INDUSTRY NEWS
Ford nods to Australia as region’s fortunes turn around
Asia Pacific sales help build Ford’s strength as financial report hints at departing chief Mark Fields’ separation package
Watchdog weighs into Australian airbag recall after driver’s death
Australia’s first recorded death related to the worldwide Takata recall prompts a stern government warning to owners and car brands
Tesla appoints Rupert Murdoch’s son to executive board
James Murdoch named as a new independent director to help steer electric carmaker’s future
Revealed: Tesla’s secret sales numbers
Recalls to fix electrical issues in Tesla’s battery-fuelled cars hint at its sales strength in Australia
Fast money: McLaren posts its best result on record
Take a bow, Australia. You’ve helped kick-start McLaren’s ambitions of eventually selling 4500 cars globally
Toyota Australia slumps to 99m profit
The Aussie dollar and looming manufacturing shutdown limits Australia’s biggest brand to just $370 profit on every car it sold last financial year
Takata about to fall as airbag recall costs mount, reports say
The weight of fixing faulty airbags in more than 100 million cars worldwide – about two million of them in Australia – appears to be taking its toll
Brit sportscar brand Lotus sold to Chinese car maker Geely
Geely takes hold of Lotus, and throws Malaysian car maker Proton a lifeline in the process
US sues Fiat Chrysler over Dieselgate-like emissions cheat claims
The US government now wants its court system to back up claims that software built into Jeep and Dodge-badged cars was there to deliberately fudge emissions tests
There’s still life in conventional engines, says Volkswagen
Despite wanting to sell a million battery-powered cars by 2025, VW says the engines we use now will still have a place in future showrooms
Dieselgate: Volkswagen asked to explain lack of Aussie compensation
Consumer advocates have joined forces to ask Volkswagen to explain why Australian owners miss out on US-style Dieselgate payouts.
Toyota global sales: Australia punches above its weight
Australia is second only to Japan for per capita sales of Toyota/Lexus vehicles
SUV sales closing in on passenger cars
Strong January sales figures continue the rise of high-riding wagons as Porsche outsells Jeep, Lexus and Volvo
Volkswagen overtakes Toyota as worlds best-selling brand
Toyota’s four-year run as the world’s most popular brand comes to an end
Jeep named in US diesel emissions cheat investigation
US environment watchdog accuses Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of using software to meet emissions standards.
Ford investment boosts Aussie RD capability speed
More work – including on autonomous cars – will happen faster via Ford’s investment in Australia’s research and development capacity
Ford announces $450m boost to Aussie research, development
Ford global president Mark Fields visits Melbourne to open new, expanded R&D headquarters
Volkswagen adds 61,000 cars to Australia’s Dieselgate fix list
More Volkswagen-badged cars, and some Skodas added to latest round of recalled cars – but still no talk of compensation.
Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger top November new-car sales
Mum and dad buyers take a back seat as Australia keeps pace with a new-car sales record
Ron Dennis ousted as McLaren CEO after 35 years
Dennis steps down from top job as majority shareholders look for new leadership.
Dieselgate: Audi faces fresh cheat claims
German newspaper claims it has uncovered evidence of yet another emission cheat device in Audi-badged cars
Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger top October new-car sales chart
Trade utes knock the Toyota Corolla from the top of the monthly charts as buyers’ tastes continue to change
Volkswagen Group tipped for restructure
Volkswagen is believed to be considering restructuring its German operations with Audi and Porsche under pressure to reduce costs
Ford profits halve as rivals book a good quarter
Slow US sales have cut Ford’s third-quarter profit in half. GM, Fiat Chrysler and even Tesla, meanwhile, peg a good one
