Auto News May 2009

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High Premieres The Allure of the Automobile in Spring 2010
1937 Cadillac V16 "World's Fair" Aero-Dynamic Coupe. ATLANTA, GA.- “The Allure of the Automobile,” the first exhibition to consider the stylistic development of automobiles in the context of prominent design movements such as Art Moderne and Postwar Modernity, will premiere at the High Museum of Art in March 2010. The exhibition will present 18 of the world’s rarest and most brilliantly ... (Fri, 01 May 2009 02:54:24 GMT)

Chrysler bankruptcy could cost industry
The face of the U.S. automotive industry continues to change as years of management woes and crumbling sales forced Chrysler LLC into bankruptcy and into the arms of Italian automaker Fiat. Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Chrysler filed for bankruptcy yesterday and announced a deal to sell itself to Fiat. The nation’s third-largest automaker will temporarily halt production. (Fri, 01 May 2009 04:20:07 GMT)

Auto supply base faces threat
Chrysler LLC's bankruptcy filing could break the backs of parts suppliers across North America, potentially disrupting production at other automobile manufacturers and dealing a massive blow to an industry already on the brink -- unless the federal government moves quickly to make more money available to them. (Fri, 01 May 2009 05:24:43 GMT)

Obama won't flinch on reform
Obama to Detroit and Wall Street: This is hardball. By forcing Chrysler LLC into bankruptcy, President Barack Obama fired an unmistakable warning shot Thursday toward General Motors Corp., its bondholders, dealers, suppliers, unions and anyone else who didn't think Obama had the resolve to impose his will on the domestic automobile industry. (Fri, 01 May 2009 07:20:39 GMT)

Nice day for a drive
The North Platte Telegraph In the early half of the 19th century, Ford and General Motors were considered the frontrunners in the automobile industry. However, by 1929 the Hudson Motor Company pulled into a close third, thanks in large part to its Essex automobile. (Fri, 01 May 2009 09:45:16 GMT)

Research and Markets: 2009 U.S. Turbines & Turbine Generator Sets Manufacturing Industry Report
DUBLIN----Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "2009 U.S. Turbines & Turbine Generator Sets Manufacturing Industry Report" report to their offering. (Fri, 01 May 2009 09:49:00 GMT)

American Axle posts wider 1Q loss on industry woes
Auto parts supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. on Friday posted a wider first-quarter loss as production cuts at automakers sent its sales tumbling. (Fri, 01 May 2009 13:26:11 GMT)

Chrysler bankruptcy could cost industry
The face of the U.S. automotive industry continues to change as years of management woes and crumbling sales forced Chrysler LLC into bankruptcy and into the arms of Italian automaker Fiat. (Fri, 01 May 2009 14:37:34 GMT)

Visions of turnaround in automobile sector
The automobile industry seems to be on the road to a recovery, albeit a slow one, in fiscal 2009-10, with all carmakers barring Mahindra Renault posting a growth in sales in April when compared to the previous year. (Fri, 01 May 2009 16:19:16 GMT)

Auto sales take another hard hit in April
Major automobile makers post further sales declines for April, punctuating a brutal week for an industry that saw one of its icons plunge into bankruptcy and signs that a similar fate awaits its biggest U.S. player. (Fri, 01 May 2009 17:07:38 GMT)

Chapter 11 talk a shadow on industry
Hopes that automobile sales had bottomed out were squashed Friday when automakers reported more steep declines in April, with demand industrywide falling 34.4%. (Sat, 02 May 2009 05:25:44 GMT)

Chrysler leads broad declines in April U.S. sales
SAN FRANCISCO - The major automobile makers yesterday posted further sales declines in April, punctuating a brutal week for an industry that saw one of its icons plunge into bankruptcy and signs that a similar fate awaits its biggest U.S. player. (Sat, 02 May 2009 06:47:22 GMT)

Chrysler leads declines in sales
The major automobile makers on Friday posted further sales declines last month, punctuating a brutal week for an industry that saw one of... (Sat, 02 May 2009 07:17:12 GMT)

Amid auto sales gloom, glimmers of improvement
Amid gloom, however, glimmers of improvement The major automobile makers posted further sales declines in April on Friday, punctuating a brutal week for an industry that saw one of its largest companies plunge into bankruptcy and signs that a similar fate awaits its biggest U.S. player. (Sat, 02 May 2009 07:46:56 GMT)

Nice day for a drive
The North Platte Telegraph In the early half of the 19th century, Ford and General Motors were considered the frontrunners in the automobile industry. However, by 1929 the Hudson Motor Company pulled into a close third, thanks in large part to its Essex automobile. (Sat, 02 May 2009 09:44:17 GMT)

New loan standards could help 70,000 more small businesses get loans
Struggles in the automobile industry sparked the U.S. Small Business Administration to make changes to the eligibility requirements for one of its loan programs, allowing more small businesses the chance to receive government-backed loans. (Sun, 03 May 2009 03:18:04 GMT)

Dealers facing murky future
The automobile industry took another hit this week as Chrysler filed for bankruptcy, leaving both dealers and customers scratching their heads. (Sun, 03 May 2009 09:39:11 GMT)

Nice day for a drive
The North Platte Telegraph In the early half of the 19th century, Ford and General Motors were considered the frontrunners in the automobile industry. However, by 1929 the Hudson Motor Company pulled into a close third, thanks in large part to its Essex automobile. (Sun, 03 May 2009 10:59:15 GMT)

