Category: Newswire

Ford fined 35 mln rand for faulty vehicles in South Africa

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) — South African consumer agency, the National Consumer Commission (NCC), has slapped Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa with a 35 million rand (2.4 million US dollars) fine for contravening the Consumer Protection Act.
The fine came after scores of consumers lodged complaints with the NCC regarding their combusting Kuga 1.6L Eco-boost vehicles. Some of these vehicles caught fire while being driven or parked.
The NCC received 160 complaints from affected car owners who said that their rights had been infringed by the motor company. Between 2015 and 2016, 56 Ford Kuga vehicles caught fire in South Africa. In 2016, a 33-year-old man died after his Ford vehicle burnt while he was driving it to the Western Cape.
Releasing the findings of an investigation into the matter on Friday, NCC Acting Commissioner Thezi Mabuza said: “Our investigation into these allegations confirmed that Ford had engaged in prohibited conduct by distributing Ford Kuga vehicles that..

Mazda recalls 35,801 CX-7 crossovers in Russia due to lens problems – regulator

MOSCOW, November 29. /TASS/. Mazda Motor Rus, the Russian Mazda dealer, recalls 35,801 CX-7 crossovers in Russia due to problems with rear lamp lens blurring, according to the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology (Rosstandart).
Vehicles sold from March 1, 2007 to April 29, 2013 will be recalled, the report said.
“The reason to recall vehicles is that blurring of rear lap lens occurs in certain vehicles, which appears white when the stop lamp or the rear clearance lamp is turned on,” the regulator said.

Russia’s Sberbank agrees venture with driverless technology firm

MOSCOW, Nov 28 (Reuters) – Russia's largest lender, Sberbank , has added driverless cars to its list of technology ventures, by teaming up with AI transport developer Cognitive Technologies, the two companies said on Thursday.
Sberbank and Cognitive Technologies have signed a legally binding document to create a new company, Cognitive Pilot, they said in a statement.
Sberbank will have a 30% share in the company, while Cognitive Technologies will take 70%. The two companies did not disclose financial details of the deal, which will be completed in December.
The move marks the latest foray into Russia's digital economy for state-owned Sberbank, which finalised the terms of a food delivery joint venture with Mail.Ru earlier this month and agreed to buy an equity stake in the internet company.
The new company will be engaged in developing “digital economy projects in transport, agriculture, computer vision and artificial intelligence,” the statement said.
Russian internet giant ..

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors plant opens in Kragujevac

A Yanfeng Automotive Interiors plant that will manufacture car interior components for major automakers such as Mercedes was ceremonially opened in Kragujevac, central Serbia, on Thursday.Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade Chen Bo, Kragujevac Mayor Radomir Nikolic and company representatives cut a red ribbon to mark the launch of a production line.Shanghai, China-based Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, a global leader in its sector, has around 110 production facilities and technical centres in 20 countries and a workforce of over 32,000 people worldwide.

BMW Group to double R&D capacity in Korea

By Kwak Yeon-soo BMW Group will expand its research and development center here and plans to increase cooperation with its local partners in “future mobility systems,” the company said Wednesday.The German automaker held an event to celebrate the expanded BMW Korea Driving Center in Incheon.BMW Group will also bring new and various electric models, including standard battery run and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, to Korea soon.

Fisker Ocean Reservations Open: Convenient Mobile App, Affordable Pricing and All-Digital Experience Unveiled

Multiple industry firsts have arrived with the Fisker app featuring an innovative customer experience – from a flexible lease program, maintenance and repair on demand, insurance purchase to easy finance options. Overall, customers will be introduced to a radically different brand experience via Fisker’s unique mobile app platform, which may also include mobility options like… Continue reading Fisker Ocean Reservations Open: Convenient Mobile App, Affordable Pricing and All-Digital Experience Unveiled

GAC MOTOR to Launch its Brand and GS8 SUV as Its First Model in Russia

The GS8 luxury flagship 7-seat SUV, which is certified for sale in Russian, is a special edition that offers a multi-terrain driving mode, smart security protection, intelligent 4WD system, independent suspension system and high-performance chassis shock absorber. The first batch of GS8 SUV has arrived in Russia and will bring greater mobility to local consumers.… Continue reading GAC MOTOR to Launch its Brand and GS8 SUV as Its First Model in Russia

BMW vows to expand R&D center, partnerships with Korean firms

BMW Group Korea said Tuesday it will expand its research and development center in South Korea and increase its partnerships with local firms.The automaker also announced the introduction of the Mini Electric in Korea, hinting at its efforts to bring new electric vehicle models here, including BEVs and PHEVs.