- VW expects new EV platform to give it an edge over rivals – Automotive News: Volkswagen says the MEB platform that will underpin its I.D. electric-vehicle family will be even more scalable than the MQB architecture used for 80 percent of the group’s combustion engine cars.
- Ghosn seen as liability as French president battles elitist image – Automotive News: As Renault’s largest shareholder, the French government might be expected to stand up for Carlos Ghosn as he fights charges in Japan that he underreported tens of millions of dollars.
- Daimler buys €20bn worth of battery cells for electric car onslaught – Autocar: Mercedes-Benz aims to have 130 electrified model variants on sale by 2022, alongside electric vans, buses and trucks Daimler has taken a major step forward in its electrification strategy by ordering “more than 20 billon euros” worth of battery cells…
- Nissan expands Ghosn probe to European affiliates – Automotive News: Nissan plans to widen its probe to investigate possible misconduct at its Alliance joint venture entity with Renault and a host of subsidiaries, people familiar with the matter said, in a move that could trigger more criminal charges after the…
- Elon Musk Is Getting the Last Laugh on Wall Street After a Wild 2018 – Bloomberg: But for now at least, Wall Street is bullish once again, expecting Tesla to be profitable and have positive free cash flow in the fourth quarter …
- Hyundai promotes former BMW exec to randd chief in shake-up – Automotive News: Hyundai Motor appointed Albert Biermann, a former BMW executive, as its first foreign head of research and development, raising expectations of a smooth transition of power at the family-run business empire.
- Hyundai promotes former BMW exec to randd chief in management shake-up – Automotive News: Hyundai Motor appointed Albert Biermann, a former BMW executive, as its first foreign head of research and development, raising expectations of a smooth transition of power at the family-run business empire.
- Exclusive: Don’t contact our board members, Renault tells Nissan – Reuters: Renault told alliance partner Nissan to stop contacting the French company’s directors ahead of a Thursday board meeting as the Japanese automaker tried to share evidence of wrongdoing by its ousted chairman Carlos Ghosn, two sources said.
- FTSE rises as international stocks gain amid Brexit turmoil – Reuters: UK blue-chip shares were slightly higher on Wednesday on gains in British American Tobacco, Rolls Royce and companies with international earnings, as political chaos deepened following a leadership challenge to Prime Minister Theresa May.
- ‘We don’t want to abandon sedans,’ Volkswagen says with Passat reveal – Freep: Volkswagen revealed an all-new Passat midsize sedan with a restyled interior and brand new, sexy body.
- VW Passat to remain on old platform, update styling, tech for 2020 – Automotive News: The 2020 Volkswagen Passat will receive new exterior styling, more standard safety equipment and an updated instrument panel but it won’t land on a new platform or feature a new powertrain as the automaker, citing the shrinking midsize car market,…
- Some freelance hackers get paid $500,000 a year to test defenses of companies like Tesla – CNBC: A once niche side job is now becoming a lucrative full-time job opportunity as companies look to fill numerous empty cybersecurity positions.
- Hyundai promotes former BMW exec to development chief in big shake-up – Automotive News: Hyundai promotes former BMW exec to development chief in big shake-up Automotive News EuropeHyundai appointed Albert Biermann, a former BMW executive, as its first foreign head of r&d, raising expectations of a smooth transition of power at the …
- The car brands that will cost you the least to repair – Freep: The car brands that will cost you the least to repair Detroit Free PressAn annual ranking of the most reliable cars and cheapest to repair shows Asian brands at top, but GM, Fiat Chrysler and Ford make a show.
- Rolls-Royce expects 2018 profit, free cash flow in upper half of forecast range – Reuters: Rolls-Royce expects its 2018 group profit and free cash flow to be in the upper half of its guidance range, the British engineering company said on Wednesday, shrugging off problems with some of its aircraft engines.
