Inside the auto giants’ efforts to build prototypes and revamp factories to produce tens of thousands of ventilators in time for covid-19 patients.
Author: World_Newz Mon
‘Cash for Clunkers’ Overseer Backs Ford’s Pitch for a Sequel
A federal program to issue rebates to consumers toward new vehicles could provide a much-needed jolt to the U.S. auto industry that’s seen plants idled and showrooms emptied by the coronavirus, according to the Obama administration official who oversaw the program known as “cash for clunkers.”
Kia Seltos crosses 81,000 units cumulative sales mark in India since launch
Ever since its launch in India in August 2019, Kia Seltos has been the most popular SUV here.The SUV is BS6-compliant right from the time it was introduced in India and has three engine options in the form of 1.4-litre Turbo GDI petrol (140PS and 242Nm), 1.5-litre petrol (115PS and 144Nm) and 1.5-litre VGT diesel (115PS and 250Nm).The automatic transmissions available are 7-speed DCT (1.4-litre Turbo GDI petrol), IVT (1.5-litre petrol) and 6-speed AT (1.5-litre VGT diesel).
Audi Hungaria plant extends shutdown
German carmaker Audi will extend the shutdown at its base in Győr (123 km west of Budapest) by another two weeks until April 19, Audi Hungaria’s spokesperson told Hungarian news agency MTI.As the Budapest Business Journal reported earlier, Audi Hungaria shut down its plant on March 23.Parent company Volkswagen also stopped production at most of its bases, affecting Audi AG plants in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm, Brussels, and Mexico, as well as the one in Győr.
Vietnam-based Hyundai, Honda plants close amid nationwide lockdown
Vietnam-based Hyundai (KS:005380) assembler TC Motor and Honda (T:7267) Vietnam have shut down their plants for two weeks amid a nationwide social distancing campaign to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the companies said on Wednesday.
Jaguar’s first-ever XJ electric sedan spotted testing
After a production run of almost 5 decades, Jaguar Land Rover pulled the plug on the XJ sedan in 2019 and now after almost a year, the brand’s latest electric XJ has seen the light and is out in the open testing.Now, not much is known at this point of time about the electric XJ, but we do know that the electric sedan will be based on Jaguar Land Rover’s electrified MLA platform built for EVs, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids that will be part of JLR’s portfolio by 2025.The front is slightly similar to the XF sedan with the wide fenders in the front, while the rear sports the traditional horizontal lights as opposed to the vertical lights from the erstwhile conventional version.
Automaker Toyota suspends vehicle production in Vietnam due to COVID-19 epidemic
HANOI, March 31 (Xinhua) — Toyota Motor Vietnam (TMV) has temporarily suspended vehicle production in order to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak from spreading, Vietnam News Agency reported.
The outbreak has impacted all aspects of business, from economy to society, including the automobile industry, and Toyota dealers in the capital city of Hanoi have temporarily closed showrooms and workshops, the news agency cited Toyota as reporting.
Production resumption will depend on the outbreak situation, market demand, supply chain situation, stocks and the country government's restriction regulations, the news agency reported.
TMV is the second automaker in Vietnam to announce operation suspension due to the impacts of COVID-19. The first was Ford Vietnam which suspended operations at its factory in the northern province of Hai Duong.
BMW Taps German Debt Market as Coronavirus Batters Auto Industry
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG sold a 200 million-euro ($220 million) deal in the German Schuldschein debt market even as coronavirus upheavals weigh on the global auto industry.
Ford delays manufacturing restart indefinitely, but will build ventilators for coronavirus fight
Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox.Ford will delay the reopening of its North American manufacturing facilities indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.Approximately 500 paid-volunteer members of the UAW will work at the facility.
Aston Martin May Need More Cash Even After Bailout by Billionaire
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc said it may need to tap into high-interest notes it was trying to avoid drawing down, even after a 536 milion-pound ($663 million) capital infusion from a group led by billionaire Lawrence Stroll.