Contents:

Table of Contents: Tata to invest US$2.23bn in two new car and LCV plants Ford to sell ACH climate control division to Valeo Germany: BMW Group global sales rise marginally in November Germany: BMW and PSA agree to expand joint research on engines US: BMW extends SMSC networking technology to three platforms Germany: Record November global sales for Mercedes-Benz Germany: DaimlerChrysler investing €100m to expand R&D facility in Sindelfingen Germany: DaimlerChrysler tests Car-2-X system Germany: Sindelfingen plant produces last Mercedes-Benz W203 C-Class Germany: DaimlerChrysler developing a lower cost painting process India: DaimlerChrysler reported to be planning Chrysler brand launch India: DaimlerChrysler looking to enter commercial vehicle segment US: DaimlerChrysler truck chief sees 39% fall in growth in 2007 US: Chrysler Group’s Eberhardt to return to retailing US: Jeep Patriot production starts Interview: Hubertus Troska, Head of the Mercedes-Benz Trucks Business Unit, DaimlerChrysler Brazil: Iveco to invest US$68m in local operations Brazil: Fiat to add third shift at Betim plant Canada: Fiat sells stake in Meridian Technologies Italy: Fiat Auto to complete SAP deployment in January Italy: Alfa Romeo reported to be working on a rival for the Mini Canada: Ford recalls laid off workers to boost Oakville plant production Russia: Aston Martin to open its first dealership Sweden: Volvo Cars reveals low-speed collision prevention system US: Ford credit agreement to raise US$18.485bn US: 2008 Ford Escape gains different styling to updated Asia-Pacific Escape US: Ford begins production of rebodied Super Duty trucks US: Ford may shelve plans for low-cost plant US: Ford cuts production at Ranger pickup plant US: Ford announces plan to increase vehicular roof strength US: Ford shuffles top management executives US: Land Rover announces the LR2 US: Bio-ethanol engine for Volvo XC60 Concept US: Report claims Ford expects to lose number two position in 2007 American vehicle market Europe: GM president says plants will not be closed Belgium: GM Europe to premiere Opel Corsavan at Brussels motor show Germany: General Motors tests new anti-collision system Mexico: Swedish-built Cadillac goes on sale in North America Switzerland: GM Europe president says Opel to abolish the Vectra name Switzerland: GM Europe promises not to outsource production of key brands UK: More robots for GMM Luton? US: Kirk Kerkorian sells remaining GM shares to Bank of America US: Chevrolet HHR Panel to reach dealers in February US: GM announces the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox Sport US: GM will idle Saturn plant in Tennessee US: GM revises Division brand values US: General Motors completes sale of 51% stake in GMAC US: General Motors opens new rollover crash testing facility US: GM outlines plans for future hybrid models US: General Motors announces US$208m investment for Fairfax plant Interview: Donna Sanford, Plant Director, GM Manufacturing Luton China: Guangzhou Honda to launch new R&D centre India: Honda considers setting up powertrain plant India: Honda Motor India commences operations Japan: New engines and styling update for the Honda Edix Japan: Honda expects global sales record; will build CR-V in Mexico Japan: Honda to build new engine and car plants in Ogawa and Yorii Malaysia: Honda expects flat sales for 2006 and 2007 US: Acura unveils the Advanced Sedan Concept at LA motor show Slovakia: Zilina plant begins production of Kia cee’d; engine output to be raised South Korea: Hyundai developing new low-cost cars; to build more plants in overseas locations US: Kia appoints new CEO South Korea: Government and Hyundai-Kia announce fuel cell car and bus partnership US: Hyundai debuts HCD10 Hellion concept at Los Angeles motor show Japan: Mitsubishi lifts Outlander production; adds build at Okazaki plant Argentina: Carlos Ghosn says Renault may share Cordoba plant with Nissan Japan: Nissan reveals global plans for new gasoline, diesel, hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles Japan: Nissan opens new design studio; unveils Dualis crossover Japan: Nissan to lift output at Kanagawa and Tochigi plants Japan: Nissan launches new AD and AD Expert LCVs US: Nissan unveils Sentra SE-R and Altima coupe at LA motor show US: Nissan requires additional capacity, says Ghosn UK: Nissan plant begins Qashqai production Brazil: PSA targets 10% of the local market by 