Short Torque

Subaru CEO returns part of his salary

The CEO of Japanese automaker Subaru said he and all the other executives would return part of their pay until next March, following an inspection scandal at the company. Last month Subaru recalled 395,000 vehicles from its domestic market, after announcing in October that it had allowed uncertified staff to conduct inspections of some vehicles. Nine models, including a sports car that Subaru manufactures for Toyota, were recalled, but vehicles sold overseas were not affected. The recall is estimated to have cost 20 billion yen ($178 million), according to the automaker.

Renault, Ubisoft partner up in VR

The two companies announced on Dec 19 a joint venture which will allow drivers to experience virtual reality entertainment while their autonomous car drives itself. Ubisoft unveiled VR kit designed specifically for Renault's autonomous vehicle. The innovation extends from a partnership with the Renault Symbioz Demo Car project established last September. Ubisoft showcased its gear on a section of highway, north of Paris, where Renault road tested its Symbioz demonstration vehicle, in real-life conditions.

Transmission awards first of kind in world

The first World Top 10 Transmission Awards were given to automatic, continuously variable, dual-clutch and dedicated hybrid transmissions. Winners were the Great Wall 7-speed DCT, Volkswagen DQ380 and DQ 500 DSGs, Mercedes-Benz 9-speed G-Tronic, SAIC EDU DHT, ZF 9-speed AT, Honda ECVT, Shengrui 8-speed AT, GM 9-speed Hydra-Matic, and SAIC GM Electric Range Extender Vehicle system. Organized by CarBingo on Nov 11 in Beijing, the award is the first and the only one of its kind in the world. Twenty-eight mass-produced vehicles and transmissions involved this event, including. More than 10 experts from China, Germany, Japan and the United States evaluated the vehicles and transmissions on professional testing ground.

PSA replaces Asia chief after sales slump

PSA Group is replacing its head of Asian operations, as the maker of Peugeot and Citroen cars struggles to stem a sales slump in China. Denis Martin, 61, who managed the China and Southeast Asia region since 2016, is leaving to pursue "personal projects", and will be succeeded in the role by Carlos Gomes, who currently leads Latin America. The carmaker has been trying with little success to ditch its image as a budget brand with drab designs in China. The nation is a crucial counterweight for PSA, whose reliance on Europe pushed it to the brink of bankruptcy three years ago.

(China Daily 12/25/2017 page19)