Auto News 5

Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) said today (2 June) it would ship its i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle to Australia starting next month. Full story...

The Federal Trade Commission postponed the start of enforcement of the Red Flags Rule yet again, this time until Dec. 31, 2010. The Red Flags Rule, which was first introduced in 2008, is supposed to cut down on identity theft. Full story...

All major automakers except Toyota reported double-digit U.S. sales gains in May, as the light-vehicle sales rate hit its highest level since December. Full story...

China is to launch a pilot programme in five cities to provide subsidies to buyers of electric and hybrid cars. Full story...

VW unveils saloon specially developed for the demands of the Russian market.

Full story...

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: Nissan gave the Sentra a light refresh for 2010 with new front fascia, grille, front and rear light housings and body-side molding with chrome inserts. Full story...

Toyota has sold all 500 copies of the Lexus LFA supercar that it plans to build. Full story...

Today's (2 June) news that Tata Motors has - finally - inaugurated its new Sanand plant in Gujurat to produce the ultra-cheap Nano model has significant repercussions way beyond the immediate headlines. Full story...

WITH VIDEO -- Another BMW Art Car has been created and it's a stunner in the tradition of Andy Warhol and Frank Stella. It was revealed on Wednesday in Paris. Full story...

Saab will decide within the next few months whether to build an entry-premium car to compete with similarly sized cars from Audi and BMW. Full story...

Saab will decide within the next few months whether to build an entry-premium car to compete with similarly sized cars from Audi and BMW. Full story...

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is moving to bar the Obama administration's former auto industry bailout czar Steven Rattner from working in the securities industry for up to three years, the New York Times reported today. Full story...

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen, Europe's second-largest carmaker after Volkswagen, said it aims to achieve stable sales in the region this year as new models help the manufacturer increase its presence in a declining market. Full story...

Visteon Corporation has rejected the unsolicited US$1.25bn bid by Johnson Controls for its interiors and electronics businesses and said it would continue with its reorganisation plan "to emerge from bankruptcy as a strong, independent, stand-alone company". Full story...

Tata Motors today (2 June) inaugurated its new Sanand plant in the western Indian state of Gujarat to produce the value Nano model Full story...

Tata opened a plant for the $2,500 Nano model that will boost output amid rising demand for automobiles in India. The factory will have initial capacity to build 250,000 Nanos a year, Tata Motors said. Full story...

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen said on Wednesday that talks on the possible early payback of part of its loan from the French state were going well. France awarded loans of 3 billion euros ($3. Full story...

Labour relations in China are under scrutiny right now. There's been that sad spate of suicides at consumer electronics maker Foxconn, which churns out household-name branded products and just gave workers a 30% pay rise, and there's been Honda. Full story...

Saab has flatly rejected rumours that CEO Jan Ake Jonsson is to join Volvo, describing the speculation as "flattering." Full story...

Honda Motor has said a key car parts factory in south China resumed full production on Wednesday, ending more than two weeks of disruption after workers downed tools to demand higher wages in a high-profile and sometimes violent strike, but the resumption did not mark a clean end to the prolonged labour dispute, with part of the workforce agreeing to return only until Friday, when they expect the company to respond to a list of as yet unmet demands. Full story...