Latest automotive news & insights

THE WEEK THAT WAS: A little bit of niggle

By: Graeme Roberts | 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

By: Simon Warburton | 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

By: Simon Warburton | 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.

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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.

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.

GERMANY: IG Metall resigns itself to Bochum closure, moots EUR100,000 compensation

17 May 2013

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.

SPAIN: Ford strongly backs Transit state aid request as EC launches probe

17 May 2013

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.

ITALY: Fiat denies planning HQ shift to US

17 May 2013

Fiat has denied it is shifting its legal company headquarters from Italy following the planned merger with Chrysler Group.

CZECH REPUBLIC: Hyundai plant builds unit 1,000,000

17 May 2013

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.

CHINA: Magneti Marelli lighting plant opened in Foshan

17 May 2013

A new Magneti Marelli Automotive Lighting plant has been opened in Foshan, Guangdong province, in southern China.

US: Ford to shift Fiesta to Thailand from Mexico and India - report

16 May 2013

Ford will free up much needed production capacity in North America by moving Fiesta production from Mexico to Thailand in 2016, according to a US newspaper.

CHINA: Volkswagen JV breaks ground for Changsha plant

16 May 2013

Volkswagen's joint venture with Shanghai Automotive has broken ground for a 300,000-unit plant in Changsha in the province of Hunan, south-central China.

GERMANY: Massive metalworker strikes end as IG Metall secures pay deal

16 May 2013

Huge strikes sweeping the German metalworking sector have ended with the main union provisionally agreeing two sets of pay rises to 2014.

JAPAN: Honda confirms F1 return

16 May 2013

Honda will be returning to Formula One in 2015, confirming rumours which have been circulating since the Geneva show in March.

FRANCE: Toyota building Yaris for North America

16 May 2013

Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) has celebrated the 6 May, 2013 start of production of variants of the Yaris for export to the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.

CHINA: Dongfeng takes stake in MMC partner Fujian

16 May 2013

Dongfeng Motor has taken a shareholding in MMC's joint venture partner Fujian Motor. The deal gives China's second largest OEM new access to manufacturing capacity in the country's south east.

GERMANY: Mahle ups Behr Group holding to 51%

16 May 2013

Mahle has increased its holding in the Behr Group from 36.85% to around 51% with the acquisition of all shares in the BWK holding company (BWK).

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