Automotive News at a Glance

• Colorado new-car registrations up 15.5% in 2011
  Dever Business Journal , January 30, 2012
  These numbers are huge, Tim Jackson, CADA's president, said in a statement.
• Colorado new car sales finish year strong
  KUSA 9 News , January 30, 2012
  The head of California's air quality board on Thursday called proposed rules that would require automakers to build less-polluting cars and trucks by 2025 a historic move for a cleaner environment.
• Last year new car and light truck registrations in Colorado increased 15.5 percent
  The Denver Post , January 30, 2012
  New car and light truck registration in Colorado finished 2011 with three strong upward trends, the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association said today.
• Colorado New Car Sales Finish Year Strong
  CBS Denver , January 30, 2012
  Colorado car and truck dealers are encouraged after new car and light truck registrations in Colorado finished 2011 with strong sales.
• New car sales finish year strong in Colorado
  Colorado Springs Gazette , January 30, 2012
  In this Jan. 10 file photo, new cars were being unloaded in Colorado Springs' Motor City.
• Car, truck registrations up statewide
  Northern Colorado Business Report , January 30, 2012
  New car and light-truck registrations increased by 15.5 percent in Colorado from 2010 to 2011, according to new data from the Colorado Automotive Dealers Association.
• Colorado New Car Sales Finish Year Strong
  KMGH Denver Channal 7 , January 30, 2012
  A report by the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association said Monday that people went on a holiday spree in December, with new registrations up 25 percent over the previous year.
• Colorado new car sales finish year strong
  Boston Globe , January 30, 2012
  Colorado car and truck dealers are encouraged after new car and light truck registrations in Colorado finished 2011 with strong sales.
• Local Auto Industry Bouncing Back
  KJCT 8 Grand Junction , January 30, 2012
  Colorado’s auto industry is bouncing back. Sales for 2011 are higher than they've been since the downturn.
• Video: Matthew Broderick Reprises Ferris Bueller for Honda Super Bowl Commercial
  The CMO Site , January 30, 2012
  Love Ferris Bueller's Day Off? You'll love Honda's upcoming Super Bowl commercial, a tribute to the movie featuring Matthew Broderick driving a Honda CR-V. You can watch the commercial now on YouTube
• More Car Companies Jump Into The Super Bowl (Video/Audio)
  CBS Detroit , January 30, 2012
  Chevy, Honda, Audi and Toyota show off their Super Bowl ads, as more and more auto companies get involved in the big game.
• Auto Makers' New Math Drives Net
  The Wall Street Journal , January 27, 2012
  Car makers and auto dealers are now selling significantly fewer vehicles than they did four or five years ago, yet the industry is brimming with profits.
• Fiat-Chrysler in talks to produce Jeeps in China
  The Detroit News , January 26, 2012
  The Fiat-Chrysler group is in intense negotiations with the Guangzhou Automobile Group on a possible joint venture to produce Jeeps in China, for the Chinese market.
• Ghosn sees record auto sales year
  Detroit Free Press , January 26, 2012
  Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan and Renault, said he expects this to be a record year for the automotive industry.
• Policy, green cars take center stage at Washington auto show
  Auto Week , January 26, 2012
  Public policy and the ultimate impact it has on consumers' cars was the hot topic on Thursday at the Washington auto show, as companies vied to show off and explain their latest fuel-efficient technologies under the watchful eyes of regulators and government officials.
• GM defends Volt as Congress asks questions about battery fires
  Detroit Free Press , January 26, 2012
  With newspaper ads, TV spots and its chairman testifying candidly to Congress, General Motors began Wednesday to undo any damage done to the Chevrolet Volt's reputation after battery fires threatened to turn the iconic hybrid car into a political football.
• Volkswagen may bring new VW Microbus to U.S.
  The Detroit News , January 26, 2012
  Volkswagen AG, Europe's biggest carmaker, may bring the new version of its iconic VW Microbus to the U.S. as it aims to boost sales of VWs and Audis to 1 million in the nation by 2018.
• Report: Taxpayers still owed $132.9B from bailout
  Detroit Free Press , January 26, 2012
  A government watchdog says U.S. taxpayers are still owed $132.9 billion that companies haven’t repaid from the financial bailout, and some of that will never be recovered.
• Calif. poised to vote on new 'clean car' regulations
  The Detroit News , January 26, 2012
  The head of California's air quality board on Thursday called proposed rules that would require automakers to build less-polluting cars and trucks by 2025 a historic move for a cleaner environment.
• GM's Akerson stands firm in Congress' Volt hearings
  The Detroit News , January 25, 2012
  Dan Akerson, the GM chief executive known for being blunt and impatient, made it through his first Capitol Hill testimony Wednesday without a hiccup.
• Chrysler unveils 'World' training facility
  The Detroit News , January 25, 2012
  Chrysler Group LLC on Tuesday opened a state-of-the-art training center in Warren, designed to teach its workers the principles of "World Class Manufacturing."
• Chrysler hiring 400-500 to boost Dart production in Illinois
  Detroit Free Press , January 25, 2012
  Chrysler is hiring about 400 to 500 new employees to support the production of the Dodge Dart compact car at its plant in Belvidere, Illinois.
• For many luxury car buyers, small is now beautiful
  MSNBC , January 25, 2012
  When Mercedes-Benz pulls the covers on the all-new A-Class hatchback during the Geneva Motor Show this March, car buyers will get a glimpse of the changes rapidly sweeping through the luxury car market.
• Nissan to build $2 billion factory in Mexico
  The Detroit News , January 25, 2012
  Nissan Motor Co. announced Wednesday it will build a $2 billion plant in Mexico to initially build 175,000 small cars annually.
• Chevy Volt caught in Washington's crossfire
  MSNBC , January 24, 2012
  The Chevy Volt became a political punching bag on Wednesday, with Republicans accusing the Obama administration of hiding fire risks from the public, and General Motors saying its signature electric vehicle unfairly got caught in political crosswinds.
• Ford unveils a Fusion for NASCAR racing that looks like a Fusion
  Detroit Free Press , January 24, 2012
  The Ford Fusion will be back for the 2013 NASCAR season and for the first time in years the race car will be recognizable as a Fusion.
• Automakers focused on what young buyers want
  MSNBC , January 23, 2012
  There’s a big gap between what people say they want and what they’ll actually spend their money on, as automakers are well aware of.
• Average Age Of American Auto Hits All TIme High
  KUNC , January 22, 2012
  The average age of vehicles hit a record high in 2011 of 10.8 years.
• GM takes crown, selling more than 9 million vehicles in 2011
  The Detroit News , January 19, 2012
  General Motors Co. sold 9.03 million vehicles worldwide last year, the company said on its website.
