Auto News 5

The German government says that automakers will be expected to pass on relevant data to authorities in order to determine whether emissions data may have been falsified in Germany and Europe. The call comes after a U.S.

The German government says that automakers will be expected to pass on relevant data to its transport authority to determine whether emissions data may have been falsified in Germany and Europe.

Monday is barely half over here in Europe and just starting on the east coast of the US - where news of the scandal broke on Friday night our time - and already it's looking like the timing of the EPA's announcement, and the fast-growing fallout therefrom, could not have come at a worse time for Volkswagen and, especially, its CEO Martin Winterkorn.

Leoni has signed a joint venture (JV) deal with China's Beijing Hainachuan Automotive Parts (BHAP), a subsidiary of state-owned Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation (BAIC). The Chinese State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) approved the JV.

Newly-formed ZF TRW says the structure of the company will almost inevitably change in the next few years as the integration of the two supplier giants beds down, but maintains it is not mainly concerned with cost savings.

News 21 Sep, 2015

Vauxhall celebrates Astra anniversary by creating Union Jack with 128 cars

Industry and policymakers are planning closer cooperation in the future in order to improve cybersecurity. To this end, Volkswagen, Allianz, BASF and Bayer intend to establish the 'DCSO Deutsche Cyber-Sicherheits organisation (German Cybersecurity Organisation). This competence centre is to operate as the preferred cybersecurity service provider for companies in Germany.

ZF has introduced clutch-by-wire (CBW) that, it claims, for the first time, controls the clutch independently of the driver's left foot and without a mechanical connection to the pedal. This adds functions to manual systems that were previously reserved for automatic or automated transmissions - particularly fuel-minimising coasting.

Metaldyne is expanding its Bluffton, Indiana, US, plant by 37,000 square feet. The building addition will support several future transmission-related programmes through the supply of ready-to-assemble differential assemblies and aluminium valve bodies.

Honda Cars India (HCIL) has announced it will voluntarily replace airbag inflators in 223,578 previous generation CR-V, Civic, City and Jazz vehicles as part of the automaker's preventive global recall campaign.

The first customer-ready, updated, Ranger pickup truck has come off the production line at Ford's assembly plant in Silverton, South Africa.

BMW and Daimler say their diesel-powered vehicles comply with U.S. clean air rules. Their comments come after the U.S.

The Canadian province of Ontario is funding Ontario Drive & Gear's New Hamburg plant upgrade and expansion which will create 35 new jobs and retain 117 positions over four years. The supplier designs and manufactures custom gears and transmissions for the automotive and energy sectors and its customers include Magna, Ford and Allison Transmission.

News 21 Sep, 2015

New video app gives buyers a virtual tour from car salesman - but can you spot our attempt?

The collaboration between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which has now expanded to 13 projects on three continents from an original plan to share development costs, drivetrains and production facilities for Smart and the Renault Twingo, is set to move into the sphere of electric cars next year. At the Frankfurt show, Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche announced that "in about a year" there will be electric versions of the Fortwo and Forfour, driven by a modified Renault R240 motor produced at Renault's Cléon factory and powered by Daimler-supplied batteries.

Volkswagen and Ford workers in Brazil have agreed to a 20% reduction in working hours as well as wage cuts in order to avoid mass layoffs.

BMW-owned Rolls-Royce wants to sell over 100 vehicles a year in India and is planning to offer its premium models to hotels and resorts in the country.

Hindustan Motors reportedly is considering 'monetising' the land at its Uttarpara plant in West Bengal.

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn may face a leadership challenge after it was disclosed that the automaker cheated on U.S. air pollution tests for diesel cars, analysts said.

Hankook Tire is urging labelling legislation introduced by the European Union (EU) be extended to cover more sectors as the current situation is too "wishy-washy."