Cobo readied for car show
New floor plan adds more space for automakers’ displays, aisle for the expected 700,000 visitors.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News
With less than two weeks until Cobo Center opens its doors to the world’s automotive press, work crews are making their final push to ready scores of displays [...]
Auto loans have the whiff of bad debt about them
Monday, December 31, 2007
Ken Bensinger / Los Angeles Times
When Jennifer and Bobby Post traded in their 2001 Chevy Suburban last year for a shiny new Ford F-350 turbo diesel with an extended cab, it seemed like a great deal. Even though they still owed $9,500 on [...]
2008 Chevrolet Impala 50th Anniversary Edition - Auto Shows
A front-drive V-6 Impala to recall glory days of the past.
BY JAKE HOLMES,
December 2007
The Impalas of today are a far cry from their rear-wheel-drive forebears such as the first stand-alone 1959 model with a 355-hp, 348-cubic-inch V-8 or even the 1961 “SS” model that tore up drag [...]
Car sales likely worse in 2008 than in 2007, analysts say
December 28, 2007
By DEE-ANN DURBIN
ASSOCIATED PRESS
DETROIT — Industry analysts are predicting a lackluster end to an already dismal year for automakers, likely the worst in nearly a decade.
Holiday discounts failed to bring consumers out of their funk, and December sales are expected to fall around [...]
GM electric car takes off on YouTube
Business Insider
Saturday, December 29, 2007
More than eight years after discontinuing the now-notorious EV1 electric car, General Motors Corp.’s quirky little ride just won’t go away.
Fans of the EV1 still haven’t forgiven GM for halting the electric car program — and destroying most of the cars — in 1999. That [...]
EPA to release memos on fuel ruling
It’s a sign that battle over Calif. goals has far to go
December 28, 2007
BY H. JOSEF HEBERT
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — A Bush administration decision to prevent California from imposing higher fuel-economy rules — which had been seen as a major victory for automakers — appears headed for more scrutiny.
The Environmental [...]
Serbia to sell Yugo automaker
Friday, December 28, 2007
Associated Press
BELGRADE, SERBIA — Serbia’s only carmaker and producer of the much-maligned Yugo will be sold next year, the government said Thursday.
In an advertisement published in the Politika daily, Serbia’s Privatization Agency said nearly 90 percent of the company’s shares will be sold in April.
Zastava, based in the [...]
Toyota to roll out concept pickup
Small hybrid truck to debut at Detroit auto show adds solar panels to charge GPS system and displays.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Christine Tierney / The Detroit News
Toyota Motor Corp. will unveil a concept for a small hybrid pickup at the North American International Auto Show in January.
Toyota said the A-BAT show [...]
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Auto briefs
Ford aims for better kid test dummies
DEARBORN — A high-tech insert, similar in size and shape to a 6-year-old’s abdomen, is being developed for crash test dummies to help improve vehicle safety for children. The prototype is part of an effort to make pediatric crash dummies and crash tests more real [...]
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Buzzing about battery power
Chevrolet Volt generates surge of traffic on Web
GM’s eco-friendly concept car draws a cult following
Sharon Terlep / The Detroit News
The Chevrolet Volt is slowly consuming Lyle Dennis’ life.
A year after casually launching a blog devoted to General Motors Corp.’s ambitious efforts to build a battery-powered Chevy, Dennis, a neurologist [...]
100% recyclable vehicles is Detroit 3 target
December 25, 2007
FREE PRESS STAFF
Ford Motor Co. said Monday it is working with General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC to make cars and trucks as close to 100% recyclable as possible.
The Detroit automakers are working through the U.S. Council for Automotive Research’s Vehicle Recycling Partnership to obtain that goal.
Already [...]
End of cell system strands users
Analog’s shutdown cuts off some OnStar, alarm services
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Peter Svensson / Associated Press
NEW YORK — When Adele Rothman bought her 16-year-old son a car in 2003, she made sure to pick one that had OnStar, the onboard communications and safety system.
What the Scarsdale, N.Y., resident didn’t know was [...]
Vehicle sales expected to fall for Dec.
