Headlines for Monday, January 14, 2013

Nominate a Rising Star

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Marchionne to narrow Fiat European loss as market hits bottom

Fiat plans to narrow losses in Europe this year as sales may recover in the second half. A revival in demand in the second six months of 2013 is "possible,"CEO Marchionne said, while warning that pricing is still a problem. Read More »

Car marketing tweaked due to tough times

Europe's shrinking car market has changed automakers' marketing messages. Since early 2012, carmakers have shifted from generic, brand-focused campaigns to ads that show how specific features benefit drivers -- and their wallets. Read More »

VW aims at family crossover market with CrossBlue concept

VW brand -- signaling its intentions to target another high-volume U.S. segment -- introduced a three-row crossover concept Monday at the Detroit auto show. Read More »

Akerson denies GM may give Opel to PSA

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson reiterated that the automaker's Opel unit is not for sale, following a French media report that PSA/Peugeot-Citroen could take over GM's troubled European arm. Read More »

Rolls-Royce to unveil new car within weeks

Rolls-Royce plans to unveil a new car in the next couple of weeks to help extend record sales, CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes said. Read More »

PSA secures 5.3 billion euros to shore up bank arm

PSA said its banking unit completed about 5.3 billion euros ($7.1 billion) in loan agreements as part of a refinancing plan aimed at stemming a sales decline. Read More »

Volkswagen sees tougher competition after record 2012 sales

After posting record global sales in 2012, VW Group expects tougher competition and more uncertainties this year, CEO Martin Winterkorn said. Deliveries rose 11 percent last year to 9.07 million, VW said. Read More »

Conti sees slower growth as global car industry slows

Continental, Europe's second-largest maker of auto parts, said sales and profitability growth may slow in 2013 as the region's market contraction causes unpredictability for the global car industry. Read More »

Jaguar Land Rover sales gain 30%; China passes UK as top market

Jaguar Land Rover's global sales rose 30 percent last year, with China surpassing the UK to become the largest market for the unit of Tata Motors. Read More »

Neumann said to take helm at Opel early after VW relents on non-compete clause

Volkswagen is prepared to allow Karl-Thomas Neumann to leave the automaker before his contract runs out to become CEO of Opel, reports said Read More »

BMW names ad industry veteran Althaus as brand management head

BMW has named advertising industry manager Steven F. Althaus director of brand management. He starts Jan. 15. Read More »