Auto News 5

General Motors Company announced today the establishment of its China Science Lab in Shanghai. The unique facility will carry out important research projects in a number of automotive-related fields for General Motors. As the first major science lab established by a global automaker in China, it will contribute to technological innovation, both domestically and on a worldwide basis. Full story...

Canadian electric vehicle maker Zenn Motor has claimed to be on the verge of a battery breakthrough that could drive it into the automotive big leagues, though not as a maker of electric cars. Full story...

The US Department of Energy has awarded electric carmaker Fisker Automotive a US$528.7m loan to develop more affordable US-made plug-in hybrids. Full story...

Russian company Sestra River Developments plans to raise US$140m for the construction of an automotive component industrial park in the 'Russian Detroit', St Petersburg, Sergei Fiveisky, first deputy director of the city's committee for economic development, said. Full story...

Dutch-based industrial firm BioMCN has commenced operations at the largest second generation biofuel manufacturing plant in the world. It sees very positive prospects ahead in transportation applications for the bio-methanol it produces from glycerine - itself a by-product of biodiesel manufacture. Automotive applications are being readied, especially in the substitution of bio-methanol for bio-ethanol in gasoline blends. And the vision for more efficient energy utilisation and lower CO2 emissions does not end there, as BioMCN CEO Rob Voncken explains to just-auto editor Dave Leggett. Full story...

A gull-wing Mercedes has become something of an automotive icon. Visitors to the current Frankfurt show will also have seen it as a vision of the future - an electric one at that. Full story...

The global market for automotive lithium batteries to power the swelling ranks of electric vehicles is forecast to hit a heady US$70bn a year by 2020, according to a key supplier of the technology. Full story...

An M&A specialist has told an industry conference at the IAA that automotive sector M&A activity has plunged and that his analysis of the restructuring cycle and comparison with past recessions suggests that the automotive industry still faces very tough times ahead. Full story...

GAZ Group, the struggling Russian automotive company, has plans to lay off a maximum of 5,800 workers, a local news report has said, citing company representatives. Full story...

The Malaysian government is expected to introduce further competition in the country's automotive sector when it announces its new national automotive policy (NAP) next month. Full story...

Vehicle sales in Malaysia grew by 2.8% year-on-year in August to 48,538 units, compared with 47,227 units a year earlier, according to data released by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA). Full story...

Fisker Automotive, currently working on launching a US$88,000 luxury petrol-electric hybrid car to be built by Valmet in Finland is also planning a $39,000 model likely to be built in the US. Full story...

The Frankfurt Motor Show's first press day falls today on the anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers. I do hope that this industry does not get carried away with its own PR today. Of course, motor shows are great stages on which to show the world just how clever automotive engineers and designers are. This one will be no exception. Full story...

Acquiring the largest part of Delphi's European airbag activities last month has enabled gas inflation systems maker iSi Automotive to now supply a full range of side, cranium and knee impact airbags. Full story...

GKN Driveline certainly can't be accused of short-termism on the basis of its announcement that it has extended its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) for another 50 years. Full story...

DEARBORN, Mich., - Some automotive enthusiasts express their love for cars by purchasing new wheels for their ride, while others simply collect toy model replicas. Not 24-year-old Daniel Verlarde, a longtime Mustang fanatic who decided to express his love permanently - by getting a new custom Mustang pony logo tattooed on his body. Full story...

Ricardo, Inc., the US subsidiary of Ricardo plc, the leading independent provider of technology, product innovation and engineering solutions to the world's automotive, defense, transport and new energy industries, has announced that the award of $2.1 million (GBP1.3m) of funding has been made by the UK Technology Strategy Board to a consortium led by advanced battery manufacturer Axeon and including Ricardo, which will develop a new lightweight battery for use in electric small city cars, improving their performance, functionality and range. Full story...

Vehicle sales in the Philippines rose by 6.7% to 10,575 units in August, compared with 9,906 units a year earlier, according to data released by Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (Campi). Full story...

Vehicle sales in Vietnam rose by 31.2% to 10,555 units in August, compared with 8,044 units a year earlier, according to data released by the Vietnam Automotive Manufacturers Association. Full story...

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which is about to celebrate its world premiere on 15 September 2009 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main, embodies a blend of consummate automotive fascination and high tech. Full story...