- German court ends diesel case against Volkswagen CEO, Chairman – Reuters: German court ends diesel case against Volkswagen CEO, Chairman
- Renault Weighs French Factory Closures To Cope With Crisis – Bloomberg: Renault Weighs French Factory Closures To Cope With Crisis
- Volvo begins introduction of 112mph speed limit – Autocar: Volvo begins introduction of 112mph speed limit
- California governor says he’s not worried about Musk moving Tesla out of state ‘anytime soon’ – CNBC: California governor says he’s not worried about Musk moving Tesla out of state ‘anytime soon’ CNBC
- Ford Romania plant boosts restart output – Just-Auto: Ford Romania doubled operations at its Craiova factory from one to two shifts (of three) on 18 May.
- GM close to ‘million mile’ EV battery – Just-Auto: General Motors is “almost there” on developing an electric vehicle battery that will last 1m miles, a top executive has said, according to a media report.
Archives for May 2020
Wednesday Morning Auto News, May 20, 2020
May 20, 2020 By
Tuesday Morning Auto News, May 19, 2020
May 19, 2020 By
- Mobileye CEO sees ‘great consolidation’ ahead in autonomous car sector – Reuters: The autonomous car industry will have to consolidate because it is too difficult for separate companies to cooperate in developing self-driving vehicles, the head of Intel’s autonomous car unit said on Tuesday.
- Tesla’s China car registrations plunge 64% m/m in April – Reuters: Tesla’s China car registrations plunge 64% m/m in April
- RPT-An easing of coronavirus prevention measures helps China’s auto plants rev up – Reuters: In the eastern Chinese city of Yuyao, a group of five face-masked workers at a Geely auto plant, stood almost shoulder to shoulder behind an SUV as they conducted paint and other quality checks.
- Mitsubishi Motors’ full-year profit slumps 89% – Reuters: Mitsubishi Motors Corp on Tuesday posted an 89% drop in annual operating profit in the year ended March as the Japanese automaker took a hit from falling vehicle sales as the coronavirus pandemic takes its toll on global demand for cars.
- Nissan unveils Tokyo zero emission ambulance – Just-Auto: Nissan unveils Tokyo zero emission ambulance | Automotive Industry News
- BMW 5 Series 2020 facelift to be revealed next week – Autocar: BMW begins previewing the mid-cycle update of its executive saloon, with updated 6 Series GT also…
- Auto industry key part of Italy GDP, fair to support FCA if creates jobs: minister – Reuters: The auto industry represents a significant share of Italy’s economy and it’s right to support those who create jobs in the country, Deputy Economy Minister Laura Castelli said when asked about Fiat Chrysler’s request for state-backed loans.
- Faraday Future CEO on Business Strategy, Coronavirus Impact, IPO – Bloomberg: Carsten Breitfeld, chief executive officer at Faraday & Future Inc., discusses the impact coronavirus has had on the business, the launch of the FF91 …
- Styling the ‘Leaf SUV’: Nissan design boss details bold Ariya concept – Autocar: Styling the ‘Leaf SUV’: Nissan design boss details bold Ariya concept
Monday Morning Auto News, May 18, 2020
May 18, 2020 By
- Panasonic sees strong demand from Tesla, in talks to expand Nevada battery plant – Reuters: Panasonic Corp’s finance chief said the company is seeing strong demand for battery cells from U.S. partner Tesla and they are in talks to expand their joint plant in Nevada, which is now profitable.
- Daihatsu cuts production due to parts shortages and low demand – Just-Auto: Daihatsu is to suspend production at some Japanese plants due to a shortage of overseas sourced components and low demand.
- No 2020 PSA/FCA dividend – Just-Auto: PSA and FCA have each decided not to distribute an ordinary dividend in 2020 related to fiscal year 2019, in light of the impact from the current COVID-19 crisis.
- Subaru extends halt to 19 June – Just-Auto: Subaru has extended its production halt in Japan to 19 June citing the global COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact its supply chain and sales activities around the world.
- Updated: VW Golf deliveries halted due to software problem – Autocar: Volkswagen has confirmed problem with EU-mandated emergency call function. Skoda Octavia also aff…
- Subaru braces for coronavirus impact after full-year profit rises – Reuters: Subaru Corp on Monday posted a 15.7% rise in annual operating profit in the year that ended in March as it recovered from a raft of product recalls last year, but warned that sales of its cars would take a hit from the coronavirus outbreak.
Friday Morning Auto News, May 15, 2020
May 15, 2020 By
- European market slump spooks VW and all OEMs – Just-Auto: Volkswagen is in for a bumpy ride as it tries to return to normality in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. It had begun restarting its Wolfsburg plant – the world’s largest auto manufacturing facility – from 27 April with added precautions to protect its nearly 8,000 staff. However, it has now been forced to pause production of some key models in response to flagging demand for new vehicles in Europe where many are still sheltering to limit the spread of COVID-19.
