The neighbourhood of Haenggun-dong in the city of Suwon, South Korea has just gone an entire whole month without their cars.
In an initiative between the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) and Suwon, the EcoMobility World Festival
The automotive industry has had their eyes on Indonesia as its middle class continues to expand and the country’s economy matures. Its population of 240 million has been enjoying a significant rise in per capita income which will only increase car ownership. For now, vehicle ownership in Indonesia is low – roughly 80 vehicles to every 1000 citizens. Its neighbour, Malaysia, has 330 vehicles to every 1000 people. But as improvement to their living standards continues to take place rapidly, it is an untapped gold mine for any auto manufacturers.
Sales of hybrid cars, which had just started to take off in Malaysia, may stall in the very near future if the Malaysian government fail to renew the exemption for Complete Built Up (CBU) hybrid vehicles that expires at the end of the year.
It is being widely reported that PSA Peugeot-Citroen Group of France (PSA) is in talks with Dongfeng Motor of China to deepen their partnership, especially in the world’s largest car market. Speaking at the opening of the PSA’s fourth JV factory in China, although the latest one does not seem to involve Dongfeng, CEO Philippe Varin told reporters, “It is important to examine all cooperation options to go further than now.”
China’s Great Wall Motor Co Ltd (GWM) is reported to have inked a deal with a Malaysian joint venture partner, which is said to be worth over USD600 million and the Malaysian company thought to be the majority partner.
The new facility at Rayong, Thailand costs USD450 million and is described as a state of the art manufacturing plant. It will add some 150 000 car capacity to Ford Thailand, bringing the total to 445 000 and a combined total investment of USD2.5 billion in the Kingdom. The first vehicle that will come off the line will be the all new Focus for ASEAN, New Zealand and Australia.