Tesla launches China Web site, but don’t call it ‘Tesla’

Tesla Motors Inc. has launched a Chinese Web site to market its two electric car models in China, but a trademark dispute has forced it to be coy about its own name.

In 2006, businessman Zhan Baosheng registered “Tesla” as a trademark in China, and he isn’t willing to give it up. So the U.S.-based company gave its new Web site a slightly different name: www.Tuosule.cn

Automakers call for backup in quest to align U.S., EU safety standards

Which is safer, a car sold in the United States or in Europe?

Automakers see little or no difference, but they have struggled to win over regulators, who are wary of an industry push to make safety standards interchangeable across the Atlantic through a free-trade deal.

This week lobbyists for U.S. and European automakers enlisted the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute in Ann Arbor, Mich., and SAFER, a transportation research group at Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Sweden, to find common ground between U.S. and European Union standards.

Automakers say that if regulators were to accept equivalent standards from their counterparts across the Atlantic, the companies could trim hundreds of millions of dollars in costs.

The reason is scale. Car companies are investing heavily in global platforms to improve efficiency, but cars sold globally, such as the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, must still be re-engineered multiple times to satisfy crash-test standards around the world.

Geely forms auto-financing pact with BNP Paribas

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. has signed an agreement with the personal finance unit of French bank BNP Paribas to form an auto-financing joint venture. The 900 million yuan ($148 million) venture will provide floorplan financing to Geely’s dealers in addition to loans for car buyers, Geely said.

Mercedes-Benz names Exler head of U.S. sales

Mercedes-Benz USA has appointed Dietmar Exler, the head of its financial services arm, as vice president of sales. Exler, 45, will succeed Michael Slagter, 61, who will retire at the end of February after 11 years with Mercedes-Benz USA.

How tale of heroism turned into trouble for Houston dealership

Last year Rik Melartin became known throughout Houston as “The Finnisher,” an Olympic athlete turned car dealer who, in his underwear, captured an armed robber on his tony suburban street and then played on his sudden fame with a series of quirky commercials.

‘Resilient’ Fiat dealer Lisa Copeland’s rise to the top

Lisa Copeland faced adversity as a young woman in the car-selling business. But today she’s leading a thriving Fiat franchise in Texas by hiring people with no prior auto experience and employing some of her customers.

GM to cut S. Korean jobs as Chevy pullout looms in Europe

General Motors plans to slash its headcount in South Korea next year as it prepares to withdraw its Chevy brand in Europe, a major export market for South Korean-made cars

Fiat takes aim at Daimler to win car-sharing customers in Italy

Fiat will support the Enjoy car-sharing service with a fleet of its top-selling four-seat 500 minicar, which will be offered to users at a lower price than the two-seat Smart ForTwos from Daimler’s Car2Go program.

Europe car sales up for 3rd month in row, area ‘slowly stabilizing’

European new-car sales rose a third consecutive month in November, the longest period of gains in four years, as demand for autos from Volkswagen and Renault contributed to signs that an industrywide decline is ending

Nissan targets Russia’s first-time car buyers with Datsun

With its revived Datsun brand, Nissan seeks to lure Russian buyers away from the used car market. Datsun will be unveiled in Russia in April with the first deliveries planned between August and September

Beijing lets tariffs on U.S.-made vehicles expire

China’s commerce ministry has decided not to renew punitive tariffs imposed on vehicles exported from the United States after the tariffs expired on Nov. 14. The ministry said last week that it took no action because no domestic Chinese companies applied for a review of the tariffs before they expired.

Ford rolls out dealer training to its 7,500 global dealers

Ford is taking its dealership training program worldwide. It is part of the automakers’ ongoing effort to improve customer service and increase buyer loyalty.

European car sales rise as VW, Renault make Nov. gains

European new-car sales rose a third consecutive month in November, the longest period of gains in four years, as demand for autos from VW and Renault contributed to signs that an industrywide decline is ending.

Audi will increase spending on new models, plants to catch BMW, report says

Audi will increase spending on new models, plants and technology in coming years as the carmaker steps up efforts to catch BMW, sources said.

Former Chrysler exec Eberhardt named president of Jaguar Land Rover N.A.

Former Chrysler sales chief Joe Eberhardt has been named president of Jaguar Land Rover North America

Audi’s top designer Egger will move to Italdesign on Feb. 1

Audi confirmed that its chief designer, Wolfgang Egger, will move to Italdesign Giugiaro, where he will become the design house’s styling director on Feb. 1, 2014

Honda will launch Euro-version of Vezel crossover in 2015

Honda will join Europe’s booming subcompact SUV/crossover segment by launching a European-version of its new Vezel, which is based on the Jazz/Fit.

EU launches WTO dispute against Brazil to challenge car taxes

The EU launched a case against Brazil at the World Trade Organization to challenge Brazil’s taxes on imports ranging from cars to computers.

Nissan names VW exec Willcox as new Europe head

Nissan has appointed new regional bosses for Europe and the Africa-Middle East-India regions, tapping Paul Willcox for Europe and bringing in Takashi Hata from transmission maker Jatco to run the emerging market portfolio.

Toyota Europe CEO plans profit growth as hybrid-car sales expand

Toyota targets sales and profitability gains in Europe and Russia next year on the strength of its hybrid models, said Didier Leroy, Toyota Europe head

Fiat says Italian plants strategy is showing ‘positive’ results

The first results of Fiat’s move to use its plants in Italy to focus on higher-margin brands and build vehicles for export are encouraging, Fiat Chairman John Elkann and CEO Sergio Marchionne said

GM reshuffle will test Opel CEO’s turnaround skills

A management rejig at GM and the scaling back of its alliance with PSA have created fresh uncertainty over the U.S. carmaker’s strategy for Opel, just as the European business seemed to have secured a settled future