- US Automakers Set to Reopen Amid Virus, Mexico Hurdles – Bloomberg: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, which was training a handful of employees at its Sterling Heights, Michigan, truck plant this week, had to send one …
- Exclusive: Nissan sees bigger role for U.S., China markets in global car sales – sources – Reuters: Exclusive: Nissan sees bigger role for U.S., China markets in global car sales – sources
- Fiat Seeks $6.8 Billion State-Backed Loan to Weather Crisis – Bloomberg: Fiat Seeks $6.8 Billion State-Backed Loan to Weather Crisis
- Nissan to raise up to 500 billion yen in first bond issue in 4 years – Nikkei:
- Peugeot e-208 – Autocar: Peugeot has been quick to develop an electric supermini, but has it cut any corners? The electric…
- Nissan Is Said to Consider Making Renault Models at U.K. Plant – Bloomberg: Nissan Is Said to Consider Making Renault Models at U.K. Plant
- Ford boldly confirms new F-150 launch not delayed by coronavirus plant shutdowns – Freep: Ford boldly confirms new F-150 launch not delayed by coronavirus plant shutdowns
- SoftBank Heads for Record Loss After $80 Billion Startup Spree – Bloomberg: Now Son’s investment portfolio, weighted heavily toward the sharing economy, … But the troubles at Uber bode ill for the rest of SoftBank’s ride-hailing …
Thursday Morning Auto News, May 14, 2020
May 14, 2020 By
- Exclusive: Tesla’s secret batteries aim to rework the maths for electric cars and the grid – Reuters: Electric car maker Tesla Inc plans to introduce a new low-cost, long-life battery in its Model 3 sedan in China later this year or early next that it expects will bring the cost of electric vehicles in line with gasoline models, and allow EV batteries to have second and third lives in the electric power grid.
- VW suspends some production in Europe – reports – Just-Auto: After tentatively restarting car production at European plants in recent weeks, reports say Volkswagen is pausing production on some assembly lines in Germany due to low market demand.
- Nissan to reduce capacity by 20% and close a European plant – Nikkei:
- Elon Musk appears to be selling more California properties after pledging to ‘own no house’ – CNBC: Tesla billionaire Elon Musk appears to be selling more homes from his California property portfolio on real estate website Zillow.
- Tesla starts building Long Range Model 3 cars at China plant – Reuters: U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc said on Thursday it had started producing Long Range Model 3 vehicles in its Shanghai factory and aimed to deliver them to customers soon.
- Tesla Plant Gets Police Visit to Confirm Health-Order Compliance – Bloomberg: Tesla Plant Gets Police Visit to Confirm Health-Order Compliance
- Next-gen Range Rover spied up close ahead of 2021 debut – Autocar: Land Rover’s fifth-generation Range Rover hits the road again in disguise, this time with a Merce…
- Ford turns UK warehouse into ventilator parts factory – Just-Auto: Ford is making ventilator subassemblies for the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK after transforming an empty warehouse into a manufacturing facility in record time.
- Uber offer for Grubhub fans worries over delivery fees charged to restaurants – Reuters: The possibility that Uber Technologies Inc , which runs Uber Eats, could acquire Grubhub Inc is reigniting some restaurants’ worries over the commissions charged to eateries by the third-party delivery companies.
- RPT-All eyes on Detroit as automakers ready slow, careful reopening of plants – Reuters: The U.S. factories that make Fords, Chevys and Jeeps are coming back to life this week as workers install new safety equipment and wake up machines ahead of the high-stakes restart the Detroit automakers plan to launch on Monday.
- Suzuki Jimny vs. Toyota Land Cruiser off-road – Autocar: Land Cruiser and Jimny tackle the same terrain from entirely different starting points Matt Pr…
- Bentley resumes production – Just-Auto: VW-owned Bentley Motors has now resumed production at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, England, with over 1,700 workers following some 250 ‘comprehensive and wide-ranging hygiene and social distancing guidelines implemented to enable a safe return’.
- Toyota Kirloskar Motor partially resumes Retail & After-Sales Operations – Just-Auto: Toyota Kirloskar Motor partially resumes Retail & After-Sales Operations
- FAW joint ventures launch new Audi Q7, Toyota EV – Just-Auto: FAW-Volkswagen, one of Volkswagen’s main Chinese joint ventures, launched the new Audi Q7 last week as the company looks to strengthen the brand’s lead in the country’s large size premium SUV segment.
- Hyundai’s Tucson SUV surpasses one million sales in the U.S. – Just-Auto: Hyundai’s Tucson SUV surpasses one million sales in the U.S.
- BMW Faces Shareholder Scrutiny Over $1.8 Billion Dividend – Bloomberg: BMW Faces Shareholder Scrutiny Over $1.8 Billion Dividend
- BMW CEO sees ‘very slow’ U.S. recovery after corona rebound in China – Reuters: BMW on Thursday said China sales of luxury passenger cars rebounded in April but the German premium car and motorbike manufacturer cautioned that other markets including the United States will be “very slow” to recover from the corona pandemic.
