Latest automotive news & insights
Comprehensive coverage of the automotive industry's latest, breaking news and insights brought to you by just-auto's leading network of international journalists.
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THE WEEK THAT WAS: Pain and gain
By: Graeme Roberts | 24 May 2013
More 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.
COMMENT: Colombia's OEM suppliers and assemblers at the crossroads
By: Juan Vargas | 24 May 2013
Vehicle 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.
COMMENT: Will 'outrageous' 20% pay rise keep South Africa lights on?
By: Simon Warburton | 24 May 2013
Here 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.
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Current hot issue
Mixed fortunes for EV start-ups
Tesla has just posted its first quarterly profit in ten years. Some more recent EV start-ups have come and gone. Even the established OEMs are finding the going hard and EV sales targets missed as mixed fortunes and uncertainties for the electric vehicle sector abound.
Latest columns
Latest blog: Future mobility
By: Dave Leggett
23 May 2013
How our cities will function in the future, with particular reference to the movement of people, is emerging as one of the big challenges ahead - particularly with the rising rate of urbanisation around the world and the creation of so-called 'megacities'.
Product Eye
Our team bring you informed analysis of selected new vehicle models and put them in automotive industry perspective
Brooks On OEM Product Trends
Analyst Glenn Brooks looks at OEM new product developments in the context of company strategies and market trends
Slice Of Warburton
just-auto business editor Simon Warburton offers up a wide range of views in his distinctive style, informed by daily contact with the global auto industry
Our Man In ASEAN
Jakarta-based Tony Pugliese's regular updates, news and analysis from the ASEAN countries of south-east Asia
Beecham's Tech-Talk
Matthew Beecham interviews automotive component industry specialists to learn more about changing technologies and new innovations.
The Week That Was
Deputy/news editor Graeme Roberts' Friday wrap on the important automotive news from the week just ending.
Research In Focus
Information summaries and extracts from just-auto's continually updated research portfolio.
Bursa's World
Mark Bursa's in-depth look at key trends and companies across the automotive world.
Golding's Take
Financial analyst and former city slicker Rob Golding's regular sideways look at the automotive business.
Leggett At Large
just-auto editor Dave Leggett's overview of the auto industry, its companies, products and people.
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Latest news
just-auto takes a break
24 May 2013
Monday 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.
AUSTRALIA: Holden commits as union calls for bi-partisan auto approach
24 May 2013
Holden 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.
SOUTH AFRICA: Union threatens Volkswagen production
24 May 2013
South 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.
SWEDEN: Ex-Saab CEO Victor Muller to appear before Economic Crime Authority
24 May 2013
Former 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.
SWEDEN: Geely's Volvo Cars creates new joint purchasing and manufacturing unit
24 May 2013
Geely's Volvo Car Cars will establish a new global purchasing and manufacturing organisation to reduce complexity and costs.
AUSTRIA: Lexus banishes diesel from new IS line
24 May 2013
Though diesels account for the biggest share of the UK premium executive car market, Toyota's Lexus brand is plugging for hybrid instead.
SWEDEN: Visser moves up at Volvo Cars
24 May 2013
Geely'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.
FRANCE: Valeo completes sale of Access Mechanisms unit to U-Shin
24 May 2013
Valeo 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.
MALAYSIA: Market competition to intensify with duty cuts – BMW
24 May 2013
The Malaysian automotive industry is expecting competition in the local market to intensify as the government reduces excise duties further to lower new car prices.
SPAIN: Leon Mexico launch boosts SEAT’s rising share
24 May 2013
Volkswagen’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.
MALYASIA: Sales up 10% in April
24 May 2013
New 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).
AUSTRALIA: Ford to end local manufacture in 2016
23 May 2013
After 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.
US: Tesla pays back big Federal loan early
23 May 2013
Tesla Motors has announced that it has paid off the entire loan awarded to the company by the US Department of Energy in 2010.
SOUTH AFRICA: Paint shop dispute at heart of Mercedes-Benz lightning strike
23 May 2013
Striking workers at a Mercedez-Benz plant in South Africa walked out this week concerning a dispute surrounding paint shop practices, it has emerged.
AUSTRALIA: Irate union slams Ford 'Detroit edict' as costing 6,000 jobs
23 May 2013
Ford'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.
