Auto News 5

Volkswagen has abandoned plans to build its Up minicar in the Czech Republic. Spain or Portugal are now being considered as potential production locations for the key model, company insiders told Automotive News Europe. Full story...

Power steering specialist China Automotive Systems boosted third quarter net sales 18.4% year on year to US$36.9m as sales of steering components for passenger and light-duty increased 22% to $24.6m. Net income rose 7.2% to $2.8m. Full story...

Having confirmed earlier it was considering temporary plant closures, GM Daewoo Automotive and Technology is now reported to be planning to halt production for up to 45 days after a sharp drop in exports. Full story...

Fisker Automotive will open a new Engineering and Development centre in Pontiac, Michigan to employ as many as 200 engineers and designers. Fisker is a green American premium carmaker, and they say their new 34,000 square foot facility will house employees to support the development and production of the Fisker Karma. Full story...

GAZ, the automotive group owned by oligarch Oleg Derpiska, has said that investment aimed at creating a complete line of diesel engines for commercial vehicles is a top priority Full story...

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) is planning to expand its car financing business as a way to stimulate consumption and boost profitability, its chairman says. Full story...

China Automotive Systems said today that it had received an initial purchase order for power steering gears from a global automotive manufacturer headquartered in North America. Full story...

From fast cars to fast food - that's the fate of a prominent Irvine (a few clicks on I5 south of LA), California building now home to what's left of Ford's Premier Automotive Group (PAG) but soon to become the headquarters of huge restaurant chain owner Taco Bell. Full story...

How's Honda doing? Like other vehicle manufacturers, Honda is feeling pressure in its markets. But it does at least enjoy the support of a young line-up of small and relatively fuel-efficient cars. This company update is extracted from Automotive World's Automotive Quarterly Review and includes data of Honda sales by market and future product plans. Full story...

Vehicle sales in the Philippines fell by 9.8% year-on-year to 10,680 units in October, according to the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc (CAMPI), reflecting falling consumer and business sentiment as global economic conditions continued to deteriorate. Full story...

In a Nov. 10 interview with Automotive News Editor David Sedgwick, General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner addressed questions ranging from what concessions he would offer in return for government aid to whether he would consider resignation. Full story...

Volvo is a leader in automotive safety, an they'll be demonstrating their latest "City Safety" technology in a tour of the new XC60 called "From Sweden with Lov". "City Safety" is a new technology which uses a low-speed autonomous braking system to protect distracted drivers and those around them. Using a special laser sensor, the technology is intended to reduce the low-speed collisions common in urban situations or when the driver is distracted and doesn't react to an imminent impact. Full story...

Most areas of the automotive world are drowning in abbreviations, but it's arguably the safety scene that's got it the worst. Unfortunately, it's not about to get any better- as Nissan's just announced that it will soon demonstrate an advanced collision-free vehicle concept. Full story...

In a Nov. 10 interview with Automotive News Editor David Sedgwick, General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner addressed questions ranging from what concessions he would offer in return for government aid to whether he would consider resignation. Full story...

Interest on auto loans would be deductible from federal taxes under legislation expected to be proposed by a member of Congress tomorrow, Automotive News has learned. Full Story...

Turkish automotive output fell 20.5% year-on-year in October to 80,301 vehicles. Full story...

Turkish automotive output shrank more than 20 percent in October, industry data showed on Tuesday, as the vital export sector felt the impact of the abrupt downturn in European vehicle demand. Full story...

As the Indian economy and auto market slows, automotive supplier companies are complaining that automakers are extending payment deadlines and that suppliers are therefore facing costly delays in getting paid. Full story...

Specialty car builder Saleen Automotive, the company that built the mighty GT for Ford Motor Co. and created dozens of high-performance classic Mustangs, is for sale. Full Story...

California electric car maker Fisker Automotive is setting up shop in the Detroit suburb of Pontiac, Mich. Full Story...