Volkswagen hopes to reach a final settlement with U.S. authorities over the automaker’s diesel-emissions scandal next month so that it can get moving on a recovery plan that will include the launch of new crossover and electric vehicles, the brand’s global sales chief, Juergen Stackmann, said.
General Motors, Audi and Jaguar Land Rover temporarily stopped selling cars in Russia this week, deciding that taking a timeout from the market was the best way to deal with the ruble’s collapse.
Ferrari’s $3.5 million fine by the U.S. government is the largest ever imposed on an automaker for failing to quickly report customer complaints, injuries and alleged defects to regulators.
A German court revived criminal charges against two former Porsche SE executives involving a failed takeover of Volkswagen, saying prosecutors’ findings indicate it “seems quite likely” the company hid its plan.
Audi will accept punishment from Chinese authorities for breaching anti-monopoly laws in the world’s largest car market. An investigation by Chinese authorities found that Audi’s dealer arm, FAW-Volkswagen Sales Co., had “violated national anti-monopoly laws,” the automaker said in an statement e-mailed to Automotive News Europe.
The Hyundai case has continued this week. Czech dealers and repairers of the Korean brand continue to protest against domestic import company, Hyundai Motor Czech. They proclaim a suspicion of abusing its market position to the antimonopoly authority.
Hyundai Motor Czech has failed in a complaint to the Car Importers Association (SDA). The company did not like that the SDA has restricted access to information on the registration of vehicles in the country. Czech Antimonopoly office stopped investigation for possible breaches of competition rules.
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