Auto News 5

Nissan said its Leaf and Infiniti models in Europe will sport Microsoft's telematics system, which allows drivers to remotely access their cars.

The U.S. auto industry set a sales record in 2015 as solid December gains by the biggest automakers pushed the annual tally above 2000's 17,402,486 mark.

Having become the first female CEO of a 'Detroit Three' automaker, Mary Barra has pushed through another glass ceiling to be named General Motors' board chairman, effective immediately. She succeeds Theodore (Tim) Solso, who remains the board's lead independent director.

Harman International has formed a partnership with Microsoft to create an in-dash 'personal assistant' that will allow motorists to Skype, listen to emails, schedule meetings and check calendars.

Autoliv is showcasing active safety solutions at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where it is attending for the first time.

PSA delivered 704,818 Peugeot and Citroen branded vehicles in China in 2015, virtually unchanged from 704,016 in 2014 as the Chinese car market continued to cool in the second and third quarters.

Volvo says it is developing high bandwidth streaming capabilities with its technology partner, Ericsson, ahead of the introduction of autonomous cars.

Ford says it is tripling its fleet of Fusion Hybrid autonomous research vehicles this year and claims that makes the company's fully autonomous vehicle fleet the largest of all automakers. It also says it will accelerate the development and testing of its virtual driver software in both urban and suburban environments

In Mexico's red-hot domestic auto market, even embattled Volkswagen is doing well. Customers are flooding Mexican showrooms so quickly that they've helped automakers take up slack from a recent lull in exports.

News 5 Jan, 2016

Brits Andy Priaulx and Marino Franchitti among Ford's drivers for its Le Mans 2016 programme

 Magna says it has completed the acquisition of the Getrag group of companies.

Volvo said at the 2016 CES show in Las Vegas it is working with Microsoft to launch a wearable-enabled voice-control system. Owners will be able to talk to their car using Microsoft Band 2, allowing them to instruct their vehicle to perform tasks including setting the navigation, starting the heater, locking the doors, flashing the lights or sounding the horn via Volvo on Call, and the connected wearable device.

Nissan said today it was not planning to offer financial support to Takata, the airbag maker at the center of a massive global recall of faulty inflators.

U.S. chipmaker Nvidia, which is looking to expand its reach in the automotive market, says Volvo will be the first customer for a new computer designed for autonomous vehicles.

The US Justice Department has filed a civil lawsuit against Volkswagen Group for its emissions cheating actions that could see it face penalties and fines exceeding US$90bn, according to some reports.

Ford announced at the 2016 CES show in Las Vegas today a plan to encourage development of drone-to-vehicle communications using its SYNC AppLink or OpenXC platforms. The goal: a surveying system for the United Nations Development Programme to inspect emergency zones inaccessible to even the most versatile vehicles.

Fluid systems technology supplier, TI Automotive, has moved its corporate offices to a new facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Magellan's SmartGPS navigation system has been selected to be included with Subaru vehicles featuring the Subaru Starlink platform.

European new-car sales are showing a strong finish to 2015 as December registrations rose in the key markets of Germany, France, Italy and Spain.