Short Torque

Former executive gets boot from Party

Zhu Fushou, former general manager of Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor, was expelled from the Party and removed from his posts because of "severe disciplinary violations", China's top anti-graft watchdog said on Friday.

Zhu, 54, also the automaker's former deputy Party chief and board member, is being relegated to a nonmanagerial post below the deputy head of a department within the automaker, said the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection in a statement on its website. Zhu was placed under investigation in November.

Ford CEO to join IBM board of directors

Ford Motor Co CEO Mark Fields is joining IBM's board of directors as the No 2 US automaker explores alternative mobility options beyond selling cars and trucks. IBM said on Tuesday that Fields, 55, was elected to join the board starting from March 1.

"Mark led the highly successful transformation of his company in a competitive industry where technology has driven innovation. He is leading Ford into a future where cars are not only vehicles, but increasingly becoming mobile technology platforms," said Ginni Rometty, IBM chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Under Fields, Ford has looked at alternatives to traditional car ownership.

Tesla on hunt for production partner

Tesla Motors Inc is seeking a partner in China to produce its electric cars.

Co-founder Elon Musk said he sees a bright future in the nation for autonomously driven vehicles.

China's market has enormous potential given concerns about pollution and the environment, Musk said in Hong Kong on Tuesday. The billionaire has held "a number of high-level meetings" with the government", he said without elaborating.

Tesla posted its strongest quarterly sales in China for the three months that ended on September. It is now preparing to begin sales of its Model X SUV this year. Securing a local partner would help Tesla circumvent import tariffs of at least 25 percent while abiding by regulations that set a ceiling on foreign ownership of auto industry ventures at 50 percent.

While Musk cautioned that falling oil prices could dampen interest in electric-powered vehicles, worsening pollution could prove a boon to makers of cleaner vehicles that are exempt from restrictions such as license plate quotas in Beijing.

Mercedes-Benz pulls 194 C200 sedans

Mercedes-Benz will recall 194 C200 sedans in China from Feb 1, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine announced last week.

The automaker said the flashing angle of the vehicles' right headlamp may lead to potential safety risks.

Mercedes said it will examine and adjust the lamps free of charge through its authorized dealers. The affected cars were produced between March 16 and April 15, 2015.

(China Daily 02/01/2016 page18)