Automotive News at a Glance

• Dealers get incentives to upgrade
  The Detroit News , February 17, 2010
  General Motors Co. has launched the first phase of a costly and dramatic dealership overhaul that will transform aging showrooms nationwide.
• NHTSA will open formal investigation into Toyota Corolla
  The Detroit News , February 17, 2010
  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has decided to open a formal investigation into steering complaints about the Toyota Corolla, The Detroit News has learned.
• Chrysler ready to restart production at Belvidere plant
  The Detroit News , February 17, 2010
  Chryslter Group LLC hopes to restart production at its Belvidere, Ill., plant Friday after a parts shortage forced a three-day shutdown.
• Ford to cut 900 jobs at Flat Rock assembly plant
  The Detroit News , February 17, 2010
  Ford Motor Co. will cut 900 workers at its plant in Flat Rock in July but increase production of the Ford Mustang and Mazda6 assembled there on a single shift.
• Can Drivers Handle High-Tech Cars?
  The Wall Street Journal , February 17, 2010
  The Toyota Motor Corp. recall uproar is spurring a reevaluation of the way new automotive technology should be designed-and how much consumers should know about how it works.
• U.S. Intensifies Toyota Probe
  The Wall Street Journal , February 17, 2010
  U.S. regulators stepped up their investigation of Toyota Motor Corp. on Tuesday, demanding documents from the Japanese auto maker to determine if it conducted recent safety recalls "in a timely manner."
• Toyota to Offer Details of Task Force
  The Wall Street Journal , February 17, 2010
  Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda is expected to provide more detail Wednesday on the new global task force he has pledged to lead to overhaul the company's quality-control system, according to a Toyota executive briefed on the matter.
• Chrysler to drop Sebring name, change small, midsize models
  Detroit Free Press , February 17, 2010
  Facing a drumbeat of doubt about its pace of new car development, Chrysler is dropping clues that changes in its small and midsize cars may be more substantial and arrive sooner, based on recent comments from CEO Sergio Marchionne.
• Toyota official says credibility is damaged
  MSNBC.com , February 17, 2010
  Toyota VP says company has 'full confidence' in vehicles' electronic systems
• Car dealers seem desperate as recalls mount
  MSNBC.com , February 17, 2010
  As Toyota reels from safety issues, consumers could find sweet deals
• Was Toyota's Quality That Great To Begin With?
  AOL.com , February 17, 2010
  A Look Behind The Quality Rankings And 6 Tips For Selecting Your Car
• Daimler extends Zetsche's contract
  The Detroit News , February 17, 2010
  Daimler AG's supervisory board extended Dieter Zetsche's contract as head of the management board by three years to 2013, and appointed Wolfgang Bernhard to the board with responsibility for production of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars.
• Toyota considers Corolla recall; CEO won't go to hearing
  USA Today , February 17, 2010
  The Transportation Department plans to open a formal investigation into the 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla because of potential problems with the car's power steering, a department official said Wednesday.
• 2010 Cadillac SRX
  Chicago Tribune , February 17, 2010
  Cadillac unveils a sleeker SRX before the Detroit Auto Show.
• The 2011 Ford Transit Connect EV, an AW Flash Drive
  AutoWeek.com , February 17, 2010
  The 2011 Ford Transit Connect EV, on sale by the end of this year, builds on the commercial-vehicle attributes of the North American Truck of the Year by dumping the four-cylinder gasoline powertrain in favor of an all-electric setup.
• Chicago auto show: Honda previews fourth-generation Odyssey
  AutoWeek.com , February 17, 2010
  If history holds true, the Odyssey concept that Honda debuted at the Chicago auto show is basically the new fourth-generation model of the popular minivan.
• Chicago auto show: Kia looks to the future with Ray plug-in hybrid concept
  AutoWeek.com , February 17, 2010
  Like all carmakers, Kia is hard at work exploring the future of cleaner propulsion. Its latest green creation is the Ray plug-in concept that debuted at theChicago auto show.
• Answers to Questions on Toyota Problems
  CBS4, February 3, 2010
  Toyota segment on CBS 4 Denver
• Ford, GM zoom as Toyota sales sputter in January
  Detroit Free Press, February 3, 2010
  Ford and General Motors started the year on a high note, posting double-digit sales gains in January that dramatically outpaced the monthly sales gain by the industry.
• Feds 'pushed' Toyota to recall, will probe Prius
  Detroit Free Press, February 3, 2010
  Calling Toyota's answers insufficient so far, Congress demanded more information from the Japanese automaker today about problems in 5.6 million of its vehicles linked to sudden acceleration.
