Contents:

PSA to close Ryton plant Ford posts massive quarterly loss due to restructuring costs Malaysia: BMW sales up in first quarter Indonesia: BMW to invest US$17.8m in dealership network UK: BMW negotiating sale of MG Rover brand name US: BMW begins Z4 coupe production US: Chrysler to cut production to lower inventory levels US: Mercedes-Benz reassigns workers in Alabama Germany: DaimlerChrysler to reduce stake in EADS US: DaimlerChrysler confirms Dodge Durango full hybrid for 2008 Brazil: Fiat to enter the “urban off-road” segment Brazil: Fiat to launch tetrafuel Siena Italy: Fiat looking to beat profit targets India: Fiat halves workforce at Kurla plant Ford and Jaguar: blue skies over Browns Lane UK: ‘Pan branding’ launch for Jaguar and Land Rover UK: Ford builds first V8 diesel engine at Dagenham Russia: AvtoVAZ asks General Motors to sell stake Brazil: General Motors to export local Vectra to Central Europe Mexico: GM to build new plant Israel: General Motors boosts component purchases US: General Motors’ Moraine plant workers vote on deal US: GM to cut third shift at Lordstown US: General Motors confirms sale of Isuzu shares US: Honda to expand 2006 CNG Civic retail sales to New York US: Honda may slash hybrid output UK: Honda to manufacture diesel engines locally China: Honda sets up trading firm Japan: Honda reports fiscal year production and sales results South Korea: Hyundai scandal could halt growth plans India: Hyundai to boost production of diesel models China: Hyundai begins construction of second plant South Korea: Fresh strikes jolt Hyundai and Kia Germany: Mitsubishi and DaimlerChrysler to end engine supply venture China: Mitsubishi confirms stake in South East (Fujian) Netherlands: NedCar workers back new deal Australia: Mitsubishi considers re-launching 380 Japan: Fiscal sales and production volumes rise Russia: Nissan confirms new plant details US: Nissan to sell Altima hybrid in just eight states US: Nissan plans production cut to reduce inventories China: PSA and Dongfeng to establish second assembly plant France: AMT plant opened by PSA Iran: Hope for Renault Logan project Toyota Product Development: the key to corporate success US: Toyota to enter flex-fuel segment by 2008 US: New company to oversee Toyota plants and engineering units China: Toyota considering Lexus production, says report Japan: Toyota aims to cut costs by 15% over three years Japan: Toyota launches water-borne car body painting process Japan: Toyota to end Celica production Japan: Toyota targets one million hybrid sales per year by 2012 Spain: Volkswagen to transfer Polo production Belgium: Brussels plant to remain open Germany: Audi A3 could shift to Wolfsburg Brazil: Volkswagen to introduce new pickup in 2008 US: Return of the Rabbit Sweden: Volvo reports higher profits on order bookings Asia: Volvo targets growth through acquisitions Russia: AvtoVAZ signs strategic partnership deal Russia: GAZ to buy DaimlerChrysler manufacturing equipment Malaysia: Geely’s plan to assemble cars is back on track India: Maruti Udyog to buy Suzuki’s stake in MSAIL China: Mazda acquires 15% stake in Ford joint venture Russia: Mazda to establish distribution company Malaysia: Proton to manufacture affordable Lotus Sweden: Scania and MAN to discontinue axle talks March European car sales March global light vehicle sales Country focus: Iran Nissan Diesel and Volvo: the right partners at the right time Financials: European,Japanese & US manufacturers, 2006