Adam Rubenfire See All Staff Page Recent Stories Tesla seeks 'Model E' trademark Tesla Motors earlier this month filed three trademark applications for the name "Model E," according to the federal Patent and Trademark Office's Web site. The applications refer to use of the name in "automobiles and structural parts therefore," automobile maintenance and repair services, as well as apparel. Space robot research could help improve vehicle communications, Ford says Ford is teaming up with researchers at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University in Russia to study communication between robots at the International Space Station and Earth in the hope of developing better systems for connected cars. Group 1 raises dividend 6% Group 1 Automotive, the nation's fourth-largest dealership, raised its quarterly cash dividend by 6 percent, or 1 cent per share. U.S. Treasury sells another $877 million in GM stock The Department of Treasury continues to divest its shares in General Motors, following its pledge last December that it would fully divest from its investment in GM within 12-15 months. The Treasury received total net proceeds of about $877 million from sales of GM common stock in July, the department's monthly report to Congress said. GM, paced by pickups, gains 16% in July General Motors' sales rose 16 percent in July to 234,071 units in the United States, as full-sized pickup deliveries jumped 44 percent and all four of the automaker's brands posted double-digit increases, the company said today. Denso's quarterly profits surge on yen gains Denso's profits surged in the quarter that ended June 30, in part because of currency gains, as revenue rose on higher vehicle production in North America and emerging markets, the world's second-largest automotive parts supplier said today. Hertz reports major Q2 gains after acquisition Weeks after its acquisition of Dollar-Thrifty was approved, Hertz Global Holdings posted sharply higher adjusted net income during the second quarter. The company said its adjusted net income for the quarter was $204.4 million, up 32 percent from last year. Lear posts 13% gain in Q2 operating earnings Automotive seating and electrical component supplier Lear today reported a mostly positive second quarter, gaining $224 million in operating earnings before one-time items and affiliate income -- a 13 percent from the same quarter last year. The news sent Lear shares up 2.8 percent. Johnson Controls names Molinaroli CEO as Roell retires Alex Molinaroli will be the next president, CEO, and chairman of Johnson Controls, the company announced today. Molinaroli, 53, will replace current president and CEO Stephen Roell on Oct. 1. He will also join the company's board of directors when he becomes chairman on Jan. 1, 2014. W.Va. dealer takes a step back in Obamacare suit Joe Holland last month attracted national publicity for challenging new federal laws requiring his West Virginia dealership to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives taken after sex. But his legal team recently discovered a problem: Holland's insurer has already been covering the drugs as a part of the health benefits he offers to his employees. A Range Rover ride home for the royal baby It wasn't a Bentley, an Aston Martin or even a Rolls-Royce. Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, took their newborn son home Tuesday in a Range Rover. Toyota goes to trial in bellwether unintended acceleration case Jury selection began today in a Los Angeles trial stemming from a lawsuit alleging that Toyota should be held responsible for unintended acceleration in a woman's 2006 Camry. Group sues Ford, claims touchscreen systems defective A proposed class-action lawsuit was filed against Ford Motor, alleging that the MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch infotainment systems are defective. Hillary Clinton to keynote NADA convention Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, a potential candidate for president in 2016, will give a keynote speech at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention & Expo in January in New Orleans, the trade group said. In new Fiat ad, the car is alive Remember Fiat's 2011 Super Bowl commercial, "Seduction," in which a beautiful woman turned out to be a Fiat 500 Abarth? Well, you won't be fooled this time. In a print ad for the 500 Abarth in ESPN The Magazine's upcoming Body Issue, the "car" is actually made up of beautiful women. Load More