Auto News 5

New vehicle sales in New Zealand reflected the effects of global financial influences, but not to anything like the extent that certain overseas markets have suffered, a local trade group said.

Lighting and electronic equipment supplier Hella KGaA Hueck and Co. last month opened its third manufacturing plant in Mexico.

Changan Automobile Group is to forge a partnership in Mexico to build a manufacturing plant in the country, a senior official was quoted in the press saying.

A familiar refrain was heard from Australia on Thursday - a drop in new vehicles sales during October reflected the broader slowdown in the domestic and world economies as well as reduced access to wholesale and consumer finance.

Drivetrain parts supplier Dana Holding Corp. said today that it would close as many as 10 additional plants and slash 2,000 more jobs as its quarterly losses widened.

Netherlands-based Spyker Cars is a maker of high-end sports cars that is attempting to rebuild its business after an expensive involvement with Formula 1 that saw its losses balloon. As well as hauling itself back on to an even financial keel, the firm is also working on new products and raised volume. just-auto editor Dave Leggett interviewed the CEO, Victor Muller, on behalf of Lotus Engineering's proActive.

Sirius XM Radio Inc. warned that the dramatic slowdown in car sales would hurt subscriber growth next year, as it issued an updated financial outlook in light of its negotiations with banks to cover debt coming due in 2009.

Europe's highest court on Thursday upheld an appeal filed by the Netherlands for its diesel cars to be exempt from EU pollution limits due to the country's highly concentrated population and infrastructure. The case has dragged on for three years.

Hyundai Motor India has shipped its first batch of 2,820 i20 hatchbacks to Europe from the port at Chennai.

General Motors is widening electric vehicle development beyond the Chevy Volt even though it is making cuts in other areas.

Volkswagen is to end its Auto 5000 project, which was launched seven years ago, and reintegrate the 4,200 employees of the subsidiary into the group, allowing it to make more flexible use of employees in the production of different models.

BMW's Mini unit is adding an extra two weeks to its annual two-week UK factory Christmas shutdown, taking about 9,000 cars out of the schedule.

Resurrected Caterham gets Ford Duratec unit

Filling stations in the UK could soon have plug-in ‘pumps’ to top up electric cars.The Petrol Retailers’ Association (PRA) argues that’s the best way to get more battery vehicles on the road.

Wild looking Bentley Continental GT gets thundering 800bhp engine

This thrilling looking supermini from Honda is more than just a concept...

It's a five-door Yaris but not as you would know it!

Stunning new Passat CC is fastest, cleanest yet!

Since being rolled out by the Sumerians in around 3500 BC, the wheel has been constantly re-invented, writes Matthew Beecham. Styling flexibility, reduced weight and high quality are just some of the requirements automakers expect from their wheel suppliers today. To enhance wheel appearance, Alcoa has developed Dura-Bright technology, now available for its automotive forged aluminium wheel customers. The first to launch in Europe is Audi on its new A6 model. Alcoa's David Yates puts a good spin on Dura-Bright and how Alcoa Wheel Products is forging a growth business in Europe.

Car dealership group AutoNation Inc. swung to a big quarterly loss, hurt by a deep slump in the U.S. auto market and non-cash charges for goodwill and franchise impairments. AutoNation said today it posted a third-quarter net loss of $1.