TOYOTA CITY, Japan — Toyota officials this week arrived at several recommendations generated by a panel of independent experts to improve quality assurance and related communications activities. The automaker asserted all of the discussion stems from the quality issues that came to light late in 2009 and earlier this year. It's well known how those issues […] [Read More]

PALO ALTO, Calif.  — Tesla Motors unveiled its new website that allows visitors to not only make a reservation to purchase a vehicle, but also read about Roadster innovations, view photographs and learn about Tesla's technology, among other features. There are also customer testimonials designed to emphasize what Tesla believes to be the benefits of electric […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — After several dealers won reinstatement via arbitration and announced their intention to sue Chrysler over the Letters of Intent they received, Chrysler issued a response. Basically, the Letter of Intent lays out certain requirements that must be met or agreed upon before reinstatement officially takes place. In essence, Chrysler claims it is […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Edmunds.com analysts recently determined the primary source of Toyota's new-vehicle purchasers. Turns out, they found the largest percentage of sales is now coming from buyers who trade in other Toyotas. Last year, the site calculated 42 percent of Toyota's new-vehicle sales included a trade-in of another Toyota model. Analysts didn't include the […] [Read More]

DETROIT — General Motors and Pacific Century Motors reached an agreement late last week that involved the sale of one of the domestic automaker's manufacturing supply properties. Officials explained PCM, an entity formed by The Tempo Group and an affiliate of the Beijing Municipal Government, is set to purchase GM Global Steering Holdings, commonly known as […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota is adding six Product Quality Field Offices throughout North America at various points over the next year to go along with the location in the New York region that completed a successful pilot program. More specifically, Toyota Motor Sales, USA said the Product Quality Field Office program will open up a San […] [Read More]

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. — The June slowdown in new-vehicle retail sales in the United States coupled with increasing uncertainty within the European market prompted J.D. Power and Associates to consider where automakers can find other global areas of growth. While analysts conceded that recovery in established markets may be flagging, they believe sales growth in emerging […] [Read More]

DETROIT — Ford president and chief executive officer Alan Mulally praised President Obama's target for U.S. export expansion on Wednesday in a statement discussing the appointment of the Detroit automaker's leader to the President's Export Council. Obama revealed Wednesday that Mulally will be part of the council that offers the commander-in-chief guidance related regarding export enhancement. […] [Read More]

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — smart USA Distributor LLC has introduced a new program that lets fortwo owners customize their rides through an "unlimited palette" of paint color options and various body wrap designs. Through the smart Expressions offering, which was rolled out Wednesday, the entire smart USA network of dealers can help customers order custom exterior colors […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Aimed at leveraging and growing the brand further, Chrysler Group officials on Wednesday revealed details about the upcoming launch of a special edition Mopar version of one of its vehicles. Scheduled to arrive at Dodge dealerships next month is the Mopar '10, a Mopar 2010 Dodge Challenger. Executives explained Dodge and Mopar […] [Read More]