Carlos Ghosn re-arrested in fresh twist

Former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn has been re-arrested on fresh charges, Japanese media report, dashing any hopes he could be released on bail. Mr Ghosn has spent the last month in prison, accused of misusing funds and hiding more than $40m (£31m) of income. But on Thursday a court rejected a request by the prosecution… Continue reading Carlos Ghosn re-arrested in fresh twist

UK car production tumbles in November

Production of cars in the UK tumbled by almost 20% in November compared with a year earlier, according to the industry’s trade body. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) blamed weaker demand in the UK and in export markets. It also said changes in regulation and the introduction of new models and technology… Continue reading UK car production tumbles in November

Uber loses appeal over driver rights

Uber has lost an appeal against a ruling that its drivers should be treated as workers rather than self-employed. In 2016 a tribunal ruled drivers James Farrar and Yaseen Aslam were Uber staff and entitled to holiday pay, paid rest breaks and the minimum wage. That ruling has now been upheld by the Court of… Continue reading Uber loses appeal over driver rights

Bloodhound supersonic car project saved

Media playback is unsupported on your device A 1,000mph race car project has been saved after an entrepreneur stepped in to buy the business. The Bloodhound supersonic vehicle – built with a jet engine bolted to a rocket – is all but finished. Its future was in jeopardy amid a failure to secure investment which… Continue reading Bloodhound supersonic car project saved

China to ‘cut US car tariff to 15%’

China has reportedly proposed cutting tariffs on US-made cars to 15%, the same tax levied on car imports from other countries. Bloomberg reported that China’s cabinet will review the plans, which would undo the 40% import duty China imposed on US cars this summer. The proposal, the timing of which remains uncertain, comes as the… Continue reading China to ‘cut US car tariff to 15%’

Tesco plans free car charging points

Free charging for electric cars will be available for customers at some Tesco stores from next year. Tesco, in partnership with Volkswagen, is planning to install almost 2,500 charging bays at 627 stores by 2020. A standard 7kW charger will be available for free, but drivers will have to pay for a faster service. Customers… Continue reading Tesco plans free car charging points

Uber fined £385,000 for losing UK data

Uber has been fined £385,000 for letting hackers steal data on 2.7 million UK customers. The full names, addresses and phone numbers of users went astray in the 2016 attack. The data had been stolen thanks to “avoidable data security flaws”, said the Information Commissioner’s Office. Uber has also been fined 600,000 euros (£532,000) by… Continue reading Uber fined £385,000 for losing UK data

VW recalls 75,000 cars to fix seatbelt

Volkswagen will recall about 75,000 of its VW Polo and Seat Ibiza and Arona cars after a seatbelt fault was exposed by a Finnish car magazine test drive. A new fix would be offered to affected UK owners from Monday, VW said. The test drive in Finland showed that when three passengers were in the… Continue reading VW recalls 75,000 cars to fix seatbelt

Vauxhall workers stage mass walkout

Every union worker at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port car plant has walked out in protest at planned job cuts. John Cooper from Unite said all 1,100 employees at the site are union members and every one had gone on strike. Vauxhall is planning a “phased reduction” of 241 jobs as part of a restructuring at its… Continue reading Vauxhall workers stage mass walkout

Nissan boss detained for ‘another 10 days’

Japanese authorities have extended the detention of Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn by 10 days, according to local media reports. It follows his arrest on Monday after Nissan made allegations of financial misconduct. Prosecutors had 48 hours after the arrest to press charges, release him or extend his custody. Nissan accused Mr Ghosn of under-reporting his… Continue reading Nissan boss detained for ‘another 10 days’