Automotive News articles from February 2003

Automotive News archives from February 2003

GM's better idea.(Executive bonuses)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... There's a new wrinkle in GM's executive bonuses - restricted stock - and it deserves a rousing ovation. It ties the monetary value of the bonus to what GM and the executive do in the future, not to what they have done in the past. Case in...

Auto News briefly.(Briefs)
February 3, 2003... Cadillac is less creaky, breaks the 60 mark Maybe it's the new products. Maybe it's the TV commercials with the Led Zeppelin music. Whatever the cause, Cadillac is less geriatric these days. Two years ago, the General Motors luxury...

Few makers ready to follow Scion into small cars.(Scion brand from Toyota)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Mark Rechtin The executives of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.'s Scion youth brand believe they have Generation Y pegged. Value-priced small cars, with smartly designed interior space and loads of stylish accessories are what...

Late News.
February 3, 2003... NHTSA slows rule on advanced airbags WASHINGTON - Automakers have won more leeway on installation of advanced airbags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said each automaker must have advanced airbags in 20 percent of...

Higher per-store sales likely, Power predicts.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Lindsay Chappell An avalanche of new products in the industry could help drive up dealer profitability in the next five years. But only if automakers restrain from opening large numbers of new stores. In the next five years, 60...

N.A. revenue pushes Honda to records.(North American revenue surges )(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Yuzo Yamaguchi Honda Motor Co. said its North American revenue in the fiscal third quarter ended Dec. 31 surged 17 percent over a strong year-ago quarter as unit sales rose 11.2 percent, to 388,000 units. Honda said the revenue...

Giving drivers a better ride.
February 3, 2003... Delphi Corp. - Delphi Energy & Chassis Division; Troy, Mich. Category: Product For: MagneRide Damper MagneRide is a high-performance, semi-active suspension control system that instantaneously responds to road and driving...

Steering a new course.(Bishop Steering Technology Inc.; )
February 3, 2003... Bishop Steering Technology Inc.; Indianapolis Category: Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment For: Precision Forging Die and Cell Bishop's innovative manufacturing process creates warm-forged, variable-ratio steering racks that...

Ford 427 concept.(4-passenger concept car)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Highlights: 4-passenger, rwd sedan with a 590-hp 7.0-liter V-10 Importance to Ford brand: Ford is keeping an eye on the emerging trend of powerful rwd cars.

Ford Freestyle FX concept.(concept sport wagon features a sliding roof)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Highlights: Sliding roof allows this sport wagon to convert into a sedan or a pickup. Importance to Ford brand: Ford is playing catch up in the sport wagon segment. It signals what the 2005 Freestyle will look like.

Lincoln Navicross concept.(sport sedan concept features supercharged, 4.2-liter V-8)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Highlights: Awd sporty sedan with a supercharged, 4.2-liter V-8, suicide doors and no B-pillar Importance to Lincoln brand: The Navicross offers a fresh look for Lincoln's dowdy car image. It drew mixed reviews at the show.

Mixed Signals; Early adopters like satellite radio - but the idea will live or die on volume.(Cover Story)
February 3, 2003... Byline: David Sedgwick, Gail Kachadourian Shant Shahinian was the perfect customer for satellite radio. As vice president of his family's chain of men's clothing stores in Los Angeles, he had money. And the 29-year-old former Metallica...

Key Chrysler exec to retire.(News)(Richard Schaum to retire as executive vice president of product development and general manager of passenger car operations)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Diana T. Kurylko The Chrysler group is losing one of the key engineers of its turnaround plan. Richard Schaum, a 37-year Chrysler veteran, will retire March 31 as executive vice president of product development and general...

Auto News digest.(Briefs)
February 3, 2003... Mitsubishi boosts ad spending LOS ANGELES - Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc. is increasing its advertising spending 8 percent this year, compared with 2002. The marketer spent $226.7 million on measured media in the first nine months...

