Auto News 5

Ford reportedly plans to boost the production of vehicles that are manufactured in North America and exported to China, by up to 40,000 per year as the Chinese appetite for SUVs grows.

Toyota Australia has announced it would cut up to 100 jobs - from a workforce of 2,500 - at its Altona plant from November.

New vehicle sales in the Philippines rose by 14.8% to 14,764 units in September, from 12,857 units a year earlier, according to data released jointly by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association, Inc.

New vehicle sales in mainland China expanded strongly in September, by 17.4% to 1,935,800 units, from a weak 1,617,400 units a year earlier, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

News 15 Oct, 2013

Sports car maker Morgan announces that former MD Charles Morgan is to stand down

Bridgestone Corporation has announced that its subsidiary in Vietnam, Bridgestone Tire Manufacturing Vietnam Limited Liability Company(BTMV) has decided to increase production capacity at the company's new passenger car radial tyres (PSR) plant currently under construction in Hai Phong City, Vietnam.

News 15 Oct, 2013

The Lamborghini Gallardo is subject to a recall of 143 cars in the UK due to a brake disc problem

Yes, Toyota has been accused of making boring cars. Critics have cruelly compared the Camry to a Kitchen Magician, only less exciting, they've said.

European Union environment ministers agreed to German demands to scrap an agreement to cap average EU new-car emissions at 95 grams per kilometer in 2020 from about 130/g/km now after Berlin argued the target would cost jobs and damage its premium...

European Union environment ministers agreed to German demands to scrap an agreement to cap average EU new-car emissions at 95 grams per kilometer in 2020 from about 130/g/km now after Berlin argued the target would damage its premium automakers.

Hyundai, Kia and Toyota are preparing to take on Peugeot, Renault and Opel with a range of new small SUVs as European sales in the segment look set to boom.

BMW is considering a production increase for the i3 electric car after early demand for the model exceeded the automaker's expectations.

Will Ferrell's infamous 1970's blowhard news-anchor claimed the top spot in our weekly viral video rankings.

Ford Sollers, a joint venture between Ford and Russian carmaker Sollers, will begin production of the Edge SUV early next year.

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes expects sales of the automaker's first coupe and robust demand in Asia to help drive deliveries through next year.

General Motors scaled back cooperation with PSA months into their alliance and later turned down a government-backed merger, leaving China's Dongfeng as the French carmaker's last hope, sources said.

BMW is considering a production increase for the i3 electric car after early demand for the model exceeded the automaker's expectations.

Tough break for Panther Racing who will lose one of the best sponsorship packages in IndyCar racing as the National Guard have decided to switch to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for the 2014 season.

National Guard had been closely associated with the Panther Racing squad since 2008 and its sponsorship has reportedly been anywhere from $10-13 million per year.

National Guard bids its contract annually and it is believed several teams, including Sam Schmidt, Andretti Autosport, Rahal/Letterman/Lanigan and Panther all submitted proposals for 2014.

Rahal/Letterman/Lanigan Racing is currently a two-car team with James Jakes and Graham Rahal but this new deal figures could allow Bobby Rahal to look for a top driver Justin Wilson, James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Briscoe or, even Oriol Servia to join his son.    

National Guard on Ryan Briscoe's Panther Racing car. (Photo: IndyCar)

Hankook Tire will invest $829 million CAD to build its first American plant in Clarksville, Tennessee. Construction will begin next year, and tire production is expected to start in 2016.

Nearly 1,800 full-time jobs will be created as a result.

“This new facility will help Hankook Tire accomplish our plan to establish a production base in all major markets,” said Mr. Seung Hwa Suh, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hankook Tire. “We will be able to provide our customers, consumers and vehicle manufacturers with high quality tires and industry leading service to meet the demands of the American market.”

Source: Hankook Tire Canada

Photo: Hankook Tire

Ford has inaugurated a new battery lab at the University of Michigan in Ann Harbor, a move that will accelerate the development of more efficient, yet more affordable, electric vehicles.

The lab, which required an $8 million investment from governments and private parties, will be operational within a year. Scientists will test new battery concepts, components, and chemistries for the next generation of EVs.

Ford Focus Electric. (Photo: Ford)

“We have battery labs that test and validate production-ready batteries, but that is too late in the development process for us to get our first look,” said Ted Miller, who manages battery research for Ford. “This lab will give us a stepping-stone between the research lab and the production environment, and a chance to have input much earlier in the development process. This is sorely needed, and no one else in the auto industry has anything like it.”

Source: The Detroit Bureau