SEAT Leon Sales Beyond Spain
The VW MQB-based model is doing well—especially in Germany
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Group
Design Chief Luc Donckerwolke Departs Hyundai
Luxury car guru has crafted the styling of many memorable Audi, Bentley, Lambo and Genesis models
VW Group Names Bischoff as Chief Designer
Klaus Bischoff has been named to oversee design activities for all Volkswagen Group brands, effective April 1.
VW’s Labor Boss Vows to Block Turkey Plant
Volkswagen AG’s unions say they won’t vote to approve a big auto plant project in Turkey as long as that country continues military operations in Syria.
Report: VW to Decide This Week on Turkish Plant
Volkswagen AG’s supervisory board reportedly will decide this week whether to shift plans for an assembly plant from Turkey to Slovakia.
VW: No Plan to Abandon Turkey Plant Project
Volkswagen AG says its isn’t looking for other locations for the assembly plant it hopes to build in Turkey.
Magna Launches Electric Drive Factory in China
Magna International Inc. has opened a factory in Shanghai to make integrated electric drive systems for Volkswagen AG vehicles built in China and Europe.
Crash Tests in Europe and the Tesla Model 3
The Euro NCAP tests on the Tesla Model 3 ought to give Elon something to Tweet about
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Group
Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia Revive Bids for VW Plant
Volkswagen AG’s postponement of plans for a $1.4 billion factory in Turkey has prompted previous contenders to revive efforts to win the project.
VW Postpones Decision on Plant in Turkey
Volkswagen AG says it has suspended plans to open a large assembly plant in Manisa, Turkey, by 2022.
SEAT Mulls Changing Name to Cupra
Volkswagen AG’s SEAT unit may market all its future vehicles exclusively under its new Cupra sub-brand as part of a plan to expand globally and boost profitability.
Faurecia to Buy Out Conti in JV
Faurecia SA has agreed to acquire Continental AG’s 50% stake in SAS Autosystemtechnik Verwaltungs GmbH and take full control of the interior modules joint venture.
VW Approved to Merge Units in India
Volkswagen AG says it has received regulatory approvals in India to combine its local Skoda, Volkswagen and sales units.
New Rolls-Royce Design Chief Quits
Jozef Kaban has left BMW AG’s Rolls-Royce unit six months after being named design chief of the ultra-luxury marque.
Rolls Names New Head of Design: Jozef Kabaň
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars had annual sales of 4,107 vehicles in 2018, which was the best year that the company had had in its 115-year history.
Gary S. Vasilash
Editor-in-Chief, AutoBeat Group
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VW Finalizes Plan to Make Cars in Turkey
Volkswagen AG will build an auto assembly plant in Manisa, Turkey, to make cars for sale in Turkey, the Middle East and Russia.
VW Close to Decision on New Plant in Turkey
Volkswagen AG says it may finalize plans within two weeks to build a €1 billion ($1.1 billion) assembly plant in Turkey.
Report: Ford, VW to Expand Joint EV-Program
Ford Motor Co. appears likely to decide soon on details of a plan to expand its use of Volkswagen AG’s electric-vehicle platform.
Report: Deal Near on VW Factory in Turkey
Officials have all but finalized an agreement for a new Volkswagen Group assembly plant in Turkey that would begin production by 2023.
VW Group Sales Drop 2% in July
Volkswagen AG global sales slipped 2% last month, in spite of a slight gain in China.
VW Touts More Efficient 6-Speed Manual Gearbox
Volkswagen AG says its new 6-speed manual transmission can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by as much as five grams per km, depending on the engine.
Dürr Heats the Inside for a Better Exterior Finish
The first application of the EcoInCure oven will be in a new paint shop that Dürr is building for ŠKODA in the Czech Republic.
VW Chooses Turkey for E. European Plant
Volkswagen AG’s supervisory board has selected Turkey as the location of a new assembly plant that will open 3-4 years from now.
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.
Skoda Readies 2 CNG Cars
Volkswagen AG’s Skoda unit is introducing variants of the Kamiq hatchback and Scala crossover vehicle modified to run on compressed natural gas.
Report: Czech Court Orders VW to Pay Diesel Compensation
A Czech Court says Volkswagen AG must pay compensation to customers whose diesel engines were rigged to evade emission laws, according to news website Seznam.
VW Choses Slovakia to Make New Low-Cost EV
Volkswagen AG plans to use its small-car factory in Bratislava, Slovakia, to build a family of small electric cars for the European market, according to Handelsblatt.
VW Confirms New Assembly Plant in Eastern Europe
Volkswagen AG’s supervisory board has approved the launch of “concrete negotiations” to build and open a new assembly plant in eastern Europe about four years from now.
