Headlines for Friday, March 22, 2013

Infiniti picks former BMW exec to head Europe

Infiniti has appointed veteran premium brand executive Fintan Knight to lead the brand in Europe. Knight, 41, has 20 years experience working for automakers such as BMW, Audi and Lamborghini. Read More »

Bosch auto chief Bernd Bohr to step down

Bosch said Bernd Bohr, board member responsible for its auto-supply unit, will leave the supplier. Bohr was once a candidate to become Bosch CEO. Read More »

Audi plans extra shifts as A6, A7 orders rise

Audi added 12 extra shifts in the first quarter at its plant in Neckarsulm and is planning more in April due to strong demand for the A6 and A7 models. Read More »

Opel union seeks talks over Bochum future after workers reject deal

Opel union leaders are seeking talks over the future of the General Motors unit's Bochum, Germany, car factory after workers rejected a deal that would have saved more than a third of the jobs at the location. Read More »

VW ponders a large SUV built in North America

Volkswagen Is building the business case for a large SUV in the United States, top VW executives said. The vehicle is a key to the company's plan to nearly double the VW brand's U.S. sales to 800,000 units by 2018. Read More »

Pininfarina returns to profit for first time since 2004

Pininfarina returned to profit in 2012, its first since 2004, as lower financial charges from a debt restructuring helped its bottom line and its design and engineering business improved. Read More »

Volvo's China unit hit by dealer cheating

Volvo has uncovered widespread cheating by its car dealers in China, where retailers inflated sales to win cash rebates from the company for hitting volume targets. Read More »

Bentley, Lamborghini eye U.S. as top market for ultraluxury SUVs

Bentley and Lamborghini want to create a niche -- the ultraluxury crossover with a price tag of $200,000 to $250,000 -- and they're aiming for annual combined volume of more than 7,000 vehicles. Read More »