This edition of the Morning Auto News brought to you from an undisclosed location in Thailand
- Great Wall’s March sales outpace Geely’s amid discounts – Nikkei: Great Wall Motor on Monday reported a bigger jump in March sales than rivals Geely Automobile Holdings and BYD, driven b.
- Carlos Ghosn loses last Nissan title – Reuters: Nissan Motor shareholders oust erstwhile boss Carlos Ghosn as a director, formally severing his ties with the Japanese automaker he rescued from …
- India passenger vehicle sales to gather pace after slowest growth in five years – Nikkei:
- China’s electric vehicle sales will continue boom despite subsidy cuts, Fitch says – CNBC: Booming growth in China’s electric vehicle (EV) market won’t slow because of Beijing’s drastic reduction in subsidies, according to Fitch Ratings.
- London’s ultra low emissions levy on older vehicles kicks in – Reuters: Drivers of older and more polluting cars, vans and motorbikes will have to pay 12.50 pounds ($16) to enter the center of London …
- Israel’s election: first the vote, then the kingmaking – Reuters: Israelis vote in a parliamentary election on Tuesday, choosing among party lists of candidates to serve in the 120-seat Knesset.
- The crowd-sourced, social media swarm that is betting Tesla will crash and burn – Latimes: CEO Elon Musk has used Twitter to cultivate a cult-like following as a tech revolutionary. Fittingly, his nemeses is a social media swarm.
- Jaguar Land Rover begins Brexit-linked UK plant shutdowns – Reuters: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) shuts its UK plants on Monday for five days over Brexit, adding to other shutdowns to leave at least half …
- German Car-Parts Maker ZF Forecasts Higher Tax Burden After Wabco Takeover – WSJ: German car-parts maker ZF Friedrichshafen expects to pay higher taxes for Wabco, once the transaction to purchase the U.S.-listed company closes, said Chief …
- Grab, the ride-hailing company Uber has a 27% stake in, wants to raise $2 billion – CNBC: Grab expects to raise another $2 billion from strategic investors this year, the CEO of Southeast Asia’s biggest ride-hailing firm said, just weeks after it announced funding of over $4.5 billion in the region’s largest private financing round.
- FCA and Tesla agree deal to beat EU emissions regulations – Autocar: European Tesla sales will improve Fiat Chrysler Automobiles” fleet CO2 average via new loophole Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has agreed a deal with Tesla to help avoid paying fines for exceeding new European Union emissions limits. FCA, whose brands…
- Peugeot boss Imparato spearheads push to electrify lineup – Automotive News: The Peugeot brand has been the driving force behind PSA Group’s record financial and sales performance and now the brand will begin a push toward …
- What You Need to Know About the London Ultra-Low Emission Zone – Bloomberg: The ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) has been introduced in London. … vans and minibuses must meet the Euro 4 emissions standard and diesels …
- BMW Stock Drops on Charge for Possible EU Emissions-Cartel Fine – Bloomberg: While companies can cooperate to develop better cars, EU rules “do not … test cheating and is facing the disruptive shift to self-driving, electric cars.
- PSA Group boss ‘open’ to Jaguar Land Rover acquisition – Autocar: Jaguar Land Rover Carlos Tavares tells Autocar India he would be interested in adding luxury brands to PSA Group portfolo PSA Group boss Carlos Tavares says that he would consider a merger or acquisition with Jaguar Land Rover – as long as it wouldn”t…
- That Swanky $70,000 Pickup Might Not Be Worth It – Bloomberg: Without extras like autopilot tech or huge touchscreens, these trucks don’t keep pace with luxury cars-but cost just as much.
- Carlos Ghosn Casts a Dark Shadow Over Corporate Japan – Washington Post: Activist investors are circling Japan Inc., creating momentum for change in the country’s boardrooms. While you’d hope that the Carlos Ghosn saga …
- Honda will stop car production in Turkey after 2021: statement – Reuters: Honda has decided to end car production in Turkey following completion of the production of its current Civic Sedan model in 2021, the company said in a statement on Monday.
- Exclusive: Grab targets another $2 billion funding this year: CEO – Reuters: Grab expects to raise another $2 billion from strategic investors this year, the CEO of Southeast Asia’s biggest ride-hailing firm said, just weeks after it announced funding of over $4.5 billion in the region’s largest private financing round.
