Contents:

Chrysler Group sold to Cerberus Capital Management Volkswagen management rejects Porsche offer Germany: BMW engines take top honours at awards India: BMW to open international purchasing office UK: BMW claims new stop-start Mini Cooper D matches emissions levels of Toyota Prius US: BMW reportedly moving build of next generation X3 to Spartanburg Germany: DaimlerChrysler posts strong first-quarter earnings India: New Mercedes-Benz plant confirmed US: Chrysler announces the Aspen Hybrid US: Chrysler Corp planning to strengthen presence in Russia US: Chrysler Financial Services officials deny GMAC merger plans US: Ground broken at site of future Chrysler Corp axle plant US: Chrysler Corp breaks ground for Phoenix Engine Plant Australia: Fiat to import Chinese-built Linea with Chery engines Czech Republic: Ferrari sales pass the 200-mark Italy: New turbocharged engine for the Fiat Grande Punto Turkey: Fiat likely to produce Doblo replacement at Bursa Australia: Ford to end production of Fairlane and LTD sedans India: Volvo to leverage Ford links for October brand launch Kuwait: Investment Dar expects US$1bn from Aston Martin sale Sweden: Ford denies plan to sell Volvo to BMW Sweden: Volvo announces 2008 global model year changes and new S80 FlexiFuel sedan US: Ford to close Cleveland Casting Plant and defer production at Cleveland Engine #1 US: Ford shelves plans to import Europe-built Lincoln crossover US: Ford orders Land Rover to cease exports to Sudan Belgium: GM Europe and EEF agree on production plan for Antwerp Russia: GM and AvtoVAZ will build Opel Corsa at Togliatti US: GM and UAW reach agreement on Jobs Bank reform US: GM sees 90% drop in Q1 net income due to GMAC US: GM to take US$7bn charge for Delphi; likely to sell Allison Transmission China: Honda Jazz exports to Europe to rise by 80% in 2007 China: Honda to increase local procurement rate to 90% by end-2008 India: Honda to build small car at new Rajasthan plant from 2009 US: Honda updates the FCX Concept US: Honda plant builds 15 millionth engine Brazil: Hyundai chairman says a second plant is under consideration India: Hyundai in court over sale of parts division to Mobis Slovakia: Kia plans new facility to double engine output South Korea: Hyundai to start Veracruz diesel exports to US South Korea: Hyundai reports 10.2% drop in Q1 sales revenue South Korea: Hyundai and Kia planning major plant investments South Korea: Alleged security leak causes Kia to boost security Spain: Facelifted Kia Picanto to premiere at Barcelona motor show Japan: Mitsubishi announces new Delica D:5 versions Japan: Mitsubishi reportedly developing low-priced car for emerging markets Japan: GS Yuasa and Mitsubishi in lithium-ion battery collaboration US: Mitsubishi wins EPA award for power-saving air conditioning unit China: Nissan planning limited Infiniti sales Japan: Nissan launches the Dualis Japan: Nissan commences operations at Global Production Engineering Centre Japan: Nissan inaugurates advanced technology centre Japan: Nissan expects to achieve 2007 profit target Malaysia: Nissan Latio assembly starts US: Newspaper claims Nissan will import three new small cars in 2008 US: Nissan to increase imports of components from low-cost countries Argentina: Renault to start Logan build France: Renault eco² sub-brand announced France: PSA Peugeot Citroën to cut costs by 30% Russia: Renault to lift production at Avtoframos plant by 100,000upa Brazil: Toyota enters the flex-fuel market Japan: Toyota suppliers to consolidate Japan: Toyota net profit rises 19.8% in fiscal 2006-2007 Argentina: Volkswagen announces US$100m expansion at Cordoba gearbox facility Germany: Volkswagen works council recommends increasing production capacity at Wolfsburg plant Germany: New turbocharged gasoline Volkswagen engine Italy: Volkswagen appoints new president Slovakia: Volkswagen plans 4.7% increase in output at Bratislava plant Spain: Seat Altea freetrack to debut at Barcelona motor show Spain: Seat announces two new models for 2009 launch Spain: Seat aiming to double production by 2018 UAE: Volkswagen appoints new managing director for Middle East operations US: Volkswagen Passat under investigation for ignition coil-related fires US: Volkswagen appoints new public relations firm China: Chery and Chrysler Corp resume talks China: Chery and Israel Corporation unit to form vehicle production joint venture China: Nanjing in talks with Fiat; end of joint venture claimed Germany: MAN restructures northern Europe sales organisation Hungary: Suzuki to expand Esztergom plant India: Government exits Maruti Japan: Mazda2 build starts; Demio to be launched imminently UK: Nanjing Automobile reopens Longbridge factory Australia: Vehicle registrations rise 10.1% in April Belgium: ACEA reports 0.6% dip for April new car sales across Western Europe Brazil: Easter holidays dampen April sales China: Vehicle sales rise 21.46% in year-to-date Colombia: Vehicle sales jump 50% in April India: Passenger vehicle sales rise 11.81% in April Iran: Trade Promotion Organisation to set up task force to boost exports to CIS Malaysia: Vehicle sales and production decline in April Mexico: Automotive exports fall 4.6% in April South Africa: Holidays dampen new vehicle registrations in April Powertrain strategy: Scania Chinese OEMs' investments outside China: the words of Chairman Mao prove visionary? Japanese OEM sales (April 2007) and production results (Fiscal 2006/7)