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Germany fines VW suppliers for collusion

Germany's antitrust authority has fined three suppliers of Volkswagen a total of 9.6 million euros ($11 million) for allegedly colluding on how to pass on increasing raw material prices to the automaker. The companies make aluminum heat shields used to insulate other parts of the vehicle against heat generated in the engine and exhaust. The cartel office accuses them of colluding in 2011 by exchanging sensitive information to strengthen their negotiating position against Volkswagen. Settlements were reached with all three companies.

Takata recalls 2.7m airbags in US market

Takata will recall an additional 2.7 million airbag inflators in the United States after they concluded they could explode in a crash despite using a chemical additive to ensure their safety. The inflators were made from 2005 through 2012 and installed in vehicles manufactured by Nissan Motor, Mazda Motor and Ford Motor. Takata, which filed for bankruptcy in June, didn't identify the vehicle models affected in the notice. Some 68 million Takata inflators are already set to be recalled through 2019 because they may explode in a crash and spray vehicle occupants with metal shards.

PSA lifted by Iran despite dip in China

French auto giant PSA Group said on Thursday its global sales rose slightly in the first half, with its comeback in Iran compensating for problems in China where volumes plunged by almost 50 percent. Between January and June, PSA's sales in China fell by 48.6 percent to 152,380 vehicles, while in Europe, its main market, turnover was down 1.9 percent to 1.03 million vehicles, largely due to a poor performance by its luxury DS brand. Overall the carmaker, which is pursuing plans to buy General Motors' European brands Opel and Vauxhall, sold nearly 1.58 million vehicles in the first half of 2017, with global sales up 2.3 percent.

Motoring - Agencies

(China Daily 07/17/2017 page19)