• GM again the world's largest automaker
  Detroit Free Press , January 19, 2012
  General Motors surpassed Toyota and Volkswagen to reclaim the crown of world’s largest automaker with global sales of 9.03 million vehicles in 2011.
• 20,000 Ford salaried workers get both raise, bonus
  Detroit Free Press , January 19, 2012
  Ford salaried workers will receive both merit raises and bonuses this spring for the first time since 2008, reflecting the automaker's growing financial strength.
• Automakers to add thousands of jobs
  The Detroit News , January 19, 2012
  The U.S. auto industry plans to add thousands of jobs this year as sales continue to rebound and automakers look to produce more cars in the United States to sidestep currency woes overseas.
• Retired auto worker wins car giveaway
  The Detroit News , January 19, 2012
  Retired Ford Motor Co. skilled tradesman Greg Kososki is excited to take home a shiny black Chevy Sonic after winning the car in The Detroit News' DADA giveaway this week.
• Buick LaCrosse an all-around good hybrid
  The Detroit News , January 19, 2012
  The new LaCrosse, which rolled into dealerships in the fall, just shows you that an old dog can learn a few new tricks.
• TrueCar is running into roadblocks
  CNN Money , January 18, 2012
  The innovative Internet startup is carving a new, lucrative niche in automotive retailing -- but not without some difficulty.
• Auto show visitors, high-tech displays interact
  The Detroit News , January 18, 2012
  Sarah Redman of Taylor couldn't think of a word to play Tuesday afternoon at the life-size "Words With Friends" game at the Honda display at the North American International Auto Show.
• At Detroit auto show, Web extends automakers' reach
  Detroit Free Press , January 18, 2012
  As Andreas Schmid traipsed through the exhibits at the Detroit auto show recently, he did so with dozens of unseen followers.
• Ford Fusion wins top Detroit News' Readers Choice awards
  The Detroit News , January 18, 2012
  The 2013 Ford Fusion was named the North American International Auto Show's overall winner in the annual Detroit News-Detroit Auto Dealers Association "Readers Choice" contest.
• Students get revved for autos, technology at Cobo
  The Detroit News , January 18, 2012
  Thousands of students filled Cobo Center for Wednesday's Education Day at the North American International Auto Show.
• Driver error, car electronics eyed in new study of Toyota unintended acceleration
  Detroit Free Press , January 18, 2012
  Unintended acceleration may be caused by driver error or unforeseen interaction of vehicle electronics, but government safety regulators should learn more about the complexity of those electronics before imposing more regulations, according to a government-commissioned study by the National Academy of Sciences.
• Which Car Fantasies Should Come to Life?
  The Wall Street Journal , January 18, 2012
  Here's how you can tell the auto industry is getting its swagger back: Company executives are teasing us with sports cars again.
• Saab collapse could take down Spyker, too
  Auto Week , January 18, 2012
  While the storm that had been threatening to break over Trollhättan has finally swept in and ravaged the last remaining bits of once-proud Saab, the brand's parent company--Swedish Automobile, NV (or Swan)--is attempting to stave off being swept away in the flood.
• India’s Maruti Suzuki to Buy Diesel Engines from Fiat
  The Wall Street Journal , January 18, 2012
  Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. will buy up to 100,000 diesel engines a year for three years from the local unit of Fiat SpA under a pact between the Italian car maker and Maruti’s parent, Suzuki Motor Corp.
• Lexus to debut its first Super Bowl commercial
  Auto Week , January 18, 2012
  Lexus will join Audi in the Super Bowl ad game this year. The company will air a 30-second spot focusing on the 2013 Lexus GS sedan that launches in February. Lexus released a 15-second teaser of the ad.
• Stodgy minivans are innovating to survive
  MSNBC , January 17, 2012
  The swoopy concept vehicle now on display at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show is a visually striking contrast to the staidly functional “one-box” people-movers that most Americans are familiar with.
• TrueCar Changes Billing Model in Virginia in Order to Ensure Immediate Regulatory Compliance
  Dealer Communications , January 17, 2012
  TrueCar, Inc., which is devoted to bringing transparency to the car buying process
• TrueCar Swizzles Billing Model, After Pressure From States
  Social Tech , January 16, 2012
  Santa Monica-based TrueCar, the online auto buying site led by Scott Painter, said Monday that it is addressing compliance issues and concerns with its service with a change to its billing model.
• TrueCar, With Guns To Its Head, Says Uncle. Will Change Business Model
  The Truth About Cars , January 16, 2012
  TrueCar says it is deeply sorry, and it will change the way it is doing business. Bowing to state regulators, TrueCar will change the way it discloses prices to car shopper. And it will change the way it charges dealers, Automotive News [sub] reports.
• Detroit Show's Soundtrack: America the Beautiful
  The Wall Street Journal , January 14, 2012
  The 2012 North American International Auto Show, continuing through Jan. 22 at Cobo Hall in downtown Detroit, has more story lines than a Russian novel.
• Okla. Commission Says TrueCar Violates Dealer Rules
  Fi Magazine , January 12, 2012
  Oklahoma became the latest state to put the brakes on TrueCar, with the state’s motor vehicle commission deeming the service in violation of the state’s dealer licensing laws.
• 2012 NAIAS consumer guide: Revenge of the cars
  The Detroit News , January 12, 2012
  Technology-laden sedans and coupes feature function, comfort with a touch of green
• Insurance study: Women are better drivers than men
  MSNBC , January 12, 2012
  In the proverbial battle of the sexes, women are better drivers than men. Or so says a new study by an online auto insurance group that hopes to dispel the long-standing notion that women are bad drivers.
• Chrysler CEO cautiously optimistic about industry's future
  The Detroit News , January 12, 2012
  Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne says the automobile industry remains in an era of historic change and challenges, but said there is cause for hope.
• Dealers, suppliers revel in new attitude at show
  The Detroit News , January 12, 2012
  North Carolina Chrysler dealer John Gillilan was photographing the shiny new Chryslers, Dodges and Jeeps on the floor of the North American International Auto Show on Wednesday.
• BMW to add 300 jobs in SC with $900M investment
  Detroit Free Press , January 12, 2012
  German automaker BMW is expanding its South Carolina plant and adding 300 new jobs.
• Ford, not GM or Chrysler, got federal loans to retool plants
  Detroit Free Press , January 12, 2012
  Ever since the federal bailout of General Motors and Chrysler, Ford has boasted of its bootstrapped turnaround, but two years later, Ford is the only Detroit automaker to receive government loans to retool plants that make more fuel-efficient vehicles and powertrains.
• Think the 1990s Are Back in Detroit? Think Again
  Forbes , January 11, 2012
  The mood in Detroit this week was beyond relief. It was deja vu.
