New wave of American design stokes Detroit 3 market share gains 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 25, 2013  From the fires of Detroit's descent into near-death, GM, Ford and Chrysler have forged some of the most distinctive designs since tailfins were soaring in the halcyon days of the postwar-era. Models such as the Cadillac ATS sports sedan, Ford Fusion family car and Jeep Grand Cherokee are turning heads and stoking sales.... Read More »
N.H. legislators pass amendments to Dealer Bill of Rights 4:15 pm U.S. ET | May 24, 2013 A bill that would further regulate the relationship between New Hampshire auto dealers and their factories is a step closer to becoming law despite opposition from automakers.... Read More »
Ford to retain 1,000 jobs at French plant after deal 3:50 pm U.S. ET | May 24, 2013 Ford plans to retain 1,000 jobs at a plant in southwest France after striking a deal today with local authorities to share the burden of new investments needed to keep the factory operating.... Read More »
Volvo marketing boss Speck is leaving; sales VP Visser named successorMay 24, 2013 16:03 CET  Doug Speck, Volvo's senior vice president for marketing, sales and customer service, is leaving his post effective July 1, the company said today. Speck, 54, will be replaced by Alain Visser, 49, vice president of sales and marketing, the company said.... Read More »
Volvo marketing boss Speck is leaving; sales VP Visser named successor 10:03 am U.S. ET | May 24, 2013  Doug Speck, Volvo's senior vice president for marketing, sales and customer service, is leaving his post effective July 1, the company said today. Speck, 54, will be replaced by Alain Visser, 49, vice president of sales and marketing, the company said.... Read More »
Ford will retain 1,000 jobs at French plantMay 24, 2013 20:57 CET  Ford will retain 1,000 jobs at a transmissions plant in France after striking a deall with local authorities to share the burden of new investments needed to keep the factory operating.... Read More »
Daimler, Ford exchange information on gasoline enginesMay 24, 2013 06:01 CET  Already collaborating with Ford on the development of fuel cell vehicles, Daimler and the U.S. automaker recently exchanged information about their gasoline engines. Daimler got a closer look at Ford's award-winning EcoBoost engine while Daimler shared details on its stratified lean-burning powerplants.... Read More »
LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE Clues to the next Wrangler: See the want ads 2:02 pm U.S. ET | May 24, 2013  Jeep has begun searching for the extra bodies to mount its next big project: the redesign of the Jeep Wrangler. And the job opening descriptions provide some clues as to the changes planned for the off-roader's next generation.... Read More »
EU trade deal would lift U.S. exports to EuropeMay 24, 2013 06:01 CET U.S. auto exports to Europe could quadruple within 15 years if regulators get rid of tariffs and adopt standard vehicle-safety rules, automaker associations say.... Read More »
Ally to pay ResCap $2.1 billion to settle creditor claims 2:30 pm U.S. ET | May 23, 2013 Ally Financial, the auto lender majority-owned by the U.S. government, agreed to pay $2.1 billion to avoid lawsuits related to its bankrupt mortgage unit, Residential Capital.... Read More »
Small BMW team rethought electric cars for huge citiesMay 23, 2013 06:01 CET  Nearly six years ago, BMW's Project i began to position the automaker for the future. Project i chief Ulrich Kranz explained how the idea of a carbon-body car for megacities emerged from his team.... Read More »
Lamborghini's Egoista concept highlights edgy designMay 23, 2013 06:01 CET  The Lamborghini Egoista concept shown earlier this month at the company's 50th anniversary celebration in Bologna, Italy, isn't planned for production, but it does have a purpose: countering critics who think Lamborghini has lost some of its design edginess.... Read More »
Nissan will recall 841,000 vehicles globally due to steering wheel glitchMay 23, 2013 09:44 CET  Nissan will recall about 841,000 vehicles worldwide, including UK-built Micra subcompacts, as a result of a steering wheel glitch that could result in a loss of steering. The automaker said no accidents have been reported.... Read More »
Ford to shutter Australia car, engine plants in 2016May 23, 2013 06:01 CET  Ford will close its Australian car and engine assembly plants in 2016, ending almost nine decades of manufacturing in the country.... Read More »
Ford to shutter Australia car, engine plants in 2016 8:04 pm U.S. ET | May 22, 2013  Ford, citing high operating costs, falling sales and financial losses, will close its Australian car and engine assembly plants in 2016, ending almost nine decades of manufacturing in the country. Ford, the smallest of the country's three manufacturers after Toyota and GM, will shut its assembly plant in Broadmeadows in northern Melbourne and an engine plant in Geelong to the west of the city, Ford Australia CEO Bob Graziano said.... Read More »
Ford, Chrysler to reduce summer shutdowns at most N.A. plants 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 22, 2013  Ford Motor and Chrysler Group said today they are scaling back annual summer production shutdowns this year in hopes of boosting output of key models in North America. General Motors declined to disclose specific summer plans.... Read More »
JIM HENRY Are worries over slower, smaller tax refunds overblown? 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 22, 2013  Some lenders complained in first-quarter earnings reports about smaller and later tax refunds. IRS refund statistics weren’t down by much, but any change is important because tax refunds contribute to the annual peak in subprime financing, according to dealers and subprime lenders.... Read More »
JAMIE LaREAU For happier customers, sales and F&I need to talk 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 22, 2013  Good communication between sales and finance staff cannot be overstated. That’s my takeaway from reading a recent chat on a Facebook page shared by finance managers.... Read More »
PSA will close r&d site to reduce spendingMay 22, 2013 09:49 CET  PSA will shut a French r&d facility as part of a program to reduce spending.... Read More »
Ford to maintain Canadian factory footprint despite high labor costs 12:49 pm U.S. ET | May 21, 2013  Ford is confident it can preserve its manufacturing profile in Canada despite uncompetitive operating costs tied to the high Canadian dollar, the company's top executive in the country said today.... Read More »
Mercedes workers end strike in S. AfricaMay 21, 2013 10:00 CET  A two-day strike at Mercedes-Benz's East London car plant in South Africa ended following crisis talks between management and a workers union.... Read More »
Magneti Marelli expands China production of lighting componentsMay 21, 2013 09:15 CET  Magneti Marelli has opened a plant in the southern China city of Foshan to produce rear lights, headlamps and other lighting components. The company aims to secure a 10 percent share of China's lighting market in the midterm.... Read More »
Chrysler quality chief: Little difference now with Toyota 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 20, 2013 The quality gap between Chrysler Group's vehicles and those of Japanese automakers has become so small that it no longer should matter to consumers, Chrysler's quality chief says.... Read More »
Infiniti: Raise quality, sales will follow 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 20, 2013  Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen, poached last summer from Audi, aims to push into new segments, restore profitability to Nissan's luxury marque and fix lackluster quality rankings. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has ordered de Nysschen to make the brand a top-tier premium player and boost global sales to 500,000 by 2016 from just 170,000 last year.... Read More »
NEEDED: 'THICK SKIN' GM designer knows crucial launches produce a love-hate response 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 20, 2013  Chevrolet designer Tom Peters describes the blocky, chiseled front end of the 2014 Silverado pickup as a "fist in the wind." The metaphor also could describe the resolve Peters needs to weather his critics as the lead designer for two of the most closely scrutinized vehicles on the planet: the Silverado and Corvette.... Read More »
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