The Russian light-vehicle market suffered a highly accelerated decline in sales in January 2015 due to the ongoing macroeconomic stress the market is facing, recording a 24.4 percent year-on-year decline to 115,390 units, according to the latest data released by the Association of European Businesses.
With 2015 off to a good start, IHS Automotive forecasts global automotive sales for 2015 to reach 88.6 million, an increase of 2.4 percent over 2014, continuing an unbroken five-year run of sales recovery and growth from the low point set in the depth of the Great Recession in 2009. However, a slowdown is being signaled with just two of the high-potential BRIC markets likely to see increased sales this year.
Passenger car demand in the European Union rose for the first time in six years during 2014, according to the latest data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). Registrations during the year grew by 5.7 percent year on year (y/y) to 12.55 million units. December was also the 16th month in succession of gains, with registrations having grown during the month by 4.7 percent y/y to 951,329 units.
Toyota has rocked the auto industry by announcing that it is opening to the public 5,680 of its patents related to fuel cell technology for royalty-free use.
According to ABI Research, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and BMW are still the top three players in the consumer advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) market. They outperform competitors either in terms of the degree and significance of their innovation, or in how effectively they make their systems available to consumers – sometimes in both.
UTi Worldwide Inc., a global provider of supply-chain services, has entered into a strategic partnership with Beijing Changjiu Logistics Co., Ltd., to serve the logistics requirements of original equipment manufacturers and suppliers in China's automotive market.
Epicor Software Corp. has made generally available version 8.7.9 of Epicor Eclipse, its enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for wholesale distribution.
Vascor Ltd., a global provider of automotive logistics services, has acquired Commonwealth Express, Ltd., a U.S.-based specialist in asset-based transportation and brokerage.
XPO Logistics Inc. has completed the acquisition of New Breed Holding Co., a provider of contract logistics services, at a cash purchase price of $615m.