Chrysler vows to help stores make up warranty losses.(News)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Donna Harris Dealers are having a harder time covering their fixed expenses - ironically, because they're getting better products to sell. The vast majority of overhead costs have been covered by the parts and service business...

Suzuki emphasizes safety in new advertising.(Marketing)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Julie Cantwell Consumers typically think of Volvo as the automaker that owns safety. But American Suzuki Motor Corp. is clawing for some of that reputation. In early February, Suzuki advertising will tout the value of its XL-7...

Exports rise 12.8% to buoy Japan production in 2002.(motor vehicle exports and production)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Yuzo Yamaguchi Reversing a 3.4 percent downturn in 2001, Japan's vehicle production last year rose 4.9 percent to 10.26 million units as stronger exports more than offset weaker sales at home. Exports surged 12.8 percent over...

DCX board eliminates 1 of 2 American spots.(News)(DaimlerChrysler AG eliminates American position on its management board)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Dorothee Ostle DaimlerChrysler AG last week announced a streamlining of its executive ranks that eliminates one of the last two American positions on the 13-member management board. Under the reorganization, Tom Sidlik, 53,...

Economist says war won't hurt U.S. sales.(News)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Lindsay Chappell Concerns about the impact of war with Iraq on new-vehicle sales trouble many in the industry. But Van Bussmann, director of global forecasting for J.D. Power and Associates of Westlake Village, Calif., is convinced...

Jaguar hits brakes on X-Type output.(production of sedan to be halted for 2 weeks)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Mark Rechtin Admitting that it's still on a steep learning curve when it comes to selling entry-level luxury cars, Jaguar Cars Ltd. will halt production of the X-Type for two weeks at the end of February to balance inventories and...

Corrections.(Correction)(Correction Notice)
February 3, 2003... * A table on Page 31 of the Jan. 13 issue contained incorrect December sales-per-dealership totals for Nissan Division. The figures are: car, 31; truck, 15; total, 46. A revised table is available at automotivenews.com. * A photo caption...

Makers, dealers are on same page.(Column)
February 3, 2003... Byline: KEITH CRAIN I've been pleasantly surprised that things are going so well these days between manufacturers and their franchised dealers. It wasn't always that way, and chances are it will change in the future. Car...

Obituaries.(automotive industry officials)(Obituary)
February 3, 2003... George Ballas SYLVANIA, Ohio - Auto dealer George Ballas died Dec. 26. He was 74. He owned George P. Ballas Buick-GMC in Toledo, Ohio. William Boyer TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Retired auto executive William Boyer died Oct. 26. He was...

Auto News digest.(Briefs)
February 3, 2003... BMW recalls 164,000 X5s FRANKFURT - BMW AG is recalling 164,000 units of the X5 sport wagon worldwide to fix a front brake hose that may come loose because of vibrations from the front axle. A loose hose could result in the loss of brake...

Daewoos belong in Saturn stores.(Opinion)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Charles Child Daewoo cars are returning to America. That's clear, judging by recent comments from top executives at General Motors. GM, along with Suzuki Motor Corp. and others, salvaged most of Daewoo out of Korean bankruptcy...

Slow sales halt 2 Ford plants.(Production)(Ford halts production at two plants)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Debi Domby * Ford Motor Co. will halt production this week at its Atlanta assembly plant. It's the first time since the week that ended Nov. 10, 2001, that the plant, which builds the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable, will be down...

Isuzu ad strategy shifts from image to hard-sell.(Marketing)(American Isuzu Motors Inc.)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Julie Cantwell American Isuzu Motors Inc. is launching its retail advertising strategy with the Ascender, the Trooper replacement. The company will spend up to $30 million on media this year, down slightly from 2002, said Isuzu...

Jaguar tries to draw left-brain buyers.(Marketing)(Jaguar is focusing on the logical mind-set with its advertising campaign for the 2004 XJ sedan)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Julie Cantwell Jaguar will try appealing to left-brain consumers starting next quarter. The brand long has pushed a message of style and performance, which can tug at the emotions of right-brain consumers. But Jaguar wants to...

