GM's China sales pass US for first time in history (24/01/11)

General Motors' (GM) vehicle sales in China surpassed the US last year for the first time in the company's history, and the manufacturer expects to sustain this growth.

Toyota Motor Corp retained the status of world's largest automaker, with 8.42 million sales worldwide, but analysts believe GM may well overtake the Japanese manufacturer in 2011.

"A financially healthy and sustainable business that benefits our customers, stakeholders and employees takes precedence over any ranking," said GM spokesman Tom Henderson.

"Our motivation is to be the best global company and let the numbers speak for themselves."

US government, California merge timelines for auto standards (25/01/11)

Regulators in California will coordinate their announcements of proposed fuel economy and emissions requirements for 2017 to 2025 simultaneously with the US Environmental Protection Agency and Transportation Department.

US government and authorities in California will now issue their requirements by September 1st and aim to set a standard that will help automakers around the country, according to transportation secretary Ray LaHood.

Harmonising the rules is expected to make it easier for manufacturers to make decisions on product design in advance of production.

"Only the federal government can balance nationwide the need to reduce oil consumption and emissions with the preservation of a vital manufacturing sector that is a cornerstone of a productive national economy," said a statement by the alliance.

Alternative fuels to replace diesel by 2050 (26/01/11)

Alternative fuels could replace diesel in Europe by 2050, a report by the European expert group on future transport fuels has claimed, meaning the sector would be completely sustainable.

In a report presented to the European Commission, the group said a single biofuel could theoretically serve the needs of all forms of transport, although it recommended that a range of alternatives should be developed.

European commissioner for transport Siim Kallas said: "If we are to achieve a truly sustainable transport, then we will have to consider alternative fuels.

"For this we need to take into account the needs of all transport modes."

Volkswagen, BMW feel pinch as suppliers struggle to keep pace (27/01/11)

Reduced component supplies are putting the squeeze on automakers like Volkswagen, Porsche and BMW as demand for vehicles returns.

Volkswagen was expected to halt production at its main Wolfsburg plant on January 31st due to a shortage of engines and parts, and other German firms have reported similar difficulties.

As demand for German cars in China and the US has boomed, some suppliers of electronics and other parts have found it difficult to keep up and are relying on help from carmakers.

"The supply situation is strained overall because we weren’t expecting demand to be this strong," said Thomas Knoll of Bosch.

JD Power sees world auto market up 6 pct in 2011 (15/02/11)

JD Power believes global auto sales will enjoy a six per cent rise to a record 76.5 million light vehicles, with emerging economies to supply a significant driving force.

Last year's sales achieved a record 72 million, and the company believes automakers are set for even more success in 2012, when European and North American markets bounce back.

Jeff Schuster, senior vice-president of automotive operations at JD Power, said by 2015, India will have the world's third-largest auto market, while Brazil will be the fourth. 

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