New-vehicle loan amounts, payments hit record high

The average loan amount and monthly payment for new vehicles reached record highs in the first quarter. The percentage of new-vehicle subprime loan originations dropped, while prime origination share reached a six-year high.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180531/FINANCE_AND_INSURANCE/180539961/new-vehicle-loan-amounts-payments-hit-record-high

Waymo to buy up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to expand self-driving fleet

Google affiliate Waymo will purchase up to 62,000 additional Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans from FCA US starting later this year to begin a national expansion of the company's public driverless ride-hailing fleet.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180531/RETAIL01/180539962/fca-waymo-chrysler-pacifica-hybrid-fleet

Trump threatened to bar German luxury cars in U.S., report says

President Trump told French President Emmanuel Macron he would block German luxury carmakers from the U.S. market, a German magazine reported.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180531/COPY01/305319985/trump-mercedes-france-germany-imports

Marchionne's grand finale entails expanding Jeep, shrinking Fiat, reports say

Sergio Marchionne's last hurrah as CEO of Fiat Chrysler entails betting the carmaker's future on Jeeps and Maserati luxury cars while downsizing its namesake brands, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180530/OEM01/180539986/fiat-chrysler-sergio-marchionne-expanding-jeep-shrinking-fiat

First Shift: Fund to invest $2.25B in GM's Cruise AV unit

Fund to pump $2.25B into GM's Cruise AV unit; Uber, Waymo in talks; Trump German-car threat?; Fresh signs of Ford train-station buy; Texting while cruising; JLR's all-terrain AVs.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180531/VIDEO/305319980/first-shift-fund-to-invest-2-25b-in-gms-cruise-av-unit

Tesla Model 3 wins Consumer Reports blessing after brake fix

Tesla's Model 3 won a coveted recommendation from Consumer Reports after an over-the-air software update improved braking by almost 20 feet.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180530/RETAIL/180539977/tesla-musk-model3-consumer-reports

Honda shows off Amaze sedan

In the latest new video to top our viral video charts, Honda shows off the Amaze sedan for the Indian market.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180530/VIRALVIDEO/305309998/mitsubishi-keys-viral-video

May U.S. sales expected to rise behind extra selling day, holiday deals

Forecasts from Cox Automotive, Edmunds and LMC Automotive/J.D. Power call for U.S. light-vehicle sales to rise about 3 percent to around 1.56 million vehicles in May. It would be the industry's third increase in the first five months of 2018.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180530/RETAIL01/180539999/may-us-sales-preview

Global EV fleet expected to triple in 2 years

EVs are likely to become a much more common sight on the world's roads in the next two years as the global fleet of electric vehicles is likely to more than triple to 13 million by the end of the decade from 3.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180530/COPY01/305309965/global-ev-fleet-expected-to-triple-in-2-years

Global fleet of EVs set to triple in two years, report says

EVs are likely to become a much more common sight on the world's roads in the next two years as the global fleet of electric vehicles is likely to more than triple to 13 million by the end of the decade from 3.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180530/ANE/180539998/global-fleet-of-evs-set-to-triple-in-two-years-report-says

VW expects to beat EV sales goal on China, Europe demand

VW brand expects to beat its target of selling 1 million electric vehicles by 2025, said EV chief Christian Senger, citing demand in China and Europe, as well as untapped potential in the southern hemisphere.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180529/ANE/180529765/vw-expects-to-beat-ev-sales-goal-on-china-europe-demand

Diesels to die out in Tesla-like future, EU regulator says

Consumers may do as much as regulators to propel the car sector into the electricity-powered age foreseen by Tesla, according to the EU's industrial-policy chief.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180527/ANE/180529780/diesels-to-die-out-in-tesla-like-future-eu-regulator-says

Diesel cars to die out in Tesla-like future, EU regulator says

Consumers may do as much as regulators to propel the car sector into the electricity-powered age foreseen by Tesla, according to the European Union's industrial-policy chief.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180527/ANE/180529780/diesel-cars-to-die-out-in-tesla-like-future-eu-regulator-says

Starved of product, Fiat brand is at a crossroads

When Fiat Chrysler presents its 2018-22 business plan June 1, the biggest question mark will be the future of the core Fiat brand, which has been losing share steadily in its two main markets #8212; Europe and Brazil #8212; and is progressively...

