Largest car company in the world, Toyota has found a defect in the brake pedal to accelerate to around 1,8 million of its cars in Europe, cited by New York Times. The Japanese company will withdraw the problematic vehicles over the next few months from market. A similar problem was found with models of Toyota in the U.S. and China, the total number of affected cars is outnumbered 9 million. Among the models in Europe, where defects are established, enter Yaris, Corolla and RAV4. Yesterday it became clear that Toyota will withdraw from the sale even 1,1 million cars in the U.S. and will stop production of eight popular models in the U.S. market in the U.S. and Canada. Previously, the management of Toyota said that 2,3 million vehicles in the U.S. have a problem with the pedal to accelerate. Another 5 million cars have a manufacturing defect resulting in the accelerator can be blocked.
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The luxury division of Volkswagen – Audi plans to submit to the bazaar to eight new models in 2015 in an attempt to overtake its biggest competitor Bavarian BMW, which is the largest producer of high-class cars in the world. For this purpose, the company set aside in 2012 to 7.3 billion euros, which will go as well as investment in new models and in the expansion and modernization of production facilities in factories. The budget for the development of new cars is 5.9 billion euros. The investments are part of Volkswagen’s strategy to become the world’s leading producer, for all their parent units by 2012 the amount paid from 25.8 billion euros for development of new models. Audi, which stands third in the horizon after the luxury BMW and Mercedes-Benz, will increase its model range from 34 to 42 models. Among the new recruits will be A1 compact model, which is expected to appear in mid-2010
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The French car-builder PSA Peugeot Citroen has confirmed that negotiations with its Japanese partner Mitsubishi Motors to expand cooperation between them, which can become a “strategic partnership”, AFP reported. According to Japanese economic newspaper Nikkei PSA is preparing to acquire control of 30 to 50 percent of the capital located in a difficult financial situation of Mitsubishi Motors, as companies are currently in the final stage of negotiations. Mitsubishi spokesman confirmed that both groups hold talks on projects of mutual benefit. The PSA did not deny the negotiations, but not confirmed for the opportunity to purchase shares of the Japanese firm. According to Japanese press most likely scenario is Mitsubishi to issue new shares for between 200 and 300 billion yen ($ 1,5-2,3 billion) to buy PSA provides its share of 30-50% in equity. Any transaction with Mitsubishi will provide Peugeot Citroen increased access to Asian markets, which are expected to continue to grow rapidly. PSA and Mitsubishi are partnering for several years. Companies develop vehicles together 4×4 Peugeot 4007 and Citroen C-Crosser, have in common electric cars development and joint venture in Russia.
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Italy will use the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to expand ties with Russia, including a possible deal for the production of Chrysler models from Fiat SpA in the country as part of a “strategic partnership” between the two countries. Fiat and Russian automaker Sollers “discuss important investments for the production of cars carrying the production of Chrysler in Russia,” said Italian Industry Minister Claudio Skayola, cited by Bloomberg. Fiat has a controlling stake in U.S. company. It is envisaged that more transactions to be concluded between Finmeccanica SpA and Sukhoi aviation holding company, and between Eni SpA and Gazprom for pipeline project South Stream. Italy has long been cooperating with Moscow, which has earned both profitable contracts, and criticism from its NATO partners. (more…)

The Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin is expected to arrive to Paris for talks on expanding economic cooperation with France on Thursday and Friday, when it will be discussed and the program for the future of troubled maker Avtovaz., Said Deputy Prime Minister Igor Andreyevich Shuvalov. He added that talks between Russian and French officials in Paris to help solve the problems of the Russian automotive company, as there is a real opportunity to make this car a giant in a new venture. After the agreements to be concluded at the highest level, will go towards projects for the modernization of Avtovaz, “said Russian Deputy Prime Minister. The French company Renault now owns 25% stake in Avtovaz. Andreyevich Shuvalov not wish to disclose details, but his spokesman said more details will be provided during the visit of Prime Minister Putin.
