Europe

BRUSSELS — The Czech Republic has convened a meeting of transport ministers from 12 European Union countries that are seeking to challenge a proposed law to cut vehicle emissions. The meeting will also discuss a separate row over the bloc’s 2035 deadline to effectively ban internal combustion engine cars Apart from the Czech Republic, those

PARIS — Stellantis has reached a preliminary agreement with South African authorities to build a production site, its first in the country, by the end of 2025. Under the deal, the new plant will be set up in one of South Africa’s special economic zones, the automaker said in a statement. “The manufacturing site in

The role of the squeaky wheel in Renault and Nissan’s alliance looks to be changing in a remarkable example of what a difference a year makes. One year ago today, Renault shares hit rock bottom in a rout triggered by the invasion of Ukraine. Fitch Ratings was sounding alarm bells about the automaker’s exposure to

Germany may set a dangerous precedent by challenging a European Union agreement to phase out new combustion-engine cars starting in 2035, Spain’s deputy prime minister said. Modifying the proposal so late in the debate could disrupt the way the bloc crafts key policies in the future and send confusing signals to investors and industries planning

PINZOLO, Italy — Ferrari expects to deliver its first four-door model, the Purosangue, to customers by mid-year, as the supercar maker responds to competitors such as the Lamborghini Urus SUV. Ferrari says that the Purosangue, which was unveiled in September 2022, is not a crossover or SUV, although at 1589 mm tall, it is only

Jaguar and Land Rover dealers in Europe are threatening to take the automaker to court over the automaker’s new contracts that dealers says substantially reduce their margins. Dealers are angry that the automaker plans to reduce their margins after they have invested millions in their dealerships in recent years at the automaker’s request. JLR’s plunging

Volkswagen Group has raised its electric car sales goal for Europe for its core VW passenger cars brand. The brand’s new target is for at least 80 percent of its sales in Europe to be full-electric models in 2030, said Thomas Ulbrich, who heads VW brand’s New Mobility business. Under VW’s Accelerate electrification strategy unveiled

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said talks were constructive with the European Union in resolving a dispute over plans to ban new combustion-engine cars in the bloc from 2035, after Berlin derailed the effort this past week. Scholz met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of a government retreat in Meseberg

MILAN – Stellantis said it will build a range of midsize light commercial and passenger vans at its factory in Bursa, Turkey, starting in 2025. The factory, which is owned by Tofas, a joint venture of Stellantis and the Turkish holding company Koc, currently builds the second-generation Fiat Doblo compact van and the Fiat Egea/Tipo

TOKYO – Subaru has appointed Atsushi Osaki as its next CEO, tasking the manufacturing chief to steer the small-sized Japanese automaker through a challenging era of electrification, automated driving and industry upheaval as it strives to rekindle U.S. sales. The next boss, speaking at a press conference on Friday, said that flexibility and expansion will

The European Union delayed a key vote on an effective ban on combustion-engine cars after Germany unexpectedly voiced last-minute objections amid concerns about how the bloc’s green plans will affect industry. EU and German officials are in talks over how to reach a compromise over allowing the use of e-fuels in new cars after 2035,

Volkswagen Group will build its Scout Motors assembly plant in South Carolina. The plant will produce electric-powered pickups and SUVs. It will be Volkswagen’s second U.S. assembly factory along with its existing operations in Chattanooga. Production is expected to begin in 2026. More than 200,000 vehicles could be produced annually at the facility Scout Motors

Volkswagen Group expects strong increases in vehicle sales and revenue this year as the automaker benefits from full order books and better access to semiconductors. Revenue is forecast to grow by 10 percent to 15 percent, indicating 2023 revenue of 307 billion euros  to 331 billion euros. Global deliveries are expected to rise 14 percent

BERLIN — Sentiment in Germany’s automotive industry took a tumble in February as concerns grew over falling demand, according to a survey from the Ifo economic institute. The institute said on Friday in a statement that its business situation index for the sector fell to 6.0 from 12.5 in January. “Manufacturers in particular assess their

Stellantis and Renault are turning to their own ranks to tackle a shortage of truck drivers that is leaving thousands of vehicles stranded away from dealerships and customers.  Stellantis, the maker of Fiat and Peugeot cars, sent off emails and placed posters in some of its factories in a drive to convince workers to fill

Saudi Aramco has agreed to take a minority stake in Renault Group and Geely’s planned combustion-engine venture as the oil behemoth seeks to expand into transport technologies.  Reuters reported in January that Aramco was in advanced discussions to take a stake of up to 20 percent in the joint venture, which would develop and supply internal

BERLIN – Volkswagen Group’s supervisory board will discuss plans to build a new U.S. factory at a meeting on Friday, two sources close to the matter said, with one adding the board was expected to approve the project. The factory is a new plant for the Scout brand, according to one of the sources, which

Aston Martin said it expects profitability to improve this year as it begins deliveries of its next-generation sports cars. The UK automaker on Wednesday forecast wholesale volumes of about 7,000 units for 2023, slightly below average market expectations of 7,134, but its outlook for an adjusted core profit margin of about 20 percent was ahead