Sheldon Filger: Chrysler Is Kaput
In just over half a century, how did Chrysler, and the wider domestic automobile industry, traverse the road from riches to ruin? (Sun, 03 May 2009 18:08:36 GMT)

Maruti inks pact with Mohali institute
Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mohali-based BGS Institute of Science and Management. Under the agreement, the institute will cater to the needs of those who are aiming to make a career in the automobile industry, especially with Maruti. (Sun, 03 May 2009 18:44:09 GMT)

Editor's Spotlight
The love affair with the American car has felt a powerful sting over the past seven months. I admit my self-professed infatuation with the automobile industry comes from my own family background. (Sun, 03 May 2009 19:23:23 GMT)

Column : Price sensitivity on wheels
Discounts seem to have become a part and parcel of the Indian automobile industry and a major deciding factor for sales across all major segments, especially passenger cars. (Sun, 03 May 2009 20:35:00 GMT)

Bangkok Post : Minister: Auto industry still surviving
Thai auto manufacturers have not gone out of business despite the severe impact from the global economic crisis, Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungrueang said. (Mon, 04 May 2009 09:17:14 GMT)

Customized ERP soln for plastics molding industry
NEW DELHI, INDIA: Eastern Software System (ESS) has unveiled the customized version of its ERP solution, eBizframe suited to the requirements of the plastic molding industry. (Mon, 04 May 2009 09:24:59 GMT)

International Automobile Dealers Announce Monthly Sales
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 4, 2009; The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) today released April 2009 sales figures for the international automobile industry. (Mon, 04 May 2009 17:15:25 GMT)

An Alternative Auto Industry Bailout
Public money should not just go toward mending a broken system. It's time to challenge the conventional boundaries of the U.S. auto industry (Mon, 04 May 2009 21:49:06 GMT)

(AFX UK Focus) 2009-05-05 02:22 Taiwan stocks open up, auto shares jump on reports
TAIPEI, May 5 (Reuters) - Taiwan stocks opened up 3.59 percent on Tuesday, extending a rally that has seen them rise nearly 13 percent over the last two sessions, as automobile shares jumped after media reported surprisingly strong sales and that the industry would be one of the first open to investment from China. (Tue, 05 May 2009 01:46:42 GMT)

Tire makers fight dumping claims[
Chinese automobile tire producers and exporters are actively responding to the US investigation against them, with assistance from local industry associations and the Ministry of Commerce. (Tue, 05 May 2009 02:32:50 GMT)

AUTO INDUSTRY: Shuttering Texas dealerships not the answer to industry’s financial problems
Dealers aren’t responsible for the manufacturers’ financial woes and will be an important component in the U.S. auto industry’s recovery. (Tue, 05 May 2009 03:21:16 GMT)

China drafting support plan for renewable energy industry
The Chinese government is working on a support plan for the renewable energy industry aimed at raising the country's wind power capacity to 100-150 million KWh by 2020, sources close to the plan making said on Tuesday. (Tue, 05 May 2009 06:26:15 GMT)

Chrysler leads broad declines in April U.S. sales
SAN FRANCISCO - The major automobile makers yesterday posted further sales declines in April, punctuating a brutal week for an industry that saw one of its icons plunge into bankruptcy and signs that a similar fate awaits its biggest U.S. player. (Tue, 05 May 2009 06:51:05 GMT)

Frost & Sullivan Sees China Heading Toward 'Green' Cars
Held on April 22-28, the 13th International Automobile Industry Exhibition has become one of the most important global automotive industry events. 'Green' vehicles seem to be one of the highlights of the just-concluded show. (Tue, 05 May 2009 07:44:00 GMT)

'Is seniority killing the airline industry?'
That's the question asked by BusinessWeek Traveler's Check columnist Justin Bachman. He writes that "for decades it's been a maxim of the airline industry that workers are captive, bound by a seniority system that doles out the choicest wages and... (Tue, 05 May 2009 13:18:57 GMT)

Frost & Sullivan Sees China Heading Toward 'Green' Cars
SHANGHAI, May 5, 2009 -- Held on April 22-28, the 13th International Automobile Industry Exhibition has become one of the most important global automotive industry events. 'Green' vehicles seem to be one of the highlights of the just-concluded show. (Tue, 05 May 2009 15:07:15 GMT)

Beijing Auto in talks to buy Lifan: report
Shanghai, May 5 (Gasgoo.com) Chinese automaker Beijing Automotive Industry Co is in talks to acquire Chongqing Lifan Automobile Co, Lifan Group's auto making subsidiary, the Economic Observer reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the deal. (Tue, 05 May 2009 22:24:54 GMT)

April sales rosy for carmakers
China's automobile market has emerged from the shadow of the global financial crisis and the industry downturn, as the government's stimulus measures have borne fruit, said industry analysts. (Wed, 06 May 2009 01:30:49 GMT)

China Stocks Rise for Fifth Day, Led by Carmakers as Sales Gain
May 6 (Bloomberg) -- China’s stocks rose for a fifth day, led by automakers after Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. said sales increased 50 percent last month, raising optimism domestic spending is rebounding. (Wed, 06 May 2009 08:31:04 GMT)

From cars to cancer: Researcher employs auto industry tools for tumor therapy
An effort is under way at the University of Houston to use technologies with origins in the automobile industry to develop new tools that will help doctors and technicians better plan radiation therapy for patients with head and neck cancer. (Wed, 06 May 2009 13:41:32 GMT)

