(June 5, 2014) DETROIT — General Motors CEO Mary Barra said today that GM has received the findings of an investigation by former U.S. Attorney Anton Valukas into the Cobalt ignition switch recall and plans to act on all of its recommendations.

Barra said 15 employees have been dismissed, including at least eight executives, after the internal investigation found “a pattern of incompetence and neglect” that led to 11 years of delays in recalling millions of cars for a fatal defect.

(June 5, 2014) DOUGLAS, Isle of Man — Subaru of America has announced that a 2015 Subaru WRX STI piloted by Mark Higgins set a new lap record of the fabled 37-mile Isle of Man TT Road Course with an average lap speed of 116.470 and a time of 19.26. This breaks the current record of 115.36 that was set three years ago by Mark Higgins in a 2010 Subaru WRX STI.

The run was completed in a U.S.-spec 2015 Subaru WRX STI.

(June 5, 2014) The all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC crossover, is now reaching dealer showrooms in small numbers.

Priced from $33,995 — the lowest entry price in the compact crossover luxury segment — the Lincoln MKC offers customers "the ultimate no-compromise small premium utility vehicle." It is the second of four all-new Lincoln vehicles due by 2016, and will go on sale in China, along with the MKZ sedan, when the Lincoln brand debuts there later this year.   

(June 5, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford has unveiled its Lightweight Concept Fusion, which uses advanced materials to explore future weight-reduction solutions that could improve performance and fuel efficiency while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The rebuilt 2013 Fusion uses a combination of high-strength steel, aluminum, magnesium and carbon fiber, mixed with some polycarbonate glazing.

(June 4, 2014) WINDSOR , Ontario — Chrysler Canada has announced its 54th consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth, representing the longest sales streak in the company’s history. May sales were 31,498, compared with 29,249 in May 2013, representing an 8 per cent increase. Chrysler Canada remains the top-selling automotive company in the country in 2014.

(June 4, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Company and Samsung SDI, an affiliate of Samsung Group, today announced research on different levels of hybrid technology that could one day be produced in high volume on non-hybrid vehicles for greater fuel savings.

The result of a 10-year research effort, the dual-battery system combines a lithium-ion battery with a 12-volt lead-acid battery that could enable regenerative braking technology in non-hybrid vehicles for greater fuel savings.

(June 4, 2014) May turned out to be one of the best sales months in years for the U.S. automotive industry as most automakers — including the Detroit "Big Three" — posted gains over May 2013 sending the annualized pace of sales shooting up to 16.8 million.

(June 3, 2014) TORRANCE, Calif. — With the new Special Edition trim level, improved fuel efficiency and a go-anywhere, do-anything capability that fits the lifestyles of active families, the 2015 Honda Pilot goes on sale today starting at $29,8701.

(June 3, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford's U.S. sales totaled 254,084 vehicles in May, up 3 percent from a year ago. Retail sales set several model records with 174,889 vehicles sold — an increase of 6 percent. 

“Fusion and Escape had their best months ever, which helped us to our strongest May result since May 2004,” said John Felice, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service. “Explorer continued to gain ground in the midsize utility segment with its best monthly sales performance in nearly 10 years, while Lincoln MKZ saw its best May ever.”

(June 3, 2014) DETROIT — Consumers seemed to shrug off the recall crisis at General Motors as GM dealers delivered 284,694 vehicles in the United States in May, up 13 percent compared to a year ago, marking the company’s best May in seven years and its best total sales since August 2008.

Retail sales — vehicles sold to individual buyers — were up 10 percent while fleet sales were up 21 percent. GM expects to increase its total market share year over year.