autonews

North America behind on batteries for electric cars, CEO says

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:01:52 +0000

TRAVERSE CITY — As the world?s automakers race to build electric vehicles, North America isn?t ready when it comes to mining the material for batteries and manufacturing batteries, said Mary Ann Wright, CEO of Johnson Controls-Saft, the advanced battery joint venture at the Milwaukee-based…

Auto news in brief: GM, other stocks up

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:01:03 +0000

General Motors Corp. shares climbed 73 cents, or 7.3%, to $10.76 for the biggest gain among the 30 components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

GM to slow output of big cars

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:01:26 +0000

General Motors Corp. has delayed — and may cancel — all of its big, rear-wheel drive cars, including Cadillac’s top-of-the-line DTS sedan, people familiar with the automaker’s planning said.

Auto news in brief: GM to audit benefits

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:01:17 +0000

General Motors Corp. plans to help cut its $4.6-billion health-care tab by eliminating coverage for those who are not eligible.

Consumer demands drive Toyota

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:01:07 +0000

Toyota Motor Corp. has decided to extend production of its Solara convertible for up to two more years, the automaker’s manufacturing chief for North America said Monday.

Ex-GM exec turns focus to disabled

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:01:23 +0000

Mark Hogan, a former executive at General Motors Corp. and Magna International, has resurfaced as chief executive of a new Troy-based company that has raised $160 million to build wheelchair-accessible vehicles for a growing market of physically impaired drivers and passengers.

More from Traverse City: Cost not main factor now

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:01:07 +0000

With the cost of transportation and logistics increasing, the allure of building factories in so-called low-cost countries is diminishing, according to the CEO of interiors supplier Toyota Boshoku America Inc.

Industry tries new ways to make cars fuel efficient

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:01:06 +0000

As the world’s automakers race to improve fuel economy and build new hybrid vehicles, there are many hurdles to clear and a few stumbling blocks in the way.

Nation & world business: Contract on Boeing-Pentagon agenda

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:01:05 +0000

Boeing is to meet with Pentagon officials today over the latest phase of a disputed $35-billion tanker contract as the company prepares its response to what some lawmakers and analysts have said are new guidelines that favor the larger plane of rival Northrop Grumman.

Ex-GM exec turns focus to vehicles for disabled

admin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:01:57 +0000