by Ken Zino | Jan 5, 2010
Chrysler Group today reported December sales increased 36% compared with November 2009 as 20 of 24 vehicles posted sales increases for the same period. The company also told dealers that virtually all of its vehicles will be covered by 5-year, 0% interest financing,...
by Ken Zino | Jan 5, 2010
One of Nissan’s largest dealers today filed a $250 million fraud and breach of contract lawsuit against Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, Nissan North America, Inc. and Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. The Los Angeles Superior Court filing claims the automaker lied to one of its...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 5, 2010
The pics make it official. As TheDetroitBureau.com first reported, more than a month ago, Cadillac will introduce a new member of its performance v-Series line-up at next week’s North American International Auto Show, the CTSv Coupe. The base Coupe hasn’t even hit...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 4, 2010
Faced with a massive slump in sales, the Penske Automotive Group has shaken up the management team at its smart USA operation. Jill Lajdziak, the long-time head of General Motors’ Saturn brand has been name the new president of smart, which serves as U.S. distributor...
by Ken Zino | Jan 4, 2010
Ford Motor Company (F) announced today that on December 31, 2009, it completed the transfer of its UAW retiree health care liabilities to the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust or “VEBA Trust.” Because of a series of complex financial transactions and a court...
by Ken Zino | Jan 4, 2010
General Motors Company and its joint ventures in China announced today that domestic sales of 1,826,424 units sold in 2009 resulted in a year-end market share record of 13.4%. It was an improvement of 1.3 percentage points from the end of 2008. The results provided...
by Ken Zino | Jan 4, 2010
This is a cautionary tale about how two old-line industrial companies were caught out in a global media crisis that badly tarnished the reputations of both. By the time that trial lawyers, politicians and the media moved on to other matters (prompted by the contested...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 4, 2010
While December’s numbers may hold the faint glimmering of hope, it will be difficult to put much of a positive spin on dismal 2009 – unless you’re Subaru of America (SoA), that is. When the year’s final numbers are reported, this week, the U.S. market will show a...
by Michael Rose | Jan 4, 2010
On New Year’s Day of 1910, Henry Ford started producing Model T’s at what was then the world’s largest auto factory – the Highland Park Ford Plant. It was an airy complex that would change the world with his new ideas – the moving...
by Ken Zino | Jan 4, 2010
It almost takes longer to pronounce the name, than it does for the new 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35 roadster to reach 62 mph from a stop — 4.8 seconds, according to the Bavarian maker of mostly coupes, sedans and sport utility vehicles. During the 2010 North American...
by Ken Zino | Jan 4, 2010
Mopar announced this morning that a dress up package for the Dodge Challenger muscle car is now a factory installed option. The exterior kit, $1,995 includes a body-color hood with scoop, body-color rear “Go-Wing” spoiler and strobe stripe graphics. An interior...
by Ken Zino | Jan 1, 2010
Hyundai made the decision several years back to try to lead the segments it competes in fuel economy – a plan that is now emerging in production just as fuel economy and emissions reduction have become the hot topics in the business. Enter the freshened Sante Fe with...
