Articles By: AFP
Kia Motors boss resigns over mass recall
SEOUL: The head of South Korea’s second-largest automaker Kia Motors has resigned to take responsibility for the recall of tens of thousands of cars over faulty electrical wiring, the company said Tuesday. Chung Sung-Eun, who is also a vice chairman of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, stepped down after Kia had to issue a global recall [...]
Toyota, Honda’s US sales drop as Big Three post gains
CHICAGO: Toyota and Honda saw their US sales drop in July as the Big Three US automakers posted modest gains in figures released Tuesday thanks to popular new vehicles. “It comes down to product: Ford and GM have the product and now Chrysler is getting into the game,” said Michelle Krebs, a senior analyst with [...]
Toshiba to make batteries for electric vehicles
Tokyo: Japan’s Toshiba said Friday it was working with Mitsubishi Motors to develop batteries for electric vehicles, as the race intensifies among automakers and technology giants to make emission-free cars. Toshiba, which spans electronic components, appliances and nuclear power plants has developed a fast-charging long life lithium-ion battery called SCiB (Super Charge ion Battery), which [...]
Toyota to recall 270,000 cars over engine fault
TOKYO: Toyota Motor said Friday it will recall 270,000 vehicles worldwide because of an engine fault affecting cars including its luxury Lexus range and Crown sedans, in the latest blow to its reputation. Toyota said faulty valve springs in certain engines could potentially lead to affected vehicles stopping while in operation. The automaker said it [...]
Toyota starts production of Europe’s first hybrid car
Japanese giant Toyota launched production of Europe’s first full hybrid vehicle on Monday at its car factory in Burnaston, central England, handing a boost to Britain’s battered auto industry. The first European-made hybrid version of Toyota’s Auris hatchback rolled off the production line under the eye of the British government’s business minister Vince Cable. “Toyota’s [...]
Future of Fiat plant still open despite work-time vote
Fiat on Wednesday kept its options open on the future of a car plant in southern Italy after a third of the workforce voted against conditions tied to a critical investment plan. In a statement, Fiat did not reveal whether it would shut down or invest heavily in the Pomigliano d’Arco plant in the impoverished [...]
Porsche posts higher sales and strong profits
German luxury sports car maker Porsche, which is being taken over by Volkswagen, reported on Friday an 11.8-percent jump in nine-month sales and retained its status as a leading profit-machine in the global auto industry. Porsche said operating profit came to 600 million euros (744 million dollars) in the period from August through April, the [...]
UAW to launch Toyota organizing campaign
The new head of the United Auto Workers union vowed Thursday to organize workers at Toyota and other foreign carmakers. “We?re going to do whatever is necessary to insure that Toyota abandons its anti-union efforts,” Bob King said, a day after his election to head the UAW. In a fiery acceptance speech, King said the [...]
Another Toyota strike shuts major plant in China
Japan’s Toyota Motor said its largest assembly plant in China had to be suspended Friday after a strike at an affiliated auto parts supplier in the country had halted production. The walkout at the plant in northern China run by Tianjin Toyoda Gosei that makes interior and exterior plastic parts follows a strike earlier this [...]
Toyota: China parts supplier hit by brief strike
Japan’s Toyota Motor said Thursday a brief strike this week by workers at a China parts supplier affiliated with the firm had ended and would not affect production at a nearby assembly plant. The supplier based in the northern city of Tianjin had resumed production after workers agreed Wednesday to end the strike, Beijing-based Toyota [...]
