Auto News 5

NextEV and the Nanjing Municipal Government have signed a partnership agreement to build a RMB3bn (US$462m) plant for the development and production of high-performance motors, as well as electronic modules in the Nanjing Economic and Technological Development Zone.

Daimler is to plough around EUR500m (US$575m) in a new engine production facility in Poland, creating several hundred new jobs.

March 2016 was another positive month for European new car registrations, ending a strong first quarter which saw sales of 3.93m units, up by 8.1% year on year, according to analysis by JATO Dynamics. Although volumes grew at a slower rate (+5.6%) than recorded in February 2016 (+13.8%), positive results in 23 of the 29 markets analysed meant growth continued. YTD figures showed gains in 26 markets, with 16 of them posting double-digit growth. The March SAAR was 14.98m units.

Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company (BAIC) has told reporters in China it plans to build a full size vehicle assembly plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, at a cost CNY5bn (US$770m).

The world's largest automotive safety recall is about to get even bigger, adding to the hurdles that Japanese airbag supplier Takata is battling to survive the crisis.

The Google Self-Driving Car Project and FCA have announced a claimed first-of-its-kind collaboration to integrate Google's self-driving technology into redesigned 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to expand Google's existing self-driving test programme. This is the first time Google has worked directly with an automaker to integrate its self-driving system, including its sensors and software, into a passenger vehicle.

Brembo says it has conducted the first pour at its new cast iron foundry recently completed in Homer, Michigan.

Electric vehicle-charging network ChargePoint said on Tuesday it had received an additional $50 million in funding to allow the Silicon Valley company to expand beyond its current 27,000 public charging stations.

Inteva Products has begun production in a new facility in Oradea, Romania. The new site produces roof system components for European customers and currently employs 150 people, with plans for additional growth. This is the supplier's second site in Romania, expanding the footprint it already has in that and other eastern Europe countries.

Unique Fabricating says it has acquired the business and substantially all of the assets of Intasco, a Canadian-based provider and manufacturer of precision die cut solutions, as well as purchasing 100% of the outstanding capital stock of Intasco USA.

Michael Steiner is the new member of the executive board for research and development at Porsche, the automaker announced.

Continental is bracing for tough talks with Volkswagen and other carmakers over prices, though it does not expect to take a major hit on its results, finance chief Wolfgang Schaefer said.

Kumho has opened a new production facility with an annual capacity of 4m tyres in Macon, Georgia, following its original mothballing in 2008, due to the global financial crisis.

News 4 May, 2016

Audi could rise to the challenge of the Mercedes S-Class and Maybach ranges with longer wheelbase versions of its A8, and maybe a coupe

News 4 May, 2016

Mitsubishi Mirage Juro gets mild makeover from outgoing model, with prices starting from £11,499

Cooper Standard has posted first quarter net income up 46% to US$30.6m and adjusted EBITDA of US$103.6m million, with record sales of US$862.5m.