- Nissan spells out allegations on Ghosn to Renault – Automotive News: Nissan took the first comprehensive steps to share details with Renault about allegations against Carlos Ghosn in a move that may help ease a …
- China Electric-Car Gold Rush Lures Hopefuls as Tesla Push Looms – Bloomberg: China Electric-Car Gold Rush Lures Hopefuls as Tesla Push Looms BloombergThe gold rush that is China’s electric-car market is getting its latest entrant as a slew of local manufacturers fight for a foothold ahead of Tesla Inc.’s planned …
- Dacia set to drop Renault badge – Autocar: Duster is one model to retain the Renault logo in some markets Design boss calls for complementary ‘sensual’ Renault and ‘Germanic’ Dacia brands Renault”s design boss, Laurens van den Acker, says the firm will phase out the use of Renault-badged Dacia…
- Nissan-Renault Scandal Shows It’s Hard to Keep Car Alliances on Track – WSJ: Tensions between Nissan and Renault after the arrest of longtime alliance leader Carlos Ghosn show it has never been easy for the global auto industry to make mergers and partnerships work.
- Luxury goods inflation running at almost 6 per cent – FT: … Coutts created an index of luxury prices, using a weighted basket of 150 luxury goods and services, such as a Kilgour bespoke suit, an Aston Martin …
- No mid-engine Corvette at Detroit auto show – Detroitnews: The good news for Corvette fans is the new mid-engine car is expected to surface in the spring and race in 2020
- Mazda to Possibly Combine Wankel, Skyactiv-X Technology Engines – Yahoo: It seems the Wankel (or rotary engine) will never die-at least for Mazda it isn’t. Its last Wankel-powered car was built in 2012 under the hood of the …
- Hyundai Motor unveils sweeping executive reshuffle, shares surge – Reuters: Hyundai Motor unveils sweeping executive reshuffle, shares surge ReutersSouth Korean conglomerate Hyundai Motor Group shook up its executive ranks on Tuesday and appointed its first foreign head of research and development, …
- Companies unite on autonomous car OS to challenge Google – Nikkei: Companies unite on autonomous car OS to challenge Google Nikkei Asian ReviewTOKYO — Asian companies, including a Toyota Motor subsidiary and LG Electronics of South Korea, have joined hands with U.S. and European companies in.
- China Moves to Address U.S. Economic Concerns – WSJ: Beijing agrees to reduce auto tariffs and buy more American products, but key differences remain, as Washington prepares to add fresh pressure on Beijing.
- Google studies steps to open representative office in Vietnam, government says – Reuters: Alphabet Inc’s Google is studying steps towards opening a representative office in Vietnam, the government of the Southeast Asian nation said on its website, citing Google’s Senior Vice President Kent Walker.
- S.Korea stocks, won cheer on Hyundai Motor Group surge, U.S.-China trade hopes – Reuters: S.Korea stocks, won cheer on Hyundai Motor Group surge, U.S.-China trade hopes ReutersRound-up of South Korean financial markets: ** South Korea’s KOSPI stock index buoyed on Wednesday as a surge in the country’s biggest carmaker Hyundai …
- Hyundai Motor promotes foreign exec in sweeping reshuffle, shares surge – Reuters: Hyundai Motor promotes foreign exec in sweeping reshuffle, shares surge ReutersHyundai Motor Co appointed President Albert Biermann as its first foreign head of research and development as part of a sweeping reshuffle which helped send …
- Argentina Convicts Ex-Ford Executives for Abuses During Dictatorship – New York Times: Argentina Convicts Ex-Ford Executives for Abuses During Dictatorship New York TimesTwo former executives of Ford Motor were convicted of helping the country’s military dictators kidnap and torture 24 workers during the 1970s.
- Japan machinery orders miss expectations, protectionism threatens investment – Reuters: Policy makers and investors fear that international trade tensions and … weakness and limit the number of Japanese auto imports in trade talks with …
- China’s Auto Tariff Reversal Looks Like a Lemon – Bloomberg: China”s Auto Tariff Reversal Looks Like a Lemon BloombergPeek under the hood, and a proposal to eliminate retaliatory tariffs doesn’t offer all that much.
- How Infertility Catapulted One Entrepreneur From Clean Energy to Women’s Health – Fortune: Claire Tomkins was working in clean energy at SolarCity when she started in vitro fertilization (IVF). After multiple rounds of IVF, several …
- McLaren Teams Up with OnePlus to Create OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition Handset – Yahoo: “Inspired by the desire to constantly challenge existing standards, OnePlus … play book with the Warp Charge 30, OnePlus’ new charging standard.
- Mercedes’ virtual drive – FT: If John Hartley has trouble with a Lexus ( Letters, 8 December): he should try a Mercedes C-Class, with its non-intuitive infotainment system. It has no ..