What are Aston Martin and Airbus up to? Here’s a teaser

Aston Martin, the maker of luxury sports cars preferred by fictional British spy James Bond, and Toulouse-based aerospace giant Airbus are teaming up on a new venture.Airbus Corporate Helicopters is a major player in the private and business jet market with more than 1,800 aircraft fielded in 130 countries and a market share in excess of 50 per cent.

Volkswagen sizing up deal with China’s SAIC Motor to make Audi model

Signs are growing that Audi is poised to add China’s largest carmaker as a manufacturing partner as the German premium brand pushes to regain share lost to Mercedes-Benz and BMW in the world’s biggest market.Audi parent Volkswagen and China’s SAIC Motor invited parts makers to bid to become suppliers for an Audi A7L they plan to build.Audi, which has thus far had China FAW Group as its sole China manufacturing partner, has faced opposition to the SAIC plan from dealerships concerned that they would lose business.

Holden is saying goodbye to the Commodore after more than 40 years, as it moves its focus to utes and SUVs

The Commodore was Australia’s best selling car for 15 years straight – between 1996 and 2010 – and more than 1 million Commodores were sold during that time.The vehicles were then replaced by a German-built model constructed German built model built by former GM subsidiary Opel.Holden will continue sales and deliveries of the Commodore and Astra through 2020 with “diminishing model availability” until they run out.

Ford workers speak out on faulty Focus and Fiesta

Seven current and former Ford employees spoke to The Detroit Free Press about what they knew about transmission problems with the Fiesta and Focus that are now at the center of a class action lawsuit.Certain Ford Fiestas and Focuses are getting extended warranties for their troubled automatic transmissions.There has been a long string of problems with the Ford transmissions.

Exclusive: China’s Dongfeng plans partial sale of PSA stake – sources

China’s Dongfeng Motor will likely trim its stake in Peugeot owner PSA after hiring banks to study options, people close to the matter said.Fiat Chrysler and PSA announced in October they would join forces in a 50-50 share merger to create the world’s fourth-largest automaker, seeking scale to cope with costly new technologies and slowing global demand.Shrinking Dongfeng’s stake could help get the deal past U.S. regulators, at a time of heightened trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.