• Audi to bring Q3 compact crossover to U.S. in 2014
  Detroit Free Press , January 9, 2012
  The good news is Audi plans to sell the new Q3 compact crossover in the U.S. in 2014.
• Acura unveils new ILX, updated RDX, NSX
  The Detroit News , January 9, 2012
  Admitting that 2011 was a year best forgotten for Acura, Jeff Conrad, vice president of sales for the Honda luxury division revealed three new models aimed at reviving the company's fortunes.
• Ultra-luxury Bentley on the rebound, unveils Continental GT and GTC V8
  Detroit Free Press , January 9, 2012
  The Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 unveiled Monday come as sales for the ultra-luxury brand are rebounding.
• Detroit auto show floor offers razzle, dazzle
  Detroit Free Press , January 9, 2012
  The floor of the North American International Auto Show is where cars and technology collide.
• Hyundai reveals 2 sports coupes, lifetime warranty for hybrid battery
  Detroit Free Press , January 9, 2012
  Hyundai revealed two new sports coupes on Monday at the 2012 North American International Auto Show: The Veloster Turbo and the Genesis coupe.
• Audi to bring Q3 compact crossover to U.S. in 2014
  Detroit Free Press , January 9, 2012
  The good news is Audi plans to sell the new Q3 compact crossover in the U.S. in 2014.
• Acura unveils new ILX, updated RDX, NSX
  The Detroit News , January 9, 2012
  Admitting that 2011 was a year best forgotten for Acura, Jeff Conrad, vice president of sales for the Honda luxury division revealed three new models aimed at reviving the company's fortunes.
• Ultra-luxury Bentley on the rebound, unveils Continental GT and GTC V8
  Detroit Free Press , January 9, 2012
  The Bentley Continental GT and GTC V8 unveiled Monday come as sales for the ultra-luxury brand are rebounding.
• Detroit auto show floor offers razzle, dazzle
  Detroit Free Press , January 9, 2012
  The floor of the North American International Auto Show is where cars and technology collide.
• Governor Hickenlooper’s State of the State address
  Detroit Free Press , January 8, 2012
  When people think of the West, it’s easy to envision wagon trains, Buffalo Bill, the glory days of the Gold Rush. Cowboy hats come to mind … rocks … even beer … but let’s talk about hats.
• Mike Jackson: AutoNation CEO has industry's ear
  Detroit Free Press , January 8, 2012
  When Mike Jackson talks, auto CEOs listen.
• TrueCar is Coming Under Fire
  Car Newser , January 6, 2012
  TrueCar.com is getting on the nerves of many, including dealership organizations, automakers and regulators in three states.
• Tesla Model X crossover to be unveiled on Feb. 9
  Auto Week , January 6, 2012
  Rocketship impresario Elon Musk had previously promised the premiere of the Tesla Model X crossover last month. It's now come out that the electric crossover will be unveiled on Feb. 9 at the company's design studio in Hawthorne, Calif.
• Honda sued over mileage in small claims court
  MSNBC , January 3, 2012
  A former lawyer goes solo on a case which could cause Honda big headaches
• Ford promises big statement with relaunch of Lincoln at Detroit auto show
  Detroit Free Press , January 3, 2012
  Ford's Lincoln brand will showcase a concept of its new MKZ sedan at next week's 2012 North American International Auto Show as a major step to compete more effectively in the growing luxury market.
• Are Gas Prices Heading To $5 A Gallon?
  The Car Connection , January 3, 2012
  In case you’ve spent the past 30 days engaging in holiday revelry without regard to current international events, we’ve got some bad news for you. Things in the Middle East, while never good, have gone from bad to worse.
• Chrysler sets stage for 'another critical year'
  The Detroit News , January 3, 2012
  Chrysler Group LLC CEO Sergio Marchionne is calling on employees to reflect on the progress the company made in 2011 and gird themselves for the challenges that remain.
• Big 3 find different paths to big changes
  The Detroit News , January 3, 2012
  Two years after American automakers experienced the most wrenching restructuring in their collective history, there is still plenty of churn roiling Detroit's heavyweights.
• Bentley posts big sales jump for 2011
  Auto Week , January 3, 2012
  Luxury-car maker Bentley says 2011 was a banner year, with global sales of 7,003 cars, up 37 percent from the year before.
• Best of the Best for 2012: Audi A7 and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
  Auto Week , January 2, 2012
  Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (MM), India’s biggest sport-utility vehicle manufacturer, is interested in buying at least parts of bankrupt Swedish carmaker Saab Automobile, two people familiar with the situation said.
• Key models for the 2012 auto show: A to G
  The Detroit News , January 2, 2012
  The following key new models and concepts will be showcased at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Jan. 14-22.
• Key models for the 2012 auto show: H to Z
  The Detroit News , January 2, 2012
  These production models and concepts will be showcased at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Jan. 14-22.
• Peugeot joins Fiat in sales slump with reliance on Europe
  The Denver Post , January 1, 2012
  A handful of people have shaken off the wet snow and entered the Bilia car dealership in Stockholm.
• Auto show preview: Fusion, Dart, Malibu among key debuts
  The Detroit News , January 1, 2012
  The 2012 North American International Auto Show is shaping up as
• Colorado's minimum wage gets a raise to $7.64 an hour
  The Denver Post , January 1, 2012
  The new year brings with it a decent bump in pay for about 74,000 Colorado workers earning the minimum wage.
• A bargain-priced hatchback that’s a kick in the pants
  The Wall Street Journal , December 31, 2011
  The Hyundai Veloster's packaging of a decent and accessible rear seat and trunk is the stuff of rabbits, hats and Atlantic City magicians.
• Bankrupt Saab Automobile Said to Attract Interest From India’s Mahindra
  Bloomberg , December 30, 2011
  Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (MM), India’s biggest sport-utility vehicle manufacturer, is interested in buying at least parts of bankrupt Swedish carmaker Saab Automobile, two people familiar with the situation said.
• Chrysler Rolls Out Pricey ‘Luxury Series’ Sedan (Slideshow)
  The Wall Street Journal , December 28, 2011
  Chrysler Group LLC is adding an upmarket model to its 300 sedan lineup that features special leather upholstery, matte wood trim and other niceties which, the company says, make it “the most luxurious Chrysler sedan ever.”
• US automakers look to build on victories in the new year
  MSNBC , December 28, 2011
  Ford is hoping history can repeat itself with the upcoming launch of the next-generation Fusion four-door.
• Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Coming to Detroit Auto Show
  US News , December 27, 2011
  Volkswagen will reportedly debut a hybrid Jetta at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.
• Safest small cars you can buy for less than $20K
  MSNBC , December 27, 2011
  While record low fatality rates indicate that today’s cars are safer than ever, the latest crash test results confirm that some models still do a better job than others at protecting their occupants in a serious collision.
