Automotive News Feed

• Former GM CEO Henderson to head U.S. energy company September 5, 2010
  Former GM CEO Fritz Henderson has been tapped to become CEO of SunCoke Energy following its separation from Sunoco next year.
• Obama sought Ghosn to run GM, former car czar says September 5, 2010
  The Obama Administration initially wanted Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn to run GM after Rick Wagoner was ousted in 2009, and repeatedly pressed Fiat to put up cash for a stake in Chrysler, according to an upcoming book about the government bailout...
• Sales stink, but smell those sweet profits September 5, 2010
  No surprise: August's 21 percent auto sales drop, to the lowest level for the month in nearly 30 years, was dismal. Last month's numbers were dragged down by comparison with August 2009, when sales soared because of cash for clunkers.
• Dealers see Fiat profits -- but when? September 5, 2010
  Don Lee thinks he can make money with Fiat and Alfa Romeo at a vacant showroom next to his dealership.
• Toyota will push safety in ad blitz September 5, 2010
  Its image still bruised by driver complaints about unintended acceleration, Toyota Division has decided to revamp its marketing message and shift the focus to safety in a big way, top executives said last week. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.'
• Fuel tank probe rekindles old issue September 5, 2010
  Fuel tanks are in the news again. Last month the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began a preliminary investigation of 3.
• NADA opposes letter-grade labels for vehicles September 5, 2010
  The National Automobile Dealers Association said it will likely oppose a federal proposal to label new vehicles with a letter grade from A+ to D based on their fuel economy and emissions.
• Healthier GM eligible for U.S. energy loans September 5, 2010
  General Motors Co. is in line to receive several billion dollars of low-interest federal energy loans now that it has returned to financial viability. GM would use the windfall to outfit U.S.
• Peddle Beach: New products pitched amid the classic cars September 5, 2010
  Every August, about 15,000 of America's wealthiest car buffs stroll the misty golf greens of Pebble Beach in Guccis, sipping chardonnay and admiring lovingly restored, flapper-era Morgans and Rolls-Royces and pre-war Bugattis.
• Kia says rise in transaction prices shows it's moving upmarket September 5, 2010
  Kia says transaction prices are rising and buyers are selecting higher trim levels, proving that its effort to shed a value-brand image is working.