• Toyota's Troubles Deepen
  The Wall Street Journal, February 3, 2010
  Probe Not Over as Car Maker May Face Penalty; Earlier Pedal Fix Failed
• U.S. criticizes Japan's latest 'clunkers' plan
  The Detroit News, February 3, 2010
  The Obama administration and a growing number in Congress criticized the Japanese government today for allowing just a few U.S. vehicles to take part in its "cash for clunkers" program.
• Chrysler says sales boost abroad 'bodes well for the future'
  The Detroit News, February 3, 2010
  Chrysler Group LLC posted some good international sales news Wednesday, which could be a precursor to the global growth the automaker seeks with the help of partner Fiat SpA.
• Dingell, House committee demand more Toyota answers
  The Detroit News, February 3, 2010
  A congressional committee wants to know why Toyota hasn't extended its recall to pedals made by a second supplier.
• Obama officials step up pressure on Toyota
  MSN.com, February 3, 2010
  Transportation chief says administration 'will hold Toyota's feet to the fire'
• Stop driving bad Toyotas? Officials back off remark
  Detroit Free Press, February 3, 2010
  Calling Toyota's answers insufficient so far, Congress demanded more information from the Japanese automaker today about problems in 5.6 million of its vehicles linked to sudden acceleration.
• First Drive: 2011 BMW 5 Series Is A Smooth Operator
  Aol.com, February 2, 2010
  The outgoing BMW 5 Series may have ushered in a dramatic leap forward in terms of dynamics, technology, safety and creature comforts, but it's the previous generation -- the E39 -- that Bimmerphiles still speak of in hushed tones.
• LaHood Says Don't Drive Recalled Toyotas
  ABC -The Denver Channel, February 2, 2010
  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood now says he misspoke when telling owners of recalled Toyotas to stop driving then.
• Chrysler gets extension to try to save Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, 1,200 jobs
  Detroit Free Press, February 2, 2010
  Chrysler is negotiating to buy the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant from its bankruptcy estate and save about 1,200 jobs that were expected to be eliminated at the end of 2010.
• 2011 Detroit auto show dates announced
  The Detroit News, February 2, 2010
  The dust had barely settled on the 2010 North American International Auto Show as organizers announced today the dates for next year's big show.
• Sebring sales soar 85%
  Detroit Free Press, February 2, 2010
  Chrysler said its U.S. sales in January declined about 8% compared with the same month a year ago, but the Auburn Hills automaker noted it has gained market share since December, when it hit a historic low.
• Fleet sales jump 154%
  Detroit Free Press, February 2, 2010
  Ford today said sales of its new cars and trucks increased 24% in January - not just because of a surge in fleet sales but also because of across-the-board gains for its four brands.
• Infiniti sales up 5.7%
  Detroit Free Press, February 2, 2010
  Nissan today said its U.S. sales of its cars and trucks increased 16.1% in January, with Nissan's sales increasing and Infiniti experiencing a sales decline.
• Core brands post gain
  Detroit Free Press, February 2, 2010
  General Motors reported today that U.S. sales of its cars and trucks climbed 13.6% in January, with its four core brands - Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC - posting a 40.6% gain.
• Spotlight shines green at Washington Auto Show
  The Detroit News , January 27, 2010
  Automakers at the Washington Auto Show on Tuesday touted their aggressive plans to rapidly bring plug-in electric vehicles to market.
• At Washington Auto Show, carmakers say electricity is the future
  The Washington Post, January 27, 2010
  Some automakers are using the Washington Auto Show, which opens Wednesday, to proclaim that the electrification of automobiles is just around the corner.
• Chicago auto show: Honda Odyssey concept to break cover
  AutoWeek, January 27, 2010
  Honda will show the next-generation Odyssey minivan in concept guise at the Chicago auto show on Feb. 10.
• Corvette Stingray concept revealed at Chicago auto show
  AutoWeek, January 27, 2010
  The Corvette Stingray is back for an encore performance
• New V6 model joins Acura TSX range at Chicago auto show
  AutoWeek, January 27, 2010
  It used to be that you could have any engine in your Acura TSX as long as it was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder. At least that was the case until the debut of the TSX V6 at the Chicago auto show.
• Washington Auto Show Highlights
  technorati.com, January 27, 2010
  The Washington Auto Show (WAS) kicked off this week in partnership with The Green Car Journal, and sponsored by the Washington Area New Automotive Dealers Association (WANADA).