• The ten most boring-looking cars
  Jalopnik , December 27, 2011
  Like a gorilla with no face, a car without any features is very disturbing.
• Toyota adds to Prius lineup with smallest hybrid aimed at Fit
  The Detroit News , December 26, 2011
  Toyota Motor Corp., Asia's largest automaker, will begin selling its smallest hybrid car in Japan today to compete with Honda Motor Co. for younger consumers seeking an entry-level fuel-efficient vehicle.
• The World's Most Popular Cars: Some New Faces
  Forbes , December 25, 2011
  Yet despite all the disruptions to production and the currency squeeze that made its vehicles more expensive outside Japan, Toyota’s trusty-but-bland Corolla once again was the world’s best-selling car.
• Women-focused auto shop a reaction to disdainful mechanic
  The Detroit News , December 25, 2011
  Though she has some doubters — one competitor reportedly told a LadyParts customer that her shop is more style than substance — the rave reviews found online about the business show that de la Calzada has tapped a ripe market.
• Electric cars head for niche status as sales forecasts dip
  The Detroit News , December 24, 2011
  You would think that as more innovative and high-technology electric vehicles were launched, the prospects for higher long-term sales would increase, but you'd be wrong.
• Nissan says tsunami tested electric Leaf safety, durability
  The Detroit News , December 24, 2011
  Nissan inadvertently gained some valuable insight into the durability of its electric car, the Leaf, when about two dozen of them were destroyed in the tsunami that ravaged Japan in March.
• Chrysler ends production of Caliber
  The Detroit News , December 24, 2011
  Chrysler Group LLC ended production of the much-maligned Dodge Caliber this week, the last of the econoboxes introduced by Detroit's Big Three during the past decade that came to symbolize a failed strategy in the domestic auto industry.
• Why To Think Twice Before Buying That GPS Device
  Forbes , December 22, 2011
  Last-minute holiday shoppers might jump at discounts on standalone GPS devices like the basic ones from Garmin and Magellan, but those gifts may not get much use, analysts suggest.
• Turning over a new Leaf: First Coloradans drive off with all-electric car
  The Denver Post , December 22, 2011
  Christmas came early for the Passarelli family of Lakewood, and the present didn't come by sleigh — it came by electric car. Actually, the present was an electric car, the first Nissan Leaf? delivered in Colorado.
• Fewest layoffs since '08 as economy strengthens
  Detroit Free Press , December 22, 2011
  The job market is getting healthier, adding to evidence that the economy is improving as 2011 nears an end.
• LaHood opposes ban on hands-free calls behind wheel
  The Detroit News , December 22, 2011
  Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he did not support a call by the National Transportation Safety Board to bar drivers from making hands-free calls behind the wheel.
• Auto industry closing out 2011 with brisk December sales pace
  Detroit Free Press , December 22, 2011
  Consumers are helping U.S. automakers finish 2011 with brisk December sales, a top forecasting firm said today.
• Audi's 2012 TT RS gives intrepid pilots sports coupe with rocket booster
  The Detroit News , December 22, 2011
  The tires rarely squeal on the 2012 Audi TT RS — a 2+2 car that perfectly combines art, science and gut-wrenching fun.
• 10 cars that are naughty, not nice
  CNN Money , December 21, 2011
  For eleven months of the year, sensible cars rule -- cars that are easy to drive and roomy inside, that deliver good mileage and retain their value.
• Electric vehicles' fast-evolving technologies are unfamiliar to drivers, mechanics
  Detroit Free Press , December 21, 2011
  Those electric vehicles popping up in driveways look a lot like their gas-powered cousins. But under the hood, they're different machines, and their potential problems are foreign to many drivers and mechanics alike.
• Ticket sales up for Detroit auto show Charity Preview
  The Detroit News , December 21, 2011
  Ticket sales are up 20 percent for the Charity Preview gala in January in conjunction with the 2012 North American International Auto Show.
• A sad end to Saab's story
  MSNBC , December 21, 2011
  With the filing of bankruptcy papers this week it’s all over for Saab but the funeral. Or is it?
• Man wins Lamborghini, crashes it, will sell it
  MSNBC , December 21, 2011
  A truck driver who won a $380,000 Lamborghini in a convenience store contest crashed the sports car six hours after he got it, and he now plans to sell the 640-horsepower convertible because he can't afford the insurance or taxes.
• Car Dealers Sing: 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Lexus'
  The Wall Street Journal , December 21, 2011
  Luxury-car companies are making the holiday season one of the best times of the year to get a good deal on a new vehicle.
• Honda looks to refreshed Civic, other new vehicles to revitalize brand in 2012
  The Detroit News , December 21, 2011
  Honda Motor Corp. officials are hoping an early refresh of the Honda Civic, as well as the new 2013 CR-V crossover and Accord sedan, will allow the Japanese automaker to maintain leadership in the fiercely competitive car market in the United States.
• The Downside Of Ford's Product Makeover
  Forbes , December 21, 2011
  The new Ford Focus is a terrific little car. It’s great-looking, fuel-efficient and handles nimbly on the road.
• Cadillac fine-tunes the ATS on the Nürburgring: Video
  Autoweek , December 21, 2011
  Cadillac is stretching the legs of its new ATS sedan one more time before its debut at the Detroit auto show in January.
• Designers boost glitz factor with latest dashboards
  MSNBC , December 20, 2011
  It in the past, it was pretty simple: A dashboard was a wooden (later steel, then plastic) board on to which a car’s instruments were mounted. Of course, that was when phones still had buttons to press (or a rotary dial).
• TrueCar.Com Truly Infuriates Many Dealers
  WardsAuto , December 19, 2011
  Scott Painter says he wants to help dealers sell more cars. So why is the founder of TrueCar.com under attack by auto-retail people on social-network blogs and elsewhere?
• Power Steering
  TIME , December 19, 2011
  Ask any of the 11,000 people bustling around the Auburn Hills, Mich., headquarters of Chrysler Group why the automaker the U.S. government thought couldn't possibly survive now can't possibly fail, and the answer is "Because we have Sergio."
• Consumer Spending Probably Rose on Autos: U.S. Economy Preview
  Businessweek , December 19, 2011
  Consumer spending probably climbed in November as Americans flocked to auto dealer showrooms and shopped for holiday bargains, giving the U.S. economy a boost heading into 2012, economists said before a report this week.
• First look: 2013 Chevy Sonic RS, hot-rod inspired compact
  Detroit Free Press , December 19, 2011
  General Motors released photos today of its Chevrolet Sonic RS, a hot-rod inspired version of its new Sonic compact car that the automaker plans to show at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in January.
