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If ever there were a place an $87,900 plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle would be a smash hit, it would be in the People's Republic of Santa Monica. Mark Rechtin is West Coast editor of Automotive News. 10:32 am U.S. ET | Nov. 6

The head of the American unit of German autos parts supplier Robert Bosch GmbH said he expects U.S. light vehicle sales to improve to 11 million units in 2010, indicative of a steady but slow recovery from a bottom reached earlier this year. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 6

The 2011 Ford Explorer will be launched with rear seat belts that include small built-in airbags. 3:24 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 5

Carfax, Experian add clunker VINs to databases

The industry's two top vehicle history reporting companies have added to their databases vehicle identification numbers of the 700,000 trade-ins meant to be scrapped under the government's cash for clunkers program. 4:08 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 5

GM aims to double Chevy sales in Europe

General Motors Co. aims to more than double sales for its flagship Chevrolet brand in Europe as part of a business plan that was presented to the company's board this week, the brand's chief said today. 1:46 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 5

Chrysler wants sales outside N.A. to quadruple by 2014

Chrysler Group's sales outside North America will grow to 500,000 by 2014 from an estimated 144,000 this year, international sales chief Mike Manley said Wednesday. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 5

All dealerships will have 3 brands by 2011

Chrysler Group plans to finish the consolidation of its dealerships into three-brand stores by the end of 2011, Peter Grady, the automaker's vice president of network development and fleet, said Wednesday. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 5

Customers can call Chrysler for service answers

Chrysler Group will establish call centers for each brand in January to resolve customers’ service problems. Each brand will have a separate 800 number. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 5

Up to 140 Chrysler dealers still need floorplan financing

About 130 to 140 Chrysler Group dealers have not been approved for permanent floorplan financing because of lingering issues with Chrysler Financial, Peter Grady, the automaker's vice president of network development and fleet, said today. 2:20 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 4 | UPDATED: 11/4/09 5:33 p.m. ET

Lawmaker asks GMAC to extend Chrysler dealer floorplans

GMAC Financial Services should extend a six-month program of interim floorplan financing for Chrysler Group dealerships to help keep many of them from going out of business, a Michigan congresswoman says. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich. 4:26 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 4

GMAC narrows losses in Q3; auto operations profitable

GMAC Financial Services reduced its third-quarter net loss to $767 million from $2.5 billion for the same period last year and from $3.9 billion in the previous quarter this year. 9:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 4 | UPDATED: 11/4/09 11:29 a.m. ET

Auto market will stabilize in 2010, Moody's says

The worst of the automotive industry crisis is over, and world sales are set to stabilize next year, a Moody's analyst told the Reuters Auto Summit today. 3:01 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 4

Dodge planning seven-passenger crossover

For the fourth quarter of 2010, the Dodge car brand is planning a seven-passenger crossover. Dodge also plans updates next year for the Avenger sedan, Journey crossover, Caravan minivan and Charger muscle car. 12:11 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 4 | UPDATED: 11/4/09 12:53 a.m. ET

AutoNation's Jackson says Chrysler products key

Chrysler's turnaround plan, being announced today, needs to show long-term product development and financial stability for the largest U.S. auto dealership group to even consider adding franchises, AutoNation Inc. CEO Mike Jackson said. 11:00 am U.S. ET | Nov. 4

Baltimore dealer Edward Drieband thought selling lifetime tire replacement policies would increase repeat business at his dealerships. Instead he has a bevy of upset customers and is out $130,000 for claims he has honored without reimbursement. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 2

Dennis Egglefield has two big tasks on his mind: planning a 100th anniversary bash for his upstate New York Ford dealership and preparing for a fifth generation of Egglefields to take over what great-grandpa Wilbur wrought in 1910. Neither will be easy. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 2
   • A carpenter's side job becomes the Egglefield family's legacy

Lawmakers: Agency will oversee lenders, not dealers

Key lawmakers are trying to clarify that banks and captive finance companies that make indirect loans to consumers would be overseen by a new consumer agency being proposed -- even though auto dealerships that arrange these loans would be exempt. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 2

M-B rounds up Sprinter dealers

Mercedes-Benz USA says 100 Mercedes dealers so far have accepted its offer to sell the Sprinter van starting in January. In September, Daimler AG pulled the Sprinter from the Dodge lineup and moved the diesel-powered van to Mercedes. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 2

Dealers dispute customer's suit over clunkers

Dealers say a New York judge should throw out a consumer's request for class-action status for a lawsuit accusing Penske Automotive Group Inc. of keeping $75 the dealership received from a scrappage company for a cash-for-clunkers trade-in. On Aug. 14, Penske Automotive Group's Westbury (N.Y. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 2