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2008

Car market still weak		Hyundai to invest $9b in 2009 Most of the investment would be spent on facility. -Reuters

Honda output to hit 14-yr low? It will bring its Japanese production below 1m vehicles for the first time in 14 years. -Reuters			Boon for Boon Lay Two new MRT stops at western station to ease overcrowding.

KL puts off highway toll hikes after protests Statement comes one day after announcement of price increases for highways in Klang Valley.		Few paying fines via AXS machines Only a fraction of traffic fines paid even though it is a cheaper alternative to appearing in court.

M-cyclist, pillion rider die in crash Both were flung off bike after collision with van, then run over by truck.		Asia's biofuel dreams shelved Biofuel hopes hit by double whammy of low palm prices and low crude prices.

	GM culture a problem that cash can't fix? What it needs is a radical shake-up of an inward-looking century-old corporate culture.		Audi unveils A5 and S5 models Porsche releases details of its first diesel model and Aston Martin will launch its fastest convertible.

Auto sales in Japan dive 32% Sales in Feb dropped to 218,212 vehicles. -AFP		M-cyclist dies in crash He was travelling along Ayer Rajah Expressway towards East Coast Parkway. -ST

	All-in-one BMW's new concept, 5-Series Gran Turismo, to be launched in Europe by year end, Merc's E-class coupe unveiled and some wheel deals.		Jardine C&C net profit rises 32pc US$448.2m gain due mainly to good performance of Indonesian subsidiary.

Toyota unit asks for loan inancial unit has asked the state-backed Bank for loan. -AFP		Stolen cars sent to Tonga M'sia: The Toyotas were declared as furniture. -The Star/ANN

US auto sales tank Deepening economic uncertainty drove Americans away from big purchases. -Reuters			In Geneva, car makers face crisis Auto makers are unveiling their latest models but many expect this to be the last large-scale car show for several years. -Reuters

Know how fuel-efficient your rides are S'pore will have first laboratory in SE Asia to measure fuel consumption and emission levels.		COE's slow trek north Meanwhile premiums for the open category suffers a marginal decrease.

Kim Chuan Depot opens World's largest underground depot to be handed over to SMRT.		Fewer booking limo taxis from airport Drop follows implementation of new fare structure by SMRT.

Changi moves to ease cab queues Cabbies will get more information about demand for taxis at Changi Airport.			'Poll' finish 2008's Car of the Year on a budget theme. Who's first? You, our readers, have decided.

Motorcycles help keep you young Mental condition can be improved by using motorbikes to commute, says software expert. -AFP			650 cabbies hitting 73 age limit Cabbies who took up driving taxis as a 'recession' job want to continue beyond the age limit.

Downtown Line's Stage II work to start this month First civil contract goes to a S'pore-Korea joint venture.			Shabby but no choice They could only take the illegal taxis during the morning rush hour as it's too difficult to find a legal one.

Car sharing gains popularity in Japan Participants of car-sharing programmes have increased by almost 100 per cent up from a year ago.		New car navigation system warns of accidents Driving Safety Support System relay information about cars and pedestrians in the immediate vicinity of a vehicle.

	Tata prepares for European comeback in 2010 Revised 'Europa' version of the Nano unveiled at the Geneva show.		Zero emissions are up in the Air This vehicle might not meet crash testing rules but it could just pave the way for clean cars that don't rely on electricity.

Chrysler minivan sales slump forces job cuts It will leave 1,200 people jobless in Canada as sales of its iconic people-mover continue to sag.			A century sprint in 3.5 secs Frazer-Nash's radical electric car combines an 814cc endothermic rotary engine with four electric motors - an equivalent output of 370hp.

	Eco-friendly supercar The Continental Supersports is Bentley?s first FlexFuel performance car.	Geneva: Little enthusiasm seen for industry consolidation But Fiat's chief executive says only a handful of carmakers are big enough to remain independent.

Teleco service helps man find stolen car Phone activated with tracking service kept in his Toyota Camry.			'More than expected' orders for Lexus RX350 Borneo Motors forecasted 2009 sales of 400 units of the popular crossover - more than 50 per cent of last year's sales.

