Ford Motor Co will begin producing its upscale Lincoln brand in China by late 2019 after sales almost tripled last year, joining the ranks of automakers localizing production to avoid import taxes in the world’s largest auto market. The automaker will build an all-new SUV model with joint venture partner Changan Automobile Group in Chongqing, […]

President Donald Trump’s vows to turn American trade policy toward a more protectionist stance, including imposing a 35 percent tariff on imported cars, could have far-reaching consequences for European automakers. European auto executives who gathered here last week for the annual Geneva auto show have found themselves having to deal unexpectedly with trade issues in […]

After pulling the trigger on a sale of its European operations, General Motors signaled that it’s willing to cut off more vestigial corners of its business in a decidedly unsentimental drive to improve its profit margins and stock price. More at AutoNews

On January 31, Acting Chairman Piwowar directed staff to reconsider 2014 Guidance on Conflict Minerals.  He said in part While visiting Africa last year, I heard first-hand from the people affected by this misguided rule. The disclosure requirements have caused a de facto boycott of minerals from portions of Africa, with effects far beyond the Congo-adjacent region. […]

The city of Zhangzhou, Fujian province, is planning to build the world’s largest experimental zone for autonomous driving. The project, which was signed on Dec 15 in Beijing, will be constructed in a 56-square-km zone in the city’s economic and technological development area to enable testing of autonomous cars in a city-level lab road network […]

 A collaboration between Australia and New Zealand could demonstrate how countries can pool resources to develop autonomous vehicles. The South Pacific countries are to launch an Australian and New Zealand Driverless Vehicle Initiative, according to Peter Damen, chair of the executive steering committee of one of the partners, the Australian Driverless Vehicle Initiative. More at […]

When it comes to luxury electric-car startups, hype is the name of the game. Lucid Motors unveiled its Air luxury sedan in December, promising a range of up to 400 miles, power of 1,000 horsepower, and cutting-edge technology. But very few people outside the company have gotten more than a glimpse at what, on paper, […]

The Trump administration plans to open the door to a possible reconsideration of greenhouse gas emission standards for cars and light trucks that has been sought by automakers, according to a person familiar with the plans. The Environmental Protection Agency in the final days of the Obama administration decided to lock in the emissions standards through 2025 that had been […]

Hyundai launches production of the new-generation Solaris sedan, Russiaʼs best-selling auto brand in 2016, at its plant in St. Petersburg. Production this year will not exceed 55,000 units but eventually will range between 100,000 and 110,000, according to Hyundai Motor CIS, the Korean automaker’s Russian subsidiary. More at Wards Automotive

General Motors executives said they decided to sell Opelbecause Europe’s changing geo-political and regulatory climate demands more investment at a time when they see a greater need to focus on North America, China and emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles. The $2.3 billion deal with PSA Group of France will not only free up GM resources for […]