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Category: Automotive

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Auto and Car news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • BMW November sales up 5.9 percent, Mercedes poised to overtake

    BMW November sales up 5.9 percent, Mercedes poised to overtake

    Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz is on track to overtake rival BMW to take the title of the world’s biggest luxury carmaker, sales figures for November released on Monday showed.

    November sales of BMW branded luxury cars were up 5.9 percent to 177,740 taking year-to-date sales to 1,824,490. By contrast Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales were up 12.7 percent to 182,602 increasing year-to-date sales to 1,893,619.

    Sales of BMW’s core brand reached 1.91 million in 2015 on strong demand for sports utility vehicles like the X5, the 11th year in a row the Munich-based carmaker clinched the title in 2005.

    Mercedes sold to 1.87 million cars in 2015, compared with 1.80 million luxury vehicles sold by Volkswagen’s Audi

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  • Tesla settles Norway lawsuit over car’s performance

    Tesla settles Norway lawsuit over car’s performance

    Electric carmaker Tesla Motors Inc has reached an out-of-court settlement with 126 Norwegian customers who claimed their cars’ performance did not match promises made in the firm’s marketing.

    Lawyers for the owners and the company told the Oslo District Court in a joint letter they wanted to withdraw the case which had been due to start on Monday, a court spokeswoman said.

    Kaspar Nygaard Thommessen of Oslo-based law firm Wikborg Rein, who represented the car owners, told Reuters a settlement had been reached in recent days and the case had been resolved.

    He declined to provide details of the settlement.

    Norwegian business newspaper Dagens Naeringsliv (DN) said on Sunday Tesla had agreed to pay 65,000 Norwegian crowns ($7,700) to each car owner, about half of what they demanded, or allow them to choose from alternative options, including car upgrades.

    The case involved Tesla’s Model S P85D, which the car owners said had a lower horsepower than stated by Tesla. The company has denied misleading the buyers.

    While the Model S PD85 is no longer offered in Norway, similar Tesla Model S cars range from $95,000 for the 90D version to $135,000 for the P100D, according to the company’s Norwegian price website. Most buyers will also pay for add-ons that raise the price further.

    Norway is among the world’s top markets for electric cars thanks to generous government subsidies aimed at increasing the electrification of transport.

    The registration of new Tesla cars in Norway fell by 24 percent in the first 11 months of 2016 compared with 2015, according to data from lobby group Road Traffic Information Council (OFV).

  • World Debut Of A New Motorcycle Brand

    World Debut Of A New Motorcycle Brand

    Conceived, designed and built in New York City, Vanguard is an exciting, entirely new and wholly distinct motorcycle brand. Vanguard, with its forward-thinking design and pioneering features, is a product without equivalent as well as a brand with the potential to bring new perspectives to the motorcycle industry.

    Vanguard is excited to invite members of the media and public to come see its new Roadster in person. The world premiere is scheduled for the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in New York City on December 9th.

    DESIGN

    Form and function have never been more complimentary. The Vanguard Roadster has a striking contemporary silhouette, the result of clear and well-informed design decisions. The lines emerged from breaking everything down into rethinking needs and solutions.

    MOTORCYCLES

    The Vanguard Roadster is a running prototype, with production slated for 2018. It boasts many unique features including a frameless structural engine, unitized crankcase, integrated exhaust and a tablet-size digital dashboard with rear-view camera.

    The Roadster is the first of 3 motorcycles built on a common powertrain platform that will cover all riding positions: Roadster, Cruiser and Racer.

    PRODUCTION

    Vanguard motorcycles will be assembled in New York City at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The modular construction, based on large sub-assemblies, revisits traditional manufacturing methods. Combined with worldwide sourcing and the support of key motorcycle vendors, Vanguard will deliver exceptional value and quality.

    SALES

    Starting at $29,995, a premium price within reach, the Vanguard Roadster is a strong alternative to current premium motorcycles. Selected dealers are signing up to be the ambassadors of this game-changing brand.

    PEOPLE

    Vanguard is led by renowned designer Edward Jacobs and serial entrepreneur Francois-Xavier Terny. Together they form a dynamic team of drive and vision.

    With a fresh perspective and unique approach, Vanguard promises to be a premium motorcycle brand of revolutionary effect.

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  • Hanon Systems Expands Engineering Capability in China

    Hanon Systems Expands Engineering Capability in China

    Hanon Systems, a leading global provider of automotive thermal solutions, is enhancing its ability to serve vehicle manufacturers in China by opening a new engineering center in Shanghai.

