U.S.A.: Vehicle emissions rules boost efficiency standards (01/04/10)

US president Barack Obama has finalised plans to impose tougher emissions standards for automobiles in the country.

Automakers will be required to ensure that their fleets are capable of achieving an average of 35.5mpg by 2016, compared to the current minimum of 25mpg.

"By working together with industry and capitalising on our capacity for innovation, we've developed a clean cars programme that is a win for automakers and drivers, a win for innovators and entrepreneurs and a win for our planet," said Lisa Jackson, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

U.S., Canada hike car fuel efficiency, set CO2 standard (01/04/10)

The same set of rules was also simultaneously adopted in Canada, with Environment Minister Jim Prentice confirming that the two countries will "effectively share common standards".

Canada has agreed to the new standards because of the way its economy is intertwined with that of the US.

Green focus takes fantasy away from trade show (01/04/10)

Automakers focused on promoting their latest small, fuel-efficient cars at the recent New York International Auto Show.

Ford talked up the impending launch of its new Fiesta, while General Motors (GM) showed off its Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid and Nissan displayed its Leaf electric vehicle.

Jessica Caldwell, an analyst at industry tracking firm Edmunds.com, claimed that auto shows are no longer about "fantasy and glamour".

"It's exciting technology, but the cars themselves are not that exciting to look at," she told Reuters.

Electric cars win hype, staying power questioned (04/04/10)

Electric cars are winning the battle to be the main alternative to their gasoline counterparts but their long-term viability remains in question, Reuters reports.

The International Energy Agency has warned that new fuel-efficient models must account for seven per cent of global car sales by 2020.

However, JD Power and Associates believes that sales of hybrid-electric vehicles will only reach 1.3 per cent of an estimated 67 million light vehicle sales this year.

In addition, the group suggested that battery-powered electric car sales will be no higher than 20,000, with the possibility of reaching a 0.3 per cent market share by 2015.

"I think oil-based transport fuels have such a competitive advantage and dominance that you need a compelling argument to move to something different, and the case has not been made for what that is," Chris Mottershead, Vice Principal of Research and Innovation at King's College London, told the news provider.

Electric cars to get a lift up from new policy measures (08/04/10)

Meanwhile, in China, the government is set to implement a new stimulus plan to boost production of fuel-efficient cars in the country.

The long-awaited green auto plan will see domestically-built electric cars afforded subsidies of up to 50,000 yuan each, assuming they have received a production license from Beijing.

A report in China Daily suggests that the strategy - which will be available to private buyers in five cities - should be approved within the next two months.

Geely profits rise as China's demand for cars grows (12/04/10)

Geely Automobile Holdings has confirmed that it enjoyed record sales of 326,710 units in 2009, representing a year-on-year increase of 60 per cent.

The Chinese company, which currently only possesses a four per cent share in its domestic passenger car sales market, is expecting to post a further 22 per cent sales improvement this year.

"2010 should be a very fruitful year for the group provided that demand for sedans [passenger cars] in China would remain strong during the period," read a statement.

GM and VW raise Chinese forecasts (13/04/10)

Volkswagen and GM are both increasing their annual auto sales estimates for China, it has been confirmed.

Figures released recently by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers suggest that car sales in the country rose by 76 per cent on a year-on-basis to 3.52 million in the first quarter of 2010.

The body believes full-year sales will reach 17 million, with GM predicting a final total closer to 15.5 million or 16 million, the Financial Times reports.

Volkswagen, which saw first-quarter production in China rise by 60.9 per cent, announced that it will revise its overall annual sales forecast higher in due course.

Volkswagen First-Quarter Profit Jumps on Audi, China (21/04/10)

Europe's largest automaker also revealed that its US deliveries - including through its Audi and Skoda divisions - increased by 37 per cent to 80,000 cars and SUVs.

Volkswagen is aiming to add 60 new models during 2010, including upgrades, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Toyota May Start Production at New China Plant in 2011 (23/04/10)

Toyota has confirmed that it is set to begin production at a new plant in China with a capacity of 100,000 vehicles per year.

The world's largest automaker will commence operations at the facility, which will be located in Changchun, Jilin province, in late 2011 or early 2012.

Masahiro Kato, President of the Toyota's China business, told Bloomberg that the company is now expecting to exceed its full-year sales target for the country of 800,000 units.

Volkswagen will spend €4.4 billion on plants and new models in China by 2012, while Nissan is looking to boost production levels by 70 per cent.

BMW is planning to deliver 120,000 of its brand's vehicles to the country in 2010, representing a year-on-year increase of 33 per cent.

In addition, Hyundai is aiming to increase its Chinese production by 50 per cent to 900,000 vehicles per year by 2012 with the introduction of a third plant.

The companies are effectively betting that the world's largest auto market will continue to see strong demand, despite the possibility of government tax incentives for buyers coming to an end.

However, Paul Newton, a London-based Auto Analyst at IHS Global Insight, warned that there is a possibility of the market suffering with overcapacity.

"There is a fear that amid all of this investment and stellar growth, the vehicle market could start to overheat," he said in a research note quoted by Bloomberg.

"The carmakers vying for market share in China may not want to admit it, but this risk is becoming a very real concern."

Mexico March auto output soars 85.1 pct vs year ago (12/04/10)

Mexican auto production increased by 85.1 per cent on a year-on-year basis in March, according to new figures from the Mexican Automotive Industry Association.

The body revealed that 190,091 cars and trucks were produced during the month, with exports rising by 60.7 per cent to 163,641 units.

European new car market enjoys calm before storm (16/04/10)

Finally, in the European Union, new car registrations increased by 10.8 per cent to 1.64 million vehicles in March in comparison to the equivalent period 12 months earlier.

Figures from industry group Acea revealed the largest-ever improvement for a March month, boosted by one extra working day and rising demand in the four largest markets outside of Germany.

A surge of 63.1 per cent was recorded in Spain and a 26.6 per cent rise was witnessed in the UK, with France (up by 17.9 per cent) and Italy (up by 19.6 per cent) also performing well.

However, sales were down by 26.6 per cent in Germany as the market continues to consolidate after the country's scrappage scheme came to an end in September.

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