(October 29, 2009) Chinese automaker Geely Group Holding Co. Ford's  preferred bidder to purchase Volvo Car Corp, according to news reports.

Ford announced Wednesday that it will start more detailed negotiations with Geely, adding that no final decisions have been made.

"Ford believes Geely has the potential to be a responsible future owner of Volvo and to take the business forward while preserving its core values and the independence of the Swedish brand," Ford Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth said in a statement.

(October 28, 2009) Dodge’s redesigned 2010 Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups all carry lower prices than the old models they’re replacing, Automotive News reports.

The base model 2010 Ram 2500 regular cab 4x2 with a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 starts at $28,165, including shipping. That’s $1,970 cheaper than the 2009 model it replaces, according to Dodge numbers — even though the redesigned model has more equipment.

(October 26, 2009) BANGKOK, Thailand — Ford Thailand's new vehicle sales rose more than 21 percent during the third quarter from the previous quarter. September sales rose almost 8 percent from August, representing its best monthly sales this year and marking four consecutive months of increasing sales.  

(October 26, 2009) Nissan is recalling 2008 and 2009 Rogue models for a defective screw in the steering gear box that could result in the driver losing all steering control.

More than 160,000 vehicles are affected by A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Campaign. Suspect vehicles were made from March 7, 2007 to July 20, 2009.

The defective part was manufactured in Malaysia by Japanese supplier NSK. Nissan first became aware of the problem in June of 2009 when a report of a steering problem from non-U.S. vehicle was received.

(October 24, 2009) Through the first nine months of 2009, cars outnumbered light trucks among the 20 best-selling models in the U.S. market, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report.SM  In September 2009 and year to date, 13 of the 20 top-volume models were cars and only seven were trucks, and these included three crossovers (CUVs).

(October 21, 2009) The highly anticipated LFA supercar, which just made its global debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, will be on display for the first time in North America at two back-to-back premier venues --  the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas this November and the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show in December.

Next year, Lexus will show the LFA at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chicago Auto Show, Dallas Auto Show and New York International Auto
Show.

(October 21, 2009) TOKYO — Honda has debuted the much-anticipated CR-Z Concept 2009, the second concept version of the stylish, sporty hybrid coupe, at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show. While the vehicle displayed at the show is a global concept with a rear seat, the production version that will be introduced to North America in the second half of 2010 will be packaged as a sporty, 2-seat hybrid that provides a personal driving experience for North American customers.

(October 20, 2009) Honda CEO Takanobu Ito said he would consider launching electric cars in the United States, Europe and Japan, a sign Japan's No. 2 automaker is changing its strategy for the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicles.

Honda, whose Insight hybrid is trailing far behind the Toyota Prius, has been aiming to leapfrog the competition in the next generation of zero-emission technology by focusing on the development of hydrogen fuel-cell cars.

(October 19, 2009) AutoWeek magazine reports today that Volkswagen will probably drop the Passat sedan and wagon in 2011 when VW's new U.S.-built mid-sized four-door is expected to go on sale.

"We are looking at it in detail," Stefan Jacoby, VW Group of America CEO, said this month.

The U.S.-built sedan, which has yet to be named, will be larger than the Passat but priced lower.

"We'll have two sedans coming out at the same time, and the smaller one will cost considerably more than the bigger one," said a VW spokesman.

(October 19, 2009) Ford is to throw a lifeline to thousands of historic Formula Ford racers worldwide thanks to a decision to put the legendary 'Kent' engine block back into production. Engineering work has already begun at Ford Racing’s Performance Parts division in the USA, with sales scheduled to start in 2010.