2010 France: Ethanol-powered Peugeot and Citroen models to be launched in 2007 France: Peugeot announces the 207 Coupe Cabriolet Iran: IKCO and Peugeot to invest US$4m to improve network UK: Last Peugeot car produced at PSA Ryton plant France: Renault launches biodiesel Trafic and Master LCVs; announces E85 Mégane France: Renault updates the Kangoo Génération and Kangoo Van France: Renault to modernise Le Mans foundry Romania: Renault to lift Dacia Logan output to 350,000 units per annum China: Lexus to launch its first hybrid vehicle Finland: All-new Toyota Corolla sedan makes European debut Indonesia: Toyota to raise levels of SUV and minivan exports Indonesia: Astra to assemble new Daihatsu Terios and Toyota Rush SUVs Italy: UK and Turkish-built Toyota Auris debuts at the Bologna motor show Japan: Isuzu and Toyota reported to be planning diesel engine plant Japan: Toyota announces the Blade Japan: Production levels at overseas Toyota plants set to overtake the home market for the first time Japan: Toyota and Isuzu start work on diesel hybrid cars Japan: Daihatsu launches seventh generation Mira Philippines: Toyota component exports set to reach US$530m by year-end North America: Toyota announces new environmental targets for vehicles and plants Russia: Toyota raises production target of future Camry plant South Africa: Toyota increases output at Prospecton plant Belgium: Audi plans to build A1 model at Brussels plant Brazil: Volkswagen on track for 15% sales increase Czech Republic: Second generation Skoda Fabia announced Germany: Volkswagen brand anticipates a difficult 2007 Germany: Volkswagen puts CCS on the road Germany: Global Audi sales rise by 8.1% year-on-year in November Germany: Rupert Stadler becomes CEO of Audi Germany: Audi to invest €11.8bn to expand model range Germany: Volkswagen gains €951m under accounting changes Germany: Volkswagen tests Sturman diesel injector India: Audi to commence A6 assembly in autumn 2007 South Africa: Volkswagen unveils new US$104m paint shop US: Audi appoints new advertising agency Canada: Nova Bus to supply 322 buses to Quebec Sweden: Volvo Group truck divisions post 3% growth in January-November sales China: Court fines Aux for illegal vehicle production China: Jiangling N350 pickup project announced China: SAIC said to be planning new Ssangyong joint venture China: Jiangling to double European dealer network China: SAIC parent company completes financial restructuring China: Tata Motors seeks market entry China: Geely sets up two new joint ventures Eastern Europe: MAN in pole position with 59% sales growth Germany: New engines and a styling update for the Porsche Cayenne Germany: Porsche expects moderate sales growth in 2006-07 India: Force Motors to transfer heavy commercial vehicles division to subsidiary India: Suzuki planning a US$2,240 car Japan: European build of Mazda 2 will end with this generation Netherlands: DAF to open new engine test cells in 2007 Netherlands: DAF charts its market growth across Europe Netherlands: Ssangyong to open European distribution centre in bid to cut delivery times Russia: GAZ Group posts strong growth in net profits Russia: AvtoVaz expects doubling of profits for 2006 Russia: Geely to launch local assembly in 2007 Russia: ZAZ and Bogdan lay cornerstone for new plant in Nizhny Novgorod Sweden: Scania sees investment grade rating continuing, planning to up capacity from 70,000 to 100,000upa Thailand: Tata and Thonburi set up joint venture for pickup assembly UK: Ros Roca acquires Dennis Eagle Australia: November sales slip marginally Brazil: November sales rise by 15%; record year expected China: Vehicle sales for November up by 25% year-on-year Europe: Rise of 18.1% in Germany lifts 27-market combined sales tally for November India: November car and CV sales rise dramatically Malaysia: Vehicle sales down 7.2% in November New Zealand: Car sales drop by 0.3% in November Pakistan: November car sales up 34%; October dip attributed to national holidays Philippines: November vehicle sales up by 9.3% month-on-month South Africa: Rising interest rates blamed for decline in November new vehicle sales South Korea: Export growth in November offsets home market decline for local VMs Financials: Eu

Companies Mentioned

Some Companies Mentioned: Scania Aston Martin Ford Nissan Honda Renault Peugeot Astra Lexus Volkswagen Daihatsu Nova Bus Audi Tata Motors Geely Jiangling Ssangyong MAN Suzuki DAF AvtoVaz