Search Results for: cars

BY PACIFICA GODDARD, in Caracas; MARVIN HOKSTAM, in Paramaribo, JAMES FULLER, in Port of Spain

IT may seem like a good thing for fuel retailers to be based in country that is sitting on a bounty of fuel reserves. But that is not necessarily the case, as many Latin American and Caribbean retailers can testify.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

A COMPREHENSIVE package of design rules new cars aimed at making vehicles less dangerous to pedestrians has been approved by European Union (EU) ministers. The rules will come into force from January 2011, and immediately for heavier vehicles (of 2,500 kg and more).…

BY DEIRDRE MASON

FORTHCOMING European Union (EU) guidance covering embedded microchips and consumer privacy could have serious implications for the automotive industry unless new technology is developed swiftly and the European Commission allows special rules for chips used in vehicles.

The concerns focus on a draft Commission ‘recommendation’ (which is formal guidance for EU citizens and companies, short of a binding law), circulating since April 2008.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE EUROPEAN Parliament has approved a law banning dichloromethane in paint strippers used by consumers and many professionals across the European Union (EU). Under its terms, paint-strippers containing dichloromethane in concentrations exceeding 0.1% shall not be sold new within 18 months nor supplied as old stock two-and-a-half years from now.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

AN EXTRAORDINARY European Union (EU) Council of Ministers energy meeting has agreed medium and long-term measures to prevent a recurrence of a future gas supply crisis resembling this month’s row between Russia and the Ukraine. Ministers said the EU would fund improved metering, promote administrative transparency in gas supply systems feeding into member states’ networks, improved gas interconnection infrastructure and creating a better early warning system.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE CZECH presidency of the European Union (EU) has revealed a plan to offer subsidies to automobile consumers who want to replace their old models and buy new cars. It is the latest strand to emerge of the EU’s strategy to help the European auto industry through its current tough trading conditions.…

BY KARRYN MILLER

JAPAN’S 98th airport, Mt Fuji Shizuoka Airport, is set to open on June 4, 2009: despite the launch being delayed twice. The initial March opening was moved back because the owner of 150 nearby trees refused to chop them down or even shorten them.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

A NEW European Union (EU) law will clear the way for fleets to fit digital tacographs in cars, SUVs and light vans if they choose. Until now, this technology was only authorised under EU technical legislation for use in lorries and buses, but now the European Commission has extended its scope to smaller vehicles.…

BY KEITH NUTHALL

THE UNITED States is claiming victory in a trade dispute with China, after Beijing announced it would scrap subsidies for products including automotive parts and vehicles. Washington had launched formal disputes proceedings at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), where it argued these China-christened ‘famous brands’ handouts were export subsidies banned under WTO rules.…

BY DEIRDRE MASON, JAMES BURNS, and JULIAN RYALL

With technological change being forced upon the auto manufacturing industry by high oil prices, plants are being retooled faster than in living memory. At such a time, companies are always looking for new ideas and technology.…