Three automakers make major recalls

 

Mercedes-Benz will recall 10,558 cars from March 7, 2016, including 1,980 imported C-Class sedans made from Jan 12, 2007, to Nov 19, 2008; 1,077 imported GLKs made from April 30, 2008, to Dec 17, 2008; and 7,501 C-Class sedans made in China from Feb 29, 2008, to Dec 30, 2008. The carmaker said faulty supplemental restraint systems that in extreme conditions might cause airbags to deploy unexpectedly is the reason for the recall.

 

Southeast Auto will recall 7,143 Mitsubishi Zingers from Dec 21 that were made from Jan 15, 2008, to Dec 31, 2011, because of faulty airbags. The automaker said some of the airbags might discharge flying shards when deployed.

 

Mazda is recalling 11,107 units of the Mazda 323, Mazda MPV, Mazda 626 and Mazda 929 made from June 1, 1992 to July 30, 1998. The Japanese automaker said excessive oil in the cars' ignition might cause overheating or even a fire.

 

Geely jumps on ride-hailing apps wagon

 

Chinese automaker Geely has plans for its own app to join the scramble for China's ride-on-demand services. The Hangzhou-based auto firm, which owns formerly Swedish carmaker Volvo, has set up a new firm to develop a ride-hailing app that is currently on trial run in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo, which will soon expand to include Shanghai, Hangzhou and Kunming.

 

Unlike competitors Didi and Uber, which use private cars, Geely is planning a fleet of its own vehicles. Several similar services are building their own fleets to swerve around regulatory uncertainties in the use of private cars.

 

Geely is aiming for the high-end of the ride-on-demand market in first- and second-tier cities next year. The automaker also plans to increase its car fleet, consisting only of Geely sedans and Volvos, to 150,000 vehicles, nearly one-third of its annual production. The fleet will have 20,000 electric vehicles.

 

2 cities to open lotteries for hybrid buyers

 

Tianjin and Guangzhou, home to Toyota's local joint ventures, are becoming the first cities to let buyers of new Levin and Corolla hybrids enter lotteries usually restricted to plug-in cars, virtually guaranteeing access to coveted new license plates. The cities are rewarding Toyota for sharing some hybrid technology and know-how with local partners.

 

While Toyota has sold more than 8 million hybrids globally, it delivered only about 1,000 Prius and 5,700 Camry hybrids last year in China.

 

Fiat to delay Maserati, Alfa Romeo models

 

Fiat Chrysler is delaying the introduction of several new models, including a Maserati sports car and a full-sized Alfa Romeo sedan, as the automaker shifts spending to adjust to flagging growth in China, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

 

The Maserati Alfieri sports car and an Alfa Romeo sport utility vehicle are among models that won't go on sale as projected next year, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private.

 

An Alfa Romeo sedan may not be ready for 2017 as originally planned, as the brand shifts spending to upgrades of its bestselling cars, the Giulietta and MiTo compacts, the sources said. Discussions over investments through 2018 are ongoing, and final decisions haven't yet been made, the sources said.

 

Auto parts fair wraps up in Shanghai

 

Automechanika Shanghai 2015, a trade fair for auto parts, accessories, equipment and services, began on Wednesday and runs through Saturday in the metropolitan city.

 

The fair is organized by the China National Automotive Industry International Corporation and Messe Frankfurt, one of the world's leading trade fair organizers.

 

Wolfgang Marzin, president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt, said the Chinese market is vital to his company. He added that the fair will boost trade and stimulate economic growth in the region. The company has plans for further development in China with partners, Marzin said.

 

A total of 5,395 exhibitors from 39 countries and regions participated in the fair, marking the largest such trade show in Asia, the organizer said.