Don’t Let the Auto Industry Become Collateral Damage to the Credit Crisis
GM, Ford, and Chrysler will testify Dec. 5 before the House Financial Services Committee in an effort to secure a $25 billion emergency bridge loan. It is imperative that this emergency funding be approved. Failure to do so will have negative repercussions to the fleet management industry. Here's why. (Wed, 06 May 2009 15:14:24 GMT)

Car industry science aids cancer therapy
HOUSTON, May 6 (UPI) -- University of Houston scientists say they are developing technologies with origins in the automobile industry to aid in head and neck cancer therapies. (Wed, 06 May 2009 18:19:55 GMT)

BMW Bets Car Buyers Will Pay a Premium for Independence
The quest for scale that now obsesses the global automobile industry does not impress executives at BMW. (Wed, 06 May 2009 18:42:39 GMT)

Car industry science aids cancer therapy
University of Houston scientists say they are developing technologies with origins in the automobile industry to aid in head and neck cancer therapies. Associate Professor Ali Kamrani, a former auto industry researcher, and Lei Dong, an assistant professor at the University of Texas are developing predictive models of tumors that they said will hopefully increase the accuracy of radiation ... (Thu, 07 May 2009 00:16:49 GMT)

Hired! Finding work in the auto industry
In the middle of all the Big Three bankruptcy chatter and auto plant closings, Margaret McManus stands out. She just got a job at an auto supplier in Georgia. (Thu, 07 May 2009 08:34:42 GMT)

BMW bets car buyers will pay a premium for independence
MUNICH, May 7 – The quest for scale that now obsesses the global automobile industry does not impress executives at BMW. Known for its iconic blue-and-white logo and an engineering emphasis on sports-car-like drivability, BMW, the German luxury automaker, is placing a premium on maintaining its independence during the most painful economic downturn in decades, even as companies like Fiat and ... (Thu, 07 May 2009 10:26:18 GMT)

Research and Markets: 2009 U.S. Industrial Design Services Industry Report - Timely and Accurate Industry Statistics, ...
DUBLIN----Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "2009 U.S. Industrial Design Services Industry Report" report to their offering. (Thu, 07 May 2009 13:34:00 GMT)

UH Professor Employs Auto Industry Tools For Tumor Therapy
An effort is under way at the University of Houston to use technologies with origins in the automobile industry to develop new tools that will help doctors and technicians better plan radiation therapy for patients with head and neck cancer. Dr. Ali Kamrani, founding director of the Design and Free Form Fabrication Laboratory at UH and a former auto industry researcher, is teaming up with Dr. (Thu, 07 May 2009 14:19:55 GMT)

GM Aims To Reinvent the Automobile With Help of Academia
ANN ARBOR, Michigan — In what sounds like the closest step yet to a Manhattan Project for the auto industry, General Motors and the University of Michigan on Thursday announced the formation of the Institute of Automotive Research and Education. (Thu, 07 May 2009 15:30:20 GMT)

"Zero emission" vehicles enter a period of "decisive battle"
Ten years ago when Opel, a subsidiary of US-based General Motors, and the German Mercedes-Benz and BMW Group, were interviewed, the conclusion arrived at was that "zero emission" vehicles (including electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles) were a direction for the global automobile industry to develop in the future, with bulk production not due to commence until between 2025 and 2030. However, ... (Fri, 08 May 2009 04:24:54 GMT)

Automobile theft declining: Report
OTTAWA — Federal officials delivered fresh assurances that ham, ribs and pork chops are safe to eat. As many countries ban pork and pig imports and market prices tumble, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz showed support for the industry by serving a barbecue pork lunch on Parliament Hill.[...] (Fri, 08 May 2009 04:45:19 GMT)

Congress must protect Big 3
Congress needs to make sure that the U.S. automobile industry survives this massive downturn in automobile demand based on the credit crisis and recession. (Fri, 08 May 2009 08:20:05 GMT)

China vehicle sales hit monthly high of 1.15 mln
China's vehicle sales jumped 25 percent in April from the year before to a record monthly high of 1.15 million units, according to industry figures released Friday. (Fri, 08 May 2009 12:10:47 GMT)

China vehicle sales hit monthly high of 1.15 mln
China's vehicle sales jumped 25 percent in April from the year before to a record monthly high of 1.15 million units, according to industry figures released Friday. Passenger car sales surged 37 percent over a year earlier to 831,000, outpacing U.S. sales in... Related: China - Automobile - United States - Passenger car - Business (Fri, 08 May 2009 12:53:18 GMT)

Caution Flags Raised Over Ethanol Industry?s 15% Solution
The E.P.A. will decide this year whether to grant the ethanol industry?s request to raise the maximum amount of ethanol that can be added to gasoline. (Fri, 08 May 2009 14:45:29 GMT)

Rell Protects Little Auto From Big
The automobile industry has taken a wallop in this economy and while consumers are hurting, some local dealerships are taken a beating so bad that they need the Midas touch -- the car place, not the guy... (Fri, 08 May 2009 17:21:23 GMT)

Penske considers making bid for Saturn
Roger Penske says he is contemplating a bid for the Saturn automotive brand that General Motors Corp. plans to sell or shut down. While Penske has not yet made an offer, he said Friday a decision would have to come soon and that a number of unidentified details need to be worked out. Penske has a vested interest in the automotive industry. He owns the second-largest U.S. automobile retail chain ... (Fri, 08 May 2009 20:34:15 GMT)

