Auto News 5

The United States will gradually scrap auto tariffs on Japanese vehicles under a Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact after the two countries agreed on a deal that will allow Tokyo to take part in talks on the Asia-Pacific trade agreement.

PCMA-Rus is a joint venture between PSA Peugeot Citroen (70%) and Mitsubishi Motors (30%) in the Kaluga region of Russia, some 100 miles south west of the capital. PCMA-Rus general manager, Jean-Christophe Marchal, spoke to Simon Warburton at this week's Russian Automotive Forum in Moscow.

Nissan Europe suits liken the Leaf EV update - now 'localised' for and built in Europe - as a bit like an iPhone or iPad upgrade: looks much the same on the outside but new goodies lurk therein. And there was a big pricing surprise to announce as well.

GM outsold Volkswagen AG in China for the first time in three quarters, helped by growth in demand for Buick vehicles.

GM outsold Volkswagen Group in China for the first time in three quarters, helped by growth in demand for Buick vehicles.

DIGITAL EDITOR ANDREW STOY: I spent some time in the 2012 Subaru Legacy 3.6R awhile back and came away from the car feeling pretty ambivalent.

News 12 Apr, 2013

The new Volkswagen Golf R will have even more power but a lower price

Nissan is planning move production of the next generation Primastar commercial van from Spain to Renault's Sandouville plant in France, a move that will help alliance partner Renault keep a pledge to raise domestic output in return for union concessions.

Aston Martin Holdings has reported 2012 final quarter revenue up 20% over the same period in 2011 and a full year adjusted EBITDA of GBP69.3m (US$106.51) on sales of 3,800 vehicles.

Ford Sollers, Ford's joint venture in Russia, has launched the start of full production of the Ford Explorer, marking the first time the SUV has been produced outside of the US.

While General Motors makes contingency plans for its employees in and around Seoul, South Korean carmakers appear a lot more relaxed about the muscle-flexing by their neighbours in the north.

VW Group said economic uncertainty in many regions is having a greater effect on its sales, which were flat in March following stronger gains in the first two months of the year.

News 13 Jun, 2013

New Mercedes S-Class 2014 revealed, on sale September from £64,500

Takata says there are no further recalls to its knowledge outside the four Japanese manufacturers, who yesterday (12 April) announced a massive global recall of more than three million vehicles following defects car producers say were found in its passenger airbags.

Since 2005, Alset Global has been developing technologies that will enable the introduction of hydrogen-powered vehicles both for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. With European engineering headquarters in Graz, Austria Alset is leading a coalition of more than ten partner organisations to introduce this technology in time for new European emission standards in 2020. At this year's Geneva motor show, Dr Bez, CEO of Aston Martin announced that Alset would be providing its Hybrid Hydrogen system for a prototype Aston Martin Rapide S. This car would become the first hydrogen powered race car to compete in an official race, beating the Garage 56 entry at Le Mans to a track debut. To uncover the full story, Matthew Beecham talked with Alset Global's CEO, Jose Ignacio Galindo.

When global automakers entered China, they had no idea how to sell their products here. But over the years, global automakers have learned a lot about Chinese consumers.

Smart USA will offer customers who buy or lease its new electric-powered ForTwo the option of renting the car's lithium ion battery for a monthly fee.

Mercedes is aiming the CLA coupe-styled four-door sedan at younger buyers, especially those in the United States and China where sedans are popular.

Turkish vehicle production fell 2.4 percent to 99,819 units in February, the Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD) said on Thursday. Fiat, Renault, Ford, Toyota and Hyundai are among the automakers with vehicle assembly plants in the country.

From GMM

Toto Wolff, Mercedes' new director and shareholder, has given the strongest indication yet that Paddy Lowe will soon arrive at the team.

Briton Lowe is currently on 'gardening leave' after serving as McLaren's long-term technical boss, but it has been rumoured he has accepted a more responsible role at Mercedes.

Paddy Lowe. (Photo: WRi2)

It is believed Lowe will eventually replace Brackley based Mercedes' existing team boss, Ross Brawn.

"Based on last year's results, Niki (Lauda) asked Paddy if he wanted to work for us," Austrian Wolff told the German newspaper Die Welt on Saturday.

"Ross responded totally professionally and said 'For three years I have not brought the results that were expected. Therefore it is clear that you would look around for a successor'," added Wolff.

But while Lowe has already been removed from front-line duty by McLaren, Brawn - still one of the most respected engineering and management minds in F1 - remains at the helm despite his apparently impending departure.

Wolff responded: "This is a very professional environment, with contracts containing confidentiality clauses.

"I do not believe that men of the calibre of Ross Brawn or Paddy Lowe go to their next team and just tell everything to the competition.

"I don't think we need to worry about that," he added.

Photo: Mercedes AMG F1 Team