The good oil: All in this together

The Germans have a word for taking pleasure in others' misfortune - "schadenfreude". But German automotive executives have avoided its use when talking about Toyota's recalls. Asked recently if the recalls would lead to Mercedes-Benz and BMW trying to grab sales from luxury rival Lexus in the United States, both carmakers cut the conversation short. Ian Robertson, BMW's sales and marketing chief, said: "It's not what we do." Joachim Schmidt, head of sales and marketing for Mercedes-Benz, said: "That's not the way we do business."

Bumpy ride for trio

The NZ Motor Industry Association has chosen its office-bearers for the next couple of years. President is Alistair Davis, CEO of Toyota. Joint vice-presidents are Ford's Trevor Auger and BMW's Mark Gilbert. The three will help to steer the industry through one of its most critical periods: post-recession restructuring.

A hail of a bill

The insurance bill for vehicles damaged in the Melbourne hailstorm has soared to about A$90 million ($116 million). Insurance companies are also wrestling with a further $25 million in claims on storm-damaged cars in NSW and Queensland after recent flooding.

Ralliart scaled down

Mitsubishi is to scale down its Ralliart motorsport and aftermarket division from the end of this month, but head office in Japan says current and future performance models like the Lancer Ralliart and Evolution will not be affected. The change effectively amounts to a restructure of the Ralliart brand's business model and supply chain. The Ralliart business arm began operating in April 1984.

Holden on to new-look Corvette

GM Holden's style studio in Melbourne has been asked to submit a design for the seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette, due in 2013. It's part of a GM plan to make the Corvette appeal more to younger drivers in the US. Analysts say Holden has a head start: it largely developed the current Chevrolet Camaro from the Aussie-designed reardrive Zeta platform that also underpins the Holden Commodore.

Nissan opening new studio

Nissan says it will open a global design studio in Beijing next year, investing US$1.7 million ($2.3 million) into what will be the first automotive design centre established by a Japanese carmaker in China. The new studio will employ 20 new designers and work in conjunction with Nissan's two design centres in Japan, one in the US, and one in Britain.

Keeping a close watch

All eyes on Holden to see how the recall of its petrol-powered Cruze sedans will affect sales. The problem centred on a faulty fuel hose. Holden blamed it on South Korea, where the Cruze is made.

Super keen investors sought

Hulme Supercars Limited is going public. It is looking for investors - from as little as $1000 - to turn the prototype into a production reality.

We are the world

A 92-year-old man hit the accelerator instead of the brake and crashed into a Florida diner. He stumbled out of the car - and went inside and ordered breakfast.

alastair.sloane@nzherald.co.nz