Audi boldly goes with dueling Spocks, Zachary Quinto vs. Leonard Nimoy: “The Challenge”

Audi’s video starring the old Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and the new Spock (Zachary Quinto) launched ahead of the opening this week of “Star Trek: Into Darkness” — even though the movie officially has a tie-in with Mazda. The video came in at No. 1 with more than 5 million views this week.

Italy’s Sogefi said to sell $115 million bonds in U.S. private placement

Italian supplier Sogefi sold $115 million in bonds to U.S. investors in a private placement and is planning to sell another 25 million-euro ($32 million) note, a person familiar with the transaction said

Ford engineers now work in virtual reality

Ford has revealed the virtual environment in which its technicians test car interiors before production. Called ‘Computer Automated Virtual Environment,’ or CAVE, the system tracks engineers wearing 3D glasses and motion detectors and creates a realistic virtual environment around them.

Toyota overtakes BMW as most valuable global car brand

Toyota has overtaken BMW as the world’s most valuable automotive brand, an annual ranking of the world’s top brands shows

BMW counts on new models to keep U.S. premium-sales crown

Mercedes-Benz led the U.S. premium-brand sales race through April of 2013, but BMW of North America CEO Ludwig Willisch expects BMW to repeat as No. 1 for the year

Italy’s Magneti Marelli expands production of lighting components in China

Italian supplier Magneti Marelli has opened a plant in the southern China city of Foshan to produce rear lights, headlamps and other lighting components. The company aims to secure a 10 percent share of China’s lighting market in the midterm.

Former Saab CEO Jonsson, two other execs arrested on tax charges

Three former Saab executives, including former CEO Jan-Aake Jonsson and Chief Financial Officer Karl-Gustav Lindstroem, were arrested by Swedish prosecutors in an accounting-fraud probe.

U.S. and Brazil bright spots for Fiat-Chrysler as Europe declines

Global April sales for Fiat-Chrysler show how much the Americas, especially the U.S. and Brazil, are supporting the automaker as deliveries in Europe fall.

French car orders fall 0.5% in April, survey says

The decline in French car orders slowed to 0.5 percent in April, showing signs of stabilization in the auto market, according to a dealership survey by trade publication

Schaeffler confirms 2013 outlook, net debt

German supplier Schaeffler has confirmed its annual forecast for revenue growth of about four percent and an operating profit margin of approximately 13 percent, despite a drop in first-quarter revenue of 3.6 percent to 2.8 billion euros ($3.6 billion).

Marchionne apologizes for ‘wop engine’ comment

Sergio Marchionne: “I extend my apologies to anyone who may have been offended by my remark.”
Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has issued a written apology to an Italian-American anti-bias organization for saying at the Detroit auto show that an Alfa Romeo needed a “wop” engine.

Marchionne, an Italian-born Canadian citizen, issued the apology this month to the Italian American ONE VOICE Coalition for his comments in January, which he explained had been delivered “in jest.” He acknowledged his remarks were unacceptable and apologized to anyone who may have been offended.

VW to modify late-model diesels to prevent improper fueling

VW to modify late-model diesels to prevent improper fueling
Volkswagen plans to refit more than a quarter million 2009-12 diesel cars to prevent North American customers from mistakenly pumping gasoline into the fuel tanks

Lutz’s VL Automotive, Chinese supplier bid for Fisker, report says

A boutique carmaker led by a former GM executive Bob Lutz and China’s largest auto parts supplier submitted an offer to buy cash-strapped automaker Fisker Automotive, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Opel keeps Bochum logistics center open to fulfill contract

Opel will keep a spare-parts distribution center open until 2016 at its plant in Bochum, Germany, as long as two years after car production ends at the site to respect an operating agreement.

PSA will close r&d site to reduce spending

PSA will shut a French r&d facility as part of a program to reduce spending.

Mercedes workers end strike in S. Africa

A two-day strike at Mercedes-Benz’s East London car plant in South Africa ended following crisis talks between management and a workers union

Dongfeng-PSA sales rise 37% in April on new models

PSA’s China joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Corp. said it increased sales 37 percent last month to 45,303 units helped by strong demand for its stretched Citroen C4

PSA will close r&d site to reduce spending

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen will shut a French research and development facility as part of a program to reduce spending.

No jobs will be eliminated in the closing of the complex in the Paris suburb of Meudon-la-Foret, PSA spokeswoman Cecile Damide said today. “We are consolidating our industrial sites so it’s normal to bring our activities closer together when it makes sense,” she said.

Two Denso execs to plead guilty to price fixing, U.S. says

Two executives at Toyota-affiliated supplier Denso have agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to fix prices and have agreed to cooperate with an ongoing criminal investigation, the U.S. Justice Department said

Former Saab Chairman Muller to be summoned in tax inquiry, report says

A Swedish prosecutor wants to question former Saab Automobile Chairman Victor Muller as part of an inquiry into suspected tax offenses at the automaker, a Swedish newspaper reported.

