News archive

May 2010

General Motors adding 1,200 jobs to produce 2011 Chevrolet Cruze

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(February 24, 2010) General Motors will add a third shift at its Lordstown, Ohio, complex, adding 1,200 jobs to support production of the new, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact car. As previously announced, the Chevrolet Cruze program represents a $500 million investment in U.S. manufacturing operations, which includes more than $350 million to re-tool the Lordstown facility.

Toyota leads in NHTSA unintended acceleration complaints by wide margin

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(February 24, 2010) Of the Big Six automakers selling vehicles in the United States, Toyota — as a manufacturer and as an individual brand — has the most consumer complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for unintended acceleration, according to an Edmunds.com analysis of the government safety agency's data bases.

Ford puts its second European battery electric vehicle test fleet on the road

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(February 24, 2010) COLOGNE — Ford of Europe is stepping up its development of e-mobility solutions with participation in the colognE-mobil project now underway in Germany.

In the project's first phase, Ford will provide ten Ford Transits into which UK-based Smith Electric Vehicles (SEV) will install their pure battery-electric powertrains. SEV has been marketing this vehicle as the Smith Edison for UK and European operators since 2007.

Premium brands show increased sales in January

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(February 23, 2010) Combined deliveries of the 14 premium brands* in the U.S. market rose by 19.5 percent  in January 2010 vs. the same month a year ago, based on data in the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report. SM Luxury brands together outpaced the 15.3 percent industry year-over-year sales gain.

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Spyker deal to purchase Saab from GM is finalized

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(February 23, 2010) DETROIT – General Motors and Spyker Cars today announced that they have finalized the deal for Spyker to purchase Saab Automobile AB.

Going forward, Saab and Spyker will operate under the Spyker (AMS:SPYKR) umbrella, and Spyker will assume responsibility for Saab operations.  The previously announced wind down of Saab operations has ended.

80th Geneva auto show to have 25 concept, production debuts

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(February 22, 2010) There will be 25 concept and production debuts at he 80th edition of the Geneva International Motor Show, which runs from March 4-14. That's a reduction from 32 world debuts a year ago. Press days, during which these vehicles will be unveiled, are March 2 and 3.

Tucson regaining popularity and Hyundai to ramp up production in March

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(February 21, 2010) Hyundai Motor Co. plans to ramp up production at its Ulsan, South Korea, factory to meet rising demand for its all-new Tucson crossover, U.S. chief John Krafcik told Automotive News,

In December, Hyundai introduced a new-generation Tucson with a sportier body design and drivetrain in an attempt to appeal to singles and young couples, Krafcik, who is CEO of Hyundai Motor America, said an interview at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor orders exceed expectations

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(February 20, 2010) DEARBORN, Mich. — Customer demand for Ford’s new F-150 SVT Raptor is moving nearly as fast as the world’s only production high-speed off-road performance truck.  Already, over 5,300 orders have been placed for the new performance pickup.

GM to invest $494 million, create 550 jobs to produce the next-generation Ecotec

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(February 19, 2010) DETROIT — General Motors will invest more than $494 million and create nearly 550 jobs in three U.S. plants to produce the next-generation fuel efficient Ecotec engine.  The project consists of the following:

    * Tonawanda -- $425 million site investment will add capacity for the next generation Ecotec engine at 370,000 per year and bring about 470 jobs to that community

Toyota facing another costly recall with 2009, 2010 Corolla

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(February 18, 2010) Toyota faces another costly recall as U.S. regulators launched a preliminary probe on Wednesday into reported steering problems with the Corolla, Toyota's second most popular vehicle in the U.S. market behind its Camry sedan.

Analysts say another recall would cost the company's reputation far more than it would cost directly in dollars.