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Ferrari was another producer who will have to retrieve their cars from the market and exactly in the United States. Because of a problem in improperly installed brackets on models 355 and 355 F1,, holding the tube of gas and coolant hose is in danger of rupture of the fuel and subsequent ignition of the entire car. All 2 356 car will get new brackets that will be installed in the Ferrari service centers in the U.S., then the owners will get them back. This is not the first time that Ferrari has recourse to such a step. In 1989 the company had withdrawn from 1 331 Car Model 328, because of problems with suspension. In 1998, even 556 copies of the 348 had defective seat belts or a problem with the engine. In 2000, Ferrari have changed the oil filter of 2 790 cars of different models in 2002 to 211 cars 360 Spider had problems with battery, and in 2003 2 008 units of re-512TR were defective belts. In early October it became clear that Toyota plans to recall 3.8 million in the U.S. car because of problems with the driver’s sock, which may lead to an accident. A little later Ford launched a global program for the return of nearly 4.5 million cars in the workshop. Less than two weeks Mitsubishi withdraw 29 353 pieces of model Lancer and Lancer Evolution.
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Decline in sales and business problems have forced the manufacturer of tires and other accessories Bridgestone to terminate its contract with Formula 1, reported the online edition of Financial Times, citing an official release of the Japanese corporation. Another reason is the desire of the company’s focus to the production of green products.  Bridgestone expects a serious drop in profits. According to preliminary data available to the Wall Street Journal, losses can reach 42 percent, to 6 billion yen (about $ 66 million). In the first half of the company’s total losses amounted to 38.34 billion yen (approximately $ 422.8 million). WSJ notes that last month the Japanese corporation announced that it closed two of our plants in Australia and New Zealand.  “Next year we will focus on developing new and innovative technologies,” said a representative of Bridgestone, quoted by the WSJ.
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The only car manufacturer in the United States, which escaped bankruptcy (unlike GM and Chrysler) – Ford, announced that during the third quarter made a profit of 997 million dollars. This is a positive result for the company’s operating profit for the first quarter of 2008. Profits before tax amounted to 1.1 billion dollars or 26 cents a share, compared with a loss of $ 3 billion for the period July-September 2008, analysts expected a loss of 20 cents per share. We recall that in the second quarter the company also reported a profit but it was a result of debt restructuring, which was then reduced 10 billion dollars due to capitalization. The company’s revenues fell by 2.5 percent compared with same period of 2008, falling approximately 30.9 million, which, however, is expected by the market over 28.5 billion dollars.
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One year after its premiere, more than half a million customers have bought the new Fiesta, while Ford Motor Company is preparing the presentation of the sleep pattern of North American and other key Asian markets next year, the company announced. The new Fiesta, launched sales in Germany in October 2008 in Europe very quickly it turned into one of the leaders in its class. Fiesta is a key product to increase market share for Ford-Europe, which grew by 0.5 points in September and reached 9.2 percent, the highest since 1992. After its premiere in Europe, Fiesta was presented in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and China. Global sales reached 470 000 units in September this year, with 430 000 sales in Europe and 40 000 in the Asian region. Continuing strong demand for the Fiesta in October contributed to the total number exceeds 500 000. “Customers worldwide recognize the Fiesta as a representative of the global DNA Ford – an impressive design, innovation, excellent road behavior and great value,” said Jim Farley, vice president global marketing USA, Canada, Mexico and South America. The new Fiesta will debut in North America by presenting his motor show in Los Angeles in December. Fiesta will hit showrooms in North America next summer.
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The deal for selling of the Swedish car manufacturer Volvo, which is owned by Ford, the Chinese firm Geely for $ 2 billion may fail, warns agency Bloomberg, citing its own sources, without revealing their names. Geely is negotiating the purchase of Volvo by Ford for about 10 months. On another round of talks, which are currently kept in London, both sides try to reach agreement on patent rights. U.S. company wants to obtain from Geely guarantee that it will use the development of Volvo, which Ford intends to use in their future models. «Volvo is a fully integrated strategy for development of Ford’s total production and it is important to negotiate a development will remain where designers of the Swedish brand,” Bloomberg quotes a participant in the negotiations. According to consulting firm CSM Worldwide, which is one of intermediaries to deal with the Chinese if the negotiations fail, Ford will retain control over the Volvo and will not seek a new buyer will even take steps to improve the condition of its subsidiary. The negotiations were complicated because of the arrest last week for theft of technical documentation from the U.S. manufacturer of Chinese citizen Syan Dong Yu He spent 10 years as an engineer at Ford.
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