Auto News 5

Japan's carmakers said that their combined domestic production in February fell 15.4% from the same month a year ago to 767,335 units because of slow domestic sales and exports.

Now Brazil is the world's fourth largest auto market, it is no longer made to wait sometimes years for new models launched first in other markets. Case in point: the Peugeot 208 due to hit the showrooms on 13 April, just 11 months after going on sale in Europe.

Light-vehicle sales -- led by strong pickup and crossover demand at Detroit's automakers -- rose 3 percent to 1.45 million units last month, slightly below forecasts but a positive signal the spring selling season is off to a solid start.

TECHNICAL EDITOR DALE JEWETT: I've long been a big fan of the

Keno Kato is corporate vice president of Global Product Strategy and Product Planning for Nissan and Infiniti. Glenn Brooks recently met him and took the opportunity to ask a variety of questions concerning future model plans.

Four German automakers have been raided by South Korea's Fair Trade Commission on suspicion of price fixing and collusion, the importers' association says.

Four German automakers have been raided by South Korea's Fair Trade Commission on suspicion of price fixing and collusion, the importers' association says.

Four German automakers have been raided by South Korea's Fair Trade Commission on suspicion of price fixing and collusion, the importers' association says.

Rumours of discussions between Fiat and VW Group over the possible sale of Alfa Romeo have surfaced yet again, this time involving Audi on the VW side.

News 2 Apr, 2013

The new three-door SEAT Leon SC is to start from £15,370 - that's £300 less than the five-door

Edmunds.com has raised its 2013 light vehicle sales forecast to 15.5m. The industry hasn't achieved that level of annual sales since 2007.

French car registrations fell 16.4 percent in March and 14.7 percent overall in the first quarter, according to figures from CCFA, the country's main auto industry body.

March new vehicle registrations in New Zealand rose 11.5% year on year to 9,505 units. Commercial vehicle sales were up 33.3% to 2,705, the best result for the month since 1985. Passenger car registrations rose 4.6% to 6,800.

A long-distance debate last week between two CEOs -- Ford's Alan Mulally and Renault-Nissan's Carlos Ghosn -- reignited a hot-button debate in the industry over the value of the Japanese yen.

Volkswagen plans to discontinue sales of the Routan, a rebadged Chrysler Group-built minivan VW has offered in North America since 2008, the company's top U.S. executive said.

In the midst of a proxy fight with dissident investors, Lear announced an agreement with shareholders Marcato Capital Management and Oskie Capital Management to expand a stock buyback and keep the hedge funds' nominees off Lear's board.

The latest issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine is ready for you to view.

The escalating rivalry among Germany's premium automakers was fully on show at the annual financial results conferences of Audi and BMW.

Audi and Mercedes are both vying to be the world's No. 1 luxury brand as the race heats up to topple BMW from the top position.

From Coyote Rallye

Reigning North American and Canadian Rally Champions, driver Antoine L'Estage and co-driver Nathalie Richard will contest the remaining events of the Rally America series at the wheel of a genuine Mitsubishi Lancer World Rally Car.

After having contested the first two rounds of the 2013 season, including a victory at Michigan's SnoDrift Rally in their Mitsubishi Evo X, will finish off the remaining five Rally America rounds with the WRC Lancer.

This will mark the first time a Canadian competes in a modern day World Rally Car that has already contested the World Rally Championship and it is also the first time the British MML Sports team will bring their WRC05 car to compete in North America.

L'Estage tested the car last November in the Czech Republic.



"This is big news! To take part in rallies at the wheel of a car that has been in the World Rally Championship is fantastic and I'm really looking forward to more great battles with Ken Block and David Higgins," said L'Estage in the team's press release.

"Our hard work has come to fruition in the form of an agreement with MML Sports of the UK, with whom we already tested the car. All of our sponsors play a big role in this as well and we are thrilled to have our partners on board".


The first event that the L'Estage/Richard duo will take part in with the WRC Mitsubishi Lancer will be on the first weekend of May for the Oregon Trail Rally, round 3 of the Rally America series. A major test session will precede the rally, enabling Antoine to familiarize himself with the car.