Daimler will pay a $875 million or £681.30 million civil penalty for violating US clean air laws as part of a $1.5 billion settlement with US and California regulators over excess diesel emissions in passenger vehicles and vans, two people briefed on the matter said. It relates to claims over 250,000 US diesel cars and vans after the automaker used software to evade emissions rules. Former … [Read more...]
Carlos Ghosn’s fate was engineered, claims newspaper
Fired Nissan boss and fugitive from justice Carlos Ghosn was set up by directors of the Japanese car company, it is claimed in a media report this week. The National, a Middle East paper which covers Lebanon where Mr Ghosn is now living, claims there is now some evidence to support his claim. According to people familiar with what happened and previously unreported internal correspondence, the … [Read more...]
Tradelines 8 May
Following its unveiling at the Geneva International Motor Show in March, the upgraded four-model Kia Niro series is now on sale in the UK from £24,590 for the petrol hybrid to £31,945 for the plug-in hybrid ev version. Enhanced for 2019 with a new exterior design, a more upscale, high-quality interior and enhanced connectivity, the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models feature Kia’s advanced new UVO … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 April
German prosecutors are pressing criminal charges against former Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn in connection with the automaker's manipulation of diesel-emissions testing, reports Automotive News Europe. Four other executives are also being charged, said the prosecutors' office in Brunswick in VW's home of Lower Saxony and all are charged with fraud and violation of competition … [Read more...]
Honda fall-out affects Wales
A dozen businesses in Wales make parts for Honda, said the Welsh Automotive Forum. The component suppliers employ thousands of workers and Welsh Government and WAF are taking steps to identify the true impact of the Honda closure and how the employees can be helped. Honda will close its vehicle assembly plant in Turkey along with the Swindon operation by 2021. It is part of a global … [Read more...]
Tradelines 25 July
Hyundai Motor UK has launched an industry-first online service and repair plan platform which allows customers and dealers to build tailored packages based on driving habits, vehicle age, mileage and usage. Moving away from the traditional ‘fixed price’ service plan options, Hyundai’s innovative new offering will allow customers to access a plan that is priced based on their individual … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 July
Opel will give evidence to German authorities investigating emissions tampering. About 60,000 diesel models with Euro6 engines are thought to be affected and NOx limits are reported to be ten-times statutory levels. Bosch has been ordered to hand over e-mails with Porsche over software settings for engine management. Investors taking court action against the VW Group luxury car maker say … [Read more...]
Kia US recalling more models for air-bag check
Kia Motors Corp is recalling more than 507,000 vehicles in the United States because an electronic glitch may prevent air bags from deploying in a crash. The recall follows an announcement in March by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it was investigating why some air bags had failed to deploy in Kia vehicles and its affiliate Hyundai Motor Corp after crashes in which four … [Read more...]
US strategy on diesel under review by German car makers
Volkswagen will no longer offer diesel vehicles in the U.S., its global brand chief said, ending speculation the company might return to the technology after its emissions scandal fades from memory. The comments by Volkswagen brand CEO Herbert Diess, first reported by European business daily Handelsblatt and confirmed to Reuters by a VW spokesman, were the strongest yet to deny the possibility … [Read more...]