• Nissan recalls Sentra and Juke vehicles for engine stalling
  The Detroit News , December 19, 2011
  Nissan is recalling nearly 34,000 Sentra compact cars because of a battery cable problem that could cause the engines to stall.
• TrueCar’s Embattled CEO: Critics Should Embrace Change
  WardsAuto , December 16, 2011
  The issues may not be as black and white as some people think. But clearly, Painter has vexed many in the dealership world.
• Aspirations in Colorado to Be a New Motor City
  The New York Times , December 16, 2011
  Bryan Willson in the Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory at Colorado State University with an 18-liter research engine.
• 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL: Photos
  Jalopnik , December 14, 2011
  No doubt MB will sell all that they can make but I do miss the simple elegance of earlier generations.
• Mark Phelan: Hands-free phones make sense -- but ban doesn't
  Detroit Free Press , December 14, 2011
  Banning all uses of mobile phones in cars would be the most pointless and universally ignored law since Prohibition.
• Cobo Center stretching out for auto show
  The Detroit News , December 14, 2011
  Visitors to next month's North American International Auto Show will have more room to view vehicles, due to a 25,000-square-foot expansion and other renovations that workers are completing in time for the January event.
• The Car Dashboard That Wants to Be an iPad
  The Wall Street Journal , December 14, 2011
  Entertainment and navigation systems in automobiles have come a long way since the days of eight-track tape players and folding maps, but not when it comes to changing the radio station.
• 2013 Viper to debut as SRT, not Dodge
  Detroit Free Press , December 14, 2011
  Chrysler expects to gain a broader audience when it introduces the 2013 SRT Viper next year under the SRT -- Street and Racing Technology -- brand instead of Dodge.
• Auto lending rebound to continue
  Detroit Free Press , December 14, 2011
  The lending environment for automotive loans is getting better for consumers, and fewer people are paying their auto loans late, according to the latest data from TransUnion, one of the nation's leading consumer credit companies.
• Ford: 5-passenger Focus Electric to get 100 mpg
  The Detroit News , December 14, 2011
  Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday that the 2012 Ford Focus Electric will be the first five-passenger electric vehicle to get the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon.
• China slaps anti-dumping duties on US-made cars
  MSNBC , December 14, 2011
  China has imposed duties on imports of some U.S.-made vehicles, claiming damage from foreign automakers due to dumping and subsidies in the latest round of trade friction between the two countries.
• Volt tries to ride out storm of criticism
  The Detroit News , December 13, 2011
  The Chevrolet Volt, intended to be the symbol of General Motors Co.'s commitment to innovation and proof that Detroit's automakers can make "green" cars, has become a public relations and engineering challenge for the automaker.
• Distracted Driving On the Rise, Researchers Find
  Forbes , December 13, 2011
  Distracted driving is responsible for one in every 11 U.S. traffic deaths, according to a government agency, as states struggle to find effective deterrents despite the rising use of cell phones.
• NTSB To Drivers: 'Stop Texting And Get Off The Phone'
  Forbes , December 13, 2011
  In a ruling that could literally alter the lifestyles of millions of Americans, the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended states completely ban the use of all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices while driving except in emergency situations.
• Wheels and More offers upgrades for Ferrari 599, McLaren SLR
  Autoweek , December 13, 2011
  There's no shortage of tuner companies taking the fastest cars on the market and making them even faster.
• GM's Welburn talks Cadillac XTS design: Autoweek TV
  Autoweek , December 13, 2011
  Lexus is bringing a new concept car to the Detroit auto show next month, and from the looks of it, it's going to be sporty.
• The Hardest To Find Cars For 2012
  Forbes , December 12, 2011
  But no compact has been as hot as the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, which has been flying off dealer lots faster than any car in America.
• Dear Spot readers: Toys for Tots needs you
  Denver Post , December 11, 2011
  Two Marines stood at the door of the Colorado Auto Dealers Association, where the event was held, and accepted the offerings: a tea set, a Barbie doll, racing cars and more.
• Ford to recall Fusion, Milan sedans to fix wheels
  MSNBC , December 9, 2011
  Ford is recalling more than 128,000 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans from the 2010 and 2011 model years because the wheels can fall off the cars.
• Detroit won't extend tax break for American Axle
  The Detroit News , December 7, 2011
  The Detroit City Council unanimously rejected a request Tuesday by American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings to extend tax exemptions on its Detroit headquarters.
• Ill. plant to add third shift to accommodate new Dodge Dart
  The Detroit News , December 7, 2011
  Chrysler Group LLC is bringing back the Dodge Dart and is expected to add a third shift at its Belvidere, Ill., plant to meet the demand the new car is expected to generate.
• Mercedes-Benz loses its huge edge over BMW
  USA Today , December 7, 2011
  Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler celebrated its 125-year anniversary in January, enjoying a market valuation that was $23 billion more than German arch rival BMW.
• GM to block sale of Saab; end could be near for Swedish brand
  The Detroit News , December 6, 2011
  General Motors Co. said Tuesday it will not support the latest proposed deal to sell its former Swedish unit Saab to a Chinese consortium.
• Watch Ken Block take out another dude on a ladder
  Jalopnik , December 6, 2011
  Ken Block's dropped his latest crazy-cool clip and he's driving around LA in the Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle (H.F.H.V.).
• 2013 Dodge Dart to be unveiled at Detroit auto show, Chrysler says
  The Detroit Free Press , December 6, 2011
  A teaser photo of the 2013 Dodge Dart, which Chrysler today announced will be unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.
• Audi blazing a trail through the premium car market
  MSNBC , December 6, 2011
  The company celebrated Thanksgiving this year with special cause: The automaker had already topped 2010’s record U.S. sales of 101,000 cars with more than a month to spare.
• Denver Toyota dealers ink $5.4 million deal for naming rights at zoo's elephant exhibit
  The Denver Post , December 6, 2011
  The Denver Toyota Dealers Association will spend $5.4 million for the right to name a new Denver Zoo exhibit "Toyota Elephant Passage."
• The Most Expensive Cars of 2012
  Forbes , December 5, 2011
  Ten years after introducing Maybach, Daimler announced it would shutter the super-luxury brand by 2013.
• Toyota to send U.S.-built Camry to South Korea
  The Detroit News , December 5, 2011
  Toyota Motor Corp. said it plans to export its U.S.-built Camry sedan to South Korea, following the ratification of a free trade deal.
• Slow, Steady Economic Growth Expected In Colo. In '12
  KMGH News 7 , December 5, 2011
  University of Colorado economists expect more jobs to be created in Colorado in the new year, including the first gains in the construction industry in four years.
