CZECH REPUBLIC: Hyundai plant builds unit 1,000,000
An i30 was the one millionth car produced at Hyundai’s factory in Nošovice, Czech Republic this week. Production started at the 'greenfield' plant on 3 November 2008, when a previous generation i30 model was Job One.
ITALY: Jeep quick to change to keep customers happy
Jeep global sales were a record 701,200 last year, a 100% increase in just two years and a long way from the dark days of 2008/09 when ailing Chrysler Jeep was rescued by Fiat.
SPAIN: Ford strongly backs Transit state aid request as EC launches probe
Ford has strongly rebuffed questioning from the European Commission (EC) as to whether Spanish plans to grant state aid for its Valencia project are against regulations.
GERMANY: IG Metall resigns itself to Bochum closure, moots EUR100,000 compensation
Opel's main union at its Bochum factory in Germany appears resigned to the fact the site will close at the end of next year and is citing an unconfirmed compensation figure of EUR100,000 (US$129,000) for staff with 20 years service.
ITALY: Fiat plants working again after supplier dispute
Fiat says production at three plants in Italy, Spain and Serbia has now resumed after huge disruption caused by a dispute with a key supplier.
GERMANY: New top Merc has all-LED lighting
Daimler's new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, launched on Wednesday at the Airbus delivery centre in Hamburg, is claimed to be the first vehicle without a single conventional light bulb - all lighting is LED.
SWEDEN: Volvo to increase plug-in hybrid production
Geely Group's Volvo Cars is ramping up production of its V60 plug-in diesel hybrid by 90% to cope with strong demand across Europe, particularly in Holland, Belgium and Italy.
Latest automotive news 
ITALY: Jeep quick to change to keep customers happy
17 May 2013
Jeep global sales were a record 701,200 last year, a 100% increase in just two years and a long way from the dark days of 2008/09 when ailing Chrysler Jeep was rescued by Fiat.
ITALY: Fiat plants working again after supplier dispute
17 May 2013
Fiat says production at three plants in Italy, Spain and Serbia has now resumed after huge disruption caused by a dispute with a key supplier.
CHINA: Anti-corruption campaign hitting premium brands – analyst
17 May 2013
Although the Chinese car market is expected to see growth of around 10% this year, prospects for premium brands have deteriorated as a result of the Chinese government's anti-corruption campaign, according to LMC Automotive.
THE WEEK THAT WAS: A little bit of niggle
I wouldn't have thought that, with the current state of play in the European auto industry, there'd be too much niggle in the union ranks. But we've reported on a bit this week.
Hot issue
Quarterly results roll round again
It's quarterly results time again. We're compiling them here for quick 'n' easy access.
Read more here / View all hot issues
Latest comment
THE WEEK THAT WAS: A little bit of niggle
I wouldn't have thought that, with the current state of play in the European auto industry, there'd be too much niggle in the union ranks. But we've reported on a bit this week.
ITALY: Fiat denies planning HQ shift to US
17 May 2013
JAPAN: Honda confirms F1 return
16 May 2013
Q&A with NordGlass
Glazing continues to play an important part in vehicle design, providing a combination of aesthetic, functional and structural properties. As a result, automakers are increasingly looking for their glazing suppliers to play a key role in the vehicle development process.
Hot issue
Auto Shanghai 2013
Auto Shanghai was this year's major Chinese motor show (it alternates annually with Beijing). Media day was 20 April. Our coverage is grouped here.
Latest automotive interview, analysis, comment and insight articles
THE WEEK THAT WAS: A little bit of niggle
17 May 2013
I wouldn't have thought that, with the current state of play in the European auto industry, there'd be too much niggle in the union ranks. But we've reported on a bit this week.
COMMENT: Bochum union factionism a voice from the past
17 May 2013
What are Opel's 3,000 odd workers at its Bochum plant in the heavily-industrialised region of North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) thinking today?
Quote unquote from Automotive Supply Chain's Silverstone Congress 2013
17 May 2013
Automotive Supply Chain Magazine recently held its 2013 Congress at the home of British Formula 1 racing at Silverstone. Here's a round-up of some speakers' quotes.
Q&A with NordGlass
17 May 2013
Glazing continues to play an important part in vehicle design, providing a combination of aesthetic, functional and structural properties. As a result, automakers are increasingly looking for their glazing suppliers to play a key role in the vehicle development process. Continuing just-auto's series of interviews with leading players in the vehicle glazing market, Matthew Beecham talked with NordGlass Group's CEO, Grzegorz Lajca. NordGlass develops and manufactures windscreens for the automotive sector, railway, shipping and construction industry.
PRODUCT EYE: Porsche Cayman
17 May 2013
When Porsche GB invites you to the Scottish Highlands to drive its new Cayman, you tend to reschedule whatever else was in the diary. Glenn Brooks was just-auto's man on EasyJet to Inverness.
COMMENT: Is Tesla really worth twice as much as Fiat SpA?
