Detroit Free Press: Auto news & reviews Headlines

AUTO INDUSTRY REPORT: Chrysler vehicles probed

DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group faces an upgraded investigation and possible recall of 210,000 sedans from 1999 and 2000 because of reports of engine fires, a U.S. auto-safety agency said Monday.

Chrysler plans new deal

DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group plans to announce a new incentive program by the end of the week to compete with the new Red Tag Event promotion General Motors Corp. launched Monday.Monday, November 14, 2005

China could pass Germany

China's assemblers are likely to make and sell 6.4 million passenger cars, vans, buses and trucks in 2006, spurring the nation to surpass Germany as the world's third-largest vehicle maker, according to government research.Saturday, November 12, 2005

Pontiac, Orion Twp. GM plants vulnerable

A Lansing assembly plant is among the three car and truck factories independent auto industry analysts say are the most likely to be targeted for closure when General Motors Corp. announces its next cost-cutting plan by the end of the year.

GM factories most likely to close

•Builds the Pontiac Montana SV6, Saturn Relay, Buick Terraza and Chevrolet Uplander minivans.

AUTO INDUSTRY REPORT: Germany gets Mercedes E

DaimlerChrysler AG, which is trying to streamline its operations, said Friday that all versions of its Mercedes E-Class would be produced in Germany starting in 2007.

DCX unloads Mitsubishi stake to Goldman Sachs

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Automaker DaimlerChrysler AG ended its ill-fated involvement with Japan's Mitsubishi Motors Co. on Friday, selling its 12.4% stake in the company to Goldman Sachs for an undisclosed price.

LABOR ISSUES: CAW says it won't give suppliers concessions

More than 300 leaders from the Canadian Auto Workers sent a pointed message to their nation's parts makers on Friday -- we won't agree to any cuts in wages, pensions or benefits, so don't bother to ask.

UAW grants tepid support to sharing GM health costs

The United Auto Workers ratified a tentative agreement Friday to lower General Motors Corp.'s health care costs with a 61% majority vote.Friday, November 11, 2005

AUTO INDUSTRY REPORT: Honda recalls Civics

Honda Motor Co. recalled about 25,000 Civics on Thursday because the accelerator pedal was improperly installed on some 2006 models, which could cause a crash.

GM VEERS OFF ROAD: Automaker is ripe for bankruptcy

Its stock price plunged to a 13-year low Thursday after the latest in a string of financial problems dismayed shareholders once again.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Here's what's in store for General Motors

QUESTION: Could General Motors Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner and senior executives lose their jobs?

Nissan confirms HQ move

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nissan Motor Co. will move its North American headquarters from the Los Angeles area to Tennessee, chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn said Thursday.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Visteon delays its quarterly report

Visteon Corp., the nation's second-largest auto-parts supplier, Thursday said it could not file its third-quarter earnings on time because it would take too much effort and money, given that it has just restated its previous financial statements, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Visteon transfers wary of Ford rules

As the Jan. 1 date approaches for workers at two of Visteon Corp.'s largest plants to revert to Ford Motor Co.'s North American operations, UAW members remain uncertain of what, specifically, will be expected of them under new work rules.Thursday, November 10, 2005

AUTO INDUSTRY REPORT: Nader seeks strong roofs

Auto safety advocate Ralph Nader wants the government to adopt stronger standards for a proposed regulation dealing with vehicle roof strength and advise consumers on replacement windshields.

GM overstated 2001 profits

General Motors Corp. overstated its 2001 earnings from continuing operations by $300 million to $400 million by incorrectly booking some credits from suppliers, the company said Wednesday.

Labor costs sink Delphi

Delphi Corp., the nation's largest manufacturer ever to file for bankruptcy, blamed excessive labor costs for its $788-million third-quarter loss. The auto supplier said Wednesday it has lost $1.5 billion during the first nine months of this year.

American Axle extends Dauch's contract

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. has extended the contract of Richard E. Dauch, cofounder, chairman and chief executive of the automotive supplier through 2009.

