
- Last chance to buy that new Defender – FT: Jaguar Land Rover’s all-terrain vehicle will be taken out of production in December
- Mercedes-Benz CLA45 and GLA45 AMG to get upgraded engine – Autocar: More power and performance due for CLA45 and GLA45, in line with revised A-Class range-topper
- New Bentley Continental GT Speed special editions announced – Autocar: Bentley celebrates the Breitling Jets flying display team with seven special Continental GT Speeds
- UK: Pure EV double decker bus heads for London tests – Just-auto: What is said to be the world’s first pure electric double decker bus is to be tested in London as mayor Boris Johnson steps up his battle against the capital’s air pollution.
- Renault Laguna replacement to be called Talisman – Autocar: New D-segment saloon will be Renault Laguna’s replacement in Europe, but it won’t be coming to the UK
- Formula E Likely to Make India Debut in 2015-16 if CEO Alejandro Agag Gives the Go-Ahead – Ibtimes: The International Automobile Federation (FIA) approved Formula E electric car series could be all set to make its foray into India, if everything is in…
- Honda BR-V SUV Official Sketches Released Ahead of August Debut – Ibtimes: Honda has released the first official sketches of its upcoming compact SUV BR-V (Bold Runabout Vehicle) ahead of its world premiere at Gaikindo…
- Honda To Set English as Official Language – WSJ: Rival Nissan Motor Co. doesn’t have an official policy but is effectively ahead of Honda in terms of internationalization. Of the top 50 Nissan corporate……
- Ford’s Mustang pulls ahead in sales race – Detroit News: Ford muscle car passes Camaro for first time in 6 years
- Thai factory output tumbles in May, reflecting poor exports – Reuters: May output -7.6 pct y/y vs -4.80 pct in Reuters poll. * Ministry says output can still grow in 2nd half. * Output of hard drives, cars and TV sets falls.
- Lexus is living in the future – Automotive News: A 37-second tease of a long-dreamed-about technology: the hoverboard.
- TMC Announces Regular Personnel Changes – @ToyotaMotorCorp: Tomorrow, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) will make the following personnel changes at the sub-executive managerial level. These changes generally cover the positions of general manager (division and department), group manager and project general manager within TMC.