The Plight of Auto Dealerships
For months now, the troubled U.S. auto industry has been making headlines. While most of the industry is concentrated in the Midwest, its tentacles reach far and wide. Next week in Washington, Congress and President Obama's auto task force will be getting a visit from domestic auto dealers from across the U.S. The National Automobile Dealers Association is sponsoring the fly-in to lobby against ... (Fri, 08 May 2009 21:55:18 GMT)

Industry insider: Market skeptical about Punta Colonet tender - Mexico
Repeated deadline extensions are causing Mexican and international investors to doubt that the federal government's flagship project, the 50bn-peso (US$3.82bn) Punta Colonet port complex in Baja California state, will be tendered in the short to medium term, an industry insider told BNamericas. (Fri, 08 May 2009 22:19:43 GMT)

Credit crunch hurts motorcycle sales
With automobile sales in the dumps, it's not unreasonable to think that consumers would be buying motorcycles as typically cheaper alternatives to cars. But the two-wheeled world of transportation is suffering from a slump that rivals the auto industry's. In fact, motorcycle sales in Central Florida and across the nation have been in decline for nearly three years, local dealers say. (Sat, 09 May 2009 12:04:18 GMT)

Ridgecrest introduces 2 web solutions
Ridgecrest, a leading software company introduces two new web solutions to the entertainment and automobile industries in Sri Lanka. “One stop ticket shop” an online ticket booking solution targets the entertainment industry in Sri Lanka. (Sat, 09 May 2009 19:58:17 GMT)

Buyers Are on the Auto Lot, but the Financing Is Not
The banks need to loosen up. That's the message from a month's worth of interviews with consumers and automobile dealers nationwide. It's also the conclusion of a new study by Accenture, a global management consulting company. (Sun, 10 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT)

Fiat CEO confirms he wants alliance with Opel:
Fiat S.p.A.'s boss has confirmed that the automaker wants to form an alliance with General Motors' German subsidiary Opel. (Fri, 1 May 2009 09:13:00 EST)

Green Cars: Report on hybrid and other alternative fuel cars
In terms of green car technology, North America is just catching up to the rest of the world. As green technology costs come in line with the value to the consumer, we'll probably see more eco-friendly cars hit the street. Whether it's gasoline-electric hybrids, hydrogen fuel cells, electric, new-generation diesel or the next big thing, AutoWeek cover it on these pages. (Fri, 1 May 2009 09:26:46 EST)

India's April car sales rise 4.2 pct y/y -industry
NEW DELHI, May 11 (Reuters) - Car sales in India rose an annual 4.2 percent in April, an industry body said on Monday, helped by improving financing and demand from rural markets. (Mon, 11 May 2009 03:44:04 GMT)

China’s Lead Battery Output May Grow 8% on Stimulus, Group Says
May 11 (Bloomberg) -- Lead-acid battery output in China, the world’s largest producer, may rise as much as 8 percent this year as the government’s stimulus plans boost automobile demand, the China Battery Industry Association said. (Mon, 11 May 2009 04:44:09 GMT)

Insight Becomes First Hybrid Vehicle to Rank as Best-Selling Vehicle in Japan
Tokyo, May 11, 2009 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that Insight ranked as the industry's best-selling car among new vehicle registrations* in Japan for the month of April 2009, with sales of 10,481 units (source: Japan Automobile Dealers Association). (Mon, 11 May 2009 04:57:13 GMT)

Health-care industry vows to contain costs
A group of trade associations is pledging to reduce the growth rate of health-care spending by 1.5 percentage points a year for the next decade in a show of support for President Obama's call to overhaul the nation's health-insurance system. (Mon, 11 May 2009 07:19:25 GMT)

Insight Becomes First Hybrid Vehicle to Rank as Best-Selling Vehicle in Japan
Tokyo, May 11, 2009 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that Insight ranked as the industry's best-selling car among new vehicle registrations* in Japan for the month of April 2009, with sales of 10,481 units (source: Japan Automobile Dealers Association). (Mon, 11 May 2009 07:27:54 GMT)

Domestic automobile sales up 10.76 percent
New Delhi, May 11 : Automobile sales in the country grew nearly 11 percent in April over the corresponding month the previous year largely due to a handsome growth registered by two-wheeler sales, a leading industry body said Monday. (Mon, 11 May 2009 08:13:19 GMT)

China's domestic automobile production, sales volumes exceed 3.7 million in first four months
The production and sales volume of automobiles made in China hit record highs in both March and April. The auto market in China has gradually recovered due to a series of stimulus policies and measures for the auto industry. According to the latest statistics released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers on May 8, from January to April this year, China produced 3.7248 million ... (Mon, 11 May 2009 08:19:34 GMT)

New Mercedes-Benz E-class picks up panache and gadgetry galore:
Until now, the only way to experience the kind of technology featured in the Mercedes-Benz S-class was to buy a Mercedes-Benz S-class. Not anymore. (Mon, 11 May 2009 09:44:00 EST)

Brian Wilson on the Beach Boys' car songs:
Brian Wilson, the musical giant behind so much of the Beach Boys great music, sang at the Petersen gala in Los Angeles last week, and there were plenty of songs about cars and drag racing in the mix. (Mon, 11 May 2009 10:11:00 EST)

India car sale up but sector still shaky: official
Indian car sales grew for a third straight month in April, according to data Monday, but an industry body said it was too soon to say the sector was on the road to recovery. (Mon, 11 May 2009 10:26:13 GMT)

