Type: News
· BMW will produce three cylinder motors with turbo charging by 2011. It is clear that the "downsizing" trend is being taken seriously in the fight to reduce fuel consumption. Auto Motor & Sport May 12.
Chrysler
· Chrysler has been placed into bankruptcy in accordance with chapter 11, the American Bankruptcy Act, after several large lenders did not agree to write down claims by 70%. The bankruptcy will be an orderly bankruptcy since most creditors have already agreed to concessions. Plans for an alliance with Fiat will proceed and President Obama says that Fiat has demonstrated that it can build the type of cars that are the future of the industry. DI May 2.
Daimler
· Daimler is planning on closing two plants in Japan that manufacture the truck Mitsubishi Fuso. 2 300 employees will be affected. SvD May 14.
· Daimler has bought 10% in the USA´s electric car manufacturer Tesla, and will therewith quickly gain access to electric car technology. Tesla will supply a large number of battery packs for the Smart Cars that will be tested in electric variety. Ny Teknik May 19.
Fiat
· Fiat is also interested in GM´s operations in South America. Just Auto May 5.
· Sergio Marchionne, Fiats CEO, will also take on the role of CEO for Chrysler. Just Auto May 7.
· The Italian union is protesting that they were kept out of negotiations regarding Fiat´s taking over Opel. Contact has been made with the German union and unease over cutbacks and closures are considerable with employees of Opel and Fiat if a merger takes place. DI May 14.
Ford
· Ford is investing in a new issue of shares of SEK 15 billion in the midst of the ongoing automotive crisis. The measure is undeniably quite cheeky and taunts Chrysler and GM both of which are in the middle of the crisis and dependent on Government decisions. DI May 13.
GM
· GM reports a loss of SEK 47 billion for the first quarter 2009, which is almost double compared with the same period in 2008. Saab cost GM SEK 6,5 billion during the year´s first three months. DI May 8.
· GM shares plunged by 20% and reached the lowest level in 76 years. This means that GM is now valued lower than Claes Ohlson on the stock market. 5.85 billion GM, Claes Ohlson 6,0 billion. GP May 13, DI May 15.
· GM is coming increasingly closer to bankruptcy. How SAAB and Opel will be affected, at the moment, is unclear — but the risk is imminent that it will have considerable impact on previous agreements and plans. DI May 23.
· GM is in bankruptcy and has entered into reconstruction hearings according to Chapter 11, the American Bankruptcy Code. This means that a bankruptcy court judge will have the task of trying to piece together the viable portions into one new company while the rest will be sold or wound up. The US Government will own 60% of the new GM company. The Government has promised to contribute an additional $30 billion on top of the previously invested $19 billion. The Government will also back guarantees for cars during the reconstruction period and the business will continue as normal during this period. SvD June 2.
· New GM will manufacture the brands Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC. The American Government will own 60%, the Canadian Government 10%, the Union (United Auto Workers or aka UAW) 17.5% -- 20%, creditors 10%. DI June 2.
· Many analysts are asking the question whether the new GM will succeed. New models will be launched in three years and who says that GM´s automotive team will succeed now? Experience from Chrysler and Saab also show that customers are hesitant to buy cars from a company that is under reconstruction. Will GM be able to retain any market that is worth its name? GP, DI June 2.
· GM is counting on continuing its expansion in China and is also confident in redoubling the number of sold cars to 2 million per year within a five-year period. GM´s evaluation is that the business in China will not be affected by the reconstruction in the USA. SvD June 3.
GAZ
· The Russian company GAZ, which manufactures cars and vehicle components, confirm interest in participating in Magna´s efforts to acquire Opel. Just Auto May 12
Honda
· Honda´s hybrid Insight beat the sales record in Japan in April. 10 400 cars were sold and that is the first time a hybrid has topped the sales list. DI May 14
Johnson Control
· Johnson Control will take over Lear´s plant in Torslanda, which manufactures chairs for Volvo Car Corporation.
Magna
· The Canadian/Austrian vehicle components manufacturer that is interested in Opel has requested that the Russian car manufacturers GAZ participate and submit an offer on parts of the Opel business. Just Auto May 11.
· Magna and GM have entered a MoU (Memorandom of Understanding) regarding the take over of Opel. Magna shall take 20% of the shares in Opel/Vauxhall, 35% will be retained by GM, 35% to the Russian State Bank Sberbank and 10% to other Opel partners. This means that Magna´s partner the Russian bank, Sberbank and Magna jointly hold the majority 55%. A "due diligence" is taking place now, which is the process where the purchasers check all information provided to them by GM regarding the purchase. Thereafter the agreements can be completed. Just Auto June 1.