    Located in Shanghai’s Songjiang district, the new 3,612 square meter multi-story facility will serve as the engineering epicenter of technical collaboration for application engineering and system evaluation supporting Chinese automakers and global vehicle manufacturers operating in China.

    “Supporting customers is a top priority and China is an important market to Hanon Systems,” said In-Young Lee, president and chief executive officer of Hanon Systems. “We are pleased to open this new engineering center in Shanghai to provide automakers with local technical expertise and testing capability to better support the growing China market.”

    The engineering center also is equipped with state-of-the-art test equipment to provide in-house design verification, product validation and in-process testing. Specific test capability includes noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) evaluation; air handling performance and durability of heating, ventilation and air conditioning modules; and thermal system component testing for electric vehicles.

    “Hanon Systems is well-positioned to support the demand for new energy vehicles (NEV) in China with a suite of products that are proven with global vehicle manufacturers and designed specifically for NEV architectures,” said Dr. Kwangtaek Hong, chief technology officer of Hanon Systems. “This new engineering center is a testament to our commitment to support the China market and the NEV trend.”

    Hanon Systems is relocating its Shanghai technical staff from an existing site approximately 25 kilometers in distance to the new facility in the Songjiang district, which has the capacity to accommodate additional resources to support growth based on business and customer needs.

    The Shanghai center is one of 14 engineering locations supported by four global technical centers that are responsible for developing advanced technologies, core product development and global standardization of new technologies. Hanon Systems’ global technical centers are located Daejeon, Korea; Kerpen, Germany; Nový Jičín, Czech Republic; and Van Buren Township, Mich.

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  • Toyota chief shifts gear, to boost electric vehicle division

    Toyota chief shifts gear, to boost electric vehicle division

    Toyota Motor Corp on Wednesday appointed its president to lead their newly formed electric car division, flagging its commitment to develop a technology that the automaker has been slow to embrace.

    The change comes as the United States, China and European countries are encouraging automakers to make more all-electric battery cars as they push alternative energy strategies.

    Akio Toyoda, grandson of the company’s founder Kiichiro Toyoda, has been at the helm of the world’s largest automaker since 2009. He will head the company’s electric vehicle (EV) planning department along with Executive Vice Presidents Mitsuhisa Kato and Shigeki Terashi.

    “By putting the president and vice presidents in charge of the department, we plan to speed up development of electric cars,” said Toyota spokeswoman Kayo Doi, following a personnel change announcement by the company.

    “The president will directly oversee the department’s operations to enable decisions to be made quickly and nimbly.”

    The department comprises a new in-house unit to plan Toyota’s strategy to develop and market electric cars as part of the company’s efforts to keep pace with the tightening global emissions regulations.

    Toyota is also shifting the chief engineer of its Prius petrol-hybrid to its EV efforts, appointing Koji Toyoshima to head the division’s engineering team. Toyoshima will also join the four-member EV strategy unit, which will include representatives from group suppliers – Denso Corp, Aisin Seiki Co, and Toyota Industries Corporation.

    Rivals such as Nissan Motor, Volkswagen and Tesla Motors have touted pure electric cars as the most viable zero-emission vehicles.

    However, Toyota until recently said it favored EVs for short-distance commuting given their limited driving range and lengthy charging time. It has been investing heavily in hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs), which the company considers as the ultimate “green” car.

    Earlier this month, Toyota said it will develop cars with up to 15 percent greater range and battery life in the next few years.

  • Tesla Motors to get semiconductors from Samsung Electronics

    Tesla Motors to get semiconductors from Samsung Electronics

    Samsung Electronics will supply semiconductors to US electric car maker Tesla Motors, South Korea’s Electronic Times reported on Friday citing unnamed sources.

    Samsung would contract manufacture chips for self-driving features in Tesla vehicles, the paper reported, without putting a value on the order.

    The South Korean firm has been trying to build auto-related sales for components such as semiconductors and displays in a push to develop a new growth engine.

    Samsung in November said it would acquire Harman International Industries for $8 billion in a bid to grow quickly in the automotive market.

    Samsung did not immediately comment on the report, while Tesla could not be immediately reached for comment.

  • China November vehicle sales up 16.6 pct

    China November vehicle sales up 16.6 pct

    China auto sales in November rose 16.6 percent from a year earlier to 2.9 million vehicles, the sixth consecutive month of double-digit growth, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said on Monday.

    That compares with an 18.7 percent rise in October and a 26.1 percent rise in September.

    In the first 11 months of 2016, sales grew 14.1 percent compared with the previous year, the association said at a briefing in Beijing.

    In October, the association raised its forecast for full-year 2016 growth to 7 percent, from 6 percent previously.