Bankruptcy continues to be ‘more probable,’ GM CEO says:
Bankruptcy continues to be “more probable” for General Motors as it races to cut brands, dealers and factories to meet a government-imposed June 1 deadline to restructure its business. (Mon, 11 May 2009 10:33:00 EST)

Domestic automobile sales up 10.76 percent
Automobile sales in the country grew nearly 11 percent in April over the corresponding month the previous year largely due to a handsome growth registered by two-wheeler sales, a leading industry body said Monday. (Mon, 11 May 2009 11:03:07 GMT)

Overall recovery of automobile market
After International Labor Day, Wang Dunming, vice minister of DYK sales department felt very relaxed. The total sells of DYK in April were more than 17,500, increasing 78% compared to the same period last year. Even more exciting, by the end of April, DYK received nearly 8000 orders from dealers. But due to capacity limitations of car production, DYK only had 2000 automobiles on hand. "I have ... (Mon, 11 May 2009 12:19:24 GMT)

NEWS BRAKE: Monday, May 11:
In today's News Brake: Helio Castroneves has a great weekend at Indy; Fritz Henderson warns that a GM bankruptcy is more likely; and the Honda Insight is off to a fast start in Japan . . . But Wait, There's More! (Mon, 11 May 2009 13:51:00 EST)

GM’s Henderson offers a ray of hope for Sky, Solstice:
There appears to be a slight glimmer of hope for fans of the Saturn Sky and the Pontiac Solstice. (Mon, 11 May 2009 14:14:00 EST)

The Auto-Industry Fares Worse!
The global economy is now preparing to redraft a new reality for the automotive industry, a reality where many features have changed, where funding has a different identity, and of which the unemployment of its own engineers is a part. (Mon, 11 May 2009 15:21:20 GMT)

Maserati GranTurismo convertible spied:
The Maserati GranTurismo could soon be going topless--as spy shooters have caught a convertible version of the hot Italian sports car in testing on the Nürburgring. (Mon, 11 May 2009 16:31:00 EST)

India car sales grow but road still slippery (Business Times
NEW DELHI: Indian car sales grew for a third straight month in April but an industry body said it was too soon to say the sector was on the road to recovery. Sales rose 4.2 per cent to 102,899 units for April as car buying continued to pick up after the industry went into a tailspin last October, hit by a slowing economy. But Sugato Sen, senior director of the Society of Indian Automobile ... (Mon, 11 May 2009 17:03:01 GMT)

Domestic automobile sales up 10.76 %
NEW DELHI — Automobile sales in the country grew nearly 11 per cent in April over the corresponding month the previous year largely due to a handsome growth registered by two-wheeler sales, a leading industry body said on Monday. (Mon, 11 May 2009 20:17:51 GMT)

Saginaw rally will emphasize the importance of the auto industry
If the government lets the automobile industry crash, 7.2 million support jobs will go with it. That's one of the messages of the Keep it Made in America tour, which makes a stop in Saginaw at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the parking lot of the Commerce Tower, 515 N. Washington. (Mon, 11 May 2009 21:04:16 GMT)

NEWS BRAKE: Friday, May 1:
In today's News Brake: We take a look at where things stand now that Chrysler has filed for bankruptcy; the GTA Spano is ready to roll in Spain; and we catch a look at changes for the BMW 6-series ... But Wait, There's More! (Fri, 1 May 2009 14:11:00 EST)

Honda FCX Clarity: Don't be too quick to buy into the hydrogen myth:
We just spent the better part of a week in the fabulous Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicle. It is leaps and bounds beyond the science experiments that represented the first few rounds of fuel cells we remember from 20 or so years ago. (Fri, 1 May 2009 15:30:00 EST)

GM improves, Toyota slips as industry sales decline eases:
Ford, Honda and General Motors posted their smallest sales declines of the year in April, while Nissan and Toyota had their largest, as the industry improved from depressed levels of February and March. (Fri, 1 May 2009 17:05:00 EST)

Legendary Saab exec Bob Sinclair dies:
Bob Sinclair, the American marketing executive who pushed Saab to design more-luxurious cars and created one of the Swedish automaker’s most iconic vehicles--the 900 Convertible--died on May 10 at his home in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Tue, 12 May 2009 04:30:00 EST)

Automobile sales drop by 20% in Abu Dhabi
Automobile sales drop by 20% in Abu Dhabi (Tue, 12 May 2009 07:17:04 GMT)

Automobile Sales Drop by 20 Per Cent in Abu Dhabi
12 May 2009 ABU DHABI - The automobile sales in Abu Dhabi have dropped by 20 per cent during the first four months of 2009 compared with same period last year, as banks have tightened the terms and conditions for car financing, say officials of Al Masaood Automobiles, distributors for Nissan cars in Abu Dhabi. (Tue, 12 May 2009 08:41:38 GMT)

Straight from the top: AutoWeek interviews GM CEO Fritz Henderson:
AutoWeek editor and associate publisher Dutch Mandel and executive editor Wes Raynal interview GM CEO Fritz Henderson. Topics include Corvette, the future of the company's brands and much more. Watch it all here. (Tue, 12 May 2009 09:22:00 EST)

Insight Becomes First Hybrid Vehicle to Rank as Best-Selling Vehicle in Japan
TOKYO - May 12, 2009: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that Insight ranked as the industry's best-selling car among new vehicle registrations* in Japan for the month of April 2009, with sales of 10,481 units (source: Japan Automobile Dealers Association). (Tue, 12 May 2009 12:12:50 GMT)