- BYD delivers 15 e-buses to EMT Madrid – Just-Auto: BYD has delivered 15 pure electric buses to the Municipal Transport Company of Madrid – EMT in Madrid.
- Nearly new buying guide: Volvo XC60 – Autocar: Sweden”s reputation for effortless suavity extends to this SUV. This is how to get a good o…
- Uber to require drivers, riders to wear masks around the world – Reuters: Uber Technologies, Inc. on Wednesday said it will require drivers, delivery workers and riders globally to wear a mask as countries around the world begin easing restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
- Fiat Chrysler, Peugeot decide to withhold 2019 dividend payout – Reuters: The boards of automakers Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. and Peugeot S.A said on Wednesday it would not pay ordinary dividend for 2019 this year due to a collapse in consumer demand resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wednesday Morning Auto News, May 13, 2020
May 13, 2020 By
- Fiat Plans to Issue $1 Billion Bond to Repay Credit Line – Bloomberg: Fiat Plans to Issue $1 Billion Bond to Repay Credit Line
- Hyundai boss reviews new Samsung all solid state EV batteries – Just-Auto: Samsung Group and Hyundai Motor Group held a top level meeting on Wednesday (13 May) to discuss possible collaboration in the electric vehicle segment, according to local reports.
- Tesla’s California fight heats up competition for jobs – Reuters: Tesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk’s fight with local authorities over the reopening of its California plant has gotten the attention of those who scout sites for new factories and corporate offices, as well as economic development officials hungry for more jobs.
- Aston Martin posts deep loss as coronavirus outbreak hits sales – Reuters: Aston Martin posted a first-quarter pretax loss of 119 million pounds after sales dropped by nearly a third due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and the destocking of dealers, the carmaker said on Wednesday.
- Tesla Can Reopen California Plant With New Measures, County Says – Bloomberg: Tesla Can Reopen California Plant With New Measures, County Says
- Musk, Texas governor talk about potential Tesla move to Lone Star state – Reuters: Texas Governor Greg Abbott said on Tuesday that he spoke with Elon Musk, the chief executive of Tesla Inc, in recent days about a potential move of the company’s electric vehicle assembly plant to the Lone Star state.
Tuesday Morning Auto News, May 12, 2020
May 12, 2020 By
- Tesla defies local officials by opening California factory – Autocar: Tesla Fremont plant Production resumes at EV maker’s Fremont plant in defiance of local offici…
- China’s Tesla wannabes risk running out of road in virus-stricken times – Reuters: Challenged by the arrival of Tesla in China last year, domestic electric vehicle (EV) start-ups were struggling even before the economic shock wrought by the coronavirus, but now for some it has become a battle for survival.
- Ford Mach-E to get OTA updates – Just-Auto: Ford’s upcoming all-electric Mustang Mach-E will receive over the air (OTA) software updates that work to continuously improve the SUV over its life without the need to visit a dealership.
- VW to build Northvolt battery JV infrastructure – Just-Auto: Volkswagen is to construct buildings and infrastructure for its joint venture with Northvolt at the Zwei factory to produce lithium-ion battery cells at the Salzgitter site, based on the existing Centre of Excellence for Battery Cells.
- Toyota expects annual profit to hit 9-yr low as coronavirus saps car sales – Reuters: Toyota expects annual profit to hit 9-yr low as coronavirus saps car sales
- Lockdown Leads Toyota Chief to Question Core Tenet for Carmaker – Bloomberg: Lockdown Leads Toyota Chief to Question Core Tenet for Carmaker
Monday Morning Auto News, May 11, 2020
May 11, 2020 By
- EU regulators to decide on $50 billion Fiat Chrysler, Peugeot deal by June 17 – Reuters: EU antitrust regulators will decide by June 17 whether to clear Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA ‘s $50 billion(40.47 billion pounds) merger, according to a European Commission filing on Monday.
- 2 Ford plants in North America missing from list reopening May 18. Here’s why – Freep: 2 Ford plants in North America missing from list reopening May 18. Here’s why
- Ford also shoots for May 18 NA production restart – Just-Auto: Ford says it is planning to resume production and operations in North America beginning May 18, taking a phased approach. General Motors had already said it is planning to restart production in North America on the same date.
- Exclusive: Wuhan, recovering from virus, weighs policies to help hometown automaker Dongfeng – Reuters: China’s Wuhan city is considering steps to support its biggest local automaker Dongfeng Motor Corp, according to a draft policy document reviewed by Reuters, as the epicentre of China’s novel coronavirus outbreak tries to revive its economy.
- Tesla Model 3 sales in China plunge 64% in April despite electric car market recovery – CNBC: Tesla Model 3 sales in China plunge 64% in April despite electric car market recovery CNBC
- Honda resuming North America production – Just-Auto: Honda is gradually resuming car, engine and transmission production at its plants in the US and Canada from today, Monday 11 May.
- AutoNation swings to loss after gloomy March sales – Reuters: AutoNation Inc, the largest U.S. auto dealership chain, swung to a quarterly loss on Monday, following a massive sales slump in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide stay-at-home orders.