Headlines for Thursday, March 7, 2013

Marchionne's big gamble

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is betting billions of euros that Alfa Romeo and Maserati will help drive the automaker's money-losing European operations back into the black by 2015-2016. Read More »

Canada light-vehicle sales by make, Feb. & YTD

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

Canada light-vehicle sales by nameplate, Feb. & YTD

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

AutoNews Now: Why Toyota's going steady

CEO says can't take recovery for granted, halts new-factory projects; safety 'plus' for Honda, Volvo; planes and automobiles. Read More »

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, auto industry ally, won't seek 7th term

Carl Levin, the six-term Democratic senator from Michigan known for his steadfast backing of the U.S. auto industry, won't run for re-election in 2014, his office said. Read More »

Hyundai to give 2014 Equus more-refined interior materials, better ride

Hyundai says its 2014 Equus full-sized sedan will get more-refined interior materials and an improved ride from the outgoing version. The automaker said late Wednesday that it will show its freshened Equus flagship this month at the New York auto show. Read More »

First Shift: GM seeking 200-mile EV

Akerson: Battery breakthroughs coming; Tesla legal challenge; Ford minivan recall; top Detroit picks from Consumer Reports. Read More »

Honda, Volvo models get high marks in new overlap crash tests

Safety enhancements helped Honda and Volvo earn top safety picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Read More »

Polk hires investment banker, may consider sale

R.L. Polk, one of the auto industry's most widely quoted sources for data, said today it has retained an investment banker to "explore strategic growth opportunities." Read More »

Linamar profits rise 14 percent in Q4

Linamar, Canada's second-biggest auto parts maker, reported a 14 percent rise in fourth quarter earnings on Wednesday, helped by higher demand in the United States and Asia, although results were tempered by softer demand in Europe. Read More »

Former GM exec Troy Clarke promoted to CEO at Navistar

Truck and engine maker Navistar International promoted former General Motors executive Troy Clarke from COO to CEO, replacing interim chief executive Lewis Campbell. Read More »

Subaru recalling 47,419 U.S. vehicles for remote starter issue

Subaru of America is recalling up to 47,419 cars and crossover vehicles in the United States equipped with remote starters because the engines could start on their own. Read More »

Toyota president seeks end to turmoil with management revamp

Toyota President Akio Toyoda cleared out the remnants of top management inherited when he took the helm in 2009 in a revamp to restore the fortunes of the world's biggest carmaker after years of turmoil. Read More »

Infiniti adds Mercedes diesel to Q50

Infiniti hopes to win European buyers for its Q50 sedan by offering it with a diesel engine from Mercedes-Benz. Read More »

Nissan hopes roomy compact will win sales from rivals in Europe

Nissan hopes that a spacious interior will help its new compact hatchback for Europe win customers from Ford, Renault and other established players in the segment. Read More »

Ford recalls 230,000 minivans for corrosion issue

Ford is recalling about 230,000 older minivans globally to fix a corrosion problem that could prevent the fold-down third-row seats from locking in place. Read More »

Daimler develops new refrigerant to end dispute over EU mandate

Daimler said it and other German automakers took an initial step toward resolving a safety scare over a new air-conditioning refrigerant developed to meet an EU mandate. Read More »

A brand's coming-out party in Geneva

People could argue all day about the most important debut at the Geneva auto show. Despite the glitz and glamour of models such as the Alfa Romeo 4C, Ferrari LaFerrari, Lamborghini Veneno and Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible, the most meaningful debut may have been by an entire brand: Qoros. Read More »

UK car sales continue to defy Europe downturn with 7.9% rise in February

UK new-car registrations rose 7.9 percent to 66,749 in February as the market continued to defy the downward trend in other key European markets. Read More »

Hyundai Europe doubles ad budget to fight image problem

Hyundai plans to double its advertising spending in Europe in a bid to build on market share gains at a time when struggling rivals like Opel and Peugeot are becoming more aggressive in cutting prices. Read More »

How Mark Hogan came full circle to aid Toyota

The news that General Motors alum Mark Hogan will take an unprecedented director's seat on the board at Toyota Motor evokes all sorts of historical observations. But don't forget this one: Hogan has come full circle to Toyota's aide. Read More »

A brand's coming-out party in Geneva

People could argue all day about the most important debut at the Geneva auto show. Despite the glitz and glamour of models such as the Alfa Romeo 4C, Ferrari LaFerrari, Lamborghini Veneno and Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible, the most meaningful debut may have been by an entire brand: Qoros. Read More »