NEWS BRAKE: Tuesday, May 12:
In today's News Brake: We sneak a look at the upcoming Maserati GranTurismo convertible; we remember brilliant former Saab executive Bob Sinclair; and some General Motors executives jump through the "window" to sell their stock ... (Tue, 12 May 2009 13:49:00 EST)

What will the electric car look like? Top designers weigh in:
There are a thousand questions surrounding the electric car: Who will make it? Will it really work? And--to the chagrin of General Motors brass--who killed it? (Tue, 12 May 2009 16:02:00 EST)

JapanToday: Japan News and Discussion ジャパントゥデイ:日本のニュースを英語で読む
The recently announced losses for Toyota serve to underline the perilous state of the global car industry and the wider economy. The world’s largest automobile company has just reported its first ever drive into the red in nearly three quarters of a century. (Tue, 12 May 2009 22:44:58 GMT)

Local car dealers optimistic about industry’s future
While the U.S. President is firing auto executives, announcing the bankruptcy of one automaker and threatening bankruptcy for another, local auto dealers are conducting business the best they can while waiting for the next news out of Washington and Detroit. (Wed, 13 May 2009 05:20:02 GMT)

New generation of car kulture shows up at art and hot-rod show:
It's not about cars so much as it's about art. Or it's about cars imitating art. Or vice versa. The car as canvas. (Wed, 13 May 2009 09:11:00 EST)

Redesigned Opel Astra revealed ahead of Frankfurt rollout:
Opel, General Motors' financially embattled European subsidiary, has ripped the covers from its sixth-generation Astra ahead of the car's planned debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September. (Wed, 13 May 2009 10:18:00 EST)

Ready to rumble: 1969 Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds H/O 455:
Transmission and shifter guru George Hurst had major mojo in the late 1960s and early '70s. (Wed, 13 May 2009 10:27:00 EST)

NEWS BRAKE: Wednesday, May 13:
In today's News Brake: Opel rolls out the redesigned Astra, which might hold something for us in the United States; Ford cashes in with a stock sale; and we get a look at what might be a redesigned Ford Ranger truck ... But Wait, There's More! (Wed, 13 May 2009 12:30:00 EST)

Mille Miglia: An Italian tradition revived:
One thousand miles of history kicks off Thursday in Italy with another revival of the storied Mille Miglia, an event that attracts hundreds of historic racers and car lovers from around the world. (Wed, 13 May 2009 12:43:00 EST)

New GM and U-M institute focused on fuel efficiency, reinvention of the automobile
ANN ARBOR - General Motors and the University of Michigan today announced the formation of the GM/U-M Institute of Automotive Research and Education, with a strategic focus on reinventing the automobile and developing the next generation of high-efficiency vehicles powered by diverse energy sources. (Wed, 13 May 2009 13:28:29 GMT)

Final Ferrari F430 to be auctioned Sunday for earthquake victims:
In an auction featuring some of the rarest, fastest and most head-turning Ferraris ever, a brand-new F430 may be the show-stealer. (Wed, 13 May 2009 16:20:00 EST)

Research and Markets: Booming Russian Automobile Sector
DUBLIN-- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Booming Russian Automobile Sector" report to their offering. (Wed, 13 May 2009 19:22:47 GMT)

Auto industry could get billions from carbon pact
Washington -- House Democrats said Wednesday they had reached an agreement that could provide the struggling auto industry with billions of dollars in funding for advanced vehicles as part of a proposed plan to limit carbon emissions. (Wed, 13 May 2009 22:37:49 GMT)

Auction prices show signs of life:
In a subtle indicator that some parts of the vehicle market are slowly beginning to recover, auction prices rose in April for trucks and minivans over 2008, though cars remain behind last year’s pace. (Thu, 14 May 2009 11:20:00 EST)

The First Issue of 'China Automotive Industry Climate Index' Jointly Released by the National Bureau of Statistics of ...
On April 19, 2009, Mr. Yao Jingyuan, Chief Economist of the National Bureau of Statistics of China delivered the "China Automotive Industry Climate Index" at the Summit Forum 2009 of the 13th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition. (Thu, 14 May 2009 12:00:00 GMT)

In the Auto Industry, It's Adios To The Car Dealer
Shutting car dealers may cost the economy more thanit saves the auto companies (Thu, 14 May 2009 12:12:02 GMT)

Rep. Waxman's bill would give auto industry free emissions allowances through 2025
House Democrats agreed yesterday to give the battered automotive industry a small percentage of valuable greenhouse gas emiss... (Thu, 14 May 2009 12:34:34 GMT)

Weekly jobless claims up more than expected
New jobless claims rose more than expected last week due partly to an increase in layoffs by the automobile industry. (Thu, 14 May 2009 12:44:33 GMT)

Auto industry layoffs boost new jobless claim figures
Increase due partly to more automobile industry layoffs New jobless claims rose more than expected last week due partly to an increase in layoffs by the automobile industry, while the number of people continuing to receive unemployment benefits set a record for the 15th straight week (Thu, 14 May 2009 13:05:48 GMT)

New jobless claims rose more than expected last week due partly to an increase in layoffs by the automobile industry. ...
The Labor Department said Thursday the number of new claims rose to a seasonally adjusted 637,000, from a revised 605,000 in the previous week. That's above analysts' expectations of 610,000. (Thu, 14 May 2009 13:06:41 GMT)

