Auto News 5

General Motors will invest about US$2mn in US assembly and component plants, creating or preserving more than 4,000 jobs at 17 facilities in eight states.

The 7th annual Automotive News Europe/SupplierBusiness OEM-supplier relations online survey is underway.

Europe's Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) CEO, Lars Holmqvist, has returned from Indonesia where he led a European Commission (EC) automotive delegation negotiating a free trade deal with ASEAN countries.

American Honda, which three years ago began leasing five FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicles on lease to film producer Ron Yerxa, author and actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her filmmaker husband Christopher Guest; business owner and car enthusiast Jim Salomon; actress Laura Harris; and Jon Spallino, has welcomed the opening this week of the world's first station supplied by an existing hydrogen pipeline.

Germany and France powered economic growth in the euro area in the first quarter as booming exports fueled domestic spending in the bloc's core, offsetting turmoil sparked by sovereign debt woes in Greece, Ireland and Portugal.

Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India's Tata Motors, said on Friday it priced a 1 billion pound ($1.64 billion) equivalent senior notes offering following a significant over-subscription by investors.

The EU has now removed the exemption for using lead in the solder for electrical connection soldering for glazing applications (such as for heated rear screens). As such, any new model seeking type approval after 1 January 2013 will be required to use lead-free solder for such applications. This will result in a significant step towards truly lead-free production car architecture. To find out more, Matthew Beecham talked with executives of Antaya Technologies.

Data released by an industry association in Russia shows that the Russian light vehicle market rose by 42% in April.

BMW says it will redesign its gasoline and diesel engines so they can share far more parts.

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said fewer than 20 suppliers are still in a critical situation, down from 40 in March, after Japan's record earthquake halted factories and crimped domestic sales.

Market share gains by VW and Ford have forced Hyundai Motor Co., India's second biggest automaker, to consider building a network of as many as 1,000 rural outlets and introducing a cheaper small car.

A joint venture between Johnson Controls Inc. and Saft Groupe SA says it will supply lithium ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles to be made by Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co.

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said fewer than 20 suppliers are still in a critical situation, down from 40 in March, after Japan's record earthquake halted factories and crimped domestic sales.

HNTB Corporation recently polled American drivers by asking a simple question: ''When thinking about current events, how confident are you that gasoline eventually will get so costly that you will no longer be able to afford to drive your car as often as you do now?''

Earlier this week, we posted an article describing the challenges facing the auto industry and the importance of the measures leading up to the establishment of a stricter Corporate Average Fuel Economy rating for all manufacturers.

The Mercedes GP team is reportedly set to introduce a Renault-like approach to its 2011 car's exhaust layout for debut in Barcelona next weekend.

Seven rookie drivers were invited Thursday at the Indianapolis Speedway to take part in the Rookie Orientation Program ahead of competing in the May classic at the end of the month.

Canadians now have the opportunity to test drive the all-new 2012 Chevrolet Volt during GM's National Test Drive Tour. The tour is pulling into cities across Canada and offers people the opportunity to take a ride with the biggest stars on the road, our award-winning lineup of GM vehicles. The Chevrolet Volt joins the tour this weekend at Masonville Place in London, Ontario, and will be available to retail customers in the third quarter of this year.

In the United States, a car is stolen every 33 seconds. Unfortunately, in 40 to 50% of these cases driver mistakes are the cause. Because no one enjoys being robbed, Consumer Reports has made a list of 10 tips that will help you thwart unsavoury plans.

Attending a Ford event as part of the ''Sur la route en toute sécurité'' tour, traffic safety expert Robert Poeti spoke with Auto123.com about various actions Quebec could take to make the roads safer.