• Get in gear: It's time for the Washington Auto Show
  The Washington Examiner, January 27, 2010
  2010 Washington Auto Show kicks off Wednesday at the Washington Convention Center, featuring more than 700 new cars from more than 42 manufacturers, filling 750,000 square feet.
• Chicago Auto Show; Two Chicago retail
  www.chicagoautoshow.com, January 26, 2010
  The Fisker Karma, the world's first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, will make its Chicago debut at the Chicago Auto Show February 12-21.
• D.C. auto show gets higher profile this year
  The Washington Post, January 26, 2010
  The Washington Auto Show, which begins Wednesday, typically isn't the place where new models are unveiled. But there's no doubt that the event's profile is higher than normal this year, thanks in no small part to the billions of dollars that have been coming from the direction of Capitol Hill.
• Wheego to Unveil Whip LiFe Prototype in Washington
  www.autoevolution.com, January 26, 2010
  Electric vehicles manufacturer Wheego announced that it will unveil a prototype of its full-speed all-electric car, the Wheego Whip LiFe, at the Washington Auto Show today. The Full-Speed Wheego Whip LiFe runs on Lithium Ion batteries and is expected to go 100 miles on a charge.
• First-Ever Car Powered by Government Paper Waste Makes Debut at Washington Auto Show
  www.washingtonautoshow.com, January 26, 2010
  For the first time in U.S. history, a vehicle fuelled by government office wastepaper and waste cardboard will drive the streets of Washington D.C. today. Global bioinnovation company Novozymes has partnered with Maryland-based Fiberight to provide the demonstration fuel.
• Nissan Leaf Electric Car Wins 2010 Green Car Vision Award™
  www.washingtonautoshow.com, January 26, 2010
  The Nissan Leaf battery electric car has been named Green Car Journal's 2010 Green Car Vision Award™ winner at the Washington Auto Show. The innovative Leaf is scheduled to go on sale later this year.
• Green Car Summit: all hands (almost) on deck for electric vehicles
  green.autoblog.com, January 26, 2010
  Yesterday's second annual Green Car Summit was not nearly as fiery as last year's discussion, and maybe that's a good thing.
• Washington Auto Show Rolls Into DC
  www.myfoxdc.com, January 26, 2010
  Looking for a new ride? You might get a few ideas for your car of the future at the Washington Auto Show. Clean fuel and electric cars are in the spotlight this year, and FOX 5's Melanie Alnwick has all the details.
• Seen at the Washington Auto Show: Advanced Fuel Cars
  green.autoblog.com, January 26, 2010
  Novozymes today offered members of the media, government officials, VIPs and other attendees of the annual Washington Auto Show a chance to test drive of Chevy HHR powered (literally) by government waste. The fuel used in the car was produced from government office wastepaper and waste cardboard by Fiberight. Novozymes President Adam Monroe previewed the effort on Clean Skies TV.
• NeuStep & Chicago Auto Show to offer 3D interactive tour
  www.chicagoautoshow.com, January 21, 2010
  The interactive media company NeuStep, in conjunction with its Chicago Automobile Trade Association partner, announced plans today to launch a web-based, 3-D interactive walk-through tour of the 2010 Chicago Auto Show for car enthusiasts world-wide to experience.
• GM to overhaul full-size pickups
  The Detroit News , January 13, 2010
  General Motors Co. has approved a major update of its full-size pickup trucks, an overhaul delayed during the automaker's financial crisis.
• GM to halt Hummer production Monday
  The Detroit News , January 13, 2010
  General Motors Co. will suspend Hummer production Monday at a Louisiana plant pending completion of a deal to sell the castoff brand to a Chinese company.
• Automakers to add jobs as recovery takes hold
  The Detroit News, January 13, 2010
  Big 3, Toyota plan to boost production of hot sellers, hybrids
• Electric companies need upgrades for plug-in cars
  Detroit Free Press, January 13, 2010
  Preparing America's neighborhoods to handle the additional power load that electric vehicles are expected to require is among the challenges facing the utility and automotive industries as plug-in electric vehicles are introduced, DTE Energy Chairman Tony Earley said today.
• Supplier chief calls for more cash for clunkers
  Detroit Free Press, January 13, 2010
  Billionaire investor Wilbur Ross urged the U.S. government to boost its support for the auto industry, suggesting an extended cash-for-clunkers program.
• New GM exec plans to improve ties with dealers
  Detroit Free Press, January 13, 2010
  In advance of his meeting with General Motors' board of directors Wednesday, Mark Reuss, fresh into his new job overseeing North American operations, has made a list of "Mark's major challenges for 2010."
