Hyundai, Kia losing ground to luxury imports at home as tariffs fall 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 19, 2013  Foreign brands have seen their share of South Korea's market for premium vehicles surge to 41 percent from 28 percent in the past two years, according to Korean industry groups, as lower tariffs make their cars cheaper and local buyers abandon a decades-long preference for domestic brands.... Read More »
LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE 2 million extra doors was the best call Daimler made during 'marriage of equals' 12:35 pm U.S. ET | May 17, 2013  It's easy to criticize the way Daimler AG ran and ultimately left Chrysler during the disastrous "marriage of equals" era. I know because I've done it on a regular basis. But even the worst marriages can produce spectacular kids -- or in this case, products.... Read More »
UAW study chides Nissan for tax breaks at Miss. plant 3:37 pm U.S. ET | May 17, 2013  A research study commissioned by UAW labor organizers claims that Nissan could receive four times the previously reported level of state and local incentives and tax breaks to operate its assembly plant in Canton, Miss.... Read More »
Fiat says headquarters shift to U.S. is not on agendaMay 17, 2013 06:01 CET  Fiat said the idea of moving the group's legal headquarters to the United States following a planned merger with Chrysler Group is not on the company's agenda.... Read More »
Jaguar launches plan to spruce up U.S. storesMay 17, 2013 06:01 CET  Jaguar is rolling out a plan to refurbish its U.S. dealerships in preparation for a wave of new products. Regional Jaguar teams are going "door-to-door" to discuss the new corporate identity standards, starting with about 50 older stores.... Read More »
CARS & CONCEPTS Jaguar ponders XQ nameMay 17, 2013 06:01 CET Based on documents submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Jaguar may name the all-wheel-drive compact crossover it has in the works the XQ, and call a new compact sedan the Q-Type, according to news reports.... Read More »
Tariff played a role in Mexico winning Audi plantMay 17, 2013 06:01 CET  At the groundbreaking for the Q5 plant in San Jose Chiapa, Mexico, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler offered another explanation for deciding not to locate in the United States: The European Union slaps a 10 percent tariff on U.S.-built vehicles.... Read More »
At Fiat-Chrysler 'it's all about differentiating the brands'May 17, 2013 06:01 CET  Olivier Francois, chief marketing officer for Fiat and Chrysler, has helped rehabilitate Chrysler Group's image since its 2009 bankruptcy. Chrysler has racked up 37 consecutive months of year-over-year U.S. sales increases, thanks in part to memorable commercials, such as rapper Eminem's coup during the 2011 Super Bowl.... Read More »
Fiat: Shift of headquarters to U.S. not on agenda 8:04 pm U.S. ET | May 16, 2013  Fiat said the idea of moving the group's legal headquarters to the United States following a planned merger with Chrysler Group is not on the company's agenda.... Read More »
In boost to EVs, report sees surge in charging outlets worldwide 2:42 pm U.S. ET | May 16, 2013  The steady growth in sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, along with public and private investment, is expected to drive a sharp rise in the number of charging stations worldwide by 2020, a new study says.... Read More »
Toyota plant in France starts Yaris output for U.S.May 16, 2013 14:48 CET  Toyota Europe has started making the Yaris for North American export at its plant in Valenciennes, France, marking the first time the automaker's European-built models have been exported to the United States and Canada.... Read More »
AMY WILSON For AutoNation's Jackson, Penske sets pace for retirement 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 16, 2013  AutoNation CEO Mike Jackson's employment contract with the country's largest dealership group is up in September. Jackson will turn 65 next February, but he has no intention of walking out the door any time soon.... Read More »
Toyota plant in France launches Yaris output for U.S. 8:48 am U.S. ET | May 16, 2013  Toyota Europe has started making the Yaris for North American export at its plant in Valenciennes, France, marking the first time the automaker's European-built models have been exported to the United States and Canada.... Read More »
Fiat mulls U.S. headquarters after Chrysler merger, report saysMay 15, 2013 16:04 CET  Fiat is considering moving its corporate headquarters to the United States following a planned merger with Chrysler Group, three people familiar with the matter said.... Read More »
Lawsuit claims defects in Ford 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine 1:07 pm U.S. ET | May 15, 2013  Ford is being sued by three vehicle owners in Ohio because of alleged defects in the automaker's six-cylinder EcoBoost engine.... Read More »
Fiat mulls U.S. headquarters after Chrysler merger, report says 10:04 am U.S. ET | May 15, 2013  Fiat is considering moving its corporate headquarters to the United States following a planned merger with Chrysler Group, three people familiar with the matter said. CEO Sergio Marchionne is evaluating the switch from Turin, where Fiat was founded in 1899, to the United States as the carmaker's revenue and profit center shifts to North America, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing the internal deliberations.... Read More »
Cost to be big factor in 'talking' cars acceptance, LaHood says 3:51 pm U.S. ET | May 14, 2013  Cars that "talk" to each other to avoid crashes or traffic jams, like those being tested here, will save lives but the cost of the systems will determine consumers' acceptance of such technology, the transportation secretary said today.... Read More »
Honda to convert Ohio seat plant for Acura NSX output 11:00 am U.S. ET | May 14, 2013  Honda said today it will invest $70 million to convert a former seat plant here to assemble the next-generation Acura NSX. The plant will be staffed with about 100 specially trained production workers and equipped with robots to build the gasoline-electric hybrid sports car, Honda said.... Read More »
KEITH CRAIN Even for dealers, it's a global business 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 13, 2013  More dealership groups are expanding outside the United States and Canada. That's because there is no one better than the U.S. auto dealer in any aspect of retailing, whether selling new and used vehicles, servicing them or doing business in any local market -- in the United States, Europe, China, Brazil or anywhere else Keith Crain is editor-in-chief of Automotive News.... Read More »
Nissan kicks off drive to cut costs 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 13, 2013  Nissan North America is stepping up manufacturing cost reduction efforts as it expands its footprint in the hemisphere. The cornerstone of the drive will be to bring down costs at Nissan's Canton, Miss., assembly plant.... Read More »
Volvo jabs Germans, stresses sensible luxury 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 13, 2013  Volvo's new brand awareness campaign pokes fun at German competitors, touting Volvos as less flashy and more sensible.... Read More »
Jaguar launches plan to spruce up stores 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 13, 2013  Jaguar is rolling out a plan to refurbish its U.S. dealerships in preparation for a wave of new products. Regional Jaguar teams are going "door-to-door" to discuss the new corporate identity standards, starting with about 50 older stores.... Read More »
Ford must switch gears, tout trucks, Mustang 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 13, 2013  Ford-brand marketers face an interesting challenge. After spending millions of dollars over the last several years promoting a lineup of fuel-efficient small- and mid-sized cars and crossovers, two historic launches loom on Ford's near-term horizon: the next-generation F-series pickup and the 50th anniversary Mustang pony car.... Read More »
Hyundai sets new TV spots to reggae beat 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 13, 2013  A remix of the Bob Marley song "Three Little Birds" will be the soundtrack for TV spots in a campaign touting the package of safety and maintenance services included with Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system.... Read More »
BEST PRACTICES Dealer pairs test driver's phone to car 12:01 am U.S. ET | May 13, 2013  A Chrysler Group dealer in Michigan has turned a 30-second routine into a better way to demonstrate his technology-laden vehicles.Before the start of each test drive at Extreme Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram, the salesperson showing the vehicle asks the customer in the driver's seat for his or her smartphone and -- with permission -- connects the phone to the vehicle's infotainment system.... Read More »
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