Auto News 5

A little over two years after launch at the Frankfurt show, the Brazilian version of the Volkswagen Up reached showrooms this month. It is by far the most important car the brand has ever launched in this country after the Beetle (called Fusca here) and the Gol. And it breaks the small car paradigm with five-star Latin NCAP ratings for frontal and side collisions, and child safety.

Federal-Mogul intends to cease operations at a factory in Avilla, Indiana, reported Inside Indiana Business.

Though electronic stability control (ESC) has achieved near complete penetration in North America, Europe still lags behind, mainly due to the lack of legislation mandating the technology in the region, researcher Frost & Sullivan (F&S) said.

News 17 Feb, 2014

Recent research reveals families spend 31 per cent of income on motoring

Mazda may be the next entrant into the small SUV segment. A Mazda2-based crossover is due later this year, a Japanese report said.

Mazda may be the next entrant into the small SUV segment. A Mazda2-based crossover is due later this year, a report said. The crossover would initially be sold in Japan, then expand to Europe and emerging markets.

Alongside the enthusiasm amongst car designers for more glass, pressure to produce more complex glazing shapes and styles is also driving up interest in alternative polycarbonate (PC) glazing technologies. We wouldn't call it a gold rush but we continue to see a steady stream of interest in PC glazings for certain applications. To find out how this market is shaping up, Matthew Beecham spoke to Scott Fallon, general manager, Automotive, SABIC's Innovative Plastics business.

New vehicle sales in Vietnam jumped by 20.9% to 8,900 units in January, from 7,363 units a year earlier, according to data released by the Vietnam Automotive Manufacturers Association.

Sweden's ABB is entering into a partnership with China's BYD Daimler New Technology Company to supply it with direct current fast charging systems for electric vehicles over the next six years.

Volkswagen says it will press for the establishment of a works council at its Chattanooga site following the employees' surprise decision to vote against having UAW representation at the Tennessee plant.

BMW is building a second production hall at a carbon-fiber factory jointly run with SGL Carbon to respond to growing demand for its i-subbrand models.

While the usual story is that yet another racetrack has been eaten up by urban sprawl, here's a different twist: Auto Club Dragway on the grounds of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana will reopen on Feb.

-- Mazda Europe designer Peter Birthwhistle talks about

News 27 Feb, 2014

New 12C-based McLaren 650S is a second quicker than the McLaren F1 to 200 km/h

An industry analyst has penned an open letter to PSA/Peugeot-Citroen urging the automaker to scrap its planned capital tie-up with China's Dongfeng Motor and raise capital in other ways.

The race is on. BMW has announced plans to offer optional laser headlights on its new i8 plug-in hybrid supercar, while Audi has promised to get the technology to market even faster.

Ron Rossi has always looked for efficiencies in his workplace.

Dealerships are getting clever in the war on "showrooming," the retail phenomenon in which shoppers visit stores to get product and pricing information, then whip out smartphones to shop for a better deal elsewhere.

Hyundai may add a third vehicle to its luxury-car lineup and is considering building a compact crossover.

General Motors is counting on reducing supply and logistics costs as the next phase in their bid to match competitors in profitability.