	'They make us dream' Carmakers try to stir emotions in Geneva as symbols of pleasure and prestige.		GM may go bust Auditors raise 'substantial doubt' about automaker's ability to stay afloat.

Canada studies GM aid plan GM Canada eligible for loans of up to S$3.6 billion.			Low oil could stall auto efficiency drive Drop in oil prices undercuts investment in capital-intensive green technologies.

S'pore-made biofuel to run cars in Europe, North America Diesel will be made from palm oil, vegetable oil and animal fat.			New train fares for Circle Line unknown Trains in Circle Line are more expensive to operate but SMRT remains tight-lipped about fares.

GM, Canadian union agree to wage, pension freeze GM said agreement would generate substantial cost savings while protecting current base wages and pensions. -AFP			Fewer seats and 'dangerous steps' The new single-deck buses from SBS Transit and SMRT may look nice but some commuters are unhappy with them.

US govt officials to visit Detroit automakers They will try to restructure the two companies to avoid bankruptcy. -AFP			Opel rescue debated, Continental chairman quits Continental AG's chairman quit in a row with its biggest shareholder, Schaeffler.

	Fastlane: Three-wheel newbie The Spyer is a bike that boasts technological features normally associated with cars, like electric steering and anti-lock brakes.	New underpass opens Motorists travelling towards Airport Road and Lorong Ah Soo can now bypass junction of Bartley Road and Upper Paya Lebar Road.

	Ferrari may be in race for new dealer Hong Seh Motors, the local distributor for Ferrari sports cars, could face the loss of its 25-year franchise rights to the brand.		Big cat power The Jaguar XFR, with its stonking 5-litre V8, takes pride of place on the cover of this month's Torque.

No buyers for stolen Porsche $591,000 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S was believed to be stolen from a member of the Kelanta royal family.			'Hybrid' bikes? New bikes in Japan have a 'loop charge function' where the motor generates electricity and charges the battery,

	More buyers flash cash to pick up cars Cash sales apply mainly to smaller, less expensive makes, and some luxury models.	Big China carmakers woo small rivals But doubts linger over China firms' ability to take on foreign brands.

	SMRT hopes to cater to wheelchair-bound 80 per cent of the bus stops along a route have to be wheelchair-accessible before SBS drivers will allow the disabled to board.		'Prius-killer' Honda pushes a more affordable Insight hybrid at below US$20,000.

CSM slashes US auto sales outlook for 2009 Citing the drag from higher unemployment and continued uncertainty over the outlook for U.S. automakers.		Audi presses attack in luxury auto sector Audi the the high-end auto produced by Volkswagen, posted its 13th straight record for sales last year, with more than one million vehicles for the first time in its history.

Proton trade-in discount gets owners of old cars excited Proton dealer expects the discount to boost car sales. -The Star/ANN		RM5,000 discount for Protons in trade-in deal The cars to be traded in have to be registered in Malaysia with a valid road tax. -The Star/ANN

Discount for car owners of little help Malaysian stimulus package is an attempt to revive the local auto industry at the expense of wage-earners. -The Star/ANN		Ford-UAW deal cuts wages to $55 an hour Ford Motor Co. expects operating savings of US$500 million per year. -Reuters

Record motor insurance loss Motor insurance industry suffered a record underwriting loss of $214.1 million last year. -ST		Road closures on Sunday Road closures are due to two sporting events. -ST

GM says can survive March without new US aid It stepped up pace of planned cost-cutting and held back on some spending. -Reuters		VW reveals race to overtake GM, Toyota Volkswagen is looking at becoming the biggest auto group by 2018. -AFP

4,600 signed up for ERP billing through credit Service provided for those often caught with insufficient funds. But number caught remains high.		Changi may switch fleet of vehicles to CNG Airport?s cargo handlers to try out gas-powered tractors and forklifts.