- Baffled and concerned, Nissan shareholders sever last ties with ousted Ghosn – Reuters: Nissan Motor Co shareholders ousted erstwhile boss Carlos Ghosn as a director on Monday, formally severing his ties with the Japanese automaker he rescued from near-bankruptcy two decades ago and from which he is now accused of siphoning funds.
- Fiat Chrysler teams with Tesla to meet EU emissions targets – Latimes: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is teaming up with Tesla Inc. to comply with stricter European Union emission rules. FCA is using an EU “open pool” option …
- Volkswagen hoping to get first Vento ITC customer in 2019 – Yahoo: Volkswagen Motorsport India boss Sirish Vissa is “fairly confident” that at least one customer Vento will compete in the Indian Touring Car Championship (ITC) …
- Germany’s Economic Outlook? ¯\_(?)_/¯ – Bloomberg: The car industry is slowly recovering from a very tough year-end as it struggled to adapt to more stringent emissions limits. Motor-vehicle production …
- Tesla prices change again as Standard Range Model S axed – Autocar: Standard range Model S now removed from UK site, increasing base price to £78,000 Tesla”s pricing changes have continued into April, with the Standard Range Model S now removed from UK sale. The entry-level version was removed from the ordering…
- Nissan shareholders sever last ties with ousted Ghosn – Reuters: Nissan Motor Co shareholders ousted erstwhile boss Carlos Ghosn as a director on Monday, severing his last ties with the company he rescued from near-bankruptcy two decades ago and from which he is now accused of siphoning funds.
- Alloy has FCA engines running hotter – Automotive News: Hotter running engines are expected to deliver big gains in fuel economy and emissions, and FCA is evaluating the alloy to use in upcoming cylinder …
- Nissan shareholders vote to oust Ghosn as director – Reuters: Nissan Motor Co shareholders voted former chairman Carlos Ghosn out as a director on Monday, severing his last ties with the automaker.
- Nissan shareholders approve dismissal of Carlos Ghosn from board following his arrest on … – Washington Post: Nissan shareholders approve dismissal of Carlos Ghosn from board following his arrest on financial misconduct charges . Copyright 2019 …
- Prepare for a rough ride ahead – Automotive News: The trouble signs are everywhere: Auto loan interest rates have reached their highest level in a decade; monthly payments are at record highs; retail …
- Ontario’s new recruiting strategy will help investment, says parts association – Automotive News: The head of Canada’s auto parts supplier association hopes Ontario’s $40 million plan to boost innovation and worker training will help …
- Bugatti champions 3D-printed parts – Automotive News: Automakers and suppliers have been talking up 3D printing in recent years, but with little to show for it in production vehicles. That’s about to change …
- Jeep goes wild with custom trucks for annual Easter Safari – Detroitnews: Inspired by the launch of the Jeep Gladiator pickup, the brand rolls out six custom-built concept trucks
- Jeep and Mopar prep for Moab Easter Jeep Safari – Detroitnews: Several Jeep and Mopar executives unveil six concept vehicles, Friday, prior to the 53rd Annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, April 13-21.
- Video: First look at Jeep pickup concepts bound for Moab Safari – Freep: From a popup tent to a Vietnam-era military pickup with a 707-hp Hellcat Hemi, Jeep rolls out concept pickups at the annual Moab Easter Safari.
- Austria”s AI brain has plan to take down Waymo, Tesla – Detroitnews: He”s at the forefront of cutting-edge research that stands to reshape the future of transportation
- Fastest car chargers wait for batteries to catch up – Detroitnews: The latest chargers add more than 215 miles of range in 10 minutes.
- Jeep will bring these 6 pickup concepts to its Easter off-road festival – Freep: Gladiator pickups with tents, dirt bikes and one with a military pedigree will highlight Jeep’s annual Easter off-road safari.
- Jeep and Mopar brands debut six concept vehicles – Freep: Jeep and Mopar brands debut six concept vehicles including the Jeep J6 concept Friday, April 5, 2019 at the Fiat Chrysler Tech Center and headquarters for the 53rd ann
- Jeep’s latest Moab concepts: Gladiator in multiple flavors – Automotive News: The Gladiator, Jeep’s first pickup in decades, is the star guest as Fiat Chrysler’s biggest brand showcases six concepts at the 2019 edition of the Moab safari for offroad enthusiasts.
