Auto News 5

News 29 May, 2015

The 2016 London Motor Show is set to be a motor show with a difference; held at iconic Battersea Park next year

Carmakers are moving quickly to follow Hyundai's lead in offer Google's Android Auto and Apple's CarPlay systems.

Harman says it has completed its acquisition of Bang & Olufsen's automotive audio business.

Hyundai is confident it will reach the 760,000 unit target set for 2015 US sales set back in January.

Opinion 29 May, 2015

Mike Rutherford is impressed by hugely profitable Toyota, with it small number of brands beating VW's wide range

Just when you thought things couldn't be any worse for the auto sector in Russia, up popped the AEB recently with its latest monthly instalment of doom that sets the situation in stark clarity, but will a stabilising rouble ride to the rescue?

Fiat Chrysler Chairman John Elkann confirmed that CEO Sergio Marchionne sent an email to GM about a possible tie-up. Elkann said discussions had taken place with other players as well.

As those - all three of you - who honour me with your occasional presence on my self-curated 'just-auto' Facebook page may have guessed, when I'm not helping to cover the current cutting edge state of the autobiz, I like to wallow in a rose-tinted backview of the 1960s when British, Australian and Canadian cars dominated my import-restricted former colony, V8s were an attainable aspiration (one could put one in one's Cortina if one so wished), petrol was cheap (diesel for trucks only) and the Holy Grail for a Kiwi Kar Nut was the annual Earls Court show in London.

Ficosa is building a new integrated production centre in The Highlands Industrial Park in Cookeville (Tennessee).

Ford says it is opening its portfolio of electrified vehicle technology patents to competitive automakers in order to accelerate industry-wide research and development of electrified vehicles. They are available for a fee.

News 29 May, 2015

Skoda has knocked up to £1,905 off the prices for its Rapid Spaceback family car

GKN Driveline says it has expanded production capacity at its Eskisehir plant in Turkey to meet growing demand from automakers located in the country.

China's GAC Motor brand was launched in Qatar this week.

The legal order signed by troubled supplier Takata with federal regulators last week will speed the investigation to determine the reason airbags are exploding and injuring motorists, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said.

National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) says new 'part-owner' Tianjin Binhai Hi-tech Industrial Development Area (THT) will plough US$200m into the Swedish automaker as it looks to build a new factory in China within two years for its EV breakthrough.

Inspired by an existing service in Paris - Autolibe runs a fleet of 3,000 electric cars with 75,000 registered users - Rio de Janeiro will be the first Brazilian city with an electric car sharing scheme.

Features 29 May, 2015

Your guide to the summer of motoring, with dates and prices of some fun family car shows around the UK in 2015

Skoda has been fined 1.77 million euros for margin fixing with distributors in 2011 and 2012.

Nokian Tyres, which booked record first quarter profits is to pay workers bonuses in cash and shares over the next two years.

Renault's powerful CGT (Confederation Generale du Travail) union says it members have resumed work at the French manufacturer's Turkish operation with their "heads held high."