UPDATE 1-Hyundai invests in Grab to gain ‘foothold’ in Southeast Asia ride-hailing market

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS) said on Thursday it had invested in Southeast Asian ride-hailing firm Grab, as it seeks to expand into the region to reduce its reliance on China following a damaging diplomatic row between Seoul and Beijing. Hyundai’s first direct investment in a ride-hailing firm gives it a… Continue reading UPDATE 1-Hyundai invests in Grab to gain ‘foothold’ in Southeast Asia ride-hailing market

Uber rival Taxify expands into Lisbon while eyeing fresh funding

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Taxify, Uber’s upstart European-based rival, is looking to expand during the coming year outside of the biggest cities in the more than 20 countries where it now operates into secondary markets, Chief Executive Markus Villig said on Thursday. The Estonia-based taxi-hailing platform active in Central and Eastern Europe and Africa, has taken… Continue reading Uber rival Taxify expands into Lisbon while eyeing fresh funding

Toyota sees U.S. auto industry 2018 sales at 16.8 mln units -exec

(Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) sees U.S. auto industry new vehicle sales at 16.8 million units in 2018, Jim Lentz, the Japanese automaker’s top executive in North American told Reuters on Wednesday. U.S. new vehicle sales fell 2 percent in 2017, after hitting a record high in 2016, and are widely expected to fall… Continue reading Toyota sees U.S. auto industry 2018 sales at 16.8 mln units -exec

Ford Sollers to hire 600 to meet growing Russian car demand

MOSCOW, Jan 10 (Reuters) – Ford’s Russian joint venture Ford Sollers plans to create 600 new jobs at its Elabuga plant and institute a six-day week to meet growing demand, it said on Wednesday. Sales of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and light commercial vans produced at its plant in the Russian republic of Tatarstan, which makes… Continue reading Ford Sollers to hire 600 to meet growing Russian car demand

Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi launch $1 bln venture capital fund

TOKYO, Jan 10 (Reuters) – The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance said it is setting up a venture capital fund that plans to invest as much as $1 billion over five years, the latest move by major carmakers as they seek to adapt to rapid industry change by investing in startups. It is set to be largest corporate… Continue reading Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi launch $1 bln venture capital fund

BRIEF-Qualcomm, Ford Partner On C-V2x Global Initiative

Jan 9 (Reuters) – Qualcomm Technologies​: * QUALCOMM AND FORD COLLABORATE ON C-V2X GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE VEHICLE SAFETY, TRAFFIC EFFICIENCY AND SUPPORT FOR AUTONOMOUS DRIVING * SAYS CELLULAR VEHICLE-TO-EVERYTHING TECHNOLOGY PLANNED FOR FURTHER FIELD VALIDATIONS BEGINNING H1 2018 * SAYS QUALCOMM 9150 C-V2X CHIPSET IS EXPECTED TO BE COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SECOND HALF OF 2018… Continue reading BRIEF-Qualcomm, Ford Partner On C-V2x Global Initiative

BRIEF-Toyota To Introduce Amazon Alexa In Its Vehicles

Jan 9 (Reuters) – Toyota Motor North America​: * TOYOTA TO INTRODUCE AMAZON ALEXA IN ITS VEHICLES * TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA​ – WILL INTRODUCE AMAZON ALEXA WITHIN SELECT TOYOTA, LEXUS VEHICLES IN 2018 Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage: Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

BRIEF-Toyota Expands Takata Air Bag Safety Recall‍​

Jan 9 (Reuters) – Toyota Motor North America: * TOYOTA EXPANDS TAKATA AIR BAG SAFETY RECALL‍​ * TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA SAYS EXPANSION OF SAFETY RECALL INVOLVES ABOUT 601,300 ADDITIONAL VEHICLES IN U.S. Source text: (toyota.us/2CXdWaz) Further company coverage: Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Ford’s December China vehicle sales falls 9 pct

(Corrects day to Tuesday, not Monday, in first paragraph) SHANGHAI, Jan 9 (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co’s sales in China fell 9 percent in December from a year ago, following an 8 percent decline in November, the U.S. automaker said on Tuesday. Its sales in China for 2017 totalled 1.19 million vehicles, down 6 percent… Continue reading Ford’s December China vehicle sales falls 9 pct