Industry unity provides setting for good works.(Opinion)(auto dealers are right to focus on ethics)(Editorial)
February 3, 2003... The current alignment of peace in the industry and prosperity for retailers makes this an auspicious time for dealers to tackle other important issues. AutoNation's top execs sent a strong signal that ethics in business do matter when they...

Big 3 pile on more rebates.(Incentives)(General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler are leading the charge for increased customer rebates)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: John K. Teahen Jr. Another month, another boost in customer rebates from General Motors. This time it is $500 extra on a passel of SUVs and full-sized vans. A week earlier it was $500 extra on the big Chevrolet Silverado and...

'Stop whining'; GM's Wagoner sees a new boom coming, challenges critics of his incentive strategy.(General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner)(Cover Story)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Dave Guilford Saying that the industry is on the verge of a golden age, General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner declared he has had enough of critics who claim his use of incentives is hurting the industry. ``I say it's time to stop...

Visteon wants out of steering columns.(Suppliers)(Visteon Corp.)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Amy Wilson Visteon Corp. is trying to dump its U.S. steering column business. The Dearborn, Mich., supplier is in discussions with main customer Ford Motor Co. and the UAW on how to leave that portion of its steering operation....

Supply line.(Briefs)(automotive parts industry briefs)
February 3, 2003... Byline: K.C. Crain Wescast supplies exhaust parts for Chrysler BRANTFORD, Ontario - Wescast Industries Inc. will supply cast and machined iron exhaust manifolds for the Chrysler 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter engine programs. The company has...

Tuning in.(News)(the top 6 US automakers lists their plans for satellite radio)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Satellite radio plans of the 6 biggest automakers in the United States 1. DaimlerChrysler: Sirius is a dealer option on 16 Chrysler group nameplates and standard on the Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser. It will be optional on the 2004 300M and...

Subaru may expand Impreza line.(News)(Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Mark Rechtin Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. is studying whether to extend its Subaru Impreza lineup with an all-activity vehicle. The vehicle could have the off-road capability of the Forester sport wagon but would stretch the...

GM uses star power to woo the West.(Marketing)(General Motors provides its vehicles to stars as a way to market in the Western U.S.)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Dave Guilford When stars attending the Sundance Film Festival last month in Park City, Utah, needed a ride, they stepped into a Cadillac Escalade. Or a Hummer H2. Or perhaps a GMC Yukon Denali. Much in the same manner, General...

J Mays' strong auto show is good news for Ford.(News)(Ford Motor Co. shows several new car designs at the Detroit auto show)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Mary Connelly, Rick Kranz For J Mays, the Detroit auto show was a coming-out party. Ford Motor Co.'s design chief unwrapped concept and production models that were well-received by journalists and analysts.``Ford had to prove...

Volvo ads may get gay-specific; Jaguar has placed advertisements that speak to group.(Marketing)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Julie Cantwell Volvo soon may join sister brand Jaguar in doing gay-specific advertising. In December, Jag started running a print ad for the X-Type in gay-targeted magazines that plays on the term ``partner.'' Created by...

Fund aims at minority GM stores; Investor group will help stake potential dealers.(News)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Arlena Sawyers The General Motors Minority Dealers Association is working with a group of minority investors - including Detroit Lions defensive end Robert Porcher - to create an investment fund to help its members finance...

Long way to go.(shortcomings of fuel cells)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... The main shortcomings of fuel cells * The crucial membranes last only about 20,000 miles, says manufacturer DuPont. * Fuel cells' power output needs to be increased, perhaps doubled, to reduce the size and cost of the fuel cell stack....

Fuel cells face obstacles, despite Bush's aid; Solving technical challenges will take more than money.(News)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Harry Stoffer, Richard Truett By using his State of the Union address to tout fuel cells for future vehicles, President Bush did more than promise cash for research. He put the power of the presidency behind the technology. But...