• Toyota to send U.S.-built Camry to South Korea
  The Detroit News , December 5, 2011
  Toyota Motor Corp. said it plans to export its U.S.-built Camry sedan to South Korea, following the ratification of a free trade deal.
• Massive Japanese crash claims eight Ferraris, three Benzes, and a Lamborghini
  Jalopnik , December 4, 2011
  A single miscalculation from a Ferrari driver earlier today in Japan led to a chain reaction that ultimately wrecked or destroyed 14 vehicles including eight Ferraris, three Mercedes, a Lamborghini, a Skyline, and a Prius that was in the right place at the wrong time.
• Massive Japanese crash claims eight Ferraris, three Benzes, and a Lamborghini
  Jalopnik , December 4, 2011
  A single miscalculation from a Ferrari driver earlier today in Japan led to a chain reaction that ultimately wrecked or destroyed 14 vehicles including eight Ferraris, three Mercedes, a Lamborghini, a Skyline, and a Prius that was in the right place at the wrong time.
• GM exec promises speedy fix to Volt battery, if needed
  The Detroit News , December 3, 2011
  General Motors Co.'s head of global product development says the issues with the Chevrolet Volt are no different than those encountered during the introduction of other new automotive technologies, but she added that the company will make changes to its battery design if they are deemed necessary.
• Bentley Continental's appeal is in details
  The Detroit News , December 3, 2011
  In British English, corporations and companies are plural. An American would say that Bentley has introduced a new Continental GTC. A Brit would say Bentley have introduced the 2012 GTC.
• GM exec promises speedy fix to Volt battery, if needed
  The Detroit News , December 3, 2011
  General Motors Co.'s head of global product development says the issues with the Chevrolet Volt are no different than those encountered during the introduction of other new automotive technologies, but she added that the company will make changes to its battery design if they are deemed necessary.
• Bentley Continental's appeal is in details
  The Detroit News , December 3, 2011
  In British English, corporations and companies are plural. An American would say that Bentley has introduced a new Continental GTC. A Brit would say Bentley have introduced the 2012 GTC.
• Brabus SLS AMG Roadster, Honda recalls 300,000 cars, and Subaru halts most sales
  Jalopnik , December 2, 2011
  Bloomberg's reporting this morning that Subaru is halting sales of three of its four 2012 models in the U.S. to recall the cars for a brake defect.
• Brabus SLS AMG Roadster, Honda recalls 300,000 cars, and Subaru halts most sales
  Jalopnik , December 2, 2011
  Bloomberg's reporting this morning that Subaru is halting sales of three of its four 2012 models in the U.S. to recall the cars for a brake defect.
• Ads about people getting cars as gifts illustrate luxury
  USA Today , December 1, 2011
  Those holiday-gift luxury-car ads illustrate what the four luxury-car executives see as key elements of automotive luxury.
• Toyota pumping passion into Lexus
  MSNBC , December 1, 2011
  What do you do with an old car? If you’re Lexus, you don’t send it to the scrapyard.
• General Motors' small block engine passes 100M mark
  The Detroit News , November 30, 2011
  General Motors Co. rolled out its 100 millionth small block Tuesday to the applause of a small crowd of workers, executives and reporters — many of whom, including myself, were lucky enough to participate in building it here at the GM Powertrain Build Center, where engines are hand assembled.
• GM offers Volt owners free loaners to ease probe fears
  The Detroit News , November 30, 2011
  General Motors Co. is offering free loaner vehicles to owners of the extended-range electric Chevrolet Volt in the wake of a federal safety investigation.
• Ten awesome car technologies that are almost here
  Jalopnik , November 30, 2011
  Forget flying cars, where's my 3D-printed electronic laser hybrid turbo boost?
• The electric EV-STER concept is not Honda’s way back to awesome
  Jalopnik , November 30, 2011
  Are you sitting down? Honda's got a novel concept. The Honda EV-STER is electric, but, wait for it...rear-wheel drive.
• Automakers take aim at drowsy driving
  MSNBC , November 30, 2011
  If you’ve ever felt yourself nodding off when you’ve spent a little too much time behind the wheel you’re not alone.
• Auto industry needs 190K more jobs, most of them in Michigan, analysts say
  The Detroit News , November 30, 2011
  The rebounding auto industry will need to add about 190,000 jobs by 2015, analysts projected at a Tuesday conference.
• Honda CEO says the Civic will be improved, shoots down F1 rumors
  Auto Week , November 30, 2011
  Honda's chief executive acknowledged that the 2012 Civic has fallen flat with critics--accepting personal accountability--and said the company is considering ways to upgrade the car in light of stiffer competition.
• Tom Walsh: Detroit auto story as surreal as Alice's adventures
  Detroit Free Press , November 30, 2011
  As a college student in the late 1960s, I witnessed some unusual goings-on, but I don't recall anything as surreal as the adventures of Detroit's auto companies during these early years of the 21st Century.
• General Motors' small block engine passes 100M mark
  The Detroit News , November 30, 2011
  General Motors Co. rolled out its 100 millionth small block Tuesday to the applause of a small crowd of workers, executives and reporters — many of whom, including myself, were lucky enough to participate in building it here at the GM Powertrain Build Center, where engines are hand assembled.
• Ten awesome car technologies that are almost here
  Jalopnik , November 30, 2011
  Forget flying cars, where's my 3D-printed electronic laser hybrid turbo boost?
• The electric EV-STER concept is not Honda’s way back to awesome
  Jalopnik , November 30, 2011
  Are you sitting down? Honda's got a novel concept. The Honda EV-STER is electric, but, wait for it...rear-wheel drive.
• GM says only 'handful' of Volt owners seek loaners
  The Detroit News , November 29, 2011
  On Monday, GM North American President Mark Reuss said the automaker would offer loaner vehicles in the wake of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's decision to open a preliminary investigation into the Volt for fire risks.
• GM offers Volt owners free loaners to ease probe fears
  The Detroit News , November 28, 2011
  General Motors Co. is offering free loaner vehicles to owners of the extended-range electric Chevrolet Volt in the wake of a federal safety investigation.
• The United States of EPA
  The Wall Street Journal , November 28, 2011
  Here's one good way to consider the vote in 2012: It's about whether to re-elect President Lisa Jackson, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, which these days runs most the U.S. economy.
• Sales of midsize cars shrink as buyers go smaller
  The Detroit News , November 27, 2011
  Midsize sedans have been America's favorite cars for decades. That's changing.
• Once-in-a-lifetime Centennial Corvette Z06 too powerful to tame
  The Detroit News , November 26, 2011
  It took Chevrolet 100 years to come up with this car: The 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette Z06. It was definitely worth the wait.
• Making steel stronger and vehicles lighter
  Detroit Free Press , November 26, 2011
  As automakers work to meet corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards by making lighter vehicles, the U.S. steel business has the chance to foil those who consider it the enemy of environmentalists.
