by Paul A. Eisenstein | May 10, 2011
Bob Stempel’s good fortune came at an inopportune time. Trained as an engineer and hailed as the “car guy” General Motors desperately needed when he was promoted to chairman and CEO, in 1990, Stempel’s tenure at the helm of what was then the world’s largest automaker...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | May 10, 2011
General Motors hopes to reassert its role as the preeminent U.S. automaker as it rolls out plans to invest $2 billion in 17 of its plants across eight states. The move, which will be formally announced by CEO Dan Akerson during a visit to a transmission plant in...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | May 10, 2011
Fiat delivered a surprise in a new SEC filing, revealing plans to boost its stake in Chrysler to as much as 70% once the U.S. maker’s government loans are paid off – something that is expected to happen next month. There is yet the possibility that Fiat could push its...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | May 9, 2011
You’re running late for yourflight so you rush up to the rental return counter, toss the keys to the clerk and head for the shuttle. The shock might not hit until your credit card bill shows up, weeks later, where you discover a $200 charge for having the rent-a-car...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | May 9, 2011
Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne is hoping to write a couple checks that will add up to $7.5 billion – and he hopes to have the ink dry before June 10th, the second anniversary of the automaker’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. “We will repay every...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | May 9, 2011
In an industry where even a nickel’s added cost can make a competitive difference, Ford is dealing with an issue of dollars and sense that could turn into a big issue as it heads back to the bargaining table with the United Autoworkers Union. The maker says it...
by Joseph Szczesny | May 9, 2011
Saab Cars North America has wooed Tim Colbeck away from his job as the top sales executive at Subaru’s as Saab’s top executive in North America. Colbeck will report directly to Saab Automobile AB vice president and head of global sales & aftersales, Matthias Seidl...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | May 9, 2011
After initially denying any interest in selling the vastly profitable Formula One race series, the sports owners now acknowledge there may be some talks underway – though it’s unclear where any negotiations might lead. Rumors have been circulating that a consortium...
by Joseph Szczesny | May 6, 2011
Who says big can’t also be green? A new plug-in hybrid Version of the Ford F150 Pickup Truck might argue otherwise. The truck is the work of Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc., the company that is also providing a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the new...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | May 6, 2011
Maybe $5 gas isn’t so inevitable, after all – at least not for now. Oil prices have taken their sharpest skid, this week, since the price plunge of late 2008, leading some analysts to predict that pump prices are also heading down – perhaps to $3.50 or lower – in the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | May 6, 2011
Bowing to strong public pressure, Jaguar has announced plans to put the well-received C-X75 supercar into production. The striking 2-seater will use an extended-range electric drive system capable of running entirely on batteries – yet also able to launch from 0 to 60...
by Bryan Laviolette | May 6, 2011
Ford’s industry-first rear inflatable seat belts earned the 2011 Traffic Safety Achievement Award from the New York International Auto Show’s World Traffic Safety Symposium. “Ford’s rear inflatable seat belt technology will enhance safety for rear seat passengers of...