Experts say weak housing, credit markets hit automakers and will carry into the new year.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News
Analysts are predicting much weaker U.S. car and truck sales this month as the industry braces for an even tougher 2008.
Sales for the month are expected [...]
Six reasons to buy a sQuba
Switzerland’s innovative Rinspeed, maker of the Splash hydrofoil car that flies over water, released images last week of its new wonder car: the sQuba, capable of diving to depths of 33 feet.
The sQuba, made by Switzerland’s Rinspeed, is capable of diving to depths of 33 feet. (Rinspeed)
Here’s why it [...]
A NEW LOOK AT THE 80-YEAR PROMISE
UAW health trust faces big doubts
Some experts, workers fear retiree funding will run out
December 23, 2007
BY KATIE MERX
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
First of two parts
A historic new trust intended to pay the health costs of UAW retirees from Detroit’s automakers could run out of money much sooner than the 80 [...]
FREE PRESS CAR & TRUCK OF THE YEAR
Malibu, Enclave revive traditions; Sync looks ahead
BY MARK PHELAN
FREE PRESS AUTO CRITIC
Yesterday, today and tomorrow meet in the Free Press’ 2008 automotive awards.
The new Chevrolet Malibu and Buick Enclave channel the spirits of Christmas past and present, two terrific vehicles that represent a return to the qualities that [...]
UAW looks to influence debate on health care
National reform could be key to paying retirees’ bills
December 24, 2007
BY JUSTIN HYDE
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF
WASHINGTON — The UAW’s gamble that it can manage the health care costs of up to 700,000 people comes with a side wager over how much the union can boost its influence in [...]
GM recalls 313,000 for fluid leak
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Ken Thomas / Associated Press
WASHINGTON — General Motors Corp. said Friday it was recalling about 313,000 passenger cars and crossover vehicles to fix a fluid leak that could lead to the driver losing control of the vehicle.
The recall involves 275,936 vehicles in the United States, including the [...]
Hummer H3 gains a more potent Alpha version
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Review
Richard Williamson / Scripps Howard News Service
After 15 years traveling civilian highways, Hummer is gaining distance from the original war wagon.
Just as Jeep adapted to a post-war world of cul de sacs and leafy suburbs by branching out into varied vehicles, the Hummer brand must [...]
‘No rules’ are now the norm
Friday, December 21, 2007
Daniel Howes
The new rule of the global automotive order is that there are no rules.
The latest evidence: An Indian automaker, Tata Motors Ltd., is in exclusive negotiations to buy Britain’s Jaguar and Land Rover brands from Ford Motor Co., though formal confirmation of the talks is not [...]
GM recalls 276,000 vehicles
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Harry Stoffer
Automotive News | December 21, 2007 - 2:28 pm EST
WASHINGTON — General Motors is recalling 276,000 vehicles built for the 2005-07 model years, including some high-profile sports cars, to replace pinion seals.
GM told federal regulators the seals do not meet specifications and can allow fluid leaks. The National Highway Traffic [...]
Report: Chrysler in serious financial crunch
Automotive News | December 21, 2007 - 11:00 am EST
DETROIT (Reuters) — Chrysler LLC faces a serious financial crunch and is trying to sell assets to raise cash, just months after the automaker was bought by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP, The Wall Street Journal reported today.
CEO Bob [...]
GM dealers get more say in ads
Automaker moves to placate dealers, who sought more control over regional campaigns.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Sharon Terlep / The Detroit News
General Motors Corp., with sales declining and dealers grumbling, will relinquish almost all control of nearly $500 million in regional advertising.
The automaker is yielding to pressure from dealers who want [...]
Chrysler moves perplex union
Rescinded buyout offers, no concrete plan leave employees’ future with carmaker in limbo
Friday, December 21, 2007
Eric Morath / The Detroit News
It’s no buyouts, no layoffs and a lot of uncertainty for salaried employees at Chrysler LLC’s Auburn Hills headquarters that are represented by the United Auto Workers.
A confusing and contradictory series of [...]
GADGET OF THE YEAR
Ford Sync system is best new feature Product improves safety, convenience
December 20, 2007
BY MARK PHELAN
FREE PRESS AUTO CRITIC
The best feature to come from any car company in years, Ford’s new Sync system improves safety, convenience and communications.
