European Union

EU dismisses Trump's car threats, vows to 'stand up to bullies'
March 13The EU's trade chief dismissed President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on car imports, and vowed to "stand up to bullies," adding to signs that a widening transatlantic rift over protectionism could escalate into an all-out trade war.

Automakers may seek to water down Trump tariffs
March 9The trade group that represents GM, Ford and FCA hinted automakers will seek to water down President Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum by carving out exceptions for imports from some countries.

VW predicts 'renaissance' for embattled diesel cars
March 6VW Group, whose global emissions-cheating scandal has put the future of diesel engines in doubt, expects consumers to return to the embattled technology -- and soon.

Ford calls for Brexit clarity to help it make UK investment decision
March 7Ford of Europe boss Steve Armstrong says the company needs clarity on post-Brexit trading conditions before it decides positively or negatively on future UK investment.

German automakers warn of 'only losers' in Trump's trade talk
March 5Germany's auto industry pushed back on President Donald Trump's threat to levy tariffs on automakers including BMW, Audi and Mercedes, warning he risks creating a lose-lose situation for everyone.

Trump threatens to tax European auto imports
March 4President Trump kept up pressure on trading partners, threatening European automakers with a tax on imports if the EU retaliates against his plan to impose tariffs on aluminum and steel.

German court ruling likely to accelerate diesel's demise
Feb. 28A ruling by Germany's highest federal administrative court to allow restrictions on where some diesels can be driven looks likely to speed the demise of the technology over concerns about pollution.

Ford aims to set up German bank this year to offset Brexit risk
Feb. 21Ford hopes to set up a bank in Germany in the second half after applying for a license in the country as part of its strategy to mitigate any risk from the UK leaving the EU.

EU will scrap tariffs on Japan-built cars in trade deal
Dec. 8, 2017The EU and Japan concluded negotiations on a free trade deal that will remove EU tariffs of 10 percent on Japanese cars and the 3 percent rate typically applied to car parts.

Ford may rethink UK investment on hard Brexit
Nov. 29, 2017Ford warned that a hard Brexit could cost the company $1 billion a year in tariffs and force it to reconsider investments in the UK.

EU fines 5 airbag, seat belt suppliers over cartel
Nov. 22, 2017EU antitrust regulators fined five suppliers a combined $40 million for taking part in cartels to fix prices for seat belts, airbags and steering wheels sold to Japanese automakers.

EU to fine seat belt, airbag cartel, report says
Nov. 16, 2017The EU is set to fine a group of car seat belt and airbag makers in the coming weeks, Reuters reported, in the latest regulatory crackdown on price fixing in the sector.