5 innovations set a new pace.(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Innovation is alive and well in the supplier community. For proof, check out the work of the five suppliers featured on this page. They are among 22 finalists for the annual Automotive News PACE Awards. PACE is short for Premier Automotive...

ADP dealer applications are moving to the Web.(ADP Dealer Services Inc. offers Web-based dealer management applications)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Ralph Kisiel ADP Dealer Services has launched its next generation of Web-based dealer management applications for dealers who don't want to manage their own information technology. Automotive dealers typically lease...

Ford Mustang concept.(brief description of Ford Motor Co.'s Mustang concept car)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Highlights: 4-passenger, rwd fastback and convertible; 300-hp 4.6-liter V-8 Importance to Ford brand: The redesigned Mustang drew raves and should give Ford Division a shot in the arm.

Mercury Messenger concept.(brief description of Lincoln-Mercury Div.'s sports coupe concept car)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Highlights: 2-passenger, V-8-powered sports coupe based on next generation Mustang platform Importance to Mercury brand: It signals that Mercury is not forgotten and illustrates one possible styling direction.

2004 Ford F-150 pickup.(brief description of redesigned Ford Motor Co. pickup truck)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Highlights: Redesigned, available with 5 separate interiors; base regular cab features rear access doors. Importance to Ford brand: Ford Motor's profitability and stability ride on this volume leader. J Mays' design team dropped the...

Chrysler prices rise again.(Chrysler Corp. increases sticker prices)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: John K. Teahen Jr. The Chrysler group kept pace with Ford Motor Co. by raising prices for the fifth time in the 2003 model year. Both makers are far ahead of General Motors, which has raised stickers only three times this model...

Audi invests $8 million in A4 advertising campaign.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Jean Halliday Audi of America, aiming for an aggressive sales increase, is putting an $8 million newspaper, TV and Internet campaign behind its top seller. Audi is counting on the A4 to help it hit 95,000 sales this year, up...

Nissan regains No. 2 spot in Japan.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Yuzo Yamaguchi With the biggest production increase among Japan's Big 5 automakers last year, Nissan Motor Co. reclaimed its title as Japan's No. 2 carmaker behind Toyota Motor Corp. Nissan lost the ranking in 2001 when Honda...

Test drive leads Mazda sales pitch.(News)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Mark Rechtin Anyone familiar with the usual vehicle test drive can tell you the route. Four stop signs. Four right turns. Boring. Mazda North American Operations wants to change that. In heralding its vehicles as more fun to...

The players.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. Headquarters: New York Subscribers: 30,000 Product: More than 100 channels of music, news, comedy for $12.95 a month. Music channels are ad-free. Major customers: Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Nissan* ...

Bergstrom wins Time quality award.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... John Bergstrom has won the Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award. Bergstrom, CEO of Bergstrom Chevrolet-Buick-Cadillac Inc. in Neenah, Wis., was scheduled to receive the award Saturday, Feb. 1, at the National Automobile Dealers Association...

For auto spots, it was the Stupor Bowl.(Marketing)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Marty Bernstein ABC sold 61 30-second commercials at about $2.1 million each for Super Bowl XXXVII. That's a hefty $128 million in revenue, or $70,000 per second for the network. A total of three minutes, valued at $12.6...

Hyundai tells its ad agencies to hone media plan, message; Goals: Less `fringe' placement, more focus on value.(Marketing)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Jean Halliday Less than a year after naming new creative and media shops for its $160 million national ad account, Hyundai Motor America has asked both agencies to tune up their work. Hyundai CEO Finbarr O'Neill said that Carat...

GM fixes steering on 1.5 million vehicles.(News)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Harry Stoffer General Motors is recalling about 1.5 million cars and minivans to repair a problem that makes steering difficult. The recall covers 1996-98 Chevrolet Cavaliers, Pontiac Sunfires, Pontiac Trans Sports and...

