Brazil fines Fiat $1.5M for failing to recall cars hit by alleged hub glitch

LUCA CIFERRI Union idea for saving Opel's Belgian plant is ambitious, unrealistic All my sympathy goes to workers who are trying to save their jobs and prevent Opel from closing its plant in Antwerp, Belgium. Nevertheless, a union proposal to use the factory to build small volumes for other automakers is in conflict with the... Read More » Comments [0] | Recommendations [0] JASON STEIN: Volvo sale stalled: Should we be worried? JASON STEIN: Welcome to the family, Porsche

PAUL MCVEIGH German gov't accused of sabotaging Opel turnaround German states with Opel factories are getting increasingly annoyed at the national government's reluctance to provide General Motors with financial aid to help the automaker restructure its European operations. One regional politician has even... Read More » Comments [0] | Recommendations [0] DOUGLAS A. BOLDUC: Two ‘heavyweights' who could help Saab-Spyker succeed DOUGLAS A. BOLDUC: How to make the East a winner again

Jason Stein is editor of Automotive News

Emissions, capacity, collaboration examined at gathering in Spain

I invite you to join us at the Automotive News Europe Congress in Bilbao, Spain, on June 22-23.
The theme of this year's Congress is "Solutions After a Crisis: Navigating Out of a European Downturn."
It will feature a lineup full of pan-European industry leaders.
Joining us in Bilbao will be: Nick Reilly, CEO of Opel; John Fleming, CEO of Ford of Europe; Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker; Ian Robertson, sales and marketing chief at BMW; Burkhard Goeschel, chief technical officer for powertrains at Magna International; Bill Kozyra, CEO of TI Automotive; and Arndt Ellinghorst, head of automotive research at Credit Suisse in London.... Read More »

ContiTech keeps Saab 9-5's engine secure

Saab launches its second-generation Saab 9-5 this year, 13 years after the first model debuted. The mid-sized premium sedan shares its platform with the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, which was the 2009 European Car of the Year. Opel/Vauxhall and Saab were sister brands under General Motors Co., which...... Read More »

• Bosch, Autoliv help the Avensis earn top safety score
• Dana helps keep the Bugatti Veryon Grand Sport's heart beating
• Draexlmaier plays key role in Porsche Panamera's interior
• Gentex, Mando help keep Kia Soul safe
• Hella, Rehau help to make new Mercedes E class safer

Opel's minicar will be an 'iPod on wheels'

Opel/Vauxhall's planned new minicar will be a trendsetter in its segment, the brand's sales and marketing chief Alain Visser said. Visser said Opel plans a car below its Corsa to meet the growing demand in Europe for small, fashionable cars.... Read More »

• Opel will build a new Agila without Suzuki
• Spyker CEO: Saab models are in the works
• Saab aims to add BMW 1-series rival
• Mazda design chief gives new meaning to zoom-zoom
• Ford plans performance version of Focus
Coming up on Automotive News Europe
• VW annual report under spotlight -- Analysts will be looking at the strength of Volkswagen AG's cash flow when it publishes its 2009 annual report. On Feb. 26, VW said its operating profit sank 71 percent to 1.86 billion euros ($2.53 billion) last year. -- March 11
• Fiat could discuss auto spin off -- Fiat S.p.A. could discuss merging Fiat auto activities with those of Chrysler when it presents a five-year strategic plan. The move would be part of a plan to spin off automotive from the rest of the group's industrial activities to unlock value for the company. -- April 21