New jobless rise more than expected to 637,000
New jobless claims rose more than expected last week due partly to an increase in layoffs by the automobile industry, while the number of people continuing to receive unemployment benefits set a record for the 15th straight week (Thu, 14 May 2009 13:35:21 GMT)

NEWS BRAKE: Thursday, May 14:
In today's News Brake: A big showdown is brewing in Formula One; victims of Italy's earthquake get some love from Ferrari; and Audi's race drivers sing a new song ... But Wait, There's More! (Thu, 14 May 2009 13:52:00 EST)

Bentley Continentals are 85 percent recyclable--but who scraps a Bentley?:
Scrapping a Bentley is blasphemy for most enthusiasts, but if circumstances do require such action, they’re quite recyclable. (Thu, 14 May 2009 14:25:00 EST)

The First Issue of 'China Automotive Industry Climate Index' Jointly Released by the National Bureau of Statistics of ...
BEIJING, May 14, 2009 On April 19, 2009, Mr. Yao Jingyuan, Chief Economist of the National Bureau of Statistics of China delivered the "China Automotive Industry Climate Index" at the Summit Forum 2009 of the 13th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition. (Thu, 14 May 2009 16:24:52 GMT)

Auto industry's job cuts push up jobless claims more than expected
New jobless claims rose more than expected last week due partly to an increase in layoffs by the automobile industry, while the number of people continuing to receive unemployment benefits set a record for the 15th straight week. (Thu, 14 May 2009 23:43:14 GMT)

Industry Leaders: WV Closures A "Grave Error"
President of West Virginia's Automobile and Truck Dealers Association, Ruth Lemmon, says area Chrysler dealerships should not have been on the list to be eliminated. (Fri, 15 May 2009 03:42:20 GMT)

U.S. Jobless Claims Rise on Auto Layoffs
New jobless claims rose more than expected last week partly because of an increase in layoffs by the automobile industry. (Fri, 15 May 2009 04:25:13 GMT)

Topless tourer: The roof comes off the Lexus IS:
This is a great time to be in the market for a luxury convertible. (Fri, 15 May 2009 04:30:00 EST)

Working at the Car Wash:
It’s inevitable. With a yard full of oak trees waking from a long hibernation, randy and eager to do their springtime thing, every inch of the yard gets coated with a thick layer of yellow pollen. (Fri, 15 May 2009 09:00:00 EST)

Jobless claims jump to 637K; producer prices rise
WASHINGTON (AP) — New jobless claims rose more than expected last week due partly to an increase in layoffs by the U.S. automobile industry, while the number of Americans continuing to receive unemployment benefits set a record for the 15th straight week. (Fri, 15 May 2009 09:48:32 GMT)

Bentley Continental Supersports spied at the Nürburgring:
Bentley’s new green car has been spied blitzing the Green Hell. (Fri, 15 May 2009 11:29:00 EST)

Vehicle industry employment levels remain under pressure
Motor vehicle industry employment levels remained under pressure during the first quarter of 2009, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) said on Friday. (Fri, 15 May 2009 13:25:57 GMT)

NEWS BRAKE: Friday, May 15:
In today's News Brake: The Nissan GT-R takes another bite out of Nürburgring; there's talk of a revived Auto Union; and Mini celebrates its anniversary with a groovy car ... But Wait, There's More! (Fri, 15 May 2009 13:40:00 EST)

Elvis, Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Kiss share their cars and guitars:
Somewhere between Ricky Nelson’s lime-green ’32 Ford custom coupe featured on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet TV show, and Alice Cooper’s fake-blood-spattered, stage-used guillotine--you’ll find a ’40 Ford coupe and a ’64 Gretsch guitar... (Fri, 15 May 2009 16:35:00 EST)

Fate of some mountain GM dealerships unknown
General Motors Corp., local dealers and others tied to the automobile industry remained tight-lipped Friday about which — if any — mountain dealerships would close following an announcement of nationwide shutdowns. (Sat, 16 May 2009 04:26:25 GMT)

Asheboro ‘car man,’ Thomas, dies at 93
ASHEBORO — The American automotive industry has endured one economic shock after another in 2009 but the reverberations felt in Asheboro came when a local automobile industry legend passed away Friday. (Sat, 16 May 2009 04:28:21 GMT)

Hoping the old GM phrase no longer holds any truth
It has been a bad week in the automobile industry preceded by a downward spiral that began decades ago. However, the first visible signs of distress were made public back in November 2008, when the Big Three automakers flew individual private jets from Detroit to Washington to plead for federal money to help keep their ailing industry alive. The travel by private jet to ask for a handout became ... (Sun, 17 May 2009 04:11:43 GMT)

Pay-per-click web advertisers combat costly fraud
Given the state of the automobile industry and the economy, it is understandably a rough time to run a company called NewCars.com, a subsidiary of Cars.com. (Sun, 17 May 2009 04:12:49 GMT)

Asheboro ‘car man,’ Thomas, dies at 93
ASHEBORO — The American automotive industry has endured one economic shock after another in 2009 but the reverberations felt in Asheboro came when a local automobile industry legend passed away Friday. (Sun, 17 May 2009 04:28:12 GMT)

Sponsored by:
General Motors Corp., local dealers and others tied to the automobile industry remained tight-lipped Friday about which — if any — mountain dealerships would close following an announcement of nationwide shutdowns. (Sun, 17 May 2009 04:28:25 GMT)

