Auto News 5

News 13 Feb, 2015

Volvo's Polestar performance arm is already breathing its magic over the new Volvo XC90 SUV

Volvo Cars, the Swedish Transport Administration and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration are cooperating on a project to enable cars to share information about conditions that relate to road friction (such as icy patches).

Elon Musk is known for his ambitious projects and visions, but even he has raised a few eyebrows this week with remarks suggesting that Tesla Motors can become as big as Apple.

TRW has reported fourth quarter sales of $4.3bn (-3%) and record full year sales of $17.5bn, up 1% on last year.

TRW has revealed fourth quarter 2014 financial results with sales of US$4.3bn, a decrease of 3% compared to the same period a year ago.

Though Jaguar Land Rover executives involved with the automaker in Brazil have learned not to divulge details of future new models or details of launches, some news does slip out.

Honda said it has scrapped its target of selling 6 million vehicles annually by 2017 because the pressure to reach the objective contributed to the quality lapses that led to record recalls last year.

News 13 Feb, 2015

Citroen unveils an off-road adaptation of its Berlingo Multispace MPV for Geneva, with striking body add-ons and snow chains

Yokohama says 2014 net income rose 15.7% to JPY40.5bn (US$340m), while net sales increased 3.9% to JPY625bn

Features 14 Feb, 2015

Two former police officers are using their skills to teach learners. How different is their driving school?

Haldex has unveiled net sales for 2014 of SEK4.4bn, equivalent to growth of 12% compared with the same period of the previous year.

A growing number of voices, including those within the automakers, are questioning whether the constant range expansion by premium brands such as BMW and Audi, will continue to reap rewards or whether some kind of consolidation is required, IHS Automotive principal analyst, Tim Urquhart, said in a research note.

Opinion 13 Feb, 2015

Mike Rutherford thinks a compulsory driving appraisal every year could be one of the best investments a motorist can make

Daimler will unveil a new version of the Mercedes Pullman at next month's Geneva auto show. Also expected is a plug-in hybrid version of the C-class sedan.

RCI Banque, which offers finance to Renault-Nissan Alliance vehicle buyers, reported record sales in 2014, booking over 1,245,000 new and used car financing contracts, up 7.3% year on year versus 2013.

The Chicago auto show is now underway to be followed by Geneva in a few weeks' time, with New York and then Shanghai in April. Which are the key vehicles to note at these shows? just-auto's new and future products editor, Glenn Brooks, provides a need-to-know summary.

Faurecia has posted 2014 net income up 89% to EUR166m (US$189m), while total sales rose 5.5% to EUR18.8bn.

Sales of Volkswagen Group vehicles were broadly flat in January as gains at the Audi and Porsche premium brands and the Skoda and Seat volume marques offset a decline at its core namesake brand.

Sales of Volkswagen Group vehicles were broadly flat in January as gains at the Audi and Porsche premium brands and the Skoda and Seat volume marques offset a decline at its core namesake brand.

News 16 Feb, 2015

Land Rover 'teases' the updated Evoque SUV, with new JLR Ingenium engines, interior updates and LED headlamps