http://www.just-auto.comDaily automotive news and comment - from just-auto.com© 2013 All content copyright just-auto.com. Published by Aroq Ltd.Fri, 24 May 2013 19:56:48 GMTFri, 24 May 2013 19:56:48 GMTjust-auto.com - RSS feedjust-auto.comhttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss20http://www.just-auto.com/images/small_logo_style.gifhttp://www.just-auto.com10021Monday May 27 is a public holiday here in the UK. The late May holiday traditionally heralds the start of our summer. Yeah, right. Today, as they say, it is nice weather for ducks - very wet and unseasonably chilly.http://www.just-auto.com/news/just-auto-takes-a-break_id134593.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 15:40:00 GMTMore read-it-and-weep news for struggling European rivals from Volkswagen group this week as it chalked up another little milestone - selling over 3m vehicles in the first four months of a year.http://www.just-auto.com/comment/pain-and-gain_id134584.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 13:14:00 GMTVehicle assembly in Colombia began in 1956 when the government signed an agreement to build Austin trucks locally. Colombian entrepreneurs soon saw the opportunity to invest in technology to be part of the necessary OEM supply chain. But those with up to 57 years of experience are in danger of disappearing unless they make radical decisions.http://www.just-auto.com/comment/colombias-oem-suppliers-and-assemblers-at-the-crossroads_id134578.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 10:54:00 GMTHolden says it is committed to continuing its Australian presence despite Ford's decision to end production in the country, while a major union is calling for both political parties to unite around supporting the automotive sector.http://www.just-auto.com/news/holden-commits-as-union-calls-for-bi-partisan-auto-approach_id134577.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 10:28:00 GMTSouth Africa's main auto union on Friday threatened to "halt production" at a Volkswagen factory in the country to protest against the dismissal of its members.http://www.just-auto.com/news/union-threatens-volkswagen-production_id134604.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 16:46:00 GMTFormer Saab CEO, Victor Muller, is to be questioned by Sweden's Economic Crime Authority, although precise details of the inquiry's nature are not yet available.http://www.just-auto.com/news/ex-saab-ceo-victor-muller-to-appear-before-economic-crime-authority_id134600.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 15:58:00 GMTHere we go again. In 2010, South Africa was convulsed by a wave of industrial unrest as pay bargaining talks lumbered into action and three years later, hey presto, the same actors seem to be going through the same painful process once more.http://www.just-auto.com/comment/will-outrageous-20-pay-rise-keep-south-africa-lights-on_id134585.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 13:31:00 GMTGeely's Volvo Car Cars will establish a new global purchasing and manufacturing organisation to reduce complexity and costs.http://www.just-auto.com/news/geelys-volvo-cars-creates-new-joint-purchasing-and-manufacturing-unit_id134581.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 12:44:00 GMTThough diesels account for the biggest share of the UK premium executive car market, Toyota's Lexus brand is plugging for hybrid instead.http://www.just-auto.com/news/lexus-banishes-diesel-from-new-is-line_id134583.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 13:02:00 GMTGeely's Volvo Cars has named former GM marketing executive Alain Visser, who joined last year, as its new senior vice president marketing, sales and customer service, replacing Doug Speck who is leaving for a new job in the US.http://www.just-auto.com/news/visser-moves-up-at-volvo-cars_id134582.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 12:52:00 GMTValeo has announced that it will close the deal which will see the sale of its access mechanism business to Japan's U-Shin today (24 May). According to a statement released by the company, the unit's sale will be completed for an enterprise value of EUR203m.http://www.just-auto.com/news/valeo-completes-sale-of-access-mechanisms-unit-to-u-shin_id134599.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 15:58:00 GMTThe Malaysian automotive industry is expecting competition in the local market to intensify as the government reduces excise duties further to lower new car prices.http://www.just-auto.com/news/market-competition-to-intensify-with-duty-cuts-bmw_id134586.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 15:01:00 GMTVolkswagen's Spanish affiliate SEAT has launched the new Leon in Mexico, a move designed to strengthen the brand's strategy for international growth and profitability.http://www.just-auto.com/news/leon-mexico-launch-boosts-seats-rising-share_id134580.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 12:18:00 GMTNew vehicle sales in Malaysia increased by 9.9% to 52,489 units in April, from 47,774 units a year earlier, according to data released by the Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA).http://www.just-auto.com/news/sales-up-10-in-april_id134579.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedFri, 24 May 2013 11:58:00 GMTA colleague who shall remain nameless asked, among fellow journalists, the rhetorical question during the European launch of the third generation IS: given the success of Audi, BMW and Mercedes on home European turf, why does Lexus bother?http://www.just-auto.com/analysis/lexus-tries-again-with-new-is_id134543.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedWed, 22 May 2013 16:59:00 GMTAfter announcing an after-tax operating loss of A$141m for the 2012 financial year, following a A$290m loss in 2011, Ford has finally thrown in the manufacturing towel in Australia and will close its factories in 2016.http://www.just-auto.com/news/ford-to-end-local-manufacture-in-2016_id134556.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 23 May 2013 10:25:00 GMTTesla Motors has announced that it has paid off the entire loan awarded to the company by the US Department of Energy in 2010.http://www.just-auto.com/news/tesla-pays-back-big-federal-loan-early_id134555.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 23 May 2013 09:56:00 GMTStriking workers at a Mercedez-Benz plant in South Africa walked out this week concerning a dispute surrounding paint shop practices, it has emerged.http://www.just-auto.com/news/paint-shop-dispute-at-heart-of-mercedes-benz-lightning-strike_id134561.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 23 May 2013 13:35:00 GMTFord's decision to axe production in Australia has provoked fury at one of Australia's largest unions that estimates the cascade effect of shuttering plants will cost up to 6,000 jobs.http://www.just-auto.com/news/irate-union-slams-ford-detroit-edict-as-costing-6000-jobs_id134558.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 23 May 2013 11:39:00 GMTFord Australia has announced an after-tax operating loss of A$141m for the 2012 financial year. This followed a loss of $290m in 2011 and took losses in the last five years to about A$600m. Ford said it would close its Australian manufacturing plants and expand its vehicle lineup by 30% by 2016 to return to profitability.http://www.just-auto.com/news/ford-loses-a141m-in-2012_id134559.aspx?utm_source=article-feed&utm_medium=rss-feed&utm_campaign=rss-feedThu, 23 May 2013 12:35:00 GMT