Headlines for Tuesday, November 13, 2012

» Latest print issue
Quick search (past 7 days): - or -

Use the form on the right to select a specific day >>

AutoNews Now: The scion behind Sergio

Marchionne's youthful boss keeps focus on Fiat's home market: Italy; Ford's minivan that isn't; Honda refines Civic for 2013. Read More »

L.A. AUTO SHOW:

Ford aims anti-minivan at the under-30 crowd

Ford is planning a seven-passenger vehicle aimed at young families that features sliding doors and enough interior space to hold some 465 soccer balls. But don't call it a minivan. Read More »

Is there enough business for three roof system suppliers?

After a round of bankruptcies and buyouts, the world of roof system suppliers has narrowed to three major players: Webasto Roof Systems, Magna Steyr and Valmet Automotive. Read More »

First Shift: Battle over Chrysler stake

UAW trust wants more before selling to Fiat, Mulally to meet with Obama on 'fiscal cliff,' Tesla win, dealer's personal journey. Read More »

Pricing power shifts to suppliers

With North American vehicle production headed toward 15 million-plus units next year, automakers are encountering a new breed of supplier: the one that says “no. Read More »

Toyota agrees to $25.5 million U.S. investor lawsuit settlement

Toyota agreed on Tuesday to pay $25.5 million to settle a shareholder class action lawsuit in federal court accusing the company of not disclosing safety and quality issues related to recalls and reports of unintended vehicle acceleration in 2010. Read More »

Stadler says Audi to hit 2012 global sales goal despite Europe's slump

Audi, the world's second-largest maker of luxury cars, said it's on track to reach a goal of selling a record 1.4 million vehicles in 2012 and expects the momentum to continue into next year. Read More »

DAVID SEDGWICK:

Suppliers dodge a bullet named Sandy, but still must track parts

Hurricane Sandy destroyed thousands of cars and trucks at dealerships along the East Coast, but automotive suppliers survived with relatively little damage.
Read More »

Obama win should fuel electric car production, says Tesla CEO

The re-election of President Barack Obama will likely mean a continuation of the federal government's policy promoting electric and hybrid vehicles, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Monday. Read More »

Mulally to join corporate chiefs in U.S. deficit talks with Obama

Ford CEO Alan Mulally will be one of a dozen American corporate leaders meeting with President Barack Obama Wednesday to discuss ways to control the federal deficit, the White House said Monday. Read More »

Share of older U.S. male drivers declines

The proportion of older male drivers on U.S. roads is declining, which will affect vehicle demand, energy consumption and road safety, University of Michigan researchers say. Read More »

Lamborghini CEO says ultra-luxury car demand won’t grow in 2013

Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann said global demand for ultra-luxury sports cars will probably not increase next year as the European debt crisis drags on and China’s economy slows. Read More »

Head-up displays get a new pitch: Safety gear

Head-up displays are getting a fresh look as safety-alert devices. Suppliers such as Denso, Nippon Seiki, Continental and Delphi Automotive are developing head-up displays that project larger, brighter and more detailed images on the windshield. Read More »

JV pushes Valeo to No. 2 HVAC supplier in N.A.

Valeo is poised to become North America's second-largest producer of climate-control systems now that the French supplier has formed a joint venture to acquire operations producing those systems from Ford's Automotive Components Holding unit. Read More »

GM, Peugeot halt talks on deeper tie-up, report says

GM and alliance partner PSA Peugeot Citroen have halted talks on a deeper tie-up amid misgivings about the French carmaker's worsening finances and government-backed bailout, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Read More »

Suppliers to the 2013 Honda Accord

The redesigned Accord, 3.5 inches shorter than its predecessor, is powered by a 2.4-liter inline-four engine with gasoline direct injection. The available 3.5-liter V-6 engine has cylinder deactivation. These supplier data are compiled by Read More »

Delphi completes acquisition of connectors unit

Delphi Automotive has completed the $982 million acquisition of FCI Group’s Motorized Vehicles Division, which supplies connectors. Read More »

Visteon opens design center in India

Visteon has opened a design center in Pune, India. The facility, part of a Visteon engineering center, will house experts in human-machine interface, plus engineers, program managers and market researchers. Read More »

IAC dedicates interior parts plant in Romania

International Automotive Components Group has opened a plant in Romania to produce interior components. Read More »

Goodyear to trim 200 jobs at N.C. tire plant

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plans to eliminate 200 jobs at its tire plant in Fayetteville, N.C. Read More »

TRW has contracts to produce electric parking brake

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. says it has contracts to produce its electric parking brake and its electronic stability control system. Read More »

Ford creates minority-owned JV with Valeo in Detroit area

In another minority supplier initiative created by Ford, V. Johnson Enterprises, an affiliate of former NBA star Vinnie Johnson's Piston Group, today said it was forming a joint venture with French supplier Valeo SA. Read More »

Suppliers to the 2013 Lincoln MKZ

The redesigned MKZ’s base version is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four with turbocharger and gasoline direct injection. Available is a 3.7-liter V-6 engine and a hybrid version. These supplier data are compiled by Read More »

Opel labor leader says no Ford-style overhaul imminent at automaker

Wolfgang Schaefer-Klug, Opel's top labor leader, says he aims to reach a deal on German jobs with the company's management before Christmas and says Ford's decision to close three factories and cull 5,700 jobs in Europe will not serve as a blueprint for General Motors' European unit. Read More »

LUCA CIFERRI:

Why this is Alfa Romeo's last chance

Alfa Romeo has been a never-ending headache for Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne. After seven years and two relaunches, Fiat's sports car subsidiary remains a Rubik's Cube that the workaholic CEO just can't seem to solve. Read More »

IAC opens interior parts plant in Romania

International Automotive Components Group has opened a plant in Romania to produce interior components. Read More »

VW brand sales rise 16.3% in October

Volkswagen said on Tuesday that global sales of its core brand jumped 16.3 percent in October to 501,300 vehicles, the second-largest gain of the past eight months. Read More »

TRW wins contracts to produce electric parking brake

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. says it has contracts to produce its electric parking brake and its electronic stability control system. Read More »

Audi will pursue new design strategy

Audi says it intends to pursue a new design strategy that will differentiate more between model lines, allow a greater integration of technical features and give emphasis to creating individual styling that pairs the exterior and interior of a vehicle. Read More »