Headlines for Friday, December 14, 2012

Estimated Europe registrations by country, 11 mos.

This is data compiled by the Automotive News Data Center and requires a Data Center subscription to access. Read More »

AutoNews Now: Ford's take on MPG gap

As hybrids fall short, Ford offers theories on why your mileage may vary; Lamborghini recall; Lapham: UAW endures. Read More »

First Shift: Mercedes concedes race

BMW to come out on top, Benz exec says; a look at new E-Class; Porsche ad shopping?; Ford clicks with Google users. Read More »

Europe car sales fall to 19-year low

European car sales fell 10 percent to 965,918 units in November, bringing registrations this year to a 19-year low, as austerity-hit buyers stayed out of showrooms. Read More »

North America car and truck production - 12/17/2012

This is data compiled by the Automotive News Data Center and requires a Data Center subscription to access. Read More »

Customer Incentives

This is data compiled by the Automotive News Data Center and requires a Data Center subscription to access. Read More »

Michigan right-to-work law viewed as domino redefining Midwest states

Michigan’s swift conversion to a right-to-work state has galvanized advocates of the law, who vow to seek similar legislation nationwide under the battle cry: “If it can happen in Michigan, it can happen anywhere. Read More »

Ford aims at GM by showing new F-150 at Detroit show, report says

Ford plans to offer a peek at its 2015 F-150 pickup truck at the Detroit auto show next month, the latest example of attempted one-upmanship in the highly competitive American truck market. Read More »

NHTSA upgrades Ford unintended-acceleration probe

An investigation into complaints that loose floor mats in some Ford Motor Co. Fusion, Lincoln MKZ and Mercury Milan cars may jam accelerator pedals was upgraded by U.S. regulators. Read More »

Nexteer, citing steering contract, will expand in Michigan

Nexteer Automotive said it is investing nearly $70 million and adding 325 jobs at its headquarters in Michigan to handle a new contract with a Detroit automaker. Read More »

Argentina, Mexico reach new automotive trade accord

Argentina reached a new automobile trade pact with Mexico that cuts the number of cars it will import duty-free, a top Argentine official told local radio on Friday. Read More »

My bet is that dad would have stayed with the UAW

My father was an auto worker. He had a love-hate relationship with his union, the UAW. All this talk about right-to-work in Michigan has me wondering how the late Ken Barkholz would have responded to the new opportunity to leave the union. I trust he would have stayed. Read More »

Ford says it’s talking to EPA about hybrid mileage tests

Ford is talking to the EPA about how it tests fuel economy performance on new vehicles following reports that the automaker’s hybrids are falling short of mileage promises. Read More »

Estimated Europe registrations by make, Nov. & YTD

This is data compiled by the Automotive News Data Center and requires a Data Center subscription to access. Read More »

VW Group global sales rise 11.7% in November

VW Group said its global vehicle sales rose 11.7 percent in November as strong demand in the United States and China helped offset a weak European market. Read More »

Fiat rebuts report that it will raise funds for Chrysler buy

Fiat rebutted a report that it was set to raise money to finance its purchase of a further stake in Chrysler, saying it had no need for extra funds. Read More »

Volvo gets $1.2 billion loan from China Development Bank

Volvo has negotiated a $1.2 billion loan from the China Development Bank to repay existing debt and hopes for more to help finance the investment it needs to double vehicle sales. Read More »

Mercedes sees record U.S. sales; concedes luxury race with BMW

Mercedes expects to lose its lead in the U.S. luxury market to German rival BMW, which is expected to be aggressive in its incentive strategy this month. Read More »

Dacia Sandero caters to Europe's thirst for low-cost hatchbacks

The Dacia Sandero hatchback is expected to quickly become the best-selling model for Renault's budget brand, overtaking the Duster small SUV. Read More »