Auto News 5

News 12 Nov, 2015

Automotive Council reports highlights productivity of UK industry but there's a lack of R&D investment and skilled engineers

Former Volkswagen chief executive Martin Winterkorn has stepped down as chairman of the group's luxury brand Audi amid an investigation of two emissions scandals that occurred during his reign at Europe's largest car maker.

A top UAW official is recommending to the union's board that it ratify a tentative four-year agreement with GM, despite a 'no' vote from skilled-trades workers, according to two people familiar with the matter.

News 12 Nov, 2015

Tesla fans set up website for Model S, Model X and roadster owners and fans to share information

Faurecia and and Stanford University's Centre for Design Research have formed a partnership aimed at studying potential behavioural changes in an autonomous vehicle

Shell says its lubricants should be viewed in the same light as the most essential component with its input aiding the drive for ever-greater fuel efficiency.

Brazil's environmental agency slapped Volkswagen with a $13 million fine for skirting local emissions testing requirements.

Audi's global vehicle sales rose by 2 percent in October lagging volume growth at rival BMW brand, which jumped 6.3 percent and Mercedes-Benz, where brand deliveries were up 10 percent.

Italian supplier Brembo says the diesel-emissions scandal that has engulfed Volkswagen Group could have a significant impact on Italian components manufacturers.

Karma Automotive, the Chinese-owned company once known as Fisker, is working with BMW to access some of the German automaker's electric drive and charging technology.

Hyundai, which sat out last season's Super Bowl telecast, is coming back to the game in a big way with plans for three ads during and just before the game. The plans come as the automaker finishes the first year of its new NFL sponsorship.

Volkswagen has stood by its Seat brand through years of losses, but the spreading diesel-emissions scandal will test the group's loyalty to the Spanish unit as CEO Matthias Mueller seeks to make cuts.

The UK automotive sector's workforce is one of the world's most productive - but action is needed to address a shortage of skilled engineers and operators, according to new research by the Automotive Council.

TomTom has signed a global, multi-year agreement to provide maps and traffic data for the Uber driver app. The data will be used for navigation, accurate arrival times and efficient journeys in about 300 cities.

Supplier Tower International has announced plans to investigate the potential sale of Tower Europe.

GKN Driveline has developed a new family of lightweight constant velocity joint (CV joint) systems that enable rear-wheel drive platforms to save more than 4kg of weight. Higher performance drivelines with less rotating mass are a key element in auto industry CO2 reduction strategies.

Volkswagen has ceased manufacturing diesel versions of the 2016 Passat at its Chattanooga plant in Tennessee, amid the emissions test-rigging scandal.

Ford's European unit is using active noise control in its Mondeo Vignale [US readers, a poshed-up Fusion] with three microphones strategically placed in the cabin, to detect undesirable noises from the engine and transmission. The system counteracts those noises with opposing sound waves from the audio system - without affecting volume levels of music and conversation. Driver and vehicle behaviour is recorded and anticipated, for example when a driver is accelerating in a lower gear.

The decision to redesign the Cadenza, which starts at about $35,000, signals Kia will not abandon its high-end cars despite Hyundai's plan to create a dedicated luxury brand, Genesis.

Fiat is joining Nissan and Mercedes-Benz in targeting a growing market for utility vehicles with its Fullback midsize pickup, which is based on the Mitsubishi L200.