• New Mercedes-Benz SL to use aluminum to cut weight
  Auto Week , November 23, 2011
  The next Mercedes-Benz SL coupes will get more power, less weight and a few neat tricks, including features named Magic Vision Control and FrontBass.
• GM And UAW Planning A Different Kind Of Car Factory In Tennessee
  Forbes , November 21, 2011
  When you’re General Motors, striving to reclaim the respect of American consumers, you don’t want to forfeit a single sale because you can’t keep up with demand.
• Investment by GM, Chrysler give Toledo big lift
  PR.com , November 20, 2011
  Chrysler and General Motors have promised in recent months to spend more than $800 million on retooling and expanding their factories here.
• Lotus To Speed Through U.S. In 2012
  Forbes , November 20, 2011
  I nearly gave myself whiplash when I first saw a Lotus car on the road. I was on a bus in Hong Kong. It was a metallic purple Elise going the opposite way.
• The Smart Fortwo and other car flops of 2011
  MSNBC , November 20, 2011
  John McElroy, the loquacious host of the Autoline Detroit TV and radio shows, is optimistic about the auto industry.
• Colorado VW dealership helps get Thanksgiving support to Denver Mission
  PR.com , November 20, 2011
  After Turkey Shortage at Local Non-Profit, Denver Area Volkswagen Dealership Gets Community Involved
• 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show Explodes With Luxury And Performance Cars
  Forbes , November 19, 2011
  Since organizers moved up the 100 year-old show’s schedule from winter to late fall in 2006, LA’s prominence has greatly risen, marking the beginning of auto show season for the industry.
• They Can’t Drive 54.5
  Web2Carz , November 18, 2011
  On Wednesday, federal regulators released their new proposal for increased fuel-economy standards for model years 2017-2025.
• Porsche plans Los Angeles customer test track
  AutoWeek , November 17, 2011
  Porsche plans to open a new test track for its Porsche Driving Experience at a facility to be built next summer in Carson, Calif., just down the freeway from downtown Los Angeles.
• Custom cars find a home in basement of Los Angeles auto show site
  AutoWeek , November 17, 2011
  If you're looking for some custom jobs, or some matte paint, or the Italians for that matter, head to Kentia Hall in the basement of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
• L.A. auto show: Notes from the floor
  AutoWeek , November 17, 2011
  The Los Angeles auto show kicked off in typical fashion on Wednesday, with car companies rolling out the familiar lineups of convertibles and green machines tailored for the Southern California audience.
• 6 Ways New CAFE Standards Could Affect You
  Tampassi , November 17, 2011
  Federal regulators officially unveiled the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) proposal for the 2017-’25 period on November 16, after months of behind-the-scenes rule-making.
• Porsche plans Los Angeles customer test track
  AutoWeek , November 17, 2011
  Porsche plans to open a new test track for its Porsche Driving Experience at a facility to be built next summer in Carson, Calif., just down the freeway from downtown Los Angeles.
• Custom cars find a home in basement of Los Angeles auto show site
  AutoWeek , November 17, 2011
  If you're looking for some custom jobs, or some matte paint, or the Italians for that matter, head to Kentia Hall in the basement of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
• Detroit 3 to add 33,000 Michigan jobs by 2015
  Detroit Free Press , November 16, 2011
  Ending a decades-long slide, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are poised to add about 33,000 jobs in Michigan over the next four years. Auto suppliers will add even more.
• Forget Electric Vehicles: Here Come The 50-mpg Gas And Diesel Cars
  Forbes , November 16, 2011
  “The way for the industry to close the gap on fuel economy isn’t hybrid powertrains,” says John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America.
• 2011 LA Auto Show Coverage
  Auto Guide , November 16, 2011
  Promising a total of 17 world premieres and 50 debuts, the 2011 Los Angeles International Auto Show will give many a chance to see some of Frankfurt's major models, including the new BMW M5, Mazda CX-5, Kia GT Concept and Volvo's Concept You.
• LA Auto Show: New Dream Machines For Every Wallet
  Aol Autos , November 16, 2011
  California, especially Los Angeles, means sun, speed and luxury when it comes to cars. It's the place where Ferraris seem to be as common as Fords.
• Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder adds rear-drive power, open-air fun
  AutoWeek , November 16, 2011
  Lamborghini is adding a rear-wheel-drive convertible version to the Gallardo range, offering 550 hp for open-air speeds.
• Chrysler to invest $1.7 billion to build next-generation Jeep SUV at Toledo assembly plant
  Detroit Free Press , November 16, 2011
  Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said today that Chrysler plans to invest $1.7 billion to build its next generation Jeep SUV at an assembly plant in Toledo and may name the new vehicle the Cherokee.
• 2013 Ford Escape gets more curves
  Detroit Free Press , November 16, 2011
  The new Escape compact crossover is Ford's latest vehicle to shed a boxy façade for more finessed contours, a change that executives say improves fuel economy.
• 54.5 MPG by 2025?
  University of Michigan – Energy Institute , November 16, 2011
  Research Professor John DeCicco explores the impact of the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards for the nation's automotive fleet.
• Ford unveils reimagined Escape at L.A. auto show
  The Detroit News , November 16, 2011
  The 2013 Ford Escape, making its global debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show, is a critical investment by the automaker in a crucial market segment.
• New standards to increase fuel efficiency requirements to 54.5 mpg by 2025
  The Detroit News , November 16, 2011
  The Obama administration on Wednesday unveiled its proposed 2017-2025 fuel efficiency standards, saying it plans to nearly double requirements to 54.5 mpg by 2025 - a move that will cost the auto industry $157 billion.
• The Next Wave Of Green Cars
  Forbes , November 16, 2011
  UPDATE: Honda’s Civic Natural Gas was named Green Car Of The Year today (11/17/11) at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
• 2011 LA Auto Show Coverage
  Auto Guide , November 16, 2011
  Promising a total of 17 world premieres and 50 debuts, the 2011 Los Angeles International Auto Show will give many a chance to see some of Frankfurt's major models, including the new BMW M5, Mazda CX-5, Kia GT Concept and Volvo's Concept You.
• Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Spyder adds rear-drive power, open-air fun
  AutoWeek , November 16, 2011
  Lamborghini is adding a rear-wheel-drive convertible version to the Gallardo range, offering 550 hp for open-air speeds.
• Chrysler to invest $1.7 billion to build next-generation Jeep SUV at Toledo assembly plant
  Detroit Free Press , November 16, 2011
  Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said today that Chrysler plans to invest $1.7 billion to build its next generation Jeep SUV at an assembly plant in Toledo and may name the new vehicle the Cherokee.