Plastal
· IAC Group with the American billionaire Wilbur Ross has submitted an offer for Plastal´s Swedish operations. SHB and Volvo Car Corporation are also negotiating with the trustee in bankruptcy regarding taking over the Swedish portion. The Bank is considering the possibility of letting the company lie low and selling it when the economy recovers and in that way get back more of its loans. DI May 23.
Porsche
· Porsche has not succeeded in acquiring VW and Porsche will now turn their efforts to a merger with VW. Therewith the family feud between Wolfgang Porsche and Ferdinand Piëch will come to an end. DI May 8.
· Strong reactions among the Porsche employees against a merger with VW. Merger discussions have been suspended until further notice. DI May 19.
· Porsche is seeking Government support in order to cope with its very encumbered balance sheet. The debts have arisen from Porsche´s substantial purchases of VW shares the latest years. Porsche is simultaneously seeking co-financing from the Middle East with vast oil capital. Porsche has furthermore options that fall due in June. The option prices shares are slightly higher than VW daily listing today and can be the source of new considerable economic problems for Porsche. DI May 20 and 26.
Saab
· The American billion Ira Rennert has been indicated as an interested party of Saab Automobile. DI May 13.
· A sale is approaching. Of the twelve prospective buyers intensive negotiations are ongoing with three according to the administrator Guy Lofalk. DI May 12.
· The upcoming Saab 9-5 has, according to information in Expressen, faired better than the Opel Insignia in internal GM evaluation on a number of points and is considered a "better car" than the Opel, which was car of the year in Europe in 2009. The test can affect GM´s view of who buys Saab. Auto Motor & Sport May 11.
· GM´s bankruptcy can lead to the risk of complications in Saab´s reconstruction work. The $ 150 million that GM has set aside for Saab´s reconstruction may be demanded back by GM´s creditors. GM´s promise to contribute tools etc to Saab can also be reconsidered by the bankruptcy court judge in USA. DI June 2.
Semcon
· Semcon has received an important order to do a preliminary study of a prototype of a passenger car where all boundaries are tested — weight, fuel consumption etc. The purchaser is a Germany car company. DI May 6.
Tata
· Jaguar and Land Rover, which are owned by Tata, will start to sell cars on the Indian market later this year. Just Auto May 1.
· When Tata opened for orders of the low cost car Nano they received 203 000 orders in India. 1,5 million cars were sold in total on the Indian market the last year. The manufacturing capacity at Tata is 100 000 cars in 1,5 years so now the cars will be assigned by lottery among those who ordered. SvD May 6.
Think
· The Think car is the first electric car that has received approval from the EU, which means that it can be sold in all European countries. Ny Teknik May 14.
Toyota
· When Toyota reported its broken financial year 2008 it was the first time in the company´s history a loss of minus SEK 35 billion. But the most worrying is the fourth quarter when Toyota lost SEK 62 billion. One should, at the same time, be aware that the company has SEK 270 billion in cash and no plans to close plants. Company management is critical that action was taken too late when the economy plummeted. Auto Motor & Sport May 9.
· Toyota has offered to help GM with hybrid technology. The offer is also applies to a reconstructed GM. The idea is that by helping GM the risk for political trade tensions between the countries will be minimized. Ny Teknik May 25.
Volvo PV
· Negotiations have broken down between the Government and Volvo Car Corporation regarding a government guarantee for EIB loans. The reason is that the Swedish Government wants clarity in the question of ownership prior to making a decision. DI May 8.
· Volvo Car Corporation is approaching Belgium in an attempt to receive Government guarantees for an EIB loan. The risk for Sweden is that the Belgian Government will demand investment in Belgium to the detriment of Göteborg/Torslanda. DI May 14.
· Volvo Car Corporation has, in a discussion with the Belgian Government, received positive signals regarding Belgium´s willingness to assist with guarantees for EIB loans. The risk is considerable now that countries will maneuver against each other in the hope of creating job opportunities. SvD May 26.
· Volvo Car Corporation and Vattenfall shall jointly develop a hybrid that should be available on the market by 2012. With this investment in a chargeable hybrid Volvo Car Corporation will abandon producing a normal hybrid. The new chargeable hybrid will have a range of50 kmper battery and will be supplemented with a diesel motor that will take over when the batteries begin to run out. SvD June 2.
