Auto News 5

Trelleborg's consolidated net sales amounted to SEK5.63bn (US$863.95m) (Q2 2012:SEK7.53bn) a fall of 25.2% for the second quarter.

Paul Willcox, who has been with Nissan for 21 years, has left the company's European division amid speculation that he could be heading for Volkswagen's UK operations.

Toyota, Nissan Motor, Honda and Mitsubishi Motors will work together to promote the installation of chargers for electric-powered vehicles and build a charging network service that offers more convenience to drivers in Japan.

Toyota's Princeton, Indiana, plant (TMMI) will increase production of the petrol Highlander [Kluger in some markets] mid-size SUV late in 2014 with a US$30m spend, adding 200 new jobs as production volume goes up 15,000 units.

Volkswagen obtained a court order to prevent scientists from publishing the secret codes used to start Porsches, Audis, Bentleys and Lamborghinis.

Mercedes-Benz says it is now starting legal steps in the ever-escalating and bitter refrigerant row between France and Germany adding it would be open to compensation as Paris bans - yet again - sales of the automaker's A, B and CLA models.

The Colombian ministries of economy and environment have approved the reduction of import tariffs on electric and hybrid vehicles (and recharging points) over the next three years.

BMW staked its claim to be the technology leader among premium brands by launching the i3, the automaker's first all-electric car, at simultaneous events in London, New York and Beijing.

News 29 Jul, 2013

The Skoda Fabia Reaction and Monte Carlo TECH Estate to be added to the Fabia line-up

The National Automobile Dealers Association says it has received at least a dozen angry messages from dealers since it announced the selection of Hillary Clinton as the keynote speaker at its 2014 convention.

Consumers are moving decisively toward car-based crossovers, but Toyota executives say there is sufficient demand to keep selling the company's lineup of four body-on-frame SUVs.

As light-vehicle production in North America approaches a record this summer, automakers are exerting more influence over suppliers to eliminate production bottlenecks.

Sparrow and Thurston are just two of the many sellers who have shopped their dealerships this year. Store acquisitions are on the rise as auto sales and dealership profits rebound after the recession.

In his younger days, Joe Hinrichs had amassed quite a reputation in the auto business, first with General Motors, then at C-level positions at a couple of suppliers. And although he didn't know it, his progress was noticed.

As Kia prepares to launch a redesigned version of the hot-selling Soul this fall, it could learn a lot from its peers in the boxy small-car segment. Specifically, it could learn what not to do.

Sonic Automotive Inc. will brand its stores with the Sonic name beginning in 2014.

Nissan Motor Co. is attempting to pare U.S. operating costs by rethinking the way it buys parts, builds cars and moves cars and components around the continent.

Straight talk and probing questions got Mark Hogan noticed by future Toyota President Akio Toyoda almost three decades ago. The two men served on the board of the now-defunct New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.

Smaller second-quarter European losses by GM and Ford appeared to signal that the region's car market has reached its nadir and is beginning to heal.

A study by J.D. Power and Associates in 6 Canadian provinces (Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia) shows that 9 drivers out of 10 are satisfied with the settlement of their car insurance claim.

Although the first notice of loss (the first phone call a customer makes to their insurance provider after they have been in a vehicle accident or experienced damage to their car) sets the tone for the rest of the claims process, settlement remains the most important factor.

Conversely, satisfaction with the appraisal process (when the vehicle's damages are assessed by a representative of the insurer) is lower than for any other factor in the study.

“Insurance is a product people buy because they have to, but hope they never need to use, said Jeremy Bowler, senior director of the insurance practice at J.D. Power. “They really see the value of their investment if they need to file a claim. If the appraisal of damages comes in lower than what they expect, they are naturally going to be disappointed.”

On a scale of 1,000 points, here are the satisfaction rates by province:

• Quebec: 840
• Ontario: 800
• Alberta: 770
• British Columbia: 767
• Saskatchewan: 760
• Manitoba: 753

Source : J.D. Power