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Kirk Kerkorian bids US$4.5bn for Chrysler Group Nissan announces Voluntary Retirement Programme in Japan China: BMW reveals Concept CS at Shanghai motor show Germany: BMW announces fourth generation M3 Germany: Series twin turbos give BMW record torque Canada: Newspaper claims Onex and Magna considering joint bid for Chrysler Group Czech Republic: EvoBus to supply 600 Intouro buses Japan: DaimlerChrysler to reintroduce Dodge brand US: Chrysler Group to build new engine and axle plants in Michigan US: Facelifted Jeep Grand Cherokee debuts at New York show US: Jeep Liberty debuts at New York motor show DaimlerChrysler: the history India: Fiat Palio build starts Italy: Fiat launches the Scudo Panorama Italy: Fiat could go back to two cylinders for smallest cars Italy: Fiat posts strong first quarter sales China: Ford announces local production of Mondeo and future small car at Shanghai motor show India: Ford to double dealer numbers in fiscal 2007 US: Ford recalls more than 500,000 Escape SUVs US: Ford unveils the 2009 Flex at New York motor show US: Ford reports narrowed first-quarter loss US: Ford to sell Automotive Components Holdings Glass Operations US: Land Rover SUVs under investigation for driveshaft failure US: Volvo to phase out ‘R’ models New engine lines for Ford’s Chihuahua plant Australia: Holden announces Caprice export programme for GM Daewoo China: Buick Riviera concept debuts at Shanghai motor show China: Shanghai-GM announces the Buick Park Avenue India: GM to increase sourcing of components; production increase imminent Kazakhstan: GM partner to assemble Daewoo-based Chevrolet models Serbia: Zastava closes in on Opel assembly agreement South Korea: GM reportedly planning US$3.2bn investment in Daewoo Switzerland: GM Europe announces production locations for Opel Astra replacement US: Buick debuts 2008 LaCrosse Super and Lucerne Super at New York show US: General Motors reports 3% rise in Q1 global sales China: Honda expecting strong growth in 2007 Japan: Honda Civic Type R sedan announced Japan: Honda net profit flat in fiscal 2006-07 US: Honda to expand facility in Alabama US: Honda S2000 CR debuts at New York auto show Brazil: Hyundai opens assembly plant in Goias Czech Republic: New Hyundai plant attracts Korean suppliers India: Hyundai considers setting up automotive finance arm South Korea: Hyundai HCD-3 Veloster concept debuts at Seoul show South Korea: Kia KND-4 concept debuts at Seoul motor show South Korea: Hyundai considering pickup for US market South Korea: Hyundai to set up commercial vehicles financing unit US: Hyundai seeking 22% rise in sales for 2007 to 555,000 units US: Hyundai to launch rebadged i30/FD as 2008 Elantra Wagon US: Hyundai to add another model in Alabama China: Mitsubishi considers assembling latest generation Pajero Japan: Mitsubishi returns to profit in fiscal 2006 Japan: Mitsubishi to bring forward new diesel engine project; European launch now planned for 2009 Japan: Nissan and Mitsubishi expand model sharing arrangement Japan: Nissan developing GPS-based ITS Japan: Nissan recalls more than 100,000 minivans; Mazda issues recall Japan: Nissan to boost engine production capacity Japan: Facelift for the Nissan Lafesta Japan: Nissan, NEC form lithium-ion battery joint venture Kazakhstan: MoU reportedly signed for Nissan assembly plant Mexico: Nissan Tiida exports to Europe begin US: Nissan to launch first diesel model in 2010 Argentina: Citroen C4 sedan build to start in July France: PSA Peugeot Citroën reports 6.5% rise in Q1 revenues Slovakia: PSA Peugeot Citroen to invest €100m at Trnava plant to produce new model UK: Peugeot 207 van premieres at CV show Brazil: Renault Logan build starts; Nissan-badged exports to Mexico announced France: Renault Group sales fall 5.6% in March India: Renault Logan production starts Slovenia: Renault Twingo production starts Russia: Renault to expand dealer network Australia: Toyota announces plans for TRD operations and future vehicles China: Locally-built Daihatsu Xenia debuts at Shanghai motor show Czech Republic: TPCA to increase output by 10,000 units Japan: Daihatsu overtakes Suzuki to become leading minivehicle seller Japan: Jim Press to become first foreigner to join Toyota board Japan: New V8 diesel from Toyota India: Toyota planning new factory and low cost car for 2009 US: Toyota breaks ground for new facility in Mississippi Brazil: Volkswagen updates locally-built Golf Canada: Volkswagen Jetta Wagon debuts at Vancouver motor show China: Audi Cross Coupe quattro concept premieres at Shanghai motor show; previews Q5 Czech Republic: Skoda chooses plastic for back door of Roomster Scout Germany: Higher-volume Volkswagen vans on the way Germany: Worldwide deliveries for Volkswagen Group up 7.9% in Q1 Germany: Volkswagen supervisory board re-elects Ferdinand Piëch as chairman Germany: Volkswagen considering Audi assembly at Emden plant Mexico: Volkswagen plans 15% production increase at Puebla facility Slovakia: Volkswagen achieves record gearbox output Bulgaria: Volvo opens new Truck Centre in Sofia Europe: Volvo Trucks to introduce safety systems France: Volvo Trucks to invest in Blainville cab plant Netherlands: Volvo wins order for 113 city buses Russia: Volvo Group to construct new plant in Kaluga UK: Volvo Truck and Bus to begin distribution of Nissan LCVs Belgium and Luxembourg: Mazda takes over distribution from Beherman Auto China: Newspaper claims Chery will buy Fiat stake in Nanjing JV China: Geely unveils three new models at Shanghai motor show China: NAC launches the MG TF Egypt: Tata reportedly planning Egyptian plant India: Work suspended at Hindustan Motors plant Israel: Chery in reported tie-up with local firm for car assembly Romania: Great Wall Motor enters first European market Russia: Suzuki reportedly considering sites to set up assembly plant Belgium: New car sales in western Europe down 0.3% in March Brazil: New vehicle sales jump 31.8% in March Canada: Light vehicle registrations dip in March China: Vehicle sales and output grow more than 22% in Q1 India: Car registrations soar 22% in fiscal 2006-07 Mexico: Vehicle production and exports continue to fall in March Japanese OEM sales (Fiscal 2006/7) and production results (February 2007) Thailand: the Belgium of Asia? Financials: European, Japanese & US manufacturers, 2006/07