VW supervisory board members demand inquiry into diesel fume tests on monkeys

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Members of Volkswagen’s supervisory board have called for an inquiry into tests in which monkeys were exposed to toxic diesel fumes, German media reported on Monday. The New York Times reported on Friday that German carmakers had used the European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector, also known… Continue reading VW supervisory board members demand inquiry into diesel fume tests on monkeys

Shell buying spree cranks up race for clean energy

LONDON (Reuters) – Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) has spent over $400 million on a range of acquisitions in recent weeks, from solar power to electric car charging points, cranking up its drive to expand beyond its oil and gas business and reduce its carbon footprint. The scale of the buying spree pales in comparison to… Continue reading Shell buying spree cranks up race for clean energy

BMW and Daimler close to merging car-sharing units – executive

BERLIN (Reuters) – German carmakers Daimler (DAIGn.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE) are close to agreeing to combine their car-sharing services Car2Go and DriveNow, a senior executive at one of the carmakers told Reuters on Tuesday. The merger talks are in the final stages and the combined company will be independently run, with BMW and Daimler as… Continue reading BMW and Daimler close to merging car-sharing units – executive

Waymo to start testing self-driving cars in Atlanta

(Reuters) – Waymo, Alphabet Inc’s self-driving car unit, would start testing its self-driving vehicles in Atlanta, it said on Twitter on Monday. “Atlanta is a major hub for technology and innovation, and a natural fit for Waymo’s testing program,” Waymo said on Twitter. (bit.ly/2DyOp6W) With over eight years of testing under its belt, Waymo is… Continue reading Waymo to start testing self-driving cars in Atlanta

Aston Martin hit by Daimler steering-column recall

PARIS (Reuters) – Aston Martin has become the latest carmaker to be caught up in a major recall of faulty Daimler (DAIGn.DE) steering-column components that can cause unintended airbag deployments. The British sports car maker is recalling all 3,873 DB11 coupes built since late 2015, when production of the flagship model began, sources with knowledge… Continue reading Aston Martin hit by Daimler steering-column recall

Germany confirms Audi recall due to illicit emission-control device

BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s transport ministry confirmed a media report on Monday that the KBA automotive watchdog detected illicit emission-control software in Audi’s (NSUG.DE) latest Euro-6 diesel models and ordered a recall of the vehicles. Some 127,000 vehicles from Audi, a unit of Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), are affected worldwide including 77,600 vehicles are registered in Germany,… Continue reading Germany confirms Audi recall due to illicit emission-control device

Jaguar Land Rover to cut output due to Brexit, diesel uncertainty to hit sales

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (TAMO.NS) will temporarily reduce production at its northern English car plant in Halewood later this year in response to weakening demand due to Brexit and tax hikes on diesel cars. Jaguar Land Rover’s sales in Britain and Europe were flat in 2017 and it expects tough… Continue reading Jaguar Land Rover to cut output due to Brexit, diesel uncertainty to hit sales

Ford to recall 15,670 Kuga, C-Max cars in Russia -watchdog

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Ford-Sollers, the Russian unit of U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co, will recall 15,670 Ford Kuga and C-Max cars sold in Russia between May 2012 and December 2014, Russia’s technical safety watchdog Rosstandart said on Monday. The recall is to address problems with an overheating cylinder head, which can lead to engine oil… Continue reading Ford to recall 15,670 Kuga, C-Max cars in Russia -watchdog

UPDATE 1-Peugeot CEO: U.K. plants uncompetitive, open to S. America alliance

(Adds background, further comments from Tavares, paragraphs 2-7) By Joseph White Jan 18 (Reuters) – Peugeot SA Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said on Thursday he planned to meet next week with the automaker’s UK unions and government officials to discuss the future of Peugeot’s Vauxhall plant, where Tavares said production costs are twice those of… Continue reading UPDATE 1-Peugeot CEO: U.K. plants uncompetitive, open to S. America alliance

Daimler, Bosch hit by walkouts in sector-wide labour dispute

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Some 44,000 German workers at companies including Mercedes maker Daimler (DAIGn.DE) and automotive supplier Bosch [ROBG.UL] took part in industrial action on Thursday as powerful labor union IG Metall and employers held regional wage talks. Citing robust German economic growth and record low joblessness, IG Metall union is demanding 6 percent more… Continue reading Daimler, Bosch hit by walkouts in sector-wide labour dispute