The breakthrough system also shows how automakers can team up with the consumer electronics industry to [...]
UAW: Chrysler white-collar layoffs nixed
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Eric Morath / The Detroit News
Planned Friday layoffs of 200 UAW-represented Chrysler LLC salaried employees were canceled this morning, said Jeff Hagler, president of Local 412, who represents those workers at the automaker’s Auburn Hills’ headquarters.
"The layoffs are canceled," he said. "We couldn’t believe [...]
GM: Emission law may hamper muscle cars
Detroit performance cars endangered by new, stricter regulations
The Associated Press
updated 1:19 p.m. CT, Thurs., Dec. 20, 2007
DETROIT - When General Motors Corp. pulls the cover off a new supercharged version of the Corvette at the Detroit auto show next month, it will unveil a performance car [...]
GM sells medium-duty truck business to Navistar
Ryan Beene
[...]
How GM got its style magic back
December 20, 2007
BY MARK PHELAN
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST
How did GM get its mojo back?
Two ways, as a character in a Hemingway novel said when asked how he went bankrupt: gradually and then suddenly.
Profound change takes place in increments, whether in an individual or an organization. The improvement can be unnoticeable [...]
Chrysler expected to lay off 200
UAW-represented salaried employees targeted
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Eric Morath / The Detroit News
Pink slips are expected Friday for 200 UAW-represented Chrysler LLC salaried employees at the Auburn Hills headquarters, a source close to the situation said Wednesday.
The United Auto Workers members, most of whom perform design and engineering functions, will be [...]
Ford ready to reward its workers
Upbeat, it will consider UAW bonuses
December 19, 2007
BY SARAH A. WEBSTER
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
As Ford Motor Co. prepares to reinstate merit raises for its white-collar workers, the increasingly upbeat automaker has promised the UAW that it will consider giving its nearly 54,000 U.S. autoworkers annual bonuses early next year — [...]
Review: 2009 ‘Vette will put a smile on your face
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Scott Burgess / The Detroit News
This is one mean machine. General Motors Corp. on Wednesday took the wraps off the much-anticipated 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 — the fastest production vehicle ever built by GM.
The new ‘Vette will be showcased next month at the [...]
It’s the law: 35 mpg CAFE standard
queryvar=”its,the,law:,35,mpg,cafe,standard”;
Harry Stoffer
Automotive News | December 19, 2007 - 11:14 am EST
WASHINGTON — A 35-mpg fuel economy standard is the law of the land.
President Bush signed an 800-page energy bill in a ceremony this morning at the Department of Energy. It includes the increase for cars and trucks to [...]
Astra adds zip to Saturn
New Opel-based hatchback livens up compact market
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Scott Burgess: Review
SAN DIEGO — Americans love European things. If it comes from the Old World, we seem to think it’s classy and sophisticated.
That’s one of the reasons English tea, French wine and German beer rate higher in perceived quality than the [...]
GM increases prices on most of its 2008 models
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Jamie LaReau
Automotive News | December 18, 2007 - 4:24 pm EST
DETROIT - General Motors announced it will boost prices on many of its 2008 vehicles from zero to $1,500 on certain 2008 models to help cover the rising costs of commodities. The average price boost will [...]
GM’s Wyoming plant might take part in new buyout program
Created: 12/18/2007 5:51:40 PM
Updated: 12/18/2007 5:53:20 PM
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Auto sales outlook gloomier
Suppliers, dealers, state brace for tougher 2008
Eric Morath / The Detroit News
[...]
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
GM seeks deal on buyout plan
Automaker pushes to find savings amid slack sales
Sharon Terlep / The [...]
Financial headlines
December 18, 2007
AUTOS: Ford may tap Tata to buy Land Rover
Ford Motor Co. may choose India’s Tata Motors [...]
WEB AND VIDEO CAMPAIGN
UAW TV ads redirect focus
Workers talk about community, safety
December 18, 2007
BY JEWEL GOPWANI
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
In an ad campaign launched Monday, the UAW is asking the public to shed the impression that the union is just for autoworkers.
Instead, the union is running TV spots and started a Web site aimed at telling [...]