16 May 2013
We live in strange times. As Fisker, a rival with supposedly superior range-extending technology falls apart, the value of Tesla rises yet again, this time by almost two percent on Wednesday to US$9.7bn.
Q&A with Thatcham: Autonomous Emergency Braking
13 May 2013
An autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system uses sensors tucked behind the rearview mirror to work out if you are about to have a crash and apply the brakes automatically to either prevent the crash at lower speeds or reduce its severity at higher speeds. Although some luxury segment cars are already equipped with an AEB system, we are seeing some volume producers fitting it as standard on certain models. That seems hardly surprising given that from next year automakers hoping to get a five star NCAP rating will have to put in an AEB system. Matthew Beecham asked Matthew Avery, Head of Research at the UK-based Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre (Thatcham) for his views on AEB. Thatcham has been a member of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) since 2004.
THE WEEK THAT WAS: The numbers are (still coming) in
10 May 2013
Quarterly/fiscal full year results continued to roll in this week with a healthy uptick at Suzuki in 2012/3, the latest Japanese automaker to finally shrug off the combined effects of the double whammy Japanese earthquake and Thai floods - and also benefit from the recent downward movement of the yen.
INTERVIEW: Integration of offline and online is the OEM retail challenge – Kia UK
10 May 2013
Paul Philpott, Kia UK President and CEO, believes that the integration of offline and online 'customer journeys' is the key to meeting future customer demands.
COMMENT: Is Tesla really worth twice as much as Fiat SpA?
We live in strange times. As Fisker, a rival with supposedly superior range-extending technology falls apart, the value of Tesla rises yet again, this time by almost two percent on Wednesday to US$9.7bn.
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Reports in focus
Automotive Fabrics: Expanding Opportunities in the Vehicles of Tomorrow
The use of fabrics in cars, particularly nonwovens, has been increasing as part of a move towards lighter vehicles which consume less fuel. There has also been a gradual switch in many automotive applications towards the use of recycled materials, or those based on natural fibres, as a replacement for conventional synthetics. This report provides invaluable insight into the market for automotive interiors and textiles, including leading suppliers and their products. In particular, it examines the way consolidation in the global automotive supply chain has resulted in Tier 1 automotive interior companies taking control of their own fabric production by acquiring automotive textile companies.
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- Zambia Autos Report Q3 2013
Published May 2013 - ($ 1175.00) - Vietnam Autos Report Q3 2013
Published May 2013 - ($ 1175.00) - Global Automotive Head-up Display Market 2012-2016
Published Jan 2013 - ($ 2500.00) - Cote d'Ivoire Autos Report Q3 2013
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- Global market review of vehicle access, anti-theft and security - forecasts to 2027
Published May 2013 - ($ 1500.00) - QUBE vehicle access, anti-theft and security intelligence service (annual subscription)
Published May 2013 - ($ 1500.00) - Global market review of active and passive safety systems - forecasts to 2027
Published May 2013 - ($ 1800.00) - QUBE active and passive safety systems (annual subscription)
Published May 2013 - ($ 1800.00) - Global market review of automotive HVAC - forecasts to 2027
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The just-auto blog
What Shanghai Volkswagen's new Changsha plant will build
By: Glenn Brooks
17 May 2013
The SVW joint venture has just announced its new 300,000/annum plant for Changsha in Hunan province. But what models will be made there?
BMW 2 Series is revealed at last
By: Glenn Brooks
16 May 2013
The US-based enthusiast magazine Motor Trend has just published the first pics of F22, the forthcoming 2 Series coupe. And not just any version either - the especially tasty M235i.
Kia's new Horki brand plugs in
By: Glenn Brooks
15 May 2013
Some pics have emerged of a fleet of experimental Horki sedans being delivered to government officials in the Chinese city where the DYK joint venture is based.
Production life database
Global current and future (to 2025) vehicle database
PLDB (Product Life Database) from just-auto covers all regions, so researching both existing vehicles and models yet to be launched by all of the world's major manufacturers is easy.
This database, which is constantly audited and updated, can be searched by various fields, including segment, vehicle architecture/platform, plant location or country of build. PLDB also lists each car or light truck's lifecycle, expected next styling refresh or scheduled replacement date. Where possible, vehicle codenames are also included.
PLDB lists 1553 current and future global models from 98 OEM groups, spread across 198 brands, with data for 1395 vehicles having been checked or revised in the last month. Simply click on the link below to take a tour and see pricing.
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Lexus ES 2013: A Polished Sedan
Lexus offers a great range of luxury, convertible and hybrid cars from the compact CT to the beautifully constructed LS saloon. The ES has been around since 1990, a mid-size sedan that has been reworked several times over the years with nine models that include five versions of the ES 350 and four new 300hs hybrids.
‘Black box’ technology could drive down car insurance costs
The Department for Transport (DfT) has said it will work together with the motor industry in a bid to drive down the number of fraudulent claims for whiplash and other injuries, which would reduce the overall cost of car insurance from providers like Staveley Head.