Powertrain innovation

•The engine will be built in the fall of 2006 at Ford's plant in Lima, Ohio.

Ford V6 set for hybrids

Laying the foundation for a planned explosion in hybrid gasoline-electric engines, Ford Motor Co. showed off a new 3.5-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transaxle Wednesday that will help future vehicles get better fuel economy and produce fewer emissions.

Miata roadster rewarded

Mazda Motor Corp.'s Roadster, the world's best-selling two-seat sports car known as the Miata MX-5 outside Japan, won Japan's 2005-06 Car of the Year award, topping the Lexus GS luxury sedan made by Toyota Motor Corp.

2007 Escalade is bolder than its predecessor

If you thought Cadillac's shiny chrome grille and muscular styling couldn't get any bolder, think again.

Chrome is new way for models to shine

Automakers are pouring enough chrome on some vehicles to remind drivers of the days of Marilyn Monroe, skinny neckties and tail fins.Wednesday, November 9, 2005

AUTO INDUSTRY REPORT: AFL-CIO defies Delphi

The president of the AFL-CIO said Tuesday his union is backing workers who are facing wage and benefit cuts at Delphi Corp.

Supplier sues GM over price for wheels

A major maker of car and truck wheels threatens to stop deliveries to General Motors Corp. and potentially shut down at least some of its assembly plants if the automaker doesn't pay more for its parts to offset higher steel prices.

C&A seeks incentives to keep managers

Collins & Aikman Corp., a Troy-based auto-parts supplier in bankruptcy, is in a desperate fight to keep key managers from leaving during its crucial restructuring.

Visteon cuts loss, reliance on Ford

Visteon Corp. boosted sales to customers other than Ford Motor Co. but still lost $200 million last quarter as its struggling former owner spent less.

Industry report

The president of the AFL-CIO said Tuesday his union is backing workers who are facing wage and benefit cuts at Delphi Corp. "The attempt by Delphi Corp. to use the bankruptcy process to slash wages and benefits for workers and then award company stock and nearly $90 million in cash bonuses to managers and executives is obscene," President John Sweeney said in a statement posted on the UAW Web site. On Monday, the UAW and five other unions that represent Delphi workers said they were banding together to fight Delphi's proposal. Together, the unions represent 33,650 Delphi hourly workers.Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Unions declare war on Delphi

The six major industrial unions representing 33,650 hourly Delphi Corp. employees formed a coalition Monday in a solidified effort to take on the nation's largest auto parts supplier.

Delphi, 4 suppliers in payment dispute

Delphi Corp.'s problems have extended beyond its unionized workers.

AUTO INDUSTRY REPORT: Regulators eye Volvo SUV

The government has opened an investigation into the 2005 Volvo XC90 SUV after receiving complaints about battery cables.

Ford to cut 1,500 Visteon jobs

Ford Motor Co. plans to cut about 1,500 production jobs this quarter at some plants it took back from Visteon Corp.

1995 Honda Civic most-stolen in '04

Honda Motor Co.'s 1995 Civic model was the most-stolen car last year, with the Japanese automaker's 1991 Honda Accord coming in third, a study conducted by the National Insurance Crime Bureau found.

Most-stolen in '04

Fiat, Ford sign deal to develop small vehicles

TURIN, Italy -- Fiat SpA and Ford Motor Co. said Monday they had signed an agreement to collaborate on small cars, completing a deal to co-develop new models due in 2007 and 2008.Monday, November 7, 2005

AUTO INDUSTRY REPORT: UAW local OKs GM deal

A Toledo UAW local has become at least the second union hall to vote in favor of General Motors Corp.'s deal with the union to shift some employee health care costs to retirees.

Delphi workers meet, vent

Hourly Delphi Corp. employees from Michigan and beyond gathered near Grand Rapids on Sunday, saying they would strike if the company kills their contract in bankruptcy court and dramatically cuts their pay and benefits.