News - Page 1461

Chrysler has launched a new 2.4-litre petrol engine to replace the 2.0-litre petrol engine in the PT Cruiser, and added a cabriolet and a sportier GT special edition to the PT Cruiser line-up for 2005.

Wage negotiations taking place today at Volkswagen are likely to determine whether the company's six German plants will face their first full-scale strikes over pay.

Driving Seat, a company set up by Sandy Muir, former head of marketing at Michelin Tyres in the UK, is offering a ‘try before they buy’ for those looking for a new car.

Thieves who made off with nine Audi TT’s from an Audi dealership were foiled by a security system fitted to some of the cars.

An Insurance company is suggesting that convicted drink drivers should be offered reduced insurance premiums as an inducement to not re-offend.

The Milcars Group has unveiled plans to reintroduce Mazda to Watford after a three-year absence with a new showroom to be opened in spring 2005.

The future of Smart is not at risk, insists parent DaimlerChrysler, despite the small car brand failing to make a profit since its launch in 1998.

PSA Peugeot Citroen sales have increased by 4% in the first nine months of the financial year compared to the same time last year.

Vauxhall’s Corsa, which was launched 10 years ago, has surpassed the 1,000,000 sales mark in the UK.

Workers at three Volkswagen plants in Germany have briefly halted production in protest of the firm's cost-cutting plans.

Nissan Motor Company’s net earnings after tax totalled 238.8 billion yen (£1.3 billion), an increase of 0.5% compared with last year, in the first six months of the financial year.

A special edition of the Alfa Romeo 147 has been launched with £1,000 worth of extra features.

The premiums being paid for used diesel-powered prestige-badge cars over petrol-engined equivalents are actually still on the increase, according to Glass’s.

Renault has posted an 8.9% increase in third quarter sales, which was stronger than analysts had expected.

The Swedish government has agreed to give financial support to Saab to enable parent General Motors achieve its plan to combine Saab 9-3 and Opel Vectra assembly at a single site instead of at both Rüsselsheim and Trollhättan.

Volkswagen earnings have nearly halved so far this year, with the blame put on intense competition, high oil prices and the weak dollar.

Fiat Auto has today reported an 11% increase in third quarter sales to €4.5 billion (£3.1 billion) -compared with the same period last year - and cut its operating loss 18% to €270 million (£188 million).

MG Rover has posted an annual pretax loss of £77 million as vehicle sales continue to decline amid tough competition.

Volkswagen and Proton have agreed to enter into a long-term strategic partnership.

A Coventry based automotive manufacturing firm which provides parts for MG Rover, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin and Bentley, looks set to axe up to 100 jobs.

Jaguar’s chief executive told a Government minister it was more expensive for Ford to close the historic Brown's Lane plant than to keep it open, it emerged this week.

Aston Martin officially opened its dedicated engine plant in Cologne at a ceremony today.

The new managing director of International Motors Group has outlined plans to import a Chinese car into the UK market - and also ruled out the possibility of a diesel engine in the Subaru range.

Waste disposal cost growth is set to push up vehicle repairer labour rates and businesses will need to make costing more transparent to consumers as a result, warns the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI).

Nissan’s strategy of changing its fleet sales mix has helped it improve residual values during 2004.

A third of young motorists - aged 17-20 - opt for a car on the basis of what it looks like, while only 7% make a choice based on running costs and insurance costs, a survey from RAC Insure and driving school BSM has found.

Honda Motor Company, Japan's third biggest automaker, reported today that its profit fell 7.5% in its second fiscal quarter, saying the strong yen hurt its earnings even though its revenue rose.

China's Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) will sign a final contract this week to take over South Korean automaker Ssangyong Motor.

The People's Web, a new low-cost service enabling UK companies and individuals to buy and sell products and services through personalized internet accounts, launches today to the automotive sector.

Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury has announced the membership of the new Department of Trade and Industry body designed to drive UK technology and innovation.