Auto News 5

Audi reported higher second-quarter operating profit, as gains from record vehicle sales outweighed the impact of spending on technology and foreign expansion.

South Africa's Labour Ministry says business owners also have the right to strike as the country reels under yet another manufacturing setback.

Porsche sold 87,800 cars in the first half of 2014, an increase of 8% over the same period last year. Revenue grew by 16% to EUR8.2bn (US$11bn) with operating profit growing by 8% to EUR1.4bn. The company said in a statement this is equivalent to a return on sales of 17%.

Major automakers, led by Chrysler's 20 percent gain, posted higher sales in July on strong retail and fleet demand. Sales rose 10 percent at Ford and 11 percent at Nissan.

U.S. auto sales, led by Chrysler's 20 percent advance and solid gains of 10 percent or more at Toyota, Nissan, and Ford, rose 9 percent in July to 1.435 million.

French car sales fell 4 percent in July as economic problems weighed on demand, the country's CCFA industry body said.

Sales by India's car market leader Maruti Suzuki in July rose 21.7% to 101,380 units.

The supervisory board of German supplier ZF Friedrichshafen has given its support to continuing negotiations to buy TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., two people familiar with the matter said.

ZF's supervisory board has given its support to continuing negotiations to buy safety components supplier, TRW Automotive Holdings, sources told Bloomberg.

ZF's supervisory board has given its support to continuing negotiations to buy TRW Automotive, sources said.

News 1 Aug, 2014

Citroen once again teams up with Benefit Cosmetics to create a special edition DS3, on sale now for £18,745

Maruti Suzuki boosted net profit 20.7% to INR7,623m in the first quarter of fiscal 2014/15.

The Shanghai-GM-Wuling joint venture has launched a new minivan for its Baojun brand. SGMW says the 730 introduces a new vehicle architecture.

Fiat is leaving home after 115 years.The controlling Agnelli family and other investors meet today to seal the end of Fiat as an Italian company after it merges with Chrysler.

Fiat is leaving home after 115 years.The controlling Agnelli family and other investors voted today to seal the end of Fiat as an Italian company and approved a merger with Chrysler.

Fiat shareholders approved the automaker's merger with Chrysler in a move that seals the end of Fiat as an Italian company.

Renault will build Fiat's replacement for its Scudo commercial van starting in 2016, taking over production of the model from PSA/Peugeot-Citroen. The Scudo successor will be based on the Renault Trafic.

Automotive News Europe's Guide to Powertrains shows the 83 locations where 19 automakers and suppliers produce the engines and transmissions that help drive the auto industry in Europe.

The latest issue of the Automotive News Europe monthly e-magazine goes live on Monday, Aug. 4. This month's edition looks at the potential risks and rewards facing Porsche.

“Crazy Leo” Urlichich, the only Canadian to compete in the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship, endured more bad luck Thursday at the very beginning of the Rally Finland.

Urlichich competes in the Drive DMACK Fiesta trophy this season. He was set to take the start of the rally in Finland with a new co-driver, Briton Darren Garrod.

However, Garrod hurt his back on a very average jump at the test stage before the rally.

“It wasn't bad at first so we got three more test runs in. I have to admit: the stage was amazing. I so loved it! There's a reason why this is the best rally in the world!” Leo said.

“But the pain got worse, but Darren decided to go through the start ramp despite severe pain, because that would allow a theoretical restart tomorrow. Here, we have to thank M-Sport Poland and Alison for their special assistance. But as the day went on we realized that there's no way we can go into the stages,” “Crazy Leo” said.

“I am very sorry to all the sponsors, fans and friends who support me. I'm beyond gutted. No one here can believe in this bad luck. But we'll be back!” Leo concluded.