	Room for another transport operator There are economies of scale for bus operators: NUS prof.		Asia's first tyre retail portal launched The three entrepreneurs aim to revolutionise the region's tyre industry.

Sistic to complement F1 ticket sales this year Two companies provide ticketing services to avoid last year's debacle.		Road closures on Sunday Six bus service routes will be temporarily diverted due to road closures for two sports events. -AsiaOne

	Car insurers cry foul, may raise premiums One factor is doubling of accident injury claims, says industry grouping.		Hybrid price war looms as Toyota eyes new model Toyota's new petrol- and electric-powered hybrid will have a price tag below $31k.

Coating makes scratches on cars disappear Polyurethane coating heals its own scratches when exposed to the sun.		BMW posts Q4 loss as Volkswagen sees worse ahead Economic crisis rocked two of Europe's biggest automakers.

How the motor insurance industry fared last year It lost a record $214 million. Claims paid out hit $742 million.		ComfortDelGro, SMRT to be included in STI The STI is made up of the biggest 30 companies by market capitalisation.

	GM recalls 277,000 vehicles for gear problem A clip on the transmission shift cable stops the vehicle from being shifted into the 'park' gear.	CashCard parking at Kranji racecourse Parking fee per car is $5 per entry.

Man hurt after falling onto tracks at Yio Chu Kang station SMRT buses were activated to ferry passengers between Ang Mo Kio and Yishun MRT stations.			Govt wants F1 race to be 'must-see' event Formula One race will be attractive and positioned as a value-for-money proposition.

	1000th Ferrari in HK It took the territory 45 years to mark the achievement - the new Ferrari is a new 612 Scaglietti 'One-to-One.'	Cheapest grade petrol available again Caltex reintroduces 92-octane fuel, prices it below rivals'. -AsiaOne

	Highway chaos, death, after man runs across PIE A MAN who dashed across the Pan-Island Expressway yesterday evening created chaos which led to five vehicles crashing near the Toh Guan exit. -ST		F1: Spotlight on Asia as season revs up Singapore has been described "the new jewel in the F1 sports crown" by sport's supremo Bernie Ecclestone. -AFP

	PIE jaywalker was drunk The jaywalker could face a jail term of up to five years if convicted.	Chrysler insists it will avoid bankruptcy They said their proposed deal with Fiat could be worth as much as US$10 billion dollars. -AFP

	Toyota eyes F1 victory F1's biggest spenders since joining in 2002, wants a winner's flag. -Reuters	COE creeps up All categories made small gains except Cat B, the category for big cars. -AsiaOne

	Continental named Best for Safety Fast Car awards recognise ContiSportContact 3 for powerful performance cars.		Automakers shift into high gear Automobile companies are driving into the revved up car market in China to escape the financial tsunami.

High motor claims a concern Insurers were urged to be more prudent when analysing and pricing motor risks. -ST			Price war? 'It has just started' 3 rounds of cuts in a day after Caltex prices 92-octane fuel below prevailing market rate.

Another Porsche heist in a fortnight Man jumped into a Porsche Cayenne SUV valued at $270k and drove off.		Formula One looks East for expansion Bernie Ecclestone laid out his vision of the future in typically blunt terms five years ago. -Reuters

Webber up for a challenge after broken leg 32-year-old driver will line up for his home grand prix in Melbourne at the end of next week. -Reuters			Car thieves go for skill upgrades overseas Car theft syndicates send their members to Japan for 'working trips.'

Road bully jailed He used an aluminium plate to hit a contractor while driving along the expressway. -ST		Toyota to nearly halve hiring of new grads It plans to hire 1,400 new graduates in the year starting on April 1.

	Lorry hits traffic cop on BKE The impact from the collision left the traffic police officer?s motorcycle in a mangled heap (picture).		New stations ease peak hour crush at Boon Lay Rush-hour crowds have thinned at and around Boon Lay MRT station.

Cheaper Korean car brands surge ahead in Singapore In luxury segment, Daimler South-east Asia sells a $2m Maybach model.			S'pore's top car in 2008 dethroned An old favourite has returned to rule the roost after the first two months of 2009.

