BMW Japan raided over improper sales quotas

The Fair Trade Commission raided BMW Japan Corp. on Wednesday for allegedly imposing unreasonable sales quotas on its distributors and making them buy vehicles when they missed the targets.The alleged unfair practice was apparently induced by fierce competition from Mercedes-Benz and other rivals in the imported vehicle market.Distributors registered BMW vehicles they purchased under their names and sold them in the used car market afterward.

Škoda to produce batteries for Volkswagen Group

Czech automaker Škoda is to start producing high-voltage traction batteries for Volkswagen plug-in hybrids at its main production facility in Mladá Boleslav.The battery packs will be used in the Škoda Superb iV, the automaker’s first hybrid vehicle, amongst other models.Production of the Superb iV is set to begin later this month at Škoda’s Kvasiny plant.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Actor And Environmental Activist, Partners With Fisker Inc. As A Sustainability Advisor With Equity Participation

Coster-Waldau is recognized around the globe for his prominent screen acting roles, including his leading role as “Jaime” on Game of Thrones, an HBO TV series. Coster-Waldau is pioneering his work as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador for climate change and larger social issues, where he travels all over the world to… Continue reading Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Actor And Environmental Activist, Partners With Fisker Inc. As A Sustainability Advisor With Equity Participation

China’s iconic Hongqi launches concept models

CHANGCHUN, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) — Hongqi, a brand under China's leading automaker FAW Group, launched two new concept models — the S9, a supercar prototype with butterfly-doors, and the electric SUV E115.
Both of the models were unveiled at the ongoing Frankfurt Auto Show on Tuesday.
The S9 is the company's first super sports model, which boasts a maximum speed of 400 km/h and a 100-km acceleration within 1.9 seconds. It is equipped with a newly-developed V8T hybrid system with a maximum power of 1,400 horsepower.
E115 is Hongqi's smart electric SUV. The four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle with a single range of 600 km boasts an autopilot system and 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time in less than four seconds.
Hongqi, which means “Red Flag,” was established in 1958, and has been used as the vehicle for parades at national celebrations.
The company has sped up a market-oriented reform in recent years through diversifying its product mix. It now sells six models including two se..