Toyota Motor and its subsidiaries, Daihatsu Motor and Hino Motors, have announced that their worldwide vehicle production in July 2010 increased 10.7% to 714,426 units, compared to July 2009.
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BMW is to use carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic to manufacture the body of its forthcoming Megacity electric car. The material is expected to reduce the car’s weight by 250-350kg, thereby significantly increasing its driving range, which was previously a major resistor to the uptake of electric/hybrid cars. This should lead to a rise in adoption rates, especially in the luxury segment.
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Toyota Motor Sales USA has reported that it will launch a voluntary safety recall on approximately 3,800 Lexus late 2009 and certain 2010 model year LS 460 and LS 600h L vehicles in the US equipped with variable gear ratio steering to address a temporary steering wheel off-center condition that may develop under a specific driving maneuver. No other Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicles are involved in this recall.

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The Finish based publisher Global Research & Data Services has published several new reports concerning the market for construction machinery in 10 different European countries.

These market analyses give a clear overview of the actual situation and future outlook of the construction machinery market in the corresponding countries. The subjects discussed in the market analyses include:

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German auto major Volkswagen intends to hire around 1,300 workers by the end of 2010 at its Chakan manufacturing facility near Pune, India, reported Bloomberg.
The manufacturing plant, established with an investment of around $860 million, reportedly employs 1,200 workers.
According to the news source, the Chakan plant had begun production of Skoda Fabia hatchback in May 2009 and will commence production of Volkswagen Polo supermini car in the near future.

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Harley-Davidson is planning to divest its Italy-based MV Agusta unit and also discontinue the Buell motorcycles product line, as part of its go-forward business strategy to drive growth through a single-minded focus on the strengths of the Harley-Davidson brand.
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Citi and Shell have announced that cash-back rates are to be slashed on their co-branded Shell MasterCard, with fuel rates cut from 3% to 1%. As the card is no longer being issued, Shell is now looking to its loyalty scheme rather than its credit card to improve customer allegiance, although this may prove tricky as UK fuel customers are notoriously disloyal and price-conscious.
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Harley-Davidson is planning to formally enter the motorcycle market in India, where it expects to start selling its motorcycles in 2010.
The company has established a subsidiary to be located in Gurgaon, near Delhi, and has begun the process of seeking dealers. The company’s current approach is to import its motorcycles, accessories and riding gear.
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Toyota Motor Sales USA has reported sales of 225,088 vehicles in August 2009, an increase of 10.5%, compared to 211,533 units in August 2008.
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American Suzuki Motor has reported that its sales decreased 5% to 5,749 units in August 2009, compared to 6,081 units in August 2008.
For the year-to-date, the company has reported total sales of 31,793 units, a decrease of 55%, compared to 70,431 units in the same period of 2008.
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