VW
· For several years Porsche has been buying up larger and larger share posts in Volkswagen. The goal was to take control of more than 75% of the shares, and in the autumn they reached 51%. Since then the finance crisis has weakened Porsche´s finances while at the same time VW shares have been valued high, mostly due to Porsche´s interest for the shares. The banks have said no to further loans to Porsche that have debts of SEK 100 billion and an option in June for further VW shares at a high price, which has led to Porsche seeking emergency loans from the German Government. Porsche´s two family owners, Porsche and Piëch have now reached an agreement that Porsche give up the idea of a VW take over and Porsche will go in as yet another subsidiary in the VW group of companies. Volkswagen refers to Porsche as its tenth VW group´s independent company. Scania is also included in this group. In addition to the car brands Volkswagen and Scania, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti and VW Transporters are also included in the group at present. Ny Teknik May 8.
· VW is planning to merge with the Chinese company BYD to manufacture and develop hybrids and electric cars. Among BYD´s owners is the billion Warren Buffet. DI May 27.
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Automotive industry stirs to life
2012-02-22
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2012-02-22
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2012-02-22
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2012-02-22
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2012-02-22
Volvo Ups the Pace
2012-02-22
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2012-02-22
U.S. Car Industry Sees Light at End of Tunnel
2012-02-22
World Bank Warning
2012-02-22
Americans Buying Cars Again
2012-02-22
Clean Motion in Lerum
2012-02-22
Semcon Gets a New CEO
2012-02-22
New Constellation Shows Interest in Saab
2012-02-22
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2011-12-21
Industries disappearing
2011-12-21
New European collaboration for a strong automotive industry in West Sweden
2011-12-21
Biogas Creates New Jobs
2011-12-21
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2011-12-21
Automotive Sweden met Göteborg Energi´s R&D Director
2011-12-21
Major project for sustainable transportationat Lindholmen Science Park
2011-12-21
Industrial research institute developes services for the automotive industry
2011-12-21
THE iPHONE iCUT APP
2011-12-21
Research in Sweden 2013 — 2016
2011-12-21
Scania joins Lindholmen Science Park
2011-12-21
Hello, Emmanuel Piegay, Forum Coordinator...
2011-11-16
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2011-11-16
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2011-11-16
Volvo Cars strengthens its brand
2011-11-16
Scania slows down
2011-11-16
Steering wheel keeps watch
2011-11-16
USA auto sales continue their upswing
2011-11-16
Professor Schellnhuber awarded the Volvo Environment Prize
2011-11-16
New Chalmers lab
2011-11-16
Connecting Europe: new EU trunk transportation network
2011-11-16
AB Volvo Organiserar gets new organization
2011-11-16
AB Volvo slows down
2011-11-16
Saab fights on
2011-11-16
Volvo Cars reports a loss
2011-11-16
Subaru invests in Trollhättan
2011-11-16
Swedish Engineering at IAA
2011-10-11
New CO2 emissions figures
2011-10-11
Subsidies do not affect the sale of electric cars
2011-10-11
Mixed news...
2011-10-11
Scania sponsors Olympics in Russia
2011-10-11
Trucks move 85 percent of all freight
2011-10-11
Diesel hybrids important
2011-10-11
Delicate balancing act
2011-10-11
innovITS ADVANCE opens for business in the UK
2011-10-11
Technology leads the way
2011-10-07
Hello Fredrik Sidahl...
2011-10-07
Triple helix makes for exciting projects
2011-10-07
Hello, Leif Eriksson, Trade & Industry Director,Lidköping Municipality
2011-10-06
The introduction of electric cars can now become reality
2011-10-06
Security risks in automotive electronic systems
2011-10-06
Hello Pether Wallin, AstaZero CEO...
2011-10-06
New type of 4WD provides exciting characteristics
2011-09-20
Pedal to the metal at Elmo Sweden
2011-09-20
“This is a fabulous opportunity for Sweden"
2011-09-20
New generation Volvo engine to be built in Skövde
2011-09-20
VW to be big player in trucks
2011-09-20
Volvo PV collaboration with Siemens
2011-09-20
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2011-09-20
PowerCell creates new opportunities
2011-09-20
Toyota Greenest
2011-09-20
Interview with Hasse Johansson, Chairman, Lindholmen Science Park
2011-05-11
Honda knows the way to a sustainable society
2011-05-11
Spin-off from Volvo growing strong
2011-05-11
The great denial
2011-05-11
World's biggest electric taxi fleet
2011-05-11
E-driveline in Gothenburg
2011-05-11
Oil prices will make the call
2011-05-11
Situation in Japan worsens
2011-05-11
Shanghai - tomorrow's most important car show
2011-05-11
Automotive companies not most admired
2011-05-11
Whirlwind of activity these days at Saab
2011-05-11
SKF and Chalmers form technical center for sustainability and the environment
2011-05-11
Climate-smart essential to VW
2011-04-11
Automotive world enters iWorld
2011-04-11
France aims to be a leader in electric vehicles - and Peugeot's riding shotgun
2011-04-11
Air saves energy
2011-04-08
European jobs going abroad?
