VIETNAM: Vehicle sales drop by 25% in February

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:22:00 +0000

New vehicle sales in Vietnam fell by 25% to 5,030 units in February, reflecting fewer working days due to the Lunar New Year holidays and a market that has begun to feel the effects of the VAT rate increases at the beginning of the year.

UK: Fiat to use Multiair to clean up diesels

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:14:00 +0000

Fiat Group is planning to use its variable hydraulic valve control system on diesel engines to help it meet Euro6 emissions legislation.

CHINA: Changan profit surge boosts shares

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:39:00 +0000

Shares in Chongqing Changan Automobile rose on Tuesday after it said 2009 earnings soared due to central government incentives to boost vehicle sales.

INDIA: Ford to export Figo to South Africa

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:30:00 +0000

Ford's Indian unit will export its new compact Figo car to South Africa, local president and managing director Michael Boneham said at the model's launch on Tuesday.

JAPAN: Toyota could lower steel price to suppliers

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:08:00 +0000

Toyota has said it could drop its steel products price to suppliers by up to 9% from next month.

GERMANY: BMW sales rise again in February

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:06:00 +0000

BMW Group sales last month rose 14% to 91,758 vehicles and the year to date tally was up 15.3% to 173,911 units.

UK: Dealer Lookers improves 2009 results

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:20:00 +0000

British car dealer group Lookers has posted sharply improved 2009 results. Like-for-like revenue rose 4.2% to GBP1.8bn (US$2.4bn), while profit before tax increased by GBP26.4m to GBP11.5m. Stocks reduced by GBP56.2m and net debt fell by GBP70.5m.