  • Hyundai joins ITU to help drive connected car standards

    Hyundai joins ITU to help drive connected car standards

    South Korea’s largest automaker Hyundai Motor Company has joined the ITU’s standardization arm (ITU-T) to contribute to creating standards for connected cars.

    As a new member, Hyundai will support the coordinated development of intelligent transport systems that will improve the passenger experience, road safety and reduce traffic congestion and emissions.

    “ITU is well placed to encourage the public-private partnerships required to improve road safety,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao. “Joining the ITU membership, Hyundai has entered the company of governments, industry players and academic and research institutes working together to build cohesion in ICT innovation.”

    The ITU has been ramping up efforts in recent years to provide a unique, global platform for automotive-ICT collaboration, which has already sparked the development of a range of ITU standards tailored to the automotive industry.

    “Hyundai Motors is looking forward to participating in ITU and will bring important momentum from the automotive industry to advance the future of connected car technology,” said Eon Youl Shin, Director, Hyundai.

    Hyundai’s participation in ITU will also support the company in building its “hyper-connected intelligent cars” platform, which includes smart remote maintenance services, autonomous driving, smart traffic flow, and a connected “mobility hub” to provide security and data management for connected cars.
    ITU said it will host discussions on the status and future of intelligent transport systems at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2017 at the Symposium of the Future Networked Car.

    “Standardization will be essential in building a trusted ecosystem of intelligent vehicles,” said Chaesub Lee, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. “ITU standardization work is supporting the increasing integration of ICTs in vehicles with road safety and data security as our top priorities.”

    An ITU standard for secure over-the-air software updates for connected cars is expected to be approved in early 2017, and new ITU standards are under development to reduce technology-related driver distraction.

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  • Chevrolet Sales Thailand Hands Out 500 One World Futbols

    Chevrolet Sales Thailand Hands Out 500 One World Futbols

    Chevrolet Sales Thailand recently donated 500 One World Futbols and numerous books to 25 schools within the province of Nakhon Pathom. The donations were facilitated through a coordinated effort with local dealership Chevrolet Chor Erawan Nakhon Pathom.

    Chevrolet Thailand and Chevrolet Chor Erawan Nakhon Pathom also coordinated a Chevrolet Play for Dreams corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity that saw two customers take delivery of brand-new Chevrolet Colorado pickup trucks.

    “Play is a fundamental human activity that can inspire children and adults alike. Thanks to the support offered by Chevrolet Chor Erawan Nakhon Pathom, we are able to engage with young students today, fueling their ingenuity and imagination for the future of Thailand,” said Wail Farghaly, Managing Director of GM Thailand and Chevrolet Sales Thailand.

    Chevrolet has thus far donated a total exceeding 24,000 One World Futbols throughout Thailand as part of its One World Play Project. The Play for Dreams event enabled students to get an up-close look at the new Colorado while receiving their futbols.

    Two of Chevrolet Chor Erawan Nakhon Pathom’s customers, Karun Khiaothongnoi and Prapas Bunpen, took delivery of their new Colorados in the presence of several executives, including Farghaly; Nataporn Jiramahapoka, Director of Sales and Network Development, Chevrolet Sales Thailand; Wiwat Chanwaowarm, Managing Director, Chir Erawan AutomobileNakhonpathom; Kanya Chanwaowarm, Assistant Managing Director, Chir Erawan Automobile Nakhonpathom; and Thanachart Chanwaowarm, Retail Operator, Chir Erawan Automobile Nakhonpathom.

    “We had a very successful launch of the new Colorado and have received many positive reviews from dealers, customers and the media. Today, we’re delighted to welcome Mr. Khiaothongnoi and Mr. Bunpen to the Chevrolet Colorado ownership family, and through a combination of the quality of the product, connectivity, and Complete Care program, we hope that they become customers for life,” Farghaly added.

  • Delphi, Mobileye to use Intel chip for self-driving car system

    Delphi, Mobileye to use Intel chip for self-driving car system

    Auto parts maker Delphi Automotive and Israeli technology firm Mobileye NV will put an Intel Corp chip at the heart of their joint effort to produce self-driving vehicles by 2019, the companies said on Tuesday.

    The move is a boost for the world’s largest semiconductor maker, which is also working with German luxury car maker BMW AG and Mobileye on self-driving technology, but has not been able to extend its broader chip dominance into the fast-emerging autonomous vehicle market.

    Companies from Alphabet Inc’s Google to Uber Technologies and Tesla Motors are vying to put autonomous vehicles on U.S. roads, which could radically reshape transportation across the country.