2011-04-11
Tsunami causes problems for automotive industry
2011-04-08
Market shares most important to Hyundai
2011-04-08
Uddevalla plant once again all Volvo
2011-04-08
Expertise - Our most important competitive factor
2011-04-08
Portugal charges ahead
2011-04-08
Two clear trends in Geneva
2011-04-08
Difficult balancing act for central banks and politicians
2011-02-07
A clear optimism in Detroit
2011-02-07
Electrifying the winds of change
2011-02-07
Saab selling off segments
2011-02-07
Swedish suppliers follow Volvo CC to China
2011-02-07
Cartel probe
2011-02-07
Fiat factory to remain in Turin
2011-02-07
The automobile turns 125
2011-02-07
South America still attractive to Swedish automotive suppliers
2011-02-07
Truck & Bus World Forum in Göteborg
2010-12-21
Cooperation saves lives
2010-12-21
Heavyweight changes lead to lightweight solutions
2010-12-21
A Nationally-Piloted Global Economy Just Doesn´t Fly
2010-12-21
Chalmers - the sustainable transport hub
2010-12-21
5 quick ones to...
2010-12-21
Well-attended and lively electric vehicle seminar
2010-12-21
New focus on electrically powered vehicles
2010-12-21
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2010-12-21
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2010-12-21
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2010-10-11
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2010-10-11
Swedish subcontractors aim to increase their share of the German market
2010-10-11
The government has to take the bull by the horns
2010-10-11
Economy still stuttering
2010-10-11
New car inventory growing
2010-10-11
China goes electric - in a big way
2010-10-11
Saab buying BMW engines
2010-10-11
New car sales on the decline in Europe
2010-10-11
Change happens - faster than you think
2010-10-11
Saab automobile opens doors for new partnerships
2010-09-15
China on a global buying rampage
2010-09-15
Electrifying our cars
2010-09-15
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2010-09-15
Metroauto offers new forms of ownership
2010-09-15
MEET...
2010-09-15
5 quick ones...
2010-09-15
Testing activities on the rise in Gothenburg
2010-09-15
Aggressive ventures during the recession yielded market shares
2010-09-15
Swedish subcontractors gather strength for the IAA
2010-09-15
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2010-06-18
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2010-06-18
Our brands deserve our pride
2010-06-18
Maria Grahn answers 5 quick questions
2010-06-18
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2010-06-18
How white can a foundry be?
2010-06-18
Smarter trucks in sight
2010-06-18
Will the European integration start to creak?
2010-06-18
Full attendance at the seminar on the future of the automotive industry
2010-06-18
Swedish body-manufacturers to reduce energy consumption
2010-06-18
Best Eco Cars 2010
2010-06-18
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2010-06-18
More can be done - and done better
2010-05-18
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2010-05-18
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2010-05-18
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2010-05-18
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2010-05-18
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2010-05-18
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2010-05-18
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2010-05-18
Greece gets help
2010-05-18
Car show in Beijing bigger every year
2010-05-18
Geely to buy Volvo CC
2010-05-18
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2010-05-18
“Old knowledge can be a burden"
2010-04-13
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2010-04-13
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2010-04-13
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2010-04-13
OECD advises in a new report
2010-04-13
Announcements - Automotive Industry
2010-04-13
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2010-04-13
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2010-04-13
Swedish Liberals don't have faith in ethanol
2010-04-13
The new UN standard for electric vehicles
2010-04-13
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2010-04-13
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2010-04-13
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2010-03-11
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2010-03-11
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2010-03-11
5 questions to professor Anna Dubois
2010-03-11
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2010-03-11
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2010-03-11
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2010-03-11
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2010-03-11
Greece's problems could spread
2010-03-11
Company announcements Scania, AB Volvo, Autoliv, Geely
2010-03-11