Daewoo editorial disappoints GM.(Letters)
February 3, 2003... To the Editor: General Motors is disappointed with the Jan. 27 Automotive News editorial regarding the business plan for GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Co., the entity that acquired some of the assets of the bankrupt Daewoo Motor Co. ...

Mazda showcases new showroom design in Utah.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Mark Rechtin If Mazda wants to break from the rest of the Japanese automotive pack, it has made a dynamic move with a showroom design unveiled here last week. A riot of blaring orange, vibrant green and electric purple, the...

Lincoln ads seek first-time buyers; Aviator SUV is star of TV, print campaign.(News)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Mary Connelly Lincoln is launching national TV commercials for the 2003 Aviator this week that are designed to lure first-time Lincoln buyers into showrooms. Lincoln will use two 30-second Aviator TV spots, supported by...

Getting in.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Minimum amount of unencumbered funds required for the Big 3 minority dealer programs * Chrysler group: $65,000 * Ford Motor Co: $150,000, or in some cases 10 percent of the cost of the dealership * General Motors: $125,000 ...

Reflect on this coating.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... 3M Automotive St. Paul, Minn. Category: Product For: 3M Solar Reflecting Film Unlike metal-based films and coatings, 3M Solar Reflecting Film is a clear, colorless, all-polymeric multilayer film. When laminated in automotive...

Detecting problems early.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Perceptron Inc.; Plymouth, Mich. Category: Information Technology & Services For: AutoGauge FMS AutoGauge FMS is software that gives users a flexible, noncontact, dimension-measuring system. It can be used on any assembly line,...

Simulating real-world conditions.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Southwest Research Institute; San Antonio Category: Manufacturing Process & Capital Equipment For: Virtual Vehicle Transmission Test Cell Southwest Research Institute has developed a test apparatus that can simulate real-life...

Dealers.(People)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Beginnings * Theldon Branch III signed with Pontiac, Buick and GMC for Fox Pontiac-Buick-GMC in Auburn, N.Y. He purchased the dealership with the assistance of General Motors Minority Dealer Development. Citizenship * Northwood...

Think 'great money,' not 'grease monkey'; Organization seeks to improve image of auto technicians.(News)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Donna Harris More young people would become automotive technicians if they put the old grease monkey image out of their minds. A coalition of dealers and manufacturers is attempting to do just that: Elevate the image of the...

Former Saturn president dared to think differently.(News)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Lindsay Chappell Maybe it's typical of executives with long careers that they begin to wonder if anyone might ever remember them when they're gone. Richard ``Skip'' LeFauve, who died Jan. 25 at 68 from complications following...

Platinum usage limits fuel cell development.(News)
February 3, 2003... Byline: James B. Treece The cost of platinum and the amount of the precious metal required for mass-market volumes is one of the greatest barriers to the development of market-viable fuel cell cars, a senior Nissan Motor Co. engineer says....

By the numbers.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Volkswagen has 607 dealerships in the United States. * 122 are exclusive Marketplace stores * 127 Marketplace stores are under construction * About 320 Marketplaces will exist by year end

VW's dealership spree aims to boost satisfaction.(News)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Ralph Kisiel With the arrival of two key products this year, Volkswagen dealers in the United States are racing to complete a massive building program. Exclusive stores are replacing locations that once carried multiple brands....

Reynolds will offer 2 management tools.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Byline: Ralph Kisiel Reynolds and Reynolds Co. says it will offer Dealerpoint, the lead management software it acquired from MSN Autos last month, to dealers as a basic Internet lead management tool - at least for now. Reynolds will...

Conversions soar 20% in Nov.(News)(Brief Article)
February 3, 2003... Shipments of conversion vehicles grew in November, as the recreation vehicle industry gained strength. Conversion vehicle shipments in November totaled 5,400 units, up 20 percent from the year-ago period. Through 11 months of 2002,...