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180526/COPY01/305269995/starved-of-product-fiat-brand-is-at-a-crossroads

2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback to start at just over $20,000

Toyota's redesigned Corolla hatchback, aimed at first-time buyers and manual-transmission fans, will go on sale in showrooms this summer for $20,910 for the entry-level model, including shipping.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180525/OEM04/180529808/2019-toyota-corolla-hatchback-price

Citroen seeks to repeat C5 Aircross's China success in Europe

Citroen is hoping the European launch of the new C5 Aircross will repeat the SUV's success in China, where it helped boost sales by 48 percent in the first four months.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180525/ANE/180529819/citroen-seeks-to-repeat-c5-aircrosss-china-success-in-europe

Daimler's Car2Go ending Toronto operations, citing parking regulations

Daimler's Car2Go is suspending its Toronto operations at the end of the month because of forthcoming parking regulations and new licensing fees.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180524/COPY/305249872/daimlers-car2go-ending-toronto-operations-citing-parking-regulations

Porsche Canada gets new marketing director with digital focus

Porsche Cars Canada Ltd. has tapped Colas Henckes to be its new marketing director, effective July 2.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180524/COPY/305249871/porsche-canada-gets-new-marketing-director-with-digital-focus

PSA 'cautious' about Iran business after successful Citroen C3 launch

PSA remains cautious about its Iran business, Citroen CEO Linda Jackson said, after the launch of the C3 model in the market.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180524/ANE/180529852/psa-cautious-about-iran-business-after-successful-citroen-c3-launch

JLR to spend $5.3 billion on new models, tech

Jaguar Land Rover will spend about $6 billion in the current financial year on new models and technologies as the luxury carmaker looks to spur sales that grew at a slower pace.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180523/OEM01/180529886/jlr-to-spend-5-3-billion-on-new-models-tech

Donald Trump does a favor for BMW and Mercedes

The biggest beneficiaries of President Donald Trump's drive to get China to "play fair" on trade are automakers such as BMW and Mercedes, which export expensive sedans and SUVs from Germany and the U.S.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180523/COPY01/305239973/donald-trump-does-a-favor-for-bmw-and-mercedes

Toyota will build fuel cell stack plant in Japan

Toyota plans to build a plant to manufacture hydrogen fuel cell stacks, a key component of fuel cell vehicles, as it seeks to increase global annual sales of the vehicles to at least 30,000 from 3,000 now.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180524/COPY01/305249952/toyota-will-build-fuel-cell-stack-plant-in-japan

Renault-Nissan gains on merger talks

The prospect of Renault and Nissan consolidating their alliance with a full merger boosted the shareholder value of the French company by 17.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180524/ANE/180529888/renault-nissan-gains-on-merger-talks

Toyota will build fuel cell stack plant in bid to ramp up sales of hydrogen-powered cars

Toyota plans to build a plant to manufacture hydrogen fuel cell stacks, a key component of fuel cell vehicles, as it seeks to increase global annual sales of the vehicles to at least 30,000 from 3,000 now.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180524/ANE/180529859/toyota-will-build-fuel-cell-stack-plant-in-bid-to-ramp-up-sales-of

Joydrive aims to eliminate need to visit dealership to buy new, used cars nationwide

Joydrive has a vision for changing the automotive online retail landscape: Become the first nationwide platform that allows buyers to complete their transactions without setting foot in a dealership -- for new and used cars.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180523/RETAIL/180529874/-startup-aims-to-eliminate-need-to-visit-dealership-to-buy-new-used

