Auto News 5

Japan's catastrophic earthquake has prompted business analysts to urge manufacturers rethink production location strategy.

BMW is looking to expand its global manufacturing footprint to into fast-growing markets and is considering production in countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, South Korea and Turkey.

Japanese carmakers will run their factories at weekends from July to September and halt them Thursdays and Fridays to counter an expected power shortages.

Moody's Japan has withdrawn Denso's Aa3 long-term issuer rating with stable outlook and the P-1 short-term rating for Denso Corporation.

Fisker Automotive, which is producing its luxury plug-in hybrid sports cars in Finland, is raising an additional $100 million as the startup company prepares to deliver its first production vehicles to retail customers.

Fisker Automotive Inc., a maker of luxury plug-in hybrid sports cars, is raising an additional $100 million as the startup company prepares to deliver its first production vehicles to retail customers.

French tiremaker Michelin is facing "incredible pressure" from high raw material prices, its CEO designate said on Friday.

French tiremaker Michelin is facing "incredible pressure" from high raw material prices, its CEO designate said today.

General Motors will invest about US$2mn in US assembly and component plants, creating or preserving more than 4,000 jobs at 17 facilities in eight states.

The 7th annual Automotive News Europe/SupplierBusiness OEM-supplier relations online survey is underway.

Europe's Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) CEO, Lars Holmqvist, has returned from Indonesia where he led a European Commission (EC) automotive delegation negotiating a free trade deal with ASEAN countries.

American Honda, which three years ago began leasing five FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicles on lease to film producer Ron Yerxa, author and actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her filmmaker husband Christopher Guest; business owner and car enthusiast Jim Salomon; actress Laura Harris; and Jon Spallino, has welcomed the opening this week of the world's first station supplied by an existing hydrogen pipeline.

Germany and France powered economic growth in the euro area in the first quarter as booming exports fueled domestic spending in the bloc's core, offsetting turmoil sparked by sovereign debt woes in Greece, Ireland and Portugal.

Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India's Tata Motors, said on Friday it priced a 1 billion pound ($1.64 billion) equivalent senior notes offering following a significant over-subscription by investors.

The EU has now removed the exemption for using lead in the solder for electrical connection soldering for glazing applications (such as for heated rear screens). As such, any new model seeking type approval after 1 January 2013 will be required to use lead-free solder for such applications. This will result in a significant step towards truly lead-free production car architecture. To find out more, Matthew Beecham talked with executives of Antaya Technologies.

Data released by an industry association in Russia shows that the Russian light vehicle market rose by 42% in April.

A joint venture between Johnson Controls Inc. and Saft Groupe SA says it will supply lithium ion batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles to be made by Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co.

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said fewer than 20 suppliers are still in a critical situation, down from 40 in March, after Japan's record earthquake halted factories and crimped domestic sales.

Market share gains by VW and Ford have forced Hyundai Motor Co., India's second biggest automaker, to consider building a network of as many as 1,000 rural outlets and introducing a cheaper small car.

BMW says it will redesign its gasoline and diesel engines so they can share far more parts.