Global Automakers Accuse Russian Courts of Graft

Major automakers are accusing courts in southern Russia of using consumer protection claims to scam them out of 200 million rubles ($3 million) in 2016-2018, the RBC news website reported Tuesday.The automakers allege that a handful of Krasnodar courts order compensations averaging three times the vehicles’ original price.The automakers sent the complaint to President Vladimir Putin’s anti-corruption council, the Federal Security Service (FSB), the General Prosecutor’s Office and a panel of Russian judges, RBC reported.

BMW Korea teases all-new BMW 1 Series

BMW Korea revealed Tuesday the return of BMW 1-Series that it said will provide customers a smooth ride with ultimate efficiency.It has 33 millimeters more knee room and 19 millimeters more head space if drivers opt for the panoramic sunroof.The new model will have four options — Advantage, Luxury Line, Sport Line and M Sport — with a global release slated for September.

Elkann enlists Renault to drive Fiat family fortunes

When John Elkann lost his ally last year with the sudden death of Sergio Marchionne, some questioned whether the softly-spoken scion of the Agnelli clan would be able to emerge from his shadow to ensure Fiat Chrysler’s future.This involved a “very long night … and many grappas” but proved to be a turning point in the fortunes of the Italian company founded by Elkann’s great-great-grandfather Giovanni Agnelli.Marchionne then used GM’s money to fund a turnaround at Fiat.

Automobile Dacia posts all-time high profit in 2018

Romanian carmaker Automobile Dacia, a subsidiary of France’s Renault group, has registers a all-time high profit last year of EUR 162 million, up 40 percent compared to 2017.The group posted a total turnover of EUR 5.3 billion in 2018, an increase by 5 percent compared to the previous year.The results include only the Romanian businesses, excluding the Morocco factory that produces cars under Dacia brand.

Germany’s Bosch fined $100m over diesel scandal

German prosecutors have fined auto parts and technology company Bosch 90 million euros ($100 million) over its role in the diesel emissions scandal that erupted at Volkswagen in 2015.Bosch delivered millions of engine control systems that were installed on various manufacturers’ cars starting in 2008 and whose software, in prosecutors’ words, “contained in part prohibited strategies” — leading to cars emitting more nitrogen oxide than permitted by regulators.The bulk of the fine — 88 million euros — stems from profits on the sales of the parts, with the remaining 2 million euros covering the misdemeanor itself.

137,000 Honda CR-Vs recalled to fix faulty airbags

Honda is recalling 137,000 vehicles in the U.S. after three people were injured by sudden airbag deployments.The action affects the automaker’s popular 2019 CR-V and requires the replacement of the steering wheel wire harness and supplemental restraint system cable.In an unrelated issue, 19,000 various Honda models that had their defective Takata airbags replaced are being recalled because the new ones were improperly installed.