M-B redesigned S class with China in mind 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 20, 2013 The redesigned Mercedes-Benz S class made its world debut last week in Hamburg, Germany, but Shanghai might have been more appropriate. Why? China accounted for 49 percent of all 2010-12 S-class sales.... Read More »
Small BMW team rethought electric cars for huge cities 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 20, 2013  Nearly six years ago, BMW AG's Project i began to position the automaker for the future. In an interview with Automobilwoche, a German language sibling to Automotive News, Project i chief Ulrich Kranz explained how the idea of a carbon-body car for megacities emerged from his team.... Read More »
Europe car sales rise for first time in 19 monthsMay 17, 2013 08:34 CET European car sales rose for the first time in 19 months on strong demand in the UK and a rebound in Germany. Registrations in April increased 2 percent to 1.08 million vehicles from 1.06 million cars a year earlier, industry association ACEA said.... Read More »
Audi Q7 will shed weightMay 17, 2013 06:01 CET  The redesigned Audi Q7 that debuts next summer in Europe will weigh about 363kg less than the current model, company insiders said, adding that Audi is also planning a hybrid version of the next-generation large SUV.... Read More »
F-1 racing boss Ecclestone denies bribing German banker, lawyers sayMay 16, 2013 09:49 CET  Lawyers for Formula One racing boss Bernie Ecclestone repeated that he had not bribed a German banker during the 2005-2006 sale of a stake in the motor-racing business, after a German newspaper reported he had been charged by prosecutors.... Read More »
Continental kept in the dark over Schaeffler's decision to end investment agreementMay 15, 2013 14:35 CET  Continental said it was kept in the dark about the decision of Schaeffler to quit a five-year-old investment accord. Analysts suspect the accord's scrapping may be a prelude to Schaeffler restructuring Continental or reducing its stake.... Read More »
BMW's Reithofer tells Germans to embrace EVsMay 15, 2013 06:01 CET  BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer told his fellow Germans to set aside their worries and embrace EV technology as the carmaker gears up to launch the i3 electric city car.... Read More »
GM will move Opel Zafira production to German plantMay 15, 2013 11:58 CET  General Motors will move production of the Opel/Vauxhall Zafira minivan to Ruesselsheim in Germany from its Bochum factory. Ruesselsheim and Vauxhall's plant in Ellesmere Port, England, had been in the running to gain Zafira production after Bochum closes.... Read More »
Porsche SE to seek dismissal of legal claims filed in GermanyMay 14, 2013 12:04 CET  Porsche SE says legal claims by plaintiffs in Germany seeking more than 1.36 billion euros ($1.77 billion) in connection with its failed attempt to takeover Volkswagen in 2008 are unfounded. The family-controlled holding company that owns a majority of VW, says it will file a motion to dismiss the claims.... Read More »
Schaeffler to end Continental accord as merger project wanesMay 13, 2013 21:46 CET  Schaeffler, the largest investor in tire and components supplier Continental, plans to end an agreement between the two German companies as it continues to dismantle a plan for a gradual merger.... Read More »
Schaeffler to end Continental accord as merger project wanes 3:46 pm U.S. ET | May 13, 2013  Schaeffler, the largest investor in tire and components supplier Continental, plans to end an agreement between the two German companies as it continues to dismantle a plan for a gradual merger.... Read More »
CARS & CONCEPTS Audi Q7 will shed weight 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 13, 2013  The redesigned Audi Q7 that debuts next summer in Europe will weigh about 800 pounds less than the current model, company insiders tell German sibling publication Automobilwoche.... Read More »
LUCA CIFERRI Europe will end 18-month sales slump with positive April 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 10, 2013  Strong April UK car sales and a solid rebound in Germany last month will help western Europe end 18 consecutive months of year-on-year declines, analysts predict. Despite this, market watchers have stopped short of saying Europe is on the verge of an extended turnaround.... Read More »
CARS & CONCEPTS VW plans fuel-saving 10-speed tranny 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 6, 2013 Volkswagen's new 10-speed DSG transmission will be paired with V-6 and V-8 engines and will replace conventional torque converter automatics in some of the company's vehicles.... Read More »
German car market returns to growthMay 3, 2013 12:10 CET  Germany's new car market returned to modest growth in April as sales to private customers picked up and the month had one business day more than the year-earlier period.... Read More »
Opel to cut CO2 by 27% with new powertrainsMay 3, 2013 06:01 CET  Opel/Vauxhall says new powertrains will cut its average CO2 output 27 percent by 2020, helping the automaker comply with tougher EU emissions regulations. With 13 new engines, Opel will renew 80 percent of its engine portfolio between 2012 and 2016.... Read More »
Porsche says 12 additional hedge funds withdraw U.S. suit appealMay 1, 2013 06:01 CET  Porsche SE says an additional 12 hedge funds have dropped a U.S. court appeal in a market manipulation suit focusing on the company's failed attempt to takeover Volkswagen in 2008.... Read More »
Porsche SE is optimistic of prospects in German investor lawsuitsApril 30, 2013 11:04 CET  Porsche SE, the family-owned company that controls a majority stake in Volkswagen, remains confident of success in lawsuits in a German court over alleged market manipulation during a failed takeover of VW in 2008.... Read More »
In Germany, incentives rise to combat falling car sales 12:01 am U.S. ET | April 27, 2013  With the German auto market in free fall, at least one dealer is offering Groupon coupons to boost sales.... Read More »
German Ford dealer offers Groupon coupons to combat falling car salesApril 27, 2013 06:01 CET  With the German auto market in free fall, at least one dealer is offering Groupon coupons to boost sales.... Read More »
VW, board member Garcia Sanz under investigationApril 25, 2013 12:34 CET  VW Group and management board member Francisco Javier Garcia Sanz are under investigation by German prosecutors over allegations they failed to prevent corruption at the company.... Read More »
Opel rejects new vote for Bochum workers on plant's restructuringApril 25, 2013 18:10 CET  GM's Opel division is against giving workers another vote on a restructuring deal at the automaker's embattled plant in Bochum, Germany. The head of the United Auto Workers union, Bob King, had suggested in an interview on Tuesday that Bochum staff should vote again to accept the deal they previously rejected to keep some of their jobs for a little longer.... Read More »
Schaeffler said to consider 2014 initial public offeringApril 25, 2013 13:04 CET German supplier Schaeffler is exploring an initial public offering next year in Germany, three people familiar with the matter said.... Read More »
GM will invest 230 million euros to expand Opel test facilitiesApril 24, 2013 13:19 CET  General Motors will invest 230 million euros ($299 million) on test facilities for Opel as part of its effort to break even in Europe by 2015.... Read More »
FINAL ASSEMBLY Report: Daimler is thinking small 12:01 am U.S. ET | April 22, 2013 A German press report last week revived speculation that Daimler is thinking small, planning to position a Mercedes model above the Smart in 2016, with technology to be based on the flexible A-class architecture and with engines from Renault.... Read More »
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