Tesla trims up to $14,000 off Model X in China after tariff cuts

Tesla has cut the price of the Model X in China by up to $14,000 after Beijing announced tariff cuts for imported cars.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180523/COPY01/305239971/tesla-trims-up-to-14000-off-model-x-in-china-after-tariff-cuts

Why China's EV drive is helping Swedish bearings maker

Sweden's SKF is seeing increasing demand for its bearings from China, where demand for EVs means it is winning at least one new contract a month, as suppliers adapt to changing automobile technology.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180522/ANE/180529918/why-chinas-ev-drive-is-helping-swedish-bearings-maker

Tesla trims up to $14,000 off Model X in China after tariff cuts

Tesla has slashed up to $14,000 off its Model X in China after Beijing announced major tariff cuts for imported cars, a potential sales boost for the U.S. automaker as the world's largest auto market moves toward EVs.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180523/ANE/180529900/tesla-trims-up-to-14000-off-model-x-in-china-after-tariff-cuts

SKF feels power of China's EV drive

Sweden's SKF is seeing increasing demand for its bearings from China, where demand for EVs means it is winning at least one new contract a month, as suppliers adapt to changing automobile technology.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180522/ANE/180529918/skf-feels-power-of-chinas-ev-drive

China cuts car import duty to 15% in boost for BMW, Tesla, Mercedes, Porsche

China will cut the import duty on passenger cars to 15 percent. The move will boost automakers that import high-end cars including BMW, Tesla, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180522/ANE/180529934/china-cuts-car-import-duty-to-15-in-boost-for-bmw-tesla-mercedes

Tesla's Musk admits Model 3 braking issue, promises fix

Tesla CEO Elon Musk admitted there was a braking issue with the Model 3 sedan, pointed out by Consumer Reports, and said it can be fixed with a firmware update.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180522/COPY/305229951/musk-admits-tesla-model-3-braking-issue

BMW bets on iNext in autonomous race with Mercedes

BMW offered a glimpse of its futuristic self-driving iNext car as the automaker seeks to gain momentum in the race to overtake rival Mercedes in luxury car sales.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180517/COPY01/305179967/bmw-bets-on-inext-in-autonomous-race-with-mercedes

China cuts import duty to 15% in boost for BMW, Tesla, Mercedes, Porsche

China will cut the import duty on passenger cars to 15 percent from the current 25 percent, in a boost to foreign automakers, just as the immediate threat of a trade war with the United States recedes.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180522/COPY01/305229962/china-cuts-import-duty-to-15-in-boost-for-bmw-tesla-mercedes-porsche

China cuts car import duty to 15% in boost for BMW, Tesla, Mercedes and Porsche

China will cut the import duty on passenger cars to 15 percent from the current 25 percent, in a boost to foreign automakers, just as the immediate threat of a trade war with the United States recedes.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180522/COPY01/305229962/china-cuts-car-import-duty-to-15-in-boost-for-bmw-tesla-mercedes-and

Tesla's Musk admits Model 3 braking issue, promises fix

Tesla CEO Elon Musk admitted there was a braking issue with the Model 3 sedan, pointed out by Consumer Reports, and said it can be fixed with a firmware update.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180522/OEM05/180529929/musk-admits-tesla-model-3-braking-issue

China cuts car import duty to 15% in boost for BMW, Tesla, Mercedes and Porsche

China will cut the import duty on passenger cars to 15 percent. The move will boost automakers that import high-end cars including BMW, Tesla, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180522/ANE/180529934/china-cuts-car-import-duty-to-15-in-boost-for-bmw-tesla-mercedes-and

VW Group's China sales rose 12% in April on Audi, Skoda demand

Volkswagen Group's China sales rose nearly 12 percent in April, led by demand at the Audi and Skoda brands.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180522/ANE/180529932/vw-groups-china-sales-rose-12-in-april-on-audi-skoda-demand

