Auto News 5

Audi reported higher second-quarter operating profit, as gains from record vehicle sales outweighed the impact of spending on technology and foreign expansion.

South Africa's Labour Ministry says business owners also have the right to strike as the country reels under yet another manufacturing setback.

Porsche sold 87,800 cars in the first half of 2014, an increase of 8% over the same period last year. Revenue grew by 16% to EUR8.2bn (US$11bn) with operating profit growing by 8% to EUR1.4bn. The company said in a statement this is equivalent to a return on sales of 17%.

U.S. auto sales, led by Chrysler's 20 percent advance and solid gains of 10 percent or more at Toyota, Nissan, and Ford, rose 9 percent in July to 1.435 million.

Major automakers, led by Chrysler's 20 percent gain, posted higher sales in July on strong retail and fleet demand. Sales rose 10 percent at Ford and 11 percent at Nissan.

French car sales fell 4 percent in July as economic problems weighed on demand, the country's CCFA industry body said.

Sales by India's car market leader Maruti Suzuki in July rose 21.7% to 101,380 units.

ZF's supervisory board has given its support to continuing negotiations to buy TRW Automotive, sources said.

ZF's supervisory board has given its support to continuing negotiations to buy safety components supplier, TRW Automotive Holdings, sources told Bloomberg.

The supervisory board of German supplier ZF Friedrichshafen has given its support to continuing negotiations to buy TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., two people familiar with the matter said.

News 1 Aug, 2014

Citroen once again teams up with Benefit Cosmetics to create a special edition DS3, on sale now for £18,745

Maruti Suzuki boosted net profit 20.7% to INR7,623m in the first quarter of fiscal 2014/15.

The Shanghai-GM-Wuling joint venture has launched a new minivan for its Baojun brand. SGMW says the 730 introduces a new vehicle architecture.

Fiat shareholders approved the automaker's merger with Chrysler in a move that seals the end of Fiat as an Italian company.

Fiat is leaving home after 115 years.The controlling Agnelli family and other investors voted today to seal the end of Fiat as an Italian company and approved a merger with Chrysler.

Fiat is leaving home after 115 years.The controlling Agnelli family and other investors meet today to seal the end of Fiat as an Italian company after it merges with Chrysler.

The latest issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine goes live on Monday, Aug. 4. This month's edition looks at the potential risks and rewards facing Porsche.

Automotive News Europe's Guide to Powertrains shows the 83 locations where 19 automakers and suppliers produce the engines and transmissions that help drive the auto industry in Europe.

Renault will build Fiat's replacement for its Scudo commercial van starting in 2016, taking over production of the model from PSA/Peugeot-Citroen. The Scudo successor will be based on the Renault Trafic.

From TW Steel

TW Steel, the global brand ‘Big in Oversized Watches' is excited to offer one lucky member of the public the opportunity to literally experience Formula 1 up-close and personal as a team member of Sahara Force India Formula 1 Team at the Italian Grand Prix, September 5-7.

The brand, the ‘Official Timing Partner' of Sahara Force India since 2013, is launching its #JoinTheTeam competition via its Twitter (@TWSteel), Instagram (@TWSteel) and Facebook (Facebook.com/TWSteel) channels next week, Monday 4th to Friday 8th August, with a daily winner from each platform entered into the prize draw at the end of the week to see who gets to experience paddock life from the team's perspective at the renowned Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

The BIG TIME prize includes all travel and accommodation for the winner along with the opportunity to work directly with Sahara Force India, dressed in the appropriate team gear complete, of course, with one of the team's TW Steel timepieces.

Sergio Pérez, Sahara Force India. (Photo: Sahara Force India)

Duties set to fall on the winner include participation in pit stop practice, assisting both the media and marketing teams in driver engagements and being able to watch the action live from the pits in the team's garage viewing area. With access fans can only dream of, this truly is an unbelievable prize for a true fan of motor racing at its most prestigious.

Entry via TW Steel's social media channels each day next week will simply consist of answering a ‘True or False' question - with each daily winner receiving a 25% discount off of a TW Steel timepiece and entry in the overall prize draw at the end of the week to win the place with Sahara Force India at the Italian Grand Prix.

“This truly is an exceptional prize,” stated TW Steel CEO and Co-Owner Jordy Cobelens.

“We love to do everything ‘Big Time' and this competition is no different. What an unbelievable opportunity for a member of the public to experience a Grand Prix from the team's perspective. It really is a ‘money can't buy' experience and together with Sahara Force India, we're delighted to be able to run our promotion and make someone's dream come true.”

For the promotional video in support of #JoinTheTeam please click here: www.twsteel.com/sfi/jointheteam