Auto News 5

Dave Leggett provides an assessment of the latest developments following the UK's referendum result to leave the EU.

Tips & advice 27 Jul, 2016

Everything you need to know about the UK car number plate rules, and how to keep within the law.

Porsche gave the second-generation, 2017 Panamera a sportier and more aggressive exterior styling. Here's what people are saying about what the automaker calls 'the sports car among luxury saloons.'

Newly founded Porsche Digital is investing a seven-digit sum in parking solution specialist Evopark.

A record month and a 2.2% increase over the strong monthly result last year has steered Australia's new car industry to its best first half result ever.

The aim of an active grille shutter (AGS) is to respond to the driving environment in order to reduce drag and improve fuel economy. During motorway driving, for example, the louvres would close thereby pushing the air around the vehicle to improve aerodynamics. If the car is towing a load or slow moving in traffic, the louvres would remain open to help maintain the best engine temperature.  Given that an increasing number of cars now have an AGS, here is our round-up of the market.

Tesla officially touts its partial self-driving Autopilot feature as a back-up to human drivers, but some of the car maker's comments -- and some high profile videos -- have led many drivers to think of it as a replacement.

New Zealand new vehicle sales in June rose 5.1% year on year to 13,699 units. Year to date volume was up 5.3% to 69,057.

The yen's extended surge after UK's decision to exit the EU has turned put added pressure on Japan's automakers. Since the June 23 Brexit vote, the mean forecast for net income at Toyota has slid to $16.

Volkswagen's CEO reporteldy has rejected calls for the carmaker to compensate customers in Europe over the 'Dieselgate' emissions scandal along the lines of its US$15bn deal in the United States, telling a German newspaper a similar settlement would be inappropriate and unaffordable.

Volkswagen's brand chief, Herbert Diess, is not planning to resign even though he is the subject of investigation by public prosecutors, he reportedly told a German newspaper.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance generated EUR4.3bn (US$4.8bn) in synergies in 2015, one year ahead of schedule and an increase of 13% from 2014. Purchasing, engineering and manufacturing were the main contributors.

Nippon Sheet Glass (NSG) is developing a new range of UV-cut automotive glass product called UV Protect 400 which blocks 99% of UV rays (300nm-400nm), which includes the longer wavelength UVA (315nm-400nm) that can cause damage to deeper layers of the skin. The new technology can be used in all car windows and is said to be the world's first automotive glass to block UV radiation of up to 400nm wavelength by 99%.

Michelin plans to build a factory in central Mexico to manufacture high-end tyres for passenger cars and light trucks.

Features 6 Jul, 2016

We meet the dedicated owners commemorating 25 years of Nissan's retro-styled Figaro roadster

GKN Driveline is set to commence production at a new facility in Olesnica, South West Poland.

The Eberspaecher Group of companies is expanding in electrical vehicle heaters by acquiring the Paul Rauschert Steinbach production plant in Hermsdorf, Thuringia, with around 80 employees. The site is a new Eberspaecher facility which will manufacture PTC heating elements.

North American parts suppliers Delphi and Linamar will be building plants in Morocco, the country's industry minister said.

UK CV volumes rose in May with output growing 13.8% to 7,748 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The home market drove output, with demand up 23.5% to 3,826 while production for export rose 5.7% to 3,922 putting the overall sector up by 2.7% to 39,935 year to date.

The South Korean auto sector is boosting its sales and marketing efforts following the expiry of the temporary car sales tax discount at the end June.