- Ford may export to Europe from Russia – Automotive News: Ford’s Russian factories are busy now that the market is recovering but the company may still export vehicles to Europe from its local joint venture. “Exports to Europe are definitely possible,” said Adil Shirinov, CEO of Ford Sollers. Increasing the…
- Lexus, Infiniti test ways to fight BMW, Mercedes, Audi – Automotive News: Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Lexus dominate sales. Lexus unveiled its LF-1 Limitless SUV concept in Detroit, signaling that the brand may start to focus more on SUVs than its traditional large sedans. The LF-1 presents a sleek crossover form with a system…
- BASF aims to be major player in EV battery materials – Automotive News: Germany’s BASF is prepared to dig deep, pouring money and expertise into developing materials for electric-vehicle batteries to catch up with rivals like Tesla supplier Sumitomo Metals & Mining. The world’s No. 1 chemical maker is adding to its…
- PSA boosts van production in Portugal – Automotive News: PSA will add a third production team and hire 225 additional workers at its plant in Mangualde, Portugal, in response to increased demand for the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner small vans, the automaker said in a statement. The current versions…
- PSA Lays Out 3-Stage, 10-Year Roadmap for US Return – Detroit Bureau: The Portugese native said that gave him confidence Opel could be turned around in much the way Peugeot has, the French company now delivering some of the best margins in the automotive business. Whether his upbeat assessment proves accurate will likely…
- Lexus, Infiniti test ways to fight BMW, Mercedes, Audi in US – Automotive News: Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Lexus dominate sales. To combat this, Toyota Motor’s Lexus brand unveiled its “LF-1 Limitless” concept SUV model in Detroit, signaling that Lexus may start to focus more on SUVs than its traditional large sedans. The LF-1…
- Ferrari 488 GTO: leaked specs of 700bhp race-derived V8 engine – Autocar: The Ferrari 488 GTO will be the most hardcore V8 supercar to leave the gates of Maranello when it is launched next year Harder version of 488 GTB is under development with an anticipated 700bhp, making it a natural rival to Stuttgart’s Porsche 911 GT RS
- Peugeot’s decision to give 3008 and 5008 SUV styling pays off – Automotive News: Peugeot’s decision to replace its 3008 and 5008 minivans with more crossover-oriented versions has paid off handsomely. The two models easily outsold their predecessors in 2017, helping the brand’s global sales to jump 10 percent to 2.12 million last…
- BASF Looks to Muscle Its Way Onto Battery Materials’ Top Table – Bloomberg: “We are the largest chemical supplier to the automotive industry, and this is the biggest opportunity that we see in that space today,” Lane said in a phone … Global sales of battery vehicles — both plug-in hybrids and wholly electric cars — are…
- Breakingviews – China’s battery champion will charge overseas – Reuters: … a crucial EV market, developing partnerships with Daimler, BMW, and Volkswagen. In 2017 it invested in Finland’s Valmet Automotive, which bills itself as a pioneer in EV manufacturing and contracts with Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. Beijing’s anointed…
- Toyota Corolla name to return to UK with 2018 Auris successor – Autocar: Sluggish sales for non-hybrid Auris models have encouraged the renaming of its successor; no diesel option is expected
- Hyundai, Kia sell nearly 1 mln vehicles in Europe last year – Yonhap: Hyundai Motor Co. and its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. sold nearly 1 million vehicles in Europe last year, offsetting sales declines in China and the United States, the companies said Friday. Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors sold a combined 995,383 vehicles…