Exco bolsters auto parts business by buying Bancroft Lasing.(Exco Technologies Ltd., Bancroft Lasing Technologies Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... Byline: Michael Lauzon PLASTICS NEWS Exco Technologies Ltd. plans to boost its plastic auto parts business by acquiring Bancroft Lasing Technologies Inc. Bancroft produces painted, precision-molded, laser-etched plastic parts for...

Skip did it his way.(Skip LeFauve, former head of Saturn Corp.)(Obituary)
February 10, 2003... Few people are handed a license to change things. But Skip LeFauve was given that chance in 1986, when General Motors Chairman Roger Smith picked him to lead Saturn Corp. LeFauve made the most of it. He is the reason for much of that...

New format for tables.(News)
February 10, 2003... Automotive News has created a new format for its monthly sales tables. The table on Page 63 combines sales by nameplate of all cars and light trucks sold in the United States. Car sales and light-truck sales had appeared on separate tables....

Hyundai dealers want Kia van.(Hyundai Motor America discusses new products in meeting with Hyundai dealers)
February 10, 2003... Byline: Diana T. Kurylko Dealers asked Hyundai Motor America for a rebadged version of the Kia Sedona minivan, saying they can't wait until 2007 for Hyundai to bring one of its own to the United States. ``Fresh product is king, and we...

Buick seeks to balance cars, trucks.(Buick Motor Div. plans to have three cars, three trucks for 2005 model year)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... Byline: Dave Guilford Buick, which a few years ago was an all-car division, will field a three-car, three-truck lineup by the 2005 model year. General Motors' announcement last week that it would build a Buick minivan for the 2005...

Equity group poised to buy Breed.(Carlyle Management Group, BREED Technologies Inc.)
February 10, 2003... Byline: Robert Sherefkin Breed Technologies Inc., the world's fourth largest automotive safety systems supplier, is close to being sold to Carlyle Management Group, said two people familiar with the talks. The deal, valued at $315...

Buick highlights.(Buick Motor Div.'s product plans)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... * A 3-truck, 3-car lineup * Move brand upscale * Production version of Centieme concept unlikely

PR face-off: Ford vendors duel with deals.(competition between software vendors International Business Machines Corp., Dassault Systemes, Electronic Data Systems Corp. creates public relations headache for Ford Motor Co.)
February 10, 2003... Byline: Chaz Osburn IBM and Dassault Systemes have won a major software deal to help Ford Motor Co. bring vehicles to market more quickly while improving quality. Make that, EDS has won a major software deal to help Ford. What's...

Audi pledges to boost national ad spending.(Audi of America Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... Byline: Julie Cantwell Audi of America Inc. pledged to spend more money on advertising this year to support the huge A8 launch and an increased focus on price-point and certified used-car ads. Vice President Len Hunt would not disclose...

Suzuki plans certified used-car sales.(American Suzuki Motor Corp.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... Byline: Arlena Sawyers American Suzuki Motor Corp. plans a certified used-vehicle program for 2004, Gary Anderson, the company's vice president of automotive sales, told dealers at its make meeting. Tim Bush, vice chairman of the...

Kia will focus on quality, customer loyalty.(Kia Motors America Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... Byline: Arlena Sawyers Vehicle quality and a new owner-loyalty cash-back program were among the topics Kia Motors America Inc. and its dealers discussed at the make meeting, the Kia dealer council chairman said. Terry Petersen, owner...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
February 10, 2003... * A table on Page 30 of the Jan. 27 issue misidentified the eighth-best-selling vehicle in Japan in 2002. It was the Suzuki Alto.

Imports invited to Bush fuel cell party.(News)(foreign car companies may participate in funded research)
February 10, 2003... Byline: Harry Stoffer The federal government has cracked open the door for import-brand car companies to participate in U.S. taxpayer-funded research on future vehicle technology, especially hydrogen fuel cells. Fuel cell vehicles from...

Mercedes highlights.(Daimler-Benz AG's product plans, Mercedes sales top record)(Brief Article)
February 10, 2003... * Mercedes poised to top sales record * New E class coming * 4MATIC to be available for every vehicle class