HOUSTON — Group 1 Automotive announced its intention to "vigorously defend" itself against a lawsuit filed by Toyota Motor Sales in the Federal Court of South Carolina. Apparently, Toyota is alleging that it did not consent to Group 1's desire to acquire Toyota/Scion and Lexus dealerships in Charleston, S.C. The lawsuit asks for a court order […] [Read More]

STUTTGART, Germany and BEIJING — During its first-ever company event for investors and analysts in Beijing late last week, Daimler AG proclaimed strong projections for sustainable profits from operating activities at Mercedes-Benz Cars. Looking toward the rest of this year and beyond, Dieter Zetsche explained how China would be a key growth market for unit sales, […] [Read More]

AUSTIN, Texas — Chevrolet announced Thursday that it will expand the launch of the Volt into Texas, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Ed Whitacre, General Motors chairman and chief executive officer, indicated the company is enhancing the launch due to "intense interest" from Volt customers throughout the country. The Volt's initial launch was originally slated […] [Read More]

DETROIT — The top leaders of General Motors took a deep dive into the state of the automaker's global operations on Tuesday during its inaugural Global Business Conference, an event where finance industry professionals and other stakeholders gathered to hear presentations from GM chairman and chief executive officer Ed Whitacre and other executives. GM said it has […] [Read More]

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — Former Hyundai Motor America executive Michael O'Brien is making his way back to the automaker after 14 years with Toyota. It was revealed Tuesday that O'Brien has been appointed vice president of product and corporate planning, where he will head up efforts to continue developing and expanding the automaker's vehicles, as well […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota Motor Sales late last week notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration via a noncompliance information report about yet another voluntary safety recall that currently is without a remedy. The latest installment is connected with potentially 17,000 Lexus HS 250h vehicles from the 2010 model year stemming from mixed rear-crash test results. […] [Read More]

NEW YORK and SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The arrival of Elon Musk, the chairman and chief executive officer of Tesla Motors at NASDAQ MarketSite in New York's Times Square on Monday marked a monumental company achievement. Musk rang the opening bell for trading as part of Tesla's way of celebrating its initial public offering on the […] [Read More]

NORCROSS, Ga. — Less than two weeks after being chosen as the preferred provider for vehicle service contracts and other consumer benefits for the West Virginia Automobile and Truck Dealers Association, APCO/EasyCare revealed this past weekend another statewide dealer organization made a similar decision. This time, the leadership of the Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association named EasyCare as […] [Read More]

IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book on Monday shared its Web traffic pattern analysis comparing consumer behavior displayed this past May with sentiment from May 2009. According to Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence, brands that have climbed the most in consumer interest for new vehicles include Hyundai, Ford, GMC, Kia and Subaru. Conversely, Toyota led the way […] [Read More]

MONTVALE, N.J. — Mercedes-Benz USA on Monday highlighted the four purposes of its new customer- and dealer-support facility in Jacksonville, Fla. Executives explained they plan to take occupancy in July with four business units operating from the location, including Sales Operations Southern Regional Office, Parts Distribution Center, Quality Evaluation Center, and Learning & Performance Center. The […] [Read More]