Auto News 5

As the UK prepares to make a decision on its future within the EU, German companies are beginning to count the cost of a possible exit, with automakers such as BMW possibly having the most to lose.

Key Safety Systems (KSS) has started a new airbag cushion factory in Kicevo, Macedonia, with the site having completed qualification activities and production shipments beginning.

The latest issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine goes live on Monday, June 1. This month's edition looks at why Europe's stronger-than-expected sales rebound is not expected to provide an equally large boost to profits.

Audi expects to offset softening demand for large luxury cars in China by winning sales from volume brands. Younger consumers are switching from midsize models to compact premium cars such as the A3 Sportback, according to company executives.

Automotive News Europe honors the winners of the 2015 Rising Stars awards. Every day through June 4 one of the 14 winners will be featured. The Rising Star for Manufacturing is Fiat Chrysler's Francesco Ciancia.

As in-car Wifi and smartphone integration becomes increasingly common, lawmakers want to know how automakers plan to prevent hackers from compromising safety by tapping in through a car's digital connection.

Automotive safety components supplier Key Safety Systems said today it will ramp up production of airbag inflators beginning in December.

BMW is recalling 420,661 vehicles in the U.S. due to issues involving Takata airbags. The automaker is recalling 20 models to replace driver-side front airbag inflators.

BMW is recalling 420,661 U.S. vehicles due to issues involving Takata airbags, U.S. auto safety regulators said.

TrueCar's legal woes mounted Wednesday as the online car-buying service was hit with a shareholder lawsuit alleging that it misled its investors about how it does business.

Selling cars and trucks won't be enough to keep Ford rolling for a second century, so the company is operating on parallel paths to prepare for self-driving cars and shared vehicles, according to Executive Chairman Bill Ford.

Following Takata's admission last week that its defective airbags were in millions of U.S. vehicles, Fiat Chrysler will add more than 1.8 million vehicles vehicles to its Takata recalls while Ford will add more than 950,000 to its campaigns.

In the wake of a U.S. federal investigation of several officials and executives with soccer governing board FIFA, major corporate sponsor Hyundai Motor and affiliate Kia Motors are keeping a close eye on the matter.

The National Automobile Dealers Association has agreed to sell an 82-year-old institution, its Used Car Guide business, to J.D. Power. The deal is expected to yield shared cost savings and lead to more comprehensive data and new products.

Volvo Cars of North America signed an agreement today with the state of South Carolina, where it will build its first U.S. factory.

May is expected to produce the U.S. auto industry's best sales pace since last summer. Forecasts call for a seasonally adjusted, annualized selling rate of about 17.

Work has resumed at Renault's joint venture plant in Turkey following a walkout by around half the staff that appears to have centred around pay and union adherence.

The Mini John Cooper Works is fast (of course), handles brilliantly (ditto) and is being launched as a three-door only (but a convertible and/or a five-door might follow). This latest model for BMW Group's UKL1 architecture will also soon be joined by yet more new Minis.

General Motors said today that it will invest $175 million in new tooling and equipment to bring production of the Chevrolet Camaro to its assembly plant in Lansing, Mich.

Impetus Automotive works with OEMs to improve performance and grow business within retail dealerships. Their focus is developing aftersales strategies and improving margins in an area of automotive business that is increasingly important to delivering profitability around the world. Dave Leggett caught up with Impetus' sales and marketing director, Ashley Fernihough, to discuss automotive parts sales and associated issues across the world.