Daimler, BYD to introduce a production-ready Denza EV at Shanghai auto show

Daimler AG and partner BYD Auto say they plan to introduce the production version of their Denza electric car at the Beijing auto show next April. The car will go on sale next summer, according to Daimler.

Ghosn wants Japanese successor at Nissan

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has been the carmaker’s foreign face for 14 years. Now, after sidelining his Japanese No. 2 and reshuffling the company’s top management, he wants a Japanese national to succeed him at the helm.

Mitsubishi sees Europe as big market for plug-in hybrid compact SUV

Mitsubishi expects a plug-in hybrid version of the successor to the ASX compact SUV to sell more than gasoline and diesel variants in Europe. The XR-PHEV concept at the Tokyo auto show previewed the next ASX.

Mitsubishi boss says U.S. losses may end this year

Mitsubishi’s money-losing North American operations may reach breakeven this year for the first time since 2007, President Osamu Masuko said. Overseas demand for Illinois-built vehicles is helping pave the way.

Liao Xionghui, Lifan’s sales chief resigns

Chongqing Lifan Industry Group Co. says Liao Xionghui, its deputy vice president for sales, has resigned. Liao, 43, joined Lifan in 2009; one year later, he was named the company’s sales chief. Prior to that, he was sales manager at private Chinese car maker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and state-owned commercial vehicle manufacturer Beiqi Foton Motor Co.

BMW: wagons for Europe, GTs for the rest of the world

BMW’s GT models are aimed at countries such as the U.S. and China, while Europe is the main market for the automaker’s station wagons.

Richard Truett says “New Ford Capri would be better bet for Europe than the Mustang”

For the second time in its 50-year run, the Mustang will be exported from the U.S. When the new model arrives late next year, Ford plans to market the iconic American sports coupe globally. This is the wrong move. And I predict the iconic pony car will flop

Nissan names veteran Griffiths as Europe managing director

Nissan veteran Danny Griffiths was named the automaker’s new managing director for Europe tasked with improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the automaker’s European operations.

VW could sell CrossBlue SUV in Europe

Volkswagen may sell its CrossBlue mid-sized SUV in Europe, with the model complementing the similarly sized Touareg in the same way that the sportier X6 does with the more traditionally styled X5 at BMW.

Ford’s profit goal for Europe in reach, Odell says

Ford’s European turnaround is gaining traction as the auto market stabilizes, though there is work to do controlling costs and launching new models before a promised return to profit, said Stephen Odell, the carmaker’s regional chief.

Volkswagen shields product-based spending from cost cuts

Volkswagen will keep spending on upgrading and expanding its range of models in the years ahead, despite lowering planned investment in other areas to offset rising costs.

Magna will grow, but not via PSA’s Faurecia stake, CEO says

Magna International has the balance sheet and cash flow to support growth, but won’t bid for PSA’s stake in supplier Faurecia, said Don Walker, the company’s CEO.

Great Wall’s Oct. sales rise 15% on SUV volume

Great Wall Motor Co., China’s largest SUV maker, said its sales in October rose 15 percent from a year earlier to 66,295 units. The company enjoyed robust demand for its SUVs: Haval-brand sales jumped 28 percent year-on-year to 37,946 units. Sales of the Haval H6, Great Wall’s most popular SUV model, soared 41 percent to 21,220 units.

McLaren sees China slowdown persisting amid gov’t crackdown on lavish spending

McLaren says it sees a slowdown in China sales persisting amid a crackdown by the Chinese authorities on high-end luxury goods including cars.

Toyota plans Camry tweaks in 2014 to extend U.S. sales lead

The Toyota Camry, headed for a 12th straight year as the best-selling car in the United States, will get “significant attention” including freshened features to hold the title a 13th year, a top executive said.

SX4 S-Cross is crucial for Suzuki’s European revival

Suzuki expects the SX4 S-Cross, the company’s first compact crossover, to help the automaker turn around its flagging European business.

For BMW i3, juice from the solar grid

Some experts argue that driving an electric vehicle charged with power generated from fossil fuels reduces the EV’s green benefits. BMW of North America — to give its new i EVs and plug-in hybrids more sustainability credits — will offer buyers a cleaner source of electricity: solar power.

Chevy banks on mid-sized pickup comeback with 2015 Colorado

GM is betting that an eye-catching, fuel-efficient mid-sized pickup can draw buyers from Toyota and inject life into a segment that its Detroit 3 rivals have abandoned.

Daimler lures designer from Audi

The head of Audi’s Munich design studio, Achim Badstuebner, is leaving to join Mercedes as head of exterior design.

Skoda Rapid Spaceback aimed at low-cost rivals

Skoda is challenging value brands such as Hyundai and Kia in Europe’s key compact hatchback segment with the launch of its Rapid Spaceback.

Fiat will add Ottimo hatchback to boost underutilized China factory

Fiat is counting on the Ottimo compact hatchback to increase output at its underutilized Chinese factory. The China-only car is derived from the Viaggio compact sedan.

PSA share sale hits snag as Dongfeng seeks smaller stake, report says

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen’s plan to raise funds through a share sale have hit a snag as China’s Dongfeng Motor seeks a smaller stake than first discussed, sources said.

VW wants German-style labor model at U.S. plant, but workers must vote

Volkswagen AG wants the workers at its Tennessee plant represented by a German-style works council, but the final form of representation and whether that includes the UAW must be decided by the employees in a formal vote, the automaker’s top executive in the United States said today.

PSA, Renault will end production alliance in France

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen and Renault will end a partnership on engines and transmissions that is their last production alliance in France