	Teenager 'torched' 52 motorbikes for a helmet Sean inflicted damages worth about $340,000, including $30,000 spent on carpark repairs.	Chrysler says Fiat to assume 35% of U.S. debt Chrysler would no longer pay retention bonuses to key executives. -Reuters

International Motor Show written off for 2010 The prestigious biennial show has been cancelled due to the economic downturn. -AFP		Man's death: Driver negligent Their car went out of control and smashed into a tree along Guillemard Road. -ST

	New points system doesn't add up, says Schumacher Retired world champion labels Formula One's late rule changes as astonishing. -AFP		New rules absurd, dangerous, says Ferrari boss FIA has made a number of sweeping changes this season including guaranteeing the winner of the most races the title. -AFP

	Hamilton unimpressed with new rules Teams and drivers should be rewarded for their consistent performance instead, he says. -AFP		More S'poreans applying to be bus drivers Bus firms get incentive to recruit Singaporeans.

	Would you push the red button? A teenage boy was beaten up by an adult and an alleged con man escaped his pursuers. Why didn't train commuters press the emergency communication button to sound the alarm? -TNP	China to push fewer car and steel makers It will concentrate more power in the hands of fewer auto and steel companies.

	Insurers hurting from inflated injury claims Motorists upset over rising premiums, saying insurers not doing enough to curb abuses. -ST	Higher grade fuels to go on sale by September, says Shahrir The higher grade RON95 will be sold at the same price as the lower-grade petrol. -The Star/ANN

China wants to restructure auto industry It will do this through mergers and promote two or three carmakers to become the dominant players. -AFP		Roads go green LTA to test if roads can be made up of more recycled material.

Opel boss hints at closing German plants A German magazine had reported that Opel's management planned to shut three facilities and sack 11,000 people. -AFP			World's cheapest car set to roll out in India The car is slated to cost just 100,000 rupees ($2,985) for the no-frills version. -AFP

	Cheaper tickets to F1 Singapore Grand Prix Motor-racing fans can enjoy savings of 7-14%, compared to 2008 prices. -myp	Woman, 71, hit by MRT SMRT said it activated a bus bridging service from Queenstown to Jurong East stations to ferry affected commuters. -ST

	Tata Nano to hit Indian roads in July First 100,000 owners of the Tata Nano will be picked at random.		China eyes fewer car, steel players China wants to consolidate its steel and car industries. -Reuters

	Gearing up for F1 car racing season New Formula One season will start with new cars, new rules and a push to cut costs. -Reuters		Spy shots: Tata Motors' Nano launch We bring you the latest pictures from the Nano's launch in Mumbai, along with the Nano Europa that was in Geneva.

SMRT proposes Circle Line fares Fare proposal submitted to the Public Transport Council but it remains tight-lipped about fares.		Rave reviews for world's cheapest car Motoring experts hailed the world's cheapest car as "a triumph of Indian ingenuity." -AFP

New IUs for cars by end-June The new In-vehicle Unit will accept both cashcards and new CEPAS-compliant ez-link cards.			Crisis will weed out weak carmakers: BMW exec Basic demand for cars is not gone, says BMW's senior vice-president of importer markets.

Toyota, Honda hybrid race shifts up a gear Toyota set to slash price of its Prius hybrid model to counter Honda's hybrid Insight.			BMW art cars by Warhol The BMW art car project commissions artists to use BMW cars as their canvas.

	Photos: BMW Art cars by Andy Warhol Four iconic BMW Art cars designed by Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein and Robert Rauschenberg were unveiled.	'Greenlots' for e-scooters Motorists can plug in their scooters at these lots and charge them for free.

	Hyundai Equus to take the fight to the Germans Flagship sedan revealed, pinnacle of Hyundai engineering and design sophistication, company claims.		GM may not meet key objectives with union, bondholders GM is under pressure to hammer out a deal with both to reduce costs.