Crafting a 'soft landing' for dealers
One afternoon last August, the New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association hosted a small fundraiser for state Sen. Bob Letourneau at the Pinkerton Tavern in Derry. The association's president and four local car dealers, each of whom paid $150 to lunch with Letourneau, steered the conversation to the woes of the auto industry. (Sun, 17 May 2009 05:25:23 GMT)

Indianapolis Motor Speedway | A Retrospective: From big idea to Brickyard
NDIANAPOLIS -- Just imagine if Indianapolis businessman Carl Fisher had gone with his first inclination in 1908 for the site of a test track for the young automobile industry. Here's what the public address announcer might bellow next Sunday: (Sun, 17 May 2009 08:27:42 GMT)

Auto industry wants new govt to rationalise excise structure
With the UPA voted back to power again, the Indian automobile industry wants the government support to continue for promoting the sector as a key economic driver and asked for removal of differential excise structure for different sizes of vehicles. (Sun, 17 May 2009 11:28:01 GMT)

Abilene's new car dealers get good news from Chrysler, General Motors
Both of Abilene’s new car dealers received good news as their franchise dealers met performance benchmarks and will keep on operating. In the past couple of days, Chrysler and General Motors dealers had to live with some anxiety as a result of the restructuring of the automobile industry. (Sun, 17 May 2009 12:09:14 GMT)

Auto sector wants excise rationalisation
With the UPA voted back to power again, the Indian automobile industry wants the government support to continue for promoting the sector as a key economic driver. (Sun, 17 May 2009 19:34:28 GMT)

A blessing for ailing auto industry
The Congress-led UPA's second term at the Centre might come as a blessing to the ailing auto industry, feel experts and analysts. (Sun, 17 May 2009 20:43:59 GMT)

1957 Ferrari sells for record $12.1 million at auction:
A 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa once again blew away the competition, setting a world record for cars sold at auction when it fetched an eye-popping $12.1 million on Sunday at an event on the grounds of the Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. (Sun, 17 May 2009 20:58:00 EST)

D.C. Bills Itself as the Capital of Tourism, Too
Rain or shine, summer begins this Memorial Day weekend for the travel industry, and the forecast is cloudy with a strong chance of scattered tourists. (Mon, 18 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT)

GM exports would be step up for China automakers
China's auto industry has come a long way since General Motors Corp. set up its first factory here in a brand new industrial zone in Shanghai just over a decade ago. (Mon, 18 May 2009 04:00:47 GMT)

U.S. Retail Industry Weekly Numbers Soar: 573 Store Openings Are Eclipsed by GMs 2,639 Store Closings and 130,000 ...
U.S. retail industry numbers soared last week, but not in a positive turnaround kind of way. Although the 2009 store opening list grew larger, store opening announcements were buried... (Mon, 18 May 2009 05:47:51 GMT)

Asheboro ‘car man,’ Thomas, dies at 93
ASHEBORO — The American automotive industry has endured one economic shock after another in 2009 but the reverberations felt in Asheboro came when a local automobile industry legend passed away Friday. (Mon, 18 May 2009 09:13:12 GMT)

VW halts merger talk with Porsche:
Volkswagen on Sunday slammed the brakes on merger talks with Porsche, just before the first meeting to discuss ways to bring all of the automakers' brands together under one entity. (Mon, 18 May 2009 10:33:00 EST)

Toyota Prius points the way to design future:
For a glimpse of Toyota's future design trends, check out the Prius. (Mon, 18 May 2009 10:44:00 EST)

Minister: No Italian closures in Fiat plans
Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne does not foresee closing Fiat plants in Italy as part of any alliance with GM's European operations, Italy's industry minister said in an interview published Monday. (Mon, 18 May 2009 11:48:55 GMT)

Lexus supercar spied testing at the Nürburgring:
Lexus is hard at work testing a supercar at the Nürburgring. (Mon, 18 May 2009 12:18:00 EST)

Hunt, Auto Industry Stalwart, Heads Al-Futtaim Automotive
Len Hunt, a veteran auto industry executive has been appointed Group Director, Automotive, Al-Futtaim and charged with leading the family owned business into an era of heightened expectations in the region's auto industry. (Mon, 18 May 2009 13:00:00 GMT)

NEWS BRAKE: Monday, May 18:
In today's News Brake: A classic Ferrari sets an auction record; VW slams the brakes on merger talks with Porsche; and the Lexus LF-A is spied on the track ... But Wait, There's More! (Mon, 18 May 2009 13:32:00 EST)

Lear Bankruptcy Likely Even With Government Aid, Citigroup Says
May 18 (Bloomberg) -- Lear Corp. , the world’s second- largest maker of automobile seats, will have “a hard time avoiding bankruptcy” given the state of the auto industry , according to Citigroup Inc. (Mon, 18 May 2009 18:52:35 GMT)

Atelier Automobile C. Lamarche Boosts Business by Adding U-Haul
Elena Gauthier, owner of Atelier Automobile C. Lamarche located at 267 Antonio-Barrette, added UHaul truck and trailer rentals to the auto repair and garage services currently available to customers in Joliette. (Mon, 18 May 2009 21:36:00 GMT)

Atelier Automobile C. Lamarche Boosts Business by Adding U-Haul
Elena Gauthier, owner of Atelier Automobile C. Lamarche located at 267 Antonio-Barrette, added U-Haul truck and trailer rentals to the auto repair and garage services currently available to customers in Joliette. (Mon, 18 May 2009 21:59:00 GMT)

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