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NA auto output to reach 11-year peak

According to Automotive News, automakers are expected to manufacture 16 million light vehicles in North America in 2013. That's up 500,000 units from last year and marks the largest number since 2002. The prediction comes courtesy of LMC Automotive and IHS Automotive, which point to the improving US economy as a bellwether for total production. LMC Automotive says North America will produce 16 million vehicles while IHS has a slightly more optimistic forecast of 16.1 million units. A total of seven automakers are slated to increase production on the continent this year. Nissan is set to see the largest jump at 20 percent over last year.
Volkswagen, meanwhile, is one of the only manufacturers predicted to scale back production. Analysts expect the German company's output to fall by 23 percent to 170,000 units, thanks in part to slow demand for the Volkswagen Passat and Jetta.

Recharge Wrap-up: Nissan Leaf earns IHS Loyalty Award, people actually care about the environment

The Nissan Leaf has earned the IHS Automotive Loyalty Award. It won the award for best Non-Luxury Traditional Compact Car, and it is the only plug-in vehicle to earn the Loyalty Award. IHS Automotive analyzes loyalty and gives the award for vehicles that bring households back to buy the same make or model. "Our Leaf fans are some of the most loyal customers in the world, and we're thrilled to see that validated with this IHS award," says Toby Perry, marketing director for the Nissan Leaf. Read more at Hybrid Cars or in the press release below. A new study shows that environmental benefits could be more influential than money when purchasing EVs. The study, called "Altruism, Self-Interest, and Energy Consumption," found that subjects conserved more energy when reminded that it helps air pollution than when they were only told it would save them money. This is despite more subjects saying that they thought messages about money would be more influential at the beginning of the study. Researchers attributed the results to the dual benefit of clean air to oneself and to others. See the study at the PNAS website and read more at Green Car Reports. Group Bollore will receive government backing to build a nationwide EV charging network in France. The French conglomerate will spend $172 million to build 16,000 semi-fast chargers over the next four years. "Wherever you are on the map there will be at least one recharging point every 40 kilometres (25 miles)," says Bollore. The network will also provide wifi hotspots and carpooling services. Bollore's Blue Solutions division also already operates EV carsharing services and is working with Renault to build EVs in France. Read more at Reuters. Nissan LEAF only plug-in vehicle to receive 2014 IHS Automotive Loyalty Award NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Following a record-breaking sales year in 2014, the Nissan LEAF continues to earn praise and was named the best Non-Luxury Traditional Compact Car in the annual IHS Automotive Loyalty Awards. The all-electric LEAF – the only plug-in vehicle to be included in the IHS Awards – received this honor during the Automotive News World Congress at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The IHS Automotive Loyalty Awards are presented annually to automakers and brands that demonstrate a manufacturer's ability to retain owners over repeat buying cycles. They are the only fact-based awards of their kind in the industry.

Japan may aid carmakers facing U.S. tariff threat

TOKYO — Japan is considering giving carmakers fiscal support including tax breaks to offset the impact from trade frictions with the United States and a sales-tax hike planned for next year, government sources told Reuters on Wednesday. Going into a second round of trade talks with the United States on Sept. 21, Japan is hoping to avert steep tariffs on its car exports and fend off U.S. demands for a bilateral free trade agreement that could put it under pressure to open politically sensitive markets, like agriculture. "If the trade talks pile pressure on Japan's car exports, we would need to consider measures to support the auto industry," a ruling party official said on condition of anonymity because of sensitivity of the matter. The auto industry accounts for about 20 percent of Japan's overall output and around 60-70 percent of the country's trade surplus with the United States, making it vulnerable to U.S. action against Japanese exports. Japan's biggest automakers and components suppliers fear they could take a significant hit if Washington follows through on proposals to hike tariffs on autos and auto parts to 25 percent. Policymakers also worry that an increase in the sales tax from 8 percent to 10 percent planned for October 2019, could cause a slump in sales of big-ticket items such as cars and home. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has twice postponed the tax hike after the last increase from 5 percent in 2014 dealt a blow to private consumption, which accounts for about 60 percent of the economy. To prevent a pullback in demand after the tax hike, the government may consider large fiscal spending later when it draws up its budget for next year, government sources said. "One option may be to greatly reduce or abolish the automobile purchase tax," one of the government sources said. The government is also considering cuts in the automobile tax and automobile weight tax to help car buyers, the source added. Reporting by Izumi Nakagawa and Tetsushi KajimotoRelated Video: Image Credit: Getty Government/Legal Isuzu Mazda Mitsubishi Nissan Subaru Suzuki Toyota Trump Trump tariffs trade