SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 11, 2012
It's even smaller than Daimler's Smart and runs entirely on electric power. Renault's new Twizy shows the limits of E-mobility technology and may be the perfect city vehicle. But at almost 8,000 euros without doors or battery, the price tag isn't nearly as small as the car itself. By Christian Wüst more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 26, 2012
An internal General Motors strategy paper reveals that the US automaker wants to close its plants in Western Europe and transfer production to low-cost countries. The document means that the future looks bleak for Opel's plant in Bochum and Vauxhall's factory in Ellesmere Port. By Dietmar Hawranek more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 23, 2012
General Motors appears to be losing patience with its ailing European subsidiary Opel. According to media reports, the US carmaker plans to close up to two plants in Europe. Bochum in Germany and Ellesmere Port in Britain apparently top the list for the cuts. more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 22, 2012
The taxi industry in Germany is currently on the verge of a radical transformation. The new smartphone app myTaxi is creating the first serious competition for traditional cab dispatch businesses. Some dispatchers are resorting to dubious methods to preserve the status quo. By Anna Kistner more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 22, 2012
It used to be that European carmakers opened plants to assemble their cars in China. Now the Chinese have turned the tables with the opening of their first factory in Bulgaria, an EU country with low labor costs and taxes. Increasingly, Chinese carmakers are setting their sights on the European and American automobile markets. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- February 08, 2012
US automaker General Motors is reportedly losing its patience with its European unit Opel/Vauxhall. Steep losses may now result in factory closures and layoffs, including the Opel factory in Bochum, Germany, according to media reports. The labor conflict could be reminiscent of 2009, when GM elected not to sell Opel. more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 06, 2012
For years, foreign automobile companies have reaped most of the profits to be had in the enormous Chinese market. But in a largely unnoticed change, Beijing is now ending their preferential treatment of carmakers from abroad to focus more on developing domestic technology and brands. By Wieland Wagner in Beijing more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 04, 2012
A German collector has opened a museum to exhibit his treasured vintage microcars. For a while, they were a popular and affordable alternative to motorbikes during Germany's postwar economic miracle. Though long-forgotten, the little wonders of innovation and engineering may soon be reborn. By Tom Grünweg more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 13, 2011
In April 2010, US authorities forced Daimler to pay $185 million due to corruption allegations. But the SEC is still monitoring the German carmaker, with former FBI head Louis Freeh leading the American team. Daimler executives complain that his aggressive style is bad for business. By Dietmar Hawranek more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- November 25, 2011
The pokey Citroën 2CV was derided for its lightness and simplicity when it debuted in the 1940s. But German engineers say these same qualities might make the cult vehicle an ideal prototype for the electric vehicle of the future. By Christian Wüst more... [ Forum ]
