Automotive News articles from September 2003

Automotive News archives from September 2003

At Waikem Auto, it pays to be a member.(News)(Doug Waikem)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Arlena Sawyers Doug Waikem's theory is that you have to give to get. In January, the company he co-owns, Waikem Auto Group, started giving each person who buys a new or used vehicle at any of its 13 Canton, Ohio-area dealerships a...

Taking stock.(News)
September 1, 2003... Title: Scott Rigell, owner Dealership: Freedom Automotive Inc., Chesapeake, Va. Franchises: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury Sales: 6,776 new and used in 2002 Annual revenues: $169.2 million Idea: He developed a salesperson...

Taking stock.(News)(Phil Long Dealdership in Colorado has annual revenues of $653.1 million)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Title: Jay Cimino, CEO Dealership: Phil Long Dealerships, Colorado Springs, Colo. Franchises: Ford, Chrysler, Jeep, Saturn, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Suzuki 2002 sales: 31,536 new and used Annual revenues:...

Taking stock.(News)
September 1, 2003... Title: Doug Waikem, co-owner Dealership: Waikem Auto Group (Audi, Buick, Chrysler, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki), Massillon, Ohio. Sales: 5,000 new; 2,700 used in 2002 Idea: He started a...

$100,000 reward offered for Calif. SUV vandals.
September 1, 2003... Byline: Kathy Jackson Dealers and government officials have offered a $100,000 reward for the arrest of vandals who ravaged a Hummer dealership in West Covina, Calif. The FBI is running the investigation, and no arrests have been...

2004 Vipers start this week.(News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Debi Domby * DaimlerChrysler ended production of 2003 Dodge Vipers last week. Production of 2004 Vipers is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the manufacturer's Conner Avenue plant in Detroit. * Honda Manufacturing of...

Hisakazu Imaki.(News)(short profile of Mazda Motor Corp.'s CEO)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Job: CEO, Mazda Motor Corp. Born: Dec. 5, 1942 Education: 