Without change we stand still
2010-02-09
Biogas Väst Kick-off
2010-02-09
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2010-02-09
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2010-02-09
AB Volvo reshuffles at the top
2010-02-09
Ford and Volvo Car Corporation doing better
2010-02-09
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2010-02-09
China takes the lead
2010-02-09
A little more hope for positive development
2010-02-09
Oil prices on the rise
2010-02-09
Layoffs at Pininfarina in Uddevalla
2010-02-09
SAAB buyout a done deal
2010-02-09
Chronicle of the first decade of the 21st century
2010-01-13
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2010-01-13
Clean Truck 2010
2010-01-13
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2010-01-13
Shortage of electric cars in Sweden
2010-01-13
Extra funds to Region Västra Götaland
2010-01-13
Very quiet at Chrysler
2010-01-13
Hybrid cars on the rise in Japan
2010-01-13
Can Fiat be interested in Saab
2010-01-13
New constellations
2010-01-13
He who laughs last laughs best
2010-01-13
2009-12-07
2009-12-07
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2009-12-07
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2009-12-07
The Drama Continues
2009-12-07
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2009-12-07
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2009-12-07
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2009-12-07
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2009-12-07
SKF-Ricardo collaboration
2009-12-07
The government-owned venture capital company makes its first investment
2009-11-13
A different kind of car project
2009-11-13
Will Volvo Car Corporation become Chinese
2009-11-13
A step closer for SAAB
2009-11-13
Harsh climate in the truck market continues
2009-11-13
SP takes the initiative regarding fire safety in vehicles
2009-11-13
SEK 100 million to redundant workers from Volvo & suppliers
2009-11-13
Trollhättan takes the baton in development electric cars
2009-11-13
State venture capital company seeking more investments
2009-11-13
China speeds up
2009-11-13
News Heavy Vehicles
2009-10-13
Future auto plants go flexible
2009-10-13
Company notices
2009-10-13
Mismanaged brand
2009-10-13
Review of Opel deal
2009-10-13
Preparations for Copenhagen meeting
2009-10-13
Will there be a “double dip"
2009-10-13
Electric and hybrid but also luxury and performance
2009-10-13
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2009-10-13
A Managing director who is passionate about sustainable energy systems
2009-09-17
Many participants in the battery race...
2009-09-17
Swedish technology reduces carbon dioxide emissions in vehicle applications
2009-09-17
Christina sees a future for batteries in vehicles
2009-09-17
5 questions to Sara Wallin, CEO Almi Väst
2009-09-17
Is the downturn in the automotive industry over?
2009-09-17
Sale start of Swedish electric cars in October
2009-09-17
The world´s first electric car fleet in Göteborg
2009-09-17
A new era takes shape in the automotive world
2009-09-17
News September - Heavy Vehicles
2009-09-11
Automotive News September - Company
2009-09-11
Automotive News September - Branch
2009-09-11
Automotive News september - Politics/ Transport politics
2009-09-11
Automotive News September Environment
2009-09-11
General
2009-09-11
600.000kilometres without oil changes with new Swedish technology
2009-08-14
SoundRacer brings Super Sports Car sound to the green car
2009-06-29
Will billions in reconstruction relief solve the core problems?
2009-06-12
Automotive News - Heavy Vehicles -
2009-06-12
Automotive News - Company -
2009-06-12
Automotive News - Branch -
2009-06-12
Automotive News - Transport politics/Politics -
2009-06-12
Automotive News - Environment -
2009-06-12
Automotive News - General -
2009-06-12
Lower fuel consumption with the help of wind tunnel
2009-05-29
SEK 50 million for competence development to counteract lay offs and terminations
2009-05-29
Manufacturing industry could increase its efficiency by up to 20%
2009-05-29
Biogas, the next challenge in North Carolina
2009-05-29
Motor sport and environmental technology
2009-05-29
Major investment in biogas in Skaraborg
2009-05-29
With focus on transport and the future
2009-05-29
5 questions to Eva Tigerström,& Malin Wallander, from the Swedish Road Administration
2009-05-29
Investing in electric cars in West Sweden
2009-05-29
The Vehicle and Traffic Safety Centre continues towards new goals
2009-05-29
"Suppliers account for 75% of the value in a car"
2009-05-29
Fiat tries to take the lead
2009-05-08
Who can afford to buy electric cars?
2009-05-08
Mounting risks for suppliers
2009-05-08
Heavy trucks continue to decline
2009-05-08
New Car Manufacturer in Nödinge, Sweden
2009-04-16
Saab must think in new direction
2009-04-16
Government climate bill complete
2009-04-16
Profitable to scrap old cars
2009-04-16
