Due in part to high demand in China, Volkswagen AG has surpassed Ford Motor Company as the most profitable automaker in the industry. Continue reading →

Chrysler Group is looking to its redesigned 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee to boost sales in Japan by 21 percent or more this year. Continue reading →

BMW AG has announced that it will launch two new plug-in electric models under its “I” sub-brand. The new i3 and i8 will be made at the automaker’s Leipzig, Germany factory and are scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms in 2013. Continue reading →

A number of dealers in attendance at last week’s National Automobile Dealer Association convention expressed frustration over automaker’s requirements that they upgrade their facilities. Continue reading →

General Motors Company and Chrysler Group LLC have announced that they will not exhibit at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, and Ford Motor Company is reportedly considering following suit. Continue reading →

Penske Automotive Group has agreed to surrender distribution of Daimler AG’s Smart car division in the U.S. Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz USA is now in negotiations to take over as the U.S. distributor of the ForTwo microcar. According to Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Ernst Lieb, the hand-over is expected to be finalized in July. Continue reading →

Over the past three years, auto dealers have been forced to trim their staffs to survive the global economic downturn and falling demand for their products. Now, many new car dealers who managed to ride out the storm indicate they will add personnel in 2011. Continue reading →

This week Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that the federal government has found no evidence to support claims that electrical failures were to blame for the rash of unintentional acceleration incidents that lead to the recall of approximately 13.5 million Toyota vehicles in 2010. The announcement is seen as a reprieve for automakers who feared Toyota’s troubles would lead to onerous regulations for the entire industry. Continue reading →

Ford Motor Company is hoping it can duplicate the success of last summer’s “Fiesta Movement” social media campaign for the 2011 Explorer. The SUV’s Facebook fan page has nearly 140,000 followers, and Explorer communications manager Eric Peterson expects the number to grow as Ford launches the official kickoff of its new social media campaign. Continue reading →

According to a new study by Indiana University, the U.S. lags behind Asia in the development of electric vehicles. The year-long study, headed by retired Ford Motor Company executive Gurminder Bedi, also asserts that it is unlikely that the Obama Administration will realize its goal of placing 1 million electric vehicles on American roads by 2015. Continue reading →