A Tough Year for U.S. Carmakers
GM, Ford and Chrysler emerge from a tough year
Bill Hampton
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Daily
PSA’s Tavares Named World Car Person of the Year
FCA merger, Opel turnaround lead list of accomplishments
Hengst Develops Reusable Oil Filter Module
Spin-on plastic unit promises to reduce combined steel and oil waste by 642,000 tons per year
GM Exits Australia, N. Zealand; Sells Thai Plant
Further focusing on a handful of fruitful markets for manufacturing
Jeep Diesels Face Ban in Europe
Jeep faces a partial sales ban in Europe unless it fixes diesel-powered Grand Cherokee SUVs that evade emission regulations.
Merger to Put Most FCA Cars on PSA Platforms
PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles say two PSA platforms will carry two-thirds of all small cars made by the companies after they merge.
Fiat Chrysler, PSA Ready to Sign Merger Pledge
It will be a very big deal, literally, when PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles formalize their plan next week to merge.
GM Makes Hamtramck an All-EV Plant
It’s alive! EVs give GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant a new life
Bill Hampton
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Daily
Vietnam Carmaker Takes Aim at U.S.
Vietnam’s first local carmaker, 2-year-old VinFast, aims to do something no Chinese OEM has yet accomplished: launch sales in the U.S.
Buick to Drop Regal Sedan in U.S.
Buick will drop the Regal, the only conventional sedan in its U.S. lineup, at the end of the 2020 model year to focus exclusively on SUV/crossovers.
Merged FCA-PSA Would Maintain Current Brands
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group plan to maintain all current brands under their proposed merger, PSA CEO Carlos Tavares tells French television station BMF Business.
PSA Readies Electric Vans
PSA Group will launch all-electric variants of its Citroen, Peugeot and Opel/Vauxhall compact vans next year in Europe.
Conti Launches Third-Gen e-Axle
Continental AG says its third-generation electric drive system is smaller, lighter, less expensive and more efficient than previous versions.
Opel Drops Work Shift at Russelsheim Plant
PSA Group’s Opel unit says it will eliminate the night shift for six months at its main assembly plant in Russelsheim, Germany.
A Scary Look at the Auto Industry
A witch, a clown, a masked vigilante, and a doctor go into a studio. . . .
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, Automotive Design & Production
Renault May Join Euro Battery Consortium
Renault SA Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard says his company will join a European consortium to make battery cells for electric cars if there’s a viable business case to do so.
Opel Plans EV Rally Car Series
PSA Group's Opel unit plans to launch a rally car race series next summer that feature the upcoming all-electric variant of the Corsa small hatchback.
CEO of EV Startup Canoo Steps Down
Stefan Krause, the co-founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based electric vehicle startup Canoo Inc., is stepping down from day-to-day operations for unspecified personal reasons.
Forster to Chair Hella’s Shareholder Committee
Lighting and electronics supplier Hella GmbH & Co. plans to name industry veteran Carl-Peter Forster to chair its shareholder committee, effective Sept. 27.
Ford Phases Out Ka+ Minicar in Europe
Ford Motor Co. says it will stop making the Ka+ minicar because of the cost of meeting Europe’s tougher carbon dioxide emission limits in 2020.
PSA’s Profits Climb 11% in First Half
PSA Group posted big profit gains in the first half of 2019 in spite of a dip in revenue.
What to Do In an R&D Overcapacity Situation
Opel is making a big change in staffing in Rüsselsheim
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, Automotive Design & Production
Schafer to Head Porsche Engineering Unit
Porsche AG’s has appointed Peter Schafer to become chairman of its Porsche Engineering Group subsidiary on Aug 1.
Revival Plan for Opel: EVs and PSA Platforms
PSA Group figures its Opel brand will be able to meet carbon dioxide emission targets in Europe by building new models on lighter platforms and injecting its lineup with electrified cars.
Car Sales in Germany Drop 5% on Fewer Selling Days
Registrations of new cars in Germany slid 5% to 325,200 units last month, according to the country’s KBA transport authority.
PSA Says Brexit Will Determine Future for U.K. Plant
PSA Group says its decision about making the next-generation Opel/Vauxhall Astra in England will depend on favorable tariff terms when the U.K. exits the European Union.
Report: Excess Emissions Prompt Opel Recall in Europe
PSA Group’s Opel unit has been ordered to recall 210,000 cars in Europe that could emit far more oxides of nitrogen than allowed by EU rules, according to Bild am Sonntag.
Opel Says EVs Will Enable It to Meet CO2 Targets
PSA Group’s Opel unit says it will be able to meet European Union targets for carbon dioxide emissions, thanks to upcoming all-electric models.