• GM says Woods doesn't get free cars anymore
  Forbes.com , January 12, 2010
  General Motors Co. says an agreement with Tiger Woods that allowed the fallen golf star to have free access to its vehicles is over.
• Toyota to roll out family of Prius models
  The Detroit News, January 12, 2010
  Toyota Motor Corp., seeking to build on the popularity of its Prius hybrid, announced Monday that it will create a family of Prius cars that will include a gas-electric compact based on the FT-CH concept car that it unveiled here.
• Tesla drives roadster cross-country and sells 1,000th vehicle
  The Detroit News, January 12, 2010
  Tesla Motors - the California start-up and maker of an electric roadster - has reached a major milestone.
• U.S. needs manufacturing strategy, says billionaire Ross
  The Detroit News, January 12, 2010
  The U.S. needs a comprehensive manufacturing strategy and another auto sales boost that could be achieved by launching a more generous "cash for clunkers" program immediately, billionaire investor and supplier magnate Wilbur Ross said today.
• Mulally's Turnaround Gives Ford CEO Star Status at Auto Show
  Bloomburg.com, January 12, 2010
  Ford Motor Co. Chief Executive Officer Alan Mullay, whose company gained market share in the U.S. last year while his domestic rivals went bankrupt, is the toast of the North American International Auto Show this week.
• GM says Saab decision due later this month or in February
  USA Today, January 12, 2010
  General Motor's top European executive says a decision on the fate of its Saab brand will come either this month or next.
• Caution tempers talk of auto industry recovery
  Detroit Free Press, January 12, 2010
  As Detroit automakers emerge from the turmoil of the past year with plans for boosting production and adding back jobs, officials and experts offered a warning today about sliding back into old habits of hiring too many workers or giving away credit too easily.GM says Saab decision due later this month or in February.
• Dealer's Choice: Thoughts On The Good, Bad and Ugly of the Auto Industry
  CNBC.com , January 11, 2010
  Don Hicks, Carol Scott and Pete Tynan are wandering the aisles of the Detroit Auto
• V-6 engines begin long fade into history
  The Detroit News , January 7, 2010
  Little engines will be the big stars at next week's North American International Auto Show.
• GM may restore 'hundreds' of dealerships, Whitacre says
  The Detroit News, Jan. 7, January 7, 2010
  General Motors Co. Chairman and CEO Edward Whitacre Jr. said Wednesday he expects "hundreds" of dealers could be reinstated during dealer arbitration hearings.
• GM boss expects 2010 profit for leaner automaker
  Forbes.com, Jan. 7 , January 7, 2010
  General Motors Co.'s chairman expects the automaker will be profitable this year and says hundreds of the 1,350 GM dealers who lost their franchises last year could see them restored.
• First Volt battery pack comes off the line
  The Detroit News, January 7, 2010
  General Motors Co. assembled the first lithium-ion battery pack for its Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car today.
• More power from small engines
  Detroit Free Press, January 7, 2010
  General Motors' future for the next decade or more does not belong to the highly touted Chevrolet Volt, a compact battery-fueled car it plans to start producing in November and sell for about $40,000.
• GM's Bold Outlook: a Profit This Year
  The Wall Street Journal, January 7, 2010
  General Motors Co. will make money in 2010, its chairman said Wednesday, a bold and surprising forecast for a business that exited bankruptcy proceedings just last summer and hasn't turned an annual profit since 2004.
• Politicians' auto show fly-in adds insult to injury
  The Detroit News, January 7, 2010
  Detroit's automakers should not be honored that key members of Congress and the Obama administration are coming to the auto show Monday.
• Will 2010 Be Better For The Auto Industry?
  Forbes.com, January 7, 2010
  Conventional wisdom says car companies will fare better because it can't get worse. No, it could get worse.
• Ford's Fiesta, Focus Top U.K. Car Sales
  The Wall Street Journal, January 7, 2010
  U.S. auto maker Ford Motor Co. tightened its hold on top spot in the U.K. car market in 2009 due to the strength of its lineup of compact models, while overall new-car registrations fell 6.4% year-on-year.
• Ford's Mulally shows off new in-car technology at CES
  The Detroit News, January 7, 2010
  One of the most eagerly awaited unveilings at this year's International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is not from Sony or Dell, but from Ford Motor Co. -- a new automobile interface that the company says will change the way motorists interact with their cars and trucks.
• Cars shrink under pressure from government, consumers
  The Detroit News, January 7, 2010
  That is one message automakers are sending, loud and clear, to consumers and politicians judging by the vehicles that will be on display at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit.