Latest regulations news and analysis articles 
National and international regulations and taxation frameworks that impact the vehicle operating environment as well as vehicle/powertrain manufacturing and design
US: NA auto industry execs upbeat and optimistic in Booz survey
24 May 2012
A new wave of optimism is overtaking the US auto industry as it rebounds from the depths of the recession and a brutal restructuring, according to Booz & Company’s second annual US Automotive Industry Survey and Confidence Index.
IRAN: IKCO confirms surprise Tehran visit by former French Prime Minister
23 May 2012
Iran Khodro (IKCO) is confirming it received a visit just days ago from former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard, as the tension surrounding European Union-imposed sanctions shows no sign of easing.
US: Honda wins hybrid fuel economy lawsuit appeal
11 May 2012
Honda's US unit has won an appeal against a US$10,000 small claims court award to Civic hybrid owner Heather Peters.
just-auto's research round-up
10 May 2012
Here's a brief run-down of reports available in our research store that caught our eye over the past week or so...
SWEDEN: IF Metall Trollhattan jobless rate powers to 40% as Saab waits
4 May 2012
Unemployment among main Saab union, IF Metall members, has soared to 40% in the automaker's home-town of Trollhattan as the fate of the bankrupt manufacturer continues to hang in the balance.
IRAN: PSA halts Iran Khodro shipments until July as sanctions bite
3 May 2012
PSA Peugeot Citroen says it has suspended shipments of parts to Iranian partner, IKCO until at least July as the simmering row surrounding its relationship continues to bubble.
just-auto's research round-up
1 May 2012
Here's a brief run-down of reports available in our research store that caught our eye over the past week or so...
IRAN: IKCO defiant on replacing PSA components should shipments dry up
1 May 2012
Iranian producer, Iran Khodro (IKCO) says it can "easily replace" spare parts for its 206 and 405 models, should PSA halt shipment due to EU sanctions against the Tehran regime.
COMMENT: Nylon 12 explosion to send ripples around world?
26 April 2012
There seems to be a massive supplier storm brewing as the full impact of last month's huge explosion at Evonik's Nylon 12 resin plant in Germany starts to be felt.
SWEDEN: MP slams government for Saab "lost time" with Antonov
26 April 2012
Swedish Social Democratic members of Parliament have attacked what they claim is lost time from government inertia, concerning approval of investment by Russian businessman, Vladimir Antonov in Saab.
just-auto's research round-up
24 April 2012
Here's a brief run-down of reports available in our research store that caught our eye over the past week or so...
US: Delphi targets shareholder value and world car deaths toll reduction
20 April 2012
Delphi Automotive says its priority is to create shareholder value as it reviewed its stellar 2011 financial results and looked to supply technology to reduce appalling global road deaths.
ITALY: FIOM to appeal against Labour Court union decision
17 April 2012
Hardline Fiat union, FIOM, is to appeal against a swathe of rulings imposed by the Labour Court of Turin as it looks to secure union recognition at the automaker's Italian plants.
US: Tenedora Nemak to acquire J L French Automotive Castings
16 April 2012
J L French Automotive Castings says it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Alfa subsidiary, Tenedora Nemak, subject to closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
SWEDEN: MPs to examine ministry as Antonov Saab question refuses to disappear
12 April 2012
Former Swedish Enterprise Minister, Maud Olofsson is to appear before a hearing of the country's Constitutional Committee to review the government's handling of Russian businessman, Vladimir Antonov's thwarted attempts to invest in Saab.
INTERVIEW: Jean-Marc Gales - new CLEPA CEO: Part 2
11 April 2012
It's fair to say newly-installed European automotive supplier body CLEPA CEO, Jean-Marc Gales, has a busy in-tray to deal with in his first few weeks in office. Everything from Free Trade Agreements and over-capacity to repair information access will be on his agenda. He spoke to Simon Warburton at his HQ in Brussels on the state of play in Europe.
