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DaimlerChrysler sells Mitsubishi Motors stake GM chief announces job cuts and plant closures in North America Toledo to build 2007 Dodge Nitro Mercedes confirms Magna Steyr production plans Four Chrysler plants on temporary closure BMW to expand Spartanburg SMG offering removed from Z4 line-up Sales jump 15.4% while profit falls DaimlerChrysler to open own bank in the US smart Roadster might be revived under another badge Renschler to 'actively manage' market fluctuations New head of Fiat brand Fiat to resume production at Kurla plant Daily range hybridized Brazil begins production of Daily 4x4 Fiat and GM to increase Poland capacity Ford to cut 4,000 US jobs Labour unrest continues in Russia EU Commission investigates aid for Genk plant Ford to cut the number of vehicle development teams Workers petition for investment in Almussafes Ford prepares ground for new diesel family Fitch downgrades GM rating Shreveport and Wilmington to boost output GM says it improperly accounted for supplier credits GM lines up suppliers in case of Delphi strike Hyundai sets up new powertrain unit in Germany Alabama begins test production of Santa Fe Hyundai conducts due diligence on Mando Honda to expand capacity in Brazil… … and Mexico Guangzhou Honda to launch fourth brand FR-V arrives in South Africa Hyundai to enter Chinese commercial vehicle market Hyundai to build CVs in Elabuga Hyundai to launch ad agency in India Dongfeng Yueda Kia may build Picanto in new plant Nissan invests in engine production Wind farm begins supplying Sunderland plant Nissan confirms US headquarters transfer Mitsubishi replaces defective glass Mitsubishi close to obtaining shares in Soueast First-half loss narrows Bluebird Silphy shifts to Xiangfan Nissan to sell frame unit to Press Kogyo Global training programme launches at Oppama Sales and marketing executive resigns Non-core activities outsourced to India PSA cuts 1007 production… …but boosts output of 407 Coupe and C6 PSA planning diesel hybrids Renault takes majority stake in SOMACA Renault eyes Daewoo's Romanian plant Renault revises operating margin target Renault plans Bulgarian component production Megane beats out Logan in China Toyota merges TRD with Toyota Motors Sales USA Toyota develops third-generation hybrid engine Fourth North American engine plant under development Fuji Heavy to redesign Toyota model Daihatsu to invest US$70m in Indonesia Toyota boosts capital expenditure Toyota hit with faulty tyres lawsuit Fire halts production at Toyota Auto Body Toyota considers another Russian plant Volkswagen and Porsche form governing agreement Phaeton to leave US and enter China New shift plan for Wolfsburg saves €50m Audi R8 to debut in 2007 Tri-fuel models arrive in Brazil Skoda India commissions expanded assembly line Mexican production of trucks and buses to double Belgian workers strike Volkswagen and Hybrid Technologies collaborate on lithium technology Chrysler van deal nears close Volvo to deliver 182 buses to Dublin and London Truck deliveries jump 14% Renault-Dongfeng venture delayed Renault delivers two-thousandth upgraded FAV to French army GAZ to assemble Renault medium-duty trucks Volvo upgrades Maryland powertrain unit Ashok Leyland to build pickups with Chinese technology Fuji Heavy to cut 5% of workforce Geely to construct plant in Lanzhou International returns to Afghanistan Isuzu starts Mexican sales India, not China, chosen for MAN's Asian joint venture Mazda acquires full control of New Zealand subsidiary SAIC sacks Ssangyong president October European car sales October global light vehicle sales Market segmentation in Europe: size and price? Japan's finest prepare for a US slump Financials: European,Japanese & US manufacturers, 2005 - By Jonathan Storey