- Suppliers must keep their innovation pipelines full — no matter what – Automotive News: Automakers depend heavily on suppliers for the innovations that help sell vehicles. So how does a major technology supplier keep up the effort in the face of its own economic challenges and internal stress?
- In Q1, Ram outsold Silverado to take over 2nd place in pickup sales – Automotive News: While Ford Motor Co. retains its leadership in full-size pickups, a tectonic shift has been rumbling underfoot.
- Gladiator could become FCA’s add-on champion – Automotive News: A thick parts menu could position the Gladiator as an elite profit generator for FCA and dealers at a time when margins are tight throughout the industry.
- Market uncertainty clouds Auto Shanghai 2019 – Automotive News: Automakers will offer a little bit of everything as sales declines, trade wars and the unknowns of electrification cloud this month’s Shanghai auto show.
- Toyota’s plan: All pickups on 1 platform – Automotive News: Toyota’s next-generation full-size Tundra and midsize Tacoma pickups will share a common platform that the Japanese automaker plans to spread to all of its pickups globally.
- Ghosn lawyer doubts fair trial is possible – Automotive News: Now that Japanese prosecutors have taken Carlos Ghosn back to jail and confiscated his wife’s cell phone, his attorney doubts the ousted Nissan chairman can get a fair trial.
- UAW filing cites overdue payments for training centers – Automotive News: Greater scrutiny and stricter protocols at training centers jointly operated by the UAW and Detroit automakers have contributed to delayed or disputed payments from two centers to the union.
- In the first quarter, Ram outsold Silverado to take over 2nd place in pickup sales – Automotive News: While Ford Motor Co. retains its leadership in full-size pickups, a tectonic shift has been rumbling underfoot.
- BorgWarner creates turbo for downsized engines – Automotive News: BorgWarner knows that high-output turbochargers are critical to automakers’ desire to downsize engines.
- Valeo camera system makes trailer invisible – Automotive News: A new Valeo technology lets a pickup driver see around a trailer being pulled like it’s not even there.
- Audi’s A8 can brace itself for a side impact – Automotive News: The A8 raises one side by 3 inches to brace for impact when sensors detect an imminent collision.
- Ford slots Puma under Kuga in Europe – Automotive News: Ford will launch its Puma crossover in Europe late this year. The vehicle has sporty styling and is designed to appeal to customers who want a less utilitarian …
- Audi technology helps green light surfers. – Automotive News: Clever drivers can watch the pedestrian walk signals to guess when an intersection traffic light will change from red to green, but Audi drivers can use …
- Future of connected cars in Europe faces critical vote – FT: A dispute over which technology should be used to connect cars in the future comes to a head at a critical vote as telecoms companies, carmakers and …
- Nissan removes Ghosn from board, marking end of an era – Nikkei: Nissan shareholders voted to strip him of the title of director and to elect Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard in his place. “Today marks a …
- Pinterest Said to Price IPO Below Last Private Valuation – New York Times: How Lyft and Pinterest perform in their public debuts will be critical in the lead-up to the public offering of Uber, the largest of this generation of tech …
- RPT-EXPLAINER-Arrested, again: Why Ghosn has been detained, what is different now? – Reuters: Ousted Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn is back in the Tokyo detention centre where he previously spent 108 days, after being released just last month on a $9 million …
- Ousted Nissan boss Ghosn’s video to be shown Tuesday: Kyodo – Reuters: A video recorded by ousted Nissan Motor boss Carlos Ghosn will be shown Tuesday afternoon at a press conference to be held by his lawyer, Kyodo News reported.
- EV subsidy cuts give Chinese automakers more reason to fret – Nikkei: Larger-than-expected cuts to China’s electric vehicle … He said auto companies are likely to pass on part of the price burden to …
- Nissan CEO tells shareholders Ghosn scandal won’t be fixed overnight – Reuters: Nissan Motor Co Ltd Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa began an extraordinary shareholders’ meeting on Monday by apologizing for the scandal involving ousted boss Carlos Ghosn and said the issue could not be fixed overnight.
- Longest-Ever Electric Car Journey Completed by a Dutchman – Bloomberg: Wiebe Wakker, founder of Plug Me In, explains why he decided to drive an electric car 95,000 kilometers from Amsterdam to Australia. In the world’s …