SWEDEN: Three Saab bids submitted but staff still owed money
11 April 2012
Three final bids for bankrupt Saab were submitted last night (10 April) to its Gothenburg receivers, with union sources maintaining the automaker's beleaguered workforce is still owed a considerable amount of money.
INTERVIEW: Jean-Marc Gales - new CLEPA CEO: Part 1
10 April 2012
New European automotive supplier body CLEPA CEO Jean-Marc Gales took up his position in Brussels last week. Formerly PSA Peugeot Citroen board member, Gales has spent most of his career in the auto business, mainly with Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, General Motors and BMW. He talked to Simon Warburton in the Belgian capital about his new role.
BELGIUM: Unions blame General Motors and Swedish government for Saab bankruptcy
10 April 2012
European unions have blamed both General Motors and the Swedish government for Saab's bankruptcy, apportioning criticism to the two sides.
FRANCE: Business applies Iran sanctions "very quickly" says Foreign Ministry
10 April 2012
France's Foreign Ministry says the country's companies operating in Iran have brought into effect sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) "very quickly" as commercial pressure mounts against the regime in Tehran.
BRAZIL: Import quotas, tax credits, in new auto plan
5 April 2012
Brazil's government plans to offer automakers import quotas and tax credits on technology investments under its new auto industry regime to take effect next year, trade ministry officials have said.
NEW YORK: Lobby targets Iran-dealing automakers at motor show
4 April 2012
A powerful US lobby organisation campaigning against a potentially nuclear-armed Iran is to target automakers involved with the renegade state at this week's New York motor show.
US: GM insists PSA's temporary Iran halt before alliance move
4 April 2012
General Motors says it has discussed the highly-contentious issue of sanctions against Iran with new partner, PSA Peugeot Citroen, but that the French automaker's decision to suspend components shipments to partner, IKCO was made before the recent alliance announcement.
just-auto.com site outage - UPDATE
3 April 2012
Gremlins struck and we apologise for the just-auto.com site outage yesterday (2 April) between 18:00 and 21:30 BST. This was due to a catastrophic hardware failure.
BELGIUM: Ex-CLEPA chief fires parting Saab shot at Swedish government
3 April 2012
Newly-retired CLEPA CEO, Lars Holmqvist, has delivered a stinging criticism of the Swedish government, maintaining it had been "callous" in letting bankrupt Saab go to the wall.
INTERVIEW: Retiring CLEPA CEO Lars Holmqvist: Part 2
3 April 2012
Retiring European automotive supplier association CLEPA CEO Lars Holmqvist, has championed his body's cause at the heart of the EC in Brussels for the past eight years. In the second of his interviews with Simon Warburton at CLEPA headquarters in the Belgian capital, Holmqvist outlined how the economic crisis had affected automakers and suppliers as well as his plans to spend more time on his Swedish farm.
INTERVIEW: Retiring CLEPA CEO Lars Holmqvist: Part 1
3 April 2012
After eight hugely influential years at the helm of one of Europe's most powerful lobbying bodies, Lars Holmqvist is stepping down as supplier body CLEPA CEO to concentrate on other automotive projects. In the first part of two interviews, Holmqvist, a man who when he phones European Commission (EC) president, Jose Manuel Barrow, the phone is picked up, talks to Simon Warburton in his Brussels office before handing over the reins to former PSA board member, Jean-Marc Gales.
BELGIUM: CLEPA warns of "dangerous precedent" if EU-India tariffs stay same
29 March 2012
European automotive supplier body CLEPA said accepting the status quo on Indian tariffs would set a "dangerous precedent" and called for equal access on both sides.
BELGIUM: CLEPA urges CO2 target caution beyond 2020
29 March 2012
European automotive supplier body, CLEPA, is urging caution on stating any CO2 emissions targets beyond 2020, while also calling for a more level playing field for independent repair and maintenance operators.
ITALY: Fiat "astonished" at Magneti Marelli FIOM ruling
29 March 2012
Fiat said it was "astonished" at the ruling by the Labour Court of Bologna in the case brought against Magneti Marelli by hardline union FIOM and would appeal.