    Intel will provide a “system on chip” for autonomous vehicle systems that Delphi and Mobileye are developing together, Glen De Vos, Delphi’s vice president of engineering, told Reuters.

    UK-based Delphi is talking with established automakers and new or niche vehicle companies, such as manufacturers of commercial vehicles, interested in automating vehicles, De Vos said.

    The system Delphi and Mobileye are developing would likely come to market first in a commercial vehicle operating in a limited area, such as an airport shuttle or a ride-hailing service, DeVos said.

    Delphi is testing autonomous driving technology in vehicles in Singapore. By the end of this year, Delphi hopes to choose a city in the United States to launch a test fleet of self-driving cars during 2017, De Vos said. The company is also looking for test site in a European city.

    “We are looking at Pittsburgh and Boston and a couple of others,” De Vos said. Pittsburgh is where ride services company Uber is testing its own self-driving vehicles.

    Delphi and Mobileye will stage a demonstration of their self-driving vehicle system at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, De Vos said. That system will use current, electromechanical laser imaging technology, or LIDAR, that is too expensive for use in consumer vehicles, he said.

    Delphi is also working with Quanergy Systems, a maker of solid-state LIDAR systems, De Vos said.

  • Daimler to build Actros heavy truck in China

    Daimler to build Actros heavy truck in China

    Germany’s Daimler plans to start building the Actros heavy truck in China by the end of the decade, citing the head of the truck division.

    Seeking to expand its role in the world’s largest truck market, Daimler is targeting a five-digit production number for the Actros, the newspaper quoted Daimler Trucks Chief Executive Wolfgang Bernhard as saying in an interview to be published on Tuesday.

    Western manufacturers are allowed to operate in China by forming joint ventures with Chinese partners. Stuttgart-based Daimler currently produces trucks with China’s Beiqi Foton Motor .

    The two companies are planning to invest a three-digit multi-million amount in local production of the Actros, and Daimler alone wants to set up 200 dealer and service stations.

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  • South Korea to disallow sales of some Nissan, BMW and Porsche models

    South Korea to disallow sales of some Nissan, BMW and Porsche models

    South Korea said on Tuesday it plans to disallow sales of two Nissan Motor Co Ltd, one BMW AG and three Porsche AG car models after finding errors in certification documents for the car makers’ imported models.

    South Korea’s environment ministry said in a statement it also plans to fine the local units of the foreign car makers a combined 6.5 billion won ($5.56 million) after finding certification errors in two Nissan, one BMW and seven Porsche models.

    Out of the seven Porsche models, four have discontinued sales, the ministry said.

    The decisions on the sales halt and fines will be finalised in December after a hearing, the environment ministry said.

    The ministry announced the results of a probe into whether foreign car makers besides Volkswagen AG falsified documents for certification, following a similar finding on Volkswagen earlier this year.

    A Nissan Korea spokesman said the company plans to cooperate with the environment ministry and clarify its position in the hearing.

    Spokespersons for BMW and Porsche could not be immediately reached for comment.

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  • German carmaker BMW launches Indonesian-made sedans in luxury push

    German carmaker BMW launches Indonesian-made sedans in luxury push

    German automaker BMW on Wednesday launched its 7 series sedans in Indonesia that will be assembled in the country as it seeks to tap into the long-term demand for luxury vehicles in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

    Other luxury car companies such as Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz are also increasingly shifting part of their production to the country of 250 million people to reduce costs and distribute their vehicles more quickly to consumers.

    “We are very positive about the future of Indonesia and therefore we also see an increased potential in the luxury market,” Axel Pannes, managing director of BMW Group Asia, told Reuters on the sidelines of a media launch in Jakarta.

    The German company has invested more than 210 billion rupiah ($15.5 million) over the last five years to assemble a greater number of car models in Indonesia, the 7 series being the latest addition to its local line-up.

    The group sold a total of 3,638 vehicles in Indonesia last year, up 5.7 percent from a year earlier. BMW executives declined to give sales projections for this year or for 2017.

    Global carmakers would benefit from lower import tariffs for certain components if they were to set up local assembly plants, said Jongkie Sugiarto, co-chairman of the Association of Indonesia Automotive Industries.

    The move would also be positive for Indonesia as it brings investment into the country and generates employment, he added.

    The Indonesian government is offering incentives for foreign companies to build cars domestically, said I Gusti Putu Suryawirawan, director-general for metal, machines, transport equipments and electronics at the industry ministry.

    “The aim is for them to produce here and therefore involve local suppliers,” Suryawirawan said, adding that the automotive sector was a key sector for Indonesia’s economic growth.

