TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A focus on self-evaluation and self-improvement has permeated the culture at Chrysler since it went through bankruptcy and reorganization last year, and this mentality is particularly evident in the automaker's manufacturing segment, said Scott Garberding, the automaker's senior vice president of manufacturing/world class manufacturing.  Garberding was a speaker Monday at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, […] [Read More]

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — J.D. Power and Associates doesn't think the sharp improvement in new-vehicle retail sales experienced during the first half of July kept enough steam to drive up full-month results by a large factor. This is why firm analysts believe a slowed sales pace during the final two weeks of July likely will pull down the […] [Read More]

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Ford announced Tuesday that at the end of this month it will kick off an initiative to bring the best performance possible for both current and past buyers of its 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty pickup. For customers who already purchased this vehicle earlier this year, they will be sent a letter […] [Read More]

DETROIT and ANDERSON, Ind. — Tuesday marked the first funding action by the newly formed General Motors Ventures, a strategic relationship between Bright Automotive and General Motors. The agreement with the Indiana automaker is intended to help accelerate Bright's production of the IDEA, a plug-in hybrid commercial vehicle. Executives explained the companies signed a memorandum of […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Delivering one of the keynote addresses at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention & Expo in February will be Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales USA. Lentz will offer the industry message during the formal opening of the 94th Annual NADA Show. The conference is slated for Feb. 5-7 in […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — Volvo Car Corp. is now officially under new ownership. The sale of the Swedish car brand from Ford to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has wrapped up, and the Chinese company now owns 100 percent of Volvo Cars. It was also revealed that taking the reigns atop Volvo Cars as president and chief executive officer will be Stefan […] [Read More]

DETROIT and WASHINGTON, D.C. — As President Obama walked through General Motors and Chrysler manufacturing facilities late last week, the White House sent out a report about its cumulative efforts to resuscitate the industry. The administration stressed throughout a document titled "The American Auto Industry: A Comeback Story" that had federal officials not swooped in with […] [Read More]

DETROIT — General Motors has discovered that almost two-thirds of Chevrolet Equinox and Traverse buyers are new to the brand. In fact, almost half of all buyers who turn to these models are conquest sales taken away from other automakers. The majority of these Chevy buyers are apparently trading in non-Chevrolet vehicles so far this year. In addition, the company indicated […] [Read More]

MEDFORD, Ore. — Along with naming a new chief financial officer, Lithia Motors announced strong vehicle sales performances of both used and new units resulted in net income gains during the second quarter. Revealed last week during its regular financial report, Lithia indicated its 2010 adjusted second-quarter net income from continuing operations came in at 27 […] [Read More]

TOYOTA CITY, Japan — Since the company is spread throughout the globe, Toyota Motor Corp. has made significant management changes aimed at moving local personnel to senior management positions in North America and Europe. Toyota believes that making these changes puts in place management structures capable of more rapidly and accurately grasping local conditions and identifying local needs. […] [Read More]