Porsche is boosting production for its first electric car

Frankfurt. Porsche AG will increase production of the Taycan after more than 20,000 potential buyers registered to purchase the brand’s first electric car, matching the entire annual output initially earmarked for the four-door sedan. “The overwhelming interest in the Taycan shows us that our customers and fans are just as excited about the first Porsche […]

Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank merger talks intensify

FRANKFURT. Deutsche Bank AG and Commerzbank AG are intensifying discussions about a potential merger as their turnaround efforts sputter and after the German government put pressure on the firms, according to a person familiar with the matter. The talks are informal and the supervisory boards of the companies haven’t given a mandate to pursue a […]

Tesla reaches China bank-loan agreement for gigafactory

Beijing. Tesla Inc secured as much as $521 million in loans from Chinese banks to build a vehicle and battery factory in the country, putting the carmaker a step closer to producing Model 3 sedans at its first overseas plant. The loans from China Construction Bank Corp, Agricultural Bank of China Ltd, Industrial & Commercial […]

Turkey loan growth turns positive after state banks step up

Istanbul Turkey’s efforts to push state-owned lenders to offer more credit are paying off, resulting in loan growth for the first time since August’s market rout as the country heads into closely-watched local elections. Following last year’s turmoil, which sent the local currency to record lows and brought the economy to the brink of recession, […]

Some ECB officials doubt 2019 outlook even after cut

Frankfurt: Some European Central Bank policymakers consider the institution’s downgraded growth forecast for 2019 is still too optimistic, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The officials argued at Thursday’s meeting that the pickup assumed in the projections for the second half of the year might not materialise, said the people, who asked not […]

Spotify, Google appeal ruling that boosted songwriter payments

Los Angeles. Spotify Technology SA and other technology giants appealed a ruling that increased the royalties they must pay to songwriters, a move that threatens to further damage the companies’ already-tenuous relationship with the music industry. Songwriters celebrated last year when the Copyright Royalty Board ruled that they will get at least a 15.1 per […]