Headlines for Wednesday, March 6, 2013
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GM struggles to overcome Chevrolet-Opel rivalry
The rivalry between GM's Opel and Chevrolet brands in Europe risks damaging both automakers. While Chevrolet is GM's largest and most important brand worldwide, selling roughly 5 million cars last year alone, it is outsold five-to-one by Opel on its home turf in the EU. Read More »
European automakers go big on small SUVs
The popularity of subcompact SUVs is one of the bright spots in Europe's auto-sales slump and mass-market carmakershave been quick to join this growing segment. Read More »
Renault gains union OK to cut 7,500 jobs, freeze pay
Renault can eliminate 7,500 jobs and freeze wages as part of a labor deal offering increased domestic production, after one of the main French unions at the carmaker gave their approval today. Read More »
Automaker chiefs urge end to European austerity
Automakers joined growing opposition to Europe's austerity measures. Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn urged government spending to revive the region's anemic sales, which he forecast won't recover for another three years. Read More »
BMW shrugs off Europe market decline as Daimler seeks capacity
BMW and Daimler are shrugging off the European auto-market decline as sales growth in China and the United States pushes their luxury-car production to maximum rates. Read More »
Ford calls for mutual U.S.-Europe auto standards in trade deal
Ford wants trade tariffs between the U.S. and Europe removed and believes the two markets' regulators should accept each other's safety and environmental standards. Read More »
EcoSport shows flaw in Ford's global design policy
Ford is downplaying sales expectations of the EcoSport subcompact SUV in Europe, admitting it was designed with emerging markets in mind. Read More »
Honda shows its European side
Honda is showing its European side with the Civic Tourer concept. The car was designed by a German specifically for Europe with the aim of being sleeker than BMW's wagons. Read More »
Toyota revamps management to battle GM, Volkswagen
Toyota President Akio Toyoda overhauled his top management for a second straight year, strengthening his control over the world's largest carmaker to vie with General Motors Co. and Volkswagen. Read More »
The LaFerrari is a Ferrari first
The LaFerrari supercar is the first model entirely designed by the company's styling center. Ferrari says it is not a bad sign for longtime partner Pininfarina. Read More »
Ford to import EcoSport crossover, key to European margins
Ford will import its EcoSport compact crossover from India for the European market, where the vehicle will compete in a growing, but increasingly crowded segment. Read More »
Ford awards Mulally nearly $12 million in performance bonuses
Ford CEO Alan Mulally this week was awarded performance bonuses worth nearly $12 million, Ford disclosed to U.S. regulators. Read More »
For Ghosn, just another impressive day in the media glare
For several years at major auto shows, Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has invited media to freewheeling Q&A sessions. Ghosn continued the tradition here today in an unscripted, open-ended session with about 75 international journalists. Read More »
In the limelight, exotics shrug off austerity
So where's the new austere, euro-pinching European auto industry, the one that's struggling to cut capacity and bring wages to a competitive level? No where to be seen, at least at the luxo-elite displays here in Geneva. Read More »
Hyper-hybrid LaFerrari could redefine green cars
The LaFerrari is one of the most electrifying debuts at this year's Geneva show, and not only because of its sleek carbon-fiber body or its top speed of more than 350 km/h. Read More »
Marchionne says Fiat is in talks with banks about Chrysler merger
Fiat- Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said he is in talks with banks about financing a merger of the two automakers. The deal would involve purchasing the 41.5 percent of Chrysler that Fiat doesn't own. Read More »