    Gross domestic product is expected to grow 5 percent this year and up to 5.4 percent in 2017, according to the central bank’s latest estimate.

    The premium car market should be supported next year by the government’s economic stimulus and the roll-out of infrastructure projects, said Kariyanto Hardjosoemarto, a sales operation and product management executive at Mercedes-Benz in Indonesia.

    Indonesia’s tax amnesty scheme, launched in July, may also help to boost luxury car sales as those who were previously concerned by being chased by the tax office would now be less hesitant about making such purchases, Hardjosoemarto added.

  • Triumph Motorcycles sees easy ride as market hums

    Triumph Motorcycles sees easy ride as market hums

    Despite murky economic prospects, British manufacturer Triumph Motorcycles remains upbeat about sales prospects in Thailand this year because of lower retail prices and a growing big-bike market.

    According to Jakkrapong Santirat, general manager of Triumph Motorcycles Thailand, Triumph’s sales fared well after Leicestershire-based Triumph took over the dealership network in Thailand last year.

    Through its wholly owned subsidiary Triumph Motorcycles Thailand, the company since last November has handled not only manufacturing but all aspects of the business, including sales and marketing activity, in coordination with distributors such as Britbike.

    Britbike is owned by Dom Hetrakul, an actor who became the first authorised dealer of Triumph motorcycles in 2007.

    Last year, Triumph reported domestic sales of 1,512 units, compared with just 292 in 2014.

    Mr Jakkrapong said the company is feeling more confident it will achieve sales of 2,400 units this year, after selling 2,112 in the January-October period.

    “The British parent firm has been working closely with its wholly-owned manufacturer in Thailand to make all retail prices more attractive,” he said. “All Triumph models sold in the Thai market have seen prices drop by about 30%.”

    Mr Jakkrapong said Triumph’s market share in Thailand has grown significantly to 40%, up from 25% last year.

    In keeping with the growing big-bike market, he expected Triumph would be able to maintain annual sales growth rate of 5-10%.

    Triumph entered Thailand in 2002, opening its first factory in May 2002 to make motorcycle components such as frames, fuel tanks, header systems, swinging arms, engine covers and chrome-plated parts.

    A second factory opened in 2006 with a painting facility and assembly line, and a third plant, opened in 2007, includes high-pressure die casting and machining.

    All three factories are at the Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate in Chon Buri.

    The company employs 1,100 workers in Thailand. Existing facilities make up half of total production capacity of 80,000 units a year.

    All Triumph motorcycles are made at its Thai facilities, using 50-60% local content. Triumph also ships its Thai-made motorcycles to more than 40 countries.

    Triumph’s Thai facilities, with a combined investment of more than 3 billion baht, are the only facilities offering completely built-up production outside of Britain, representing 65-70% of Triumph sales worldwide.

    In Thailand, Triumph runs eight sales outlets nationwide, including its latest showroom that opened last week in Bang Na district.

  • Tesla Motors Opens First Showroom In South Korea’s Largest Mall

    Tesla Motors Opens First Showroom In South Korea’s Largest Mall

    Teslarati reported on November 28 that Tesla Motors is all-set to open its first showroom inside South Korea’s largest shopping mall, the Starfield Hanam Complex. The store is expected to open today. However, the news didn’t do much to the stock as TSLA declined 0.41% during after-hours trading on Monday.

    The company’s latest store in Gyeonggi Province would be its first retail outlet in South Korea. With its entry, Tesla may provide tough competition to the region’s largest automaker; Hyundai Motor. The latter is also expected to open a store in Starfield. Moreover, the company is expected to launch its competitively priced Electric Vehicle (EV) before the year-end.

    Moreover, executives of Starfield Hanam indicated that they were notified about the store’s opening date. However, they believe that the date may be delayed, depending on the company’s preparations.

    Teslarati reported: “While the Silicon Valley-based automaker takes aim at expanding its retail presence in South Korea, the company is also busy with laying the ground work for the build out of its Supercharger network across the country.” The company is also reportedly viewing its plans of building supercharging stations around Seoul.

    The report further mentioned that TSLA has also invested in constructing another showroom within the country’s high-end Gangnam district. The district is also considered as the Rodeo Drive of South Korea. Earlier in September, the company had signed a $439,059 lease to get its hands on a three-story upscale commercial building in the district. The store is expected to be surrounded by Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Bentley showrooms. Moreover, neighboring stores will also include Cartier, Dior, and Hermes.

    Wall Street analysts have assigned a PT of $225.13 with a 14.8% upside over the last closing price. Analysts’ ratings include 3 Buy, 1 Overweight, 9 Hold, two Underweight, and four Sell.