Top News:
- NADA Slams Volkswagen for Horn’s ‘Resignation’ – Detroit Bureau: NADA took Volkswagen AG’s to task over its decision to push out Volkswagen of America Chief Executive Officer Michael Horn. For details, go to TheDetroitBureau.com.
- GM ignition switch case back in court this week – Just-auto: According to Reuters, jury selection starts today (14 March) in the second trial involving a car accident allegedly caused by the switch.
- You Can Buy This Self-Driving Car for $20000 – Fortune: Honda, meanwhile, is making waves for the relatively puny price tag it’s attached … Honda did not immediately return Fortune’s request for comment.
- Whistleblower Sues VW After Being Fired Over Data Deletion Row – Fortune: A whistleblower has sued Volkswagen AG VLKAY 3.59% , alleging that he was fired after trying to stop the company deleting evidence relevant to U.S….
- BYD launches electric coach – Just-auto: BYD has launched an electric coach, developed using its pure electric bus expertise, and currently under homologation testing prior to its introduction in Europe. Paris was chosen for a preview appearance thanks to a drive by the city’s mayor to reduce pollution from such vehicles.
- GM acquisition to boost autonomous drive – Just-auto: General Motors has announced it is acquiring software firm Cruise Automation to further accelerate the company’s development of autonomous vehicle technology.
- New Tucson helps Hyundai to outsell GM Holden – Just-auto: How often do we hear of GM being humbled by Hyundai? That’s what’s been happening in Australia in recent weeks, as the Korean brand has overtaken Holden to claim third position. Much of the reason is the new Tucson.
- Would you fit a black box recorder to your car? – Autocar: More and more drivers are willing to be tracked in exchange for the promise of cheaper insurance. Would you do it?
- China minister says ride-hailing subsidies competitively unfair – Reuters: The subsidizing of fares and the supplementing of driver wages by ride-hailing companies such as Didi Kuaidi and U.S. firm Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] are competitively unfair and could not be sustained long-term, China’s transport minister said.
- Everyone must pay the price for sins of the past – Automotive News: In the wake of Volkswagen’s emissions cheating scandal, government regulators around the world are intensifying their scrutiny of all automakers.
- A ‘fighting chance’ for Fiat dealers – Automotive News: During a two-hour session with dealers last week, Tim Kuniskis, head of passenger car brands for FCA North America, said the automaker would dramatically alter the way it supports its 206 U.S. Fiat dealerships.
- Fiat’s 124 Spider Abarth comes power-boosted – Automotive News: Fiat showed the hot-to-trot Abarth performance version of its new 124 Spider at the Geneva auto show. The roadster has the same 1.4-liter,…
- Honda, GM set targets for 2020 fuel cell vehicle – Automotive News: Honda began selling its Clarity hydrogen fuel cell vehicle last week in Japan, but engineers from Honda and GM are already outlining their targets for its successor model in 2020.
- Mazda goes shareable at South by Southwest – Automotive News: Mazda Motor Corp., in the second year of a three-year sponsorship of the sprawling South by Southwest arts festival in Austin, Texas, is trying to take…
- Nissan batteries are inspired by the bartender – Automotive News: To cram more charge into the lithium ion battery of the Nissan Leaf electric car, Nissan Motor Co.’s battery engineers turned to the tap for inspiration.
- Fiat Chrysler’s quality conundrum – Automotive News: Yet the automaker that consistently ranks lowest in well-publicized studies on quality and reliability — Fiat Chrysler — continues to rack up monthly U.S….
- China a lifeline for EV makers – Automotive News: In China, the government remains committed to growing plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle production and sales. That has given the nation’s investors and companies the confidence to sink millions of dollars into U.S.
- When is a sale not really a sale? – Automotive News: As U.S. auto sales show signs of hitting a peak, dealers across the industry face mounting pressure to sustain momentum.
- Was Bo Andersson too tough for AvtoVAZ? – Automotive News: The tougher the challenge, the more Bo Andersson, the former purchasing czar at General Motors, seemed to relish it. But Russia’s recession-plagued auto industry proved more of a challenge than even Andersson could master.
- Now in the black, PSA weighs returning to N.A. – Automotive News: With France’s PSA Peugeot Citroen now profitable, CEO Carlos Tavares is turning his attention to international growth. The first two markets under consideration: North America and Iran.
- GM pleads its case to Wall Street – Automotive News: GM executives are pleading their case to Wall Street that U.S. sales still have room to run — and that GM will be ready whenever they do go in reverse.
- Porsche to roll out 4-cylinder Macan for U.S. – Automotive News: Porsche’s four-cylinder Macan crossover is coming to the U.S. this summer. Nearly two years after the nameplate’s introduction, stocks of the Macan are becoming more plentiful.
- GM lifts sales to business buyers – Automotive News: A revitalized pickup portfolio and a concierge approach to selling has helped GM make big inroads on Ford’s commercial-sales lead in recent years.