Category Archives: people

Death of the Diesel: Volkswagen Board Crisis as Three Chairman Indicted in Germany for Stock Market Manipulation

As a result, the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG hastily convened a meeting, claiming that it was unaware that the indictments were coming since it was allegedly cooperating in the investigation by the public prosecutor. It will also meet again tomorrow to discuss what is company threatening development. Continue reading

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Death of the Diesel: Daimler Guilty of Selling Dirty Diesels in Germany – Pays $957,000,000 Fine Rather than Litigate

The negligent violation of supervisory duties occurred on the department head level. It appears that the Daimler has refrained from taking a legal action challenging the fine notice because senior executives are not implicated. The public prosecutor’s administrative offense proceeding against Daimler AG is thereby fully concluded. This is not so at Volkswagen Group where senior executives were indicted today. Continue reading

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SEC Charges and Settles False Financial Disclosures Against Nissan, Former CEO Carlos Ghosn, Former Director Greg Kelly  

Critics no doubt will say the settlement is laughable given the amount of money involved. Continue reading

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alice + olivia: The Rag Trade Meets a VW Rag Top

 It’s a latter-day version of Janice Joplin’s bathtub Porsche without the superstar musical talent or the 1960s backdrop. Continue reading

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Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa Forced Out Over Ghosn Matter

The move comes following a report from the beleaguered company’s Audit Committee that recognizes several instances of misconduct from the findings of the internal investigation that is only partially available publicly in filtered form. On May 14, 2019, Nissan belatedly issued numerous amendments to its past annual securities reports, correcting director compensation figures to reflect the amounts that should originally have been disclosed. Continue reading

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Brexit – UK Car Production Declines -10.6%. Exports Hit

British car manufacturing output declined -10.6% in July, with 108,239 units produced, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This was the 14th successive month of decline as ongoing weakness in major EU and … Continue reading

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Drivers Say No to Tracking Devices in New Cars

Mercedes Benz recently made headlines in the UK after revealing they had fitted similar devices in their cars without warning drivers in advance. The news comes after EU proposals that could see all new cars made in Europe from 2022 fitted with location-tracking devices that would monitor a driver’s speed, driving behavior, as well as use of vehicle safety features. What’s worse in critic’s views, drivers would not be able to switch off these devices and the data collected could potentially be shared across countries. Continue reading

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General Motors Target Automaker in UAW Contract Talks

Gary Jones, of course is under an investigation by the FBI in the fraudulent diversion of Funds from FCA Fiat that were supposed to support UAW worker training. He refused to stand down as president during the contract talks as criminal investigations ensue. Continue reading

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Record Number Join Rolls-Royce Apprenticeship Program

The new recruits will train with the company for between two and four years, working alongside experienced craftspeople in Assembly, Woodshop, Surface Finish, Leathershop, Parts Quality and Total Vehicle Quality Management to learn the skills and techniques employed by the luxury manufacturer. They will also study for nationally-recognized vocational qualifications at Chichester College and other local further education establishments. Continue reading

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Esteban Ocon joins Renault F1 Team. Nico Hulkenberg?

The Frenchman is known to Renault, having been Renault reserve driver in 2016 and also a Lotus junior program member. Ricciardo is currently 11th in the standings. Nico Hulkenberg is 14th and since his contract is expiring, rumors are rampant about next season. Continue reading

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Ferdinand Piëch – German Autocrat, Industrialist – Dead at 82

Porsche’s attempt to take over Volkswagen Group, ironically, ultimately resulted in exactly the opposite with Volkswagen Group swallowing the performance vehicle maker whole when the leveraged funds of the pursuer ran into the brick wall of the Great Recession and margin calls in 2009. Continue reading

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Mitsubishi Motors North America to Move U.S. Headquarters Closer to Nissan in Franklin, Tennessee

The company that was close to bankruptcy before the Nissan-Renault Alliance gave it a reprieve claims the “move proves strength of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, as efficiencies between Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan grow in the U.S.” Continue reading

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Execs Changed at Changan Ford China JV. European Transformation Ongoing

Stuart Rowley was named president, Ford of Europe back on April 1, when Steve Armstrong was named Chairman of Ford Europe (and Ford had both there as it was undergoing its latest  transformation plan strategy work).   Stuart is now leader in Europe. The new role for Armstrong will be effective 1 October. He will report to Ford China President and CEO Anning Chen. Continue reading

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Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Sets Meaningless Record

The hybrid SUV ran on used road tires and was driven by the German racing driver and TV Reader  Tim Schrick. Continue reading

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Stout Scarab Minivan Joins Concours of Elegance 2019

During the 1950s it was used by a circus owner, keeping monkeys in the car while they toured the continent. It was then sold on to a French industrial designer who had the vehicle placed in a museum in Reims. Continue reading

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