Monday, September 15, 2008
Ford Fiesta draws raves in Europe
But Americans must wait until 2010 while small car is modified for U.S. government requirements.
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News
SIENA, Italy – Ford Motor Co. is hoping its new Fiesta will be the little car that could.
The subcompact is the first of a fleet of European-designed [...]
Monday, September 15, 2008
Ike-effect: Varied pump price spikes
Storm idles refineries in Gulf, destroys 10 platforms
John Porreto and Mark Williams / Associated Press
HOUSTON — Pump prices jumped above $5 per gallon in some parts of the country Sunday as Hurricane Ike, which caused less destruction than feared, left refineries and pipelines idled and destroyed at least [...]
Here comes Kandi: Chinese cars arrive- — for golf communities
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Lindsay Chappell
Automotive News | September 15, 2008 – 12:01 am EST
ENLARGE
Kandi vehicles cannot legally be driven on highways. Top speed is 25 mph.
[...]
#1 sale-killer: Credit, not fuel prices
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Mary Connelly
Automotive News | September 15, 2008 – 12:01 am EST
DETROIT — Tight credit has replaced high gasoline prices as the chief impediment to selling a new vehicle, top Chrysler executives say.
Deborah Meyer, Chrysler LLC’s chief marketing officer, says dealers and consumers tell her "financing is the biggest challenge [...]
Toyota asks truck suppliers: No layoffs
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Lindsay Chappell
Automotive News | September 15, 2008 – 12:01 am EST
ENLARGE
The line at Toyota’s San Antonio truck plant before it was idled on Aug. 8.
Toyota [...]
NEWS ANALYSIS
Richard Truett
Automotive News | September 15, 2008 – 12:01 am EST
If Congress funds a $25 billion loan program to finance production of more fuel-efficient vehicles, General Motors and Ford Motor Co. are poised to take quick advantage.
By contrast, Chrysler LLC trails far behind. And import automakers such as Toyota and Nissan will find [...]
The Mexican Astra
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Automotive News | September 15, 2008 – 12:01 am EST
ENLARGE
A prototype of the Saturn Astra.
General Motors hopes to dodge the weak dollar that inflated the price of the current [...]
Even Vette production takes a hit
queryvar=”even,vette,production,takes,a,hit”;
Amy Wilson
Automotive News | September 15, 2008 – 12:01 am EST
ENLARGE
Sales of the Corvette fell 8.5 percent in the first eight months of this year.
DETROIT [...]
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Ralph Kisiel
Automotive News | September 15, 2008 – 12:01 am EST
ENLARGE
Engineer Kate Remley: Wireless signals in auto plants can bounce off metal surfaces, hindering their reception. Pretesting systems in labs helps prevent this.
[...]