China cuts car import duty to 15% in boost for foreign automakers

China will cut the import duty on passenger cars to 15 percent from the current 25 percent, in a boost to foreign automakers, just as the immediate threat of a trade war with the United States recedes.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180522/COPY01/305229962/china-cuts-car-import-duty-to-15-in-boost-for-foreign-automakers

China cuts car import duty to 15% in boost for foreign automakers

China will cut the import duty on passenger cars to 15 percent from the current 25 percent, in a boost to foreign automakers, just as the immediate threat of a trade war with the U.S. recedes.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180522/ANE/180529934/china-cuts-car-import-duty-to-15-in-boost-for-foreign-automakers

China said to cut car import duty to 15% in boost for foreign automakers

China will cut the import duty on passenger cars to 15 percent from the current 25 percent, in a boost to foreign automakers, just as the immediate threat of a trade war with the U.S. recedes, Bloomberg reported.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180522/ANE/180529934/china-said-to-cut-car-import-duty-to-15-in-boost-for-foreign

Tesla Model 3 braking, controls draw rebuke in Consumer Reports tests

Consumer Reports won't recommend Tesla's compact Model 3 because of the electric car's long stopping distances and difficult-to-use controls.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180521/COPY/305219950/tesla-model-3-draws-strong-rebuke-in-consumer-reports-test

Tesla Model 3 braking, controls draw rebuke in Consumer Reports tests

Consumer Reports won't recommendTesla's compact Model 3 because of the electric car's long stopping distances and difficult-to-use controls.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180521/OEM05/305219954/tesla-model-3-draws-strong-rebuke-in-consumer-reports-test

VW Group's April sales up 10% on Europe, China gains

VW Group said its global vehicle registrations rose 10 percent last month on strong demand in all its major markets, including Western Europe and China.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180518/ANE/180519789/vw-groups-april-sales-up-10-on-europe-china-gains

BMW bets on iNext in sales race with Mercedes

BMW offered a glimpse of its futuristic self-driving iNext car as the automaker seeks to gain momentum in the race to overtake rival Mercedes in luxury car sales.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180517/COPY01/305179967/bmw-bets-on-inext-in-sales-race-with-mercedes

BMW bets on iNext in sales race with Mercedes

BMW offered a glimpse of its futuristic self-driving iNext car as the automaker seeks to gain momentum in the race to overtake rival Mercedes in luxury car sales.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180517/ANE/180519811/bmw-bets-on-inext-in-sales-race-with-mercedes

VW, Toyota, Dacia notch big gains as Europe sales rise 10% in April

VW, Toyota and Dacia all saw their European sales rise sharply in April, outpacing a market that grew 9.6 percent on increased demand in the region's five biggest markets.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180517/ANE/180519812/vw-toyota-dacia-notch-big-gains-as-europe-sales-rise-10-in-april

EV batteries present new challenges for firefighters

Fires on electric vehicles are rare, but the volatile chemistry of their batteries and the need for special training on how to extinguish them raises new safety questions as automakers are poised to dramatically increase production.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180516/COPY/305169935/ev-batteries-present-new-challenges-for-firefighters

AutoNews Now: GM Super Cruise, Tesla Autopilot square off

GM Super Cruise, Tesla Autopilot square off in test; Battery blazes pose challenge for firefighters; EV push in Northeastern U.S.; Apple's growing AV fleet; First for BMW in China.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180516/VIDEO/305169978/autonews-now-gm-super-cruise-tesla-autopilot-square-off

UK to share plans soon on 2040 combustion-cars ban

The UK will release more details in the weeks ahead on its planned ban of the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars starting in 2040, business minister Greg Clark said.

source http://europe.autonews.com/article/20180516/ANE/180519844/uk-to-share-plans-soon-on-2040-combustion-cars-ban

EV batteries present new challenges for firefighters

Fires on electric vehicles are rare, but the volatile chemistry of their batteries and the need for special training on how to extinguish them raises new safety questions as automakers are poised to dramatically increase production.

source http://www.autonews.com/article/20180516/OEM03/180519840/ev-batteries-present-new-challenges-for-firefighters