Only 3 out of 25 motor insurers posted profit: MAS It calls for tighter underwriting; acknowledges issue of inflated claims.			Reason for jaywalking? Convenience Pedestrians said they did not know they were breaking the law. Nearly 7 in 10 pedestrians killed were jaywalkers.

	What jaywalkers say 'I'm from India and I did this all the time,' says a jaywalker who's a permanent resident.	Road rage goes virtual on Aussie motoring website Australian motorists are being encouraged to vent their anger on the Internet.

Japan's Nissan to unveil luxury hybrid: report A lithium-ion battery will be used in the Fuga sedan, known as the Infinity M in the US.		SKorea to cut taxes to help ailing carmakers Consumers will be given a 70 percent cut in taxes when they replace old cars with new models.

M-cyclist dies after collision Motorcyclist collided into trailer's rear when driver slammed brakes to avoid a road obstruction.		Niche products dominate Bangkok Motor Show The Nissan Teana will be the only mass-market model to be launched at the 30th Bangkok Motor Show.

	No direct link between fares and oil prices Changes in fares are based on a formula that is pegged to other price indexes, says Transport Minister.		Does transport formula allow for fares to drop? The Public Transport Council has the powers to order a fare drop, says Transport Minister Raymond Lim.

	New E-Class finds fans in Europe 40,000 orders taken even before the premium car is launched in Europe.		Crisis no deterrent to Tyrexpo exhibitors Car sales may have suffered because of global recession. But people are keeping their existing cars longer and they need new tyres.

	Nissan's car sales shine Compact vehicles demand gives car maker needed boost, China's govt to also provide subsidies to rural areas for cars.		Need for age limit on cabbies despite tests This is because taxi drivers face more demanding circumstances than other licence holders, says Transport Minister Raymond Lim.

	450 buses now have seatbelts Fares also went up by $5 to $10 per child per month for most pupils.		Fuel economy labelling deadline extended to Oct 1 Six months reprieve to 'to allow suppliers to clear unsold stock,' an NEA spokesman say.

Pump prices up all around Singapore Petroleum Company raises prices to match other stations.		Button takes pole position His teammate Barrichello will line up beside him on the grid. -Reuters

Chinese automakers too small to buy Volvo: analysts Rumours swirling that Chinese automakers are eyeing the chance to buy Sweden's Volvo from Ford.		Obama to unveil plans to salvage US auto sector Need to preserve US auto industry because it is a "huge employer," says Obama.

Peugeot board sacks boss Streiff He will be replaced by Philippe Varin, 56, current chief executive of the Anglo-Dutch steel group Corus. -AFP		Japan auto output down 56.2% in Feb Unit production down from 1.098 million in the same month last year. -AFP

Bigger motorsports hub Singapore Sports Council launched a request to build and manage Changi Motorsports Hub. -ST		Chery first Chinese brand in Thailand Three vehicles planned for the Thai market: the QQ compact car, the Tiggo SUV and the Cross MPV.

Chrysler has 30 days to reach deal with Fiat Chrysler would get no more help from govt if it fails to conclude proposed alliance.		Putin says Russia to offer help for struggling automaker Biggest carmaker AvtoVAZ had requested for $1.1bln in aid.

GM gets 60 days for new cost-cutting plan GM chief Rick Wagoner was also ousted from the company's driving seat.		Losers battle against cabbies The Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board of Malaysia have admitted that they do not, 'know the formula to solve this problem.' -The Star/ANN

US toughens conditions for GM, Chrysler aid Obama gave General Motors and Chrysler new deadlines to come up with better viability plans. -AFP		Video: GM CEO resigns General Motors Chief Executive Rick Wagoner resigns under pressure from the government. -Reuters

	Porsche first-half profit soars to S$11.1 million Porsche's net profit jumped mainly as a result of a spike in the value of VW shares in October.	Dose of tough love for auto industry, says Obama White House task force issued a hard-hitting report faulting recovery plans drafted by auto giants GM and Chrysler.

	More fuel-efficient cars from Nissan Nissan will benefit from new tax incentives accorded to fuel-efficient cars by Japan's govt.

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