The quality gap between Chinese brands and international brands in China continues to narrow, with Chinese brands doing slightly better than their global rivals in three of eight quality categories surveyed, according to consulting firm J.D. Power. J.D. Power said its Initial Quality Survey this year showed the gap between Chinese and global brands on average fell to 13 problems per 100 vehicles among surveyed customers, down from 14 last year. The number of complaints in t

Here’s what the world looks like to a car guy in Detroit right now: In the U.S. new regulations are cranking up costs while cautious car buyers creep back into showrooms. China’s once-hot sales are cooling–fast. Europe is a total basket case, with too much production capacity and an allout price war. Carmakers from General Motors and Ford Motor to Volkswagen and Daimler warn of difficult times ahead. Market conditions, says VW Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn, have become “n