Marchionne will face gov’t pressure to commit to Italy

There are concerns that Marchionne will shift the carmaker Fiat and heavy truck manufacturer Fiat Industrial away from Italy.

The Italian government plans to press Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne over concerns he’s shifting the carmaker and heavy truck manufacturer Fiat Industrial away from the country.

Industry Minister Flavio Zanonato told newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore that he will meet with the CEO next week to ask about Italy’s future role at the two companies. Zanonato’s comments were confirmed by an Industry Ministry representative on Wednesday.

Lotus Exige S Roadster now available to order, priced from £52,900

Lotus has announced pricing details for the Exige S Roadster, that is priced from £52,900 with first cars arriving this summer.

Powered by the same supercharged 3.5L V6 with 345 hp also found in the Exige S coupé, it weighs 1166kg (10kg less than the Exige S), meaning the performance is not compromised, yet the driver is only ‘two clicks and a roll’ away from cruising in open-top style thanks to the lightweight, factory-fitted soft top.

Volvo marketing boss Speck is leaving; sales VP Visser named successor

Doug Speck, Volvo’s senior vice president for marketing, sales and customer service, is leaving his post effective July 1, the company said today

Henrik Fisker joins Hong Kong tycoon on Fisker bid, report says

Henrik Fisker is working with an investor group to salvage Fisker Automotive, the plug-in hybrid automaker he co-founded nearly six years ago that is now struggling

Ford will retain 1,000 jobs at French plant

Ford will retain 1,000 jobs at a transmissions plant in France after striking a deall with local authorities to share the burden of new investments needed to keep the factory open

Daimler, Ford exchange information on gasoline engines

Already collaborating with Ford on the development of fuel cell vehicles, Daimler and the U.S. automaker recently exchanged information about their gasoline engines.

McLaren 50 12C and 12C Spider announced, priced from £196,000

McLaren has announced limited edition 12C and 12C Spider to mark 50 years of McLaren. A maximum of 50 examples of each of the 12C and 12C Spider are to be built with prices set at £196,000 and £215,500 respectively.

The McLaren 50 12C and McLaren 50 12C Spider feature a remodelled front bumper, which provides increased levels of front downforce, and is inspired by the limited-run HS Edition models, to create a more dynamic visual impact.

The lower section of the colour-coded bumper, framing the air intakes, is constructed from carbon fibre, while the front floor is made from race-derived carbon Kevlar. A black McLaren F1-inspired heritage badge is also fitted on the bonnet.

Inside boasts a full leather upgrade, and an anniversary dedication plate on the driver’s door which highlights the limited run.

BMW hints at superluxury coupe with Pininfarina’s touch

BMW unveiled a concept for a superluxury coupe to rival the Mercedes- CL. The BMW Pininfarina Gran Lusso Coupe marks the first time Pininfarina has cooperated with the automaker.

EU trade deal would lift U.S. exports to Europe

U.S. auto exports to Europe could quadruple within 15 years if regulators get rid of tariffs and adopt standard vehicle-safety rules, automaker associations say

Nissan 370Z Nismo priced from £36,995

Nissan has announced pricing details for the all-new top of the range 370Z Nismo. Priced from £36,995, the hot 370Z Nismo is the second model in Nissan’s Nismo line-up and will be available only as a six-speed manual coupe, while the MY13 370Z GT is available as a coupe or Roadster, with both manual and automatic transmissions.

The 370Z Nismo is powered by a 339bhp 3.7-litre V6, up from 323bhp in the standard car. 0-62mph comes in 5.2 seconds.

Nissan readies Datsun brand for India

Nissan will introduce its first Datsun model in India by March 2014 as the carmaker offers cheaper vehicles in a push for a fivefold increase in its share of Asia’s third-biggest auto market.

Mitsubishi Motors plans to reduce capital to offset losses

Mitsubishi plans to reorganize its capital to help unload the worst accumulated losses in the automotive industry.

Audi plans 90% local sourcing in Mexico, says purchasing boss Martens

Audi purchasing chief Bernd Martens says the automaker aims to buy 90 percent of its components for its new Mexico factory from local sources. So far no other Audi location has done that

Muller says Saab period was painful

Reports say Sweden wants to question former Saab Chairman Victor Muller about suspected tax offenses. Muller defended payments he received from the automaker in a recent interview and talked about how he has moved on from Saab

European carmakers shares decline on weakening China manufacturing

Volkswagen, PSA and Renault shares all dropped 5 percent or more after preliminary data showed Chinese manufacturing is unexpectedly contracting.