INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Audi is setting its sights on a far larger slice of the US luxury car market with a plan to more than double its sales there to 200,000 by 2015.
Volkswagens premium brand will retool its American dealership network and develop a new smaller sports utility vehicle, the Q5, to raise its game in the worlds largest car market, where it is less successful than European rivals such as BMW.
Nissan Motor Co.s vehicles had the biggest increase in carbon-emissions rates over 15 years among the six biggest sellers of automobiles in the U.S., according to a report by an environmental group.
The average lifetime carbon emissions for Nissans 2005 fleet rose 9.2 percent from 1990 as the company added more light trucks with poorer fuel economy, Environmental Defense, an advocacy group based in Washington, said today. Toyota Motor Corp.s average emissions rate fell 3 percent during that span.
The report comes five days before Congress returns to session, and lawmakers such as Representative John Dingell have said they will propose laws to reduce U.S. carbon emissions. Cars and light trucks account for about 20 percent of the countrys carbon output, which contributes to global warming.
Fast-growing Toyota Motor Corp said Thursday it was keeping its sales target this year for the US market, saying the effects of a housing sector crisis there would be temporary.
The Japanese giant is jostling with General Motors to come out this year as the worlds best-selling automaker. The recovering Detroit giant has held the title for seven decades.
Japans largest truck maker Isuzu said Tuesday it aimed for operating profits to rise 40 percent in the next four years as it focuses on overseas markets, particularly in Asia.
Isuzu Motor Ltd. set the mid-term goals despite anticipation that demand will remain sluggish in Japan, where the population is declining and demand for environment-friendly trucks is seen as having peaked.
Mercedes is considering outsourcing production of transmissions for the next generations of its A-, B- and C-class models to cut costs and improve innovation, auto motor und sport reported, citing company sources.
German carmaker Volkswagen and US computer company Apple are discussing the possibility of producing a car together.
A firm controlled by Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska won permission from the European Commission today to take a stake in Canadian auto parts supplier Magna International Inc.
Supplier Noble International Ltd. said today its shareholders overwhelmingly approved the company's plan to acquire Tailored Blank Arcelor, a unit of Netherlands steel giant Arcelor Mittal in a deal valued at about $300 million.
Noble executives said the acquisition should close within days now that shareholders have approved the deal.
Garmin has today announced the new n??vi 700 series satellite navigation system. With the 700 series Garmin has elegantly combined advanced technology with enhancements to its user interface to ensure an intuitive and easy navigation experience. This is combined with elegant design and an integrated antenna to make it exceptionally compact and stylish. It also comes with traffic warnings to tell you of any congestion ahead and safety camera alerts for mobile as well as fixed cameras
Renault and its Japanese ally Nissan say they will build a plant in Tangiers, northern Morocco, dedicated to low-cost cars and commercial vehicles, most of which will be exported all over the world.
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