• 2013 Ford Escape gets more curves
  Detroit Free Press , November 16, 2011
  The new Escape compact crossover is Ford's latest vehicle to shed a boxy façade for more finessed contours, a change that executives say improves fuel economy.
• Hot new sports cars tout green credentials
  MSNBC , November 15, 2011
  Considering the endless congestion on Southern California roadways it’s little wonder the region has become the nation's largest market for hybrids and other “green” machines.
• New Buick Verano will let you have the good life without flaunting it
  The Detroit News , November 10, 2011
  Opulent luxury has become passé, if not outright immoral. Those people with all the money and all the power have become moving targets for the disgruntled, the outraged, the 99 percenters.
• September trade deficit narrows to $43.1 billion with help from autos sector
  The Detroit News , November 10, 2011
  The U.S. trade deficit fell in September to the lowest point this year as foreign sales of American-made autos, airplanes and heavy machinery pushed exports to an all-time high.
• Review: Chevy Sonic boasts flair of a sportbike
  MSNBC , November 10, 2011
  Only a block from the media introduction of the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art hosted an exhibit of products created for the Braun electronics company.
• How to off-road a crossover in Death Valley without dying
  Jalopnik , November 10, 2011
  Don't adjust your screen. That is a 2003 Infiniti FX35 splashing through mud on Saline Valley Road, the 78-mile dirt route into Death Valley, "the most desolate wilderness in North America."
• 2013 Ford Flex
  Car and Driver , November 10, 2011
  The all-new 2013 Ford Escape has been the big newsmaker within Ford’s crossover family recently, but now is also mid-cycle-update time for that polarizing box on other end of the size spectrum, the Flex.
• Buick to unveil opulent LaCrosse concept car in Los Angeles
  Detroit Free Press , November 9, 2011
  Buick will ratchet up its interior opulence with a LaCrosse concept car at the Los Angeles auto show next week.
• Biggest Car Flops of 2011
  Forbes , November 9, 2011
  McElroy says the jerky transmission in this tiny two-door has hurt it the worst—he called it “the worst transmission maybe of all time.”
• New Lexus Puts the Comfy 'Land Yacht' to Rest
  The Wall Street Journal , November 9, 2011
  When Lexus launches its 2013 GS sedan early next year, the car will mark a sharp turn for the brand and a milestone for the American luxury-car business.
• Ford upgrades 2013 onboard system
  The Detroit News , November 7, 2011
  Ford Motor Co. has improved its onboard infotainment system, MyFordTouch, for the 2013 model year. Customers with earlier versions of the system are eligible for the upgrade as well.
• Suzuki makes a splash with Marine Concept
  MSNBC , November 7, 2011
  Suzuki likes to claim there aren’t many obstacles that its Grand Vitara can’t overcome. Not on land, anyway.
• Special BMW M3 Competition Edition coupe gets Frozen Silver matte paint
  Auto Week , November 7, 2011
  Directly on the heels of SEMA, the matte capital of the world, BMW announced a special run of the 2012 BMW M3 Competition Edition coupe in Frozen Silver matte paint.
• Economy worries AutoNation chief
  Sun Sentinel , November 6, 2011
  The chairman and CEO of AutoNation has seen his vehicle dealership chain post record profits for the past five quarters.
• Ten Things I Think I Learned from October Auto Sales
  The Detroit News , November 5, 2011
  Occupiers have taken over cities, no one can sell their house, the stock market offers more roller coaster rides than Ceder Point and everyone seems to think the entire U.S. economy is in the tank.
• Chrysler proposed $22 an hour
  The Detroit News , November 5, 2011
  Autoworkers say failed attempt to end two-tier wage unfair
• NHTSA releases car theft lists
  The Detroit News , November 4, 2011
  The Audi S8 topped the government's list of highest theft rates among new cars in 2009. And the Toyota Camry, which was 2009's best-selling car, was the most-stolen new car that year.
• Matchmakers Introduce Drivers to Best Models
  The Detroit News , November 4, 2011
  Taking a cue from romantic matchmaking services, several leading auto-shopping and advice websites, including Edmunds.com and KBB.com, are experimenting with online tools designed to help car shoppers choose a new car.
• 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: This is it, again?
  Jalopnik , November 4, 2011
  Perhaps embarrassed by the glut of Scion FR-S leaks, someone connected to Hyundai's gone ahead and leaked another photo of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, this time from a more flattering angle.
• BMW's Car of The Future: Glued, Screwed & Rented
  Forbes , November 3, 2011
  So BMW is committing more than $1 billion getting ready for a customer who doesn’t exist just yet: young, urban, affluent and looking for a premium electric ride–but maybe just to share rather than buy outright.
• White House to honor Hamtramck UAW official
  The Detroit News , November 3, 2011
  The White House plans to honor a Michigan-based United Auto Workers member for his work in helping to create high-quality jobs in the United States.
• Ride down memory lane with the top 10 Chevys
  The Detroit News , November 3, 2011
  It's been 100 years since that first Chevrolet rolled out. Since then, there have been plenty of highs and lows. That's bound to happen — 100 years of nothing would have been just a waste of time.
• Texas Republican proposes ending auto loan program
  The Detroit News , November 3, 2011
  A Texas Republican has proposed ending the government's $25 billion loan program to help automakers retool plants to build more fuel-efficient vehicles.
• Car nuts bring fantasy to life with NYC club
  MSNBC , November 3, 2011
  Imagine growing up a motorhead - a car nut - and ending up with a full-time job buying the sexiest cars in the world with other people’s money and getting to drive them whenever you want.
• Ford revs up small-car line
  The Detroit News , November 3, 2011
  A Ford Fiesta ST concept will make its global debut Nov. 16 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Also whetting consumers' appetites for performance vehicles will be the new Focus ST for North America.
• Test Drive: Chevrolet Sonic is easy to drive, a good value
  USA Today , November 3, 2011
  Sonic is a burger, a boom, a video game character and a new small Chevrolet.
• Car nuts bring fantasy to life with NYC club
  MSNBC , November 3, 2011
  Imagine growing up a motorhead - a car nut - and ending up with a full-time job buying the sexiest cars in the world with other people’s money and getting to drive them whenever you want.
• Ford revs up small-car line
  The Detroit News , November 3, 2011
  A Ford Fiesta ST concept will make its global debut Nov. 16 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Also whetting consumers' appetites for performance vehicles will be the new Focus ST for North America.
• Electric cars attract shoppers to showrooms
  Detroit Free Press , November 2, 2011
  Electric vehicles are giving automakers a boost -- in marketing appeal.
• Electric cars attract shoppers to showrooms
  Detroit Free Press , November 2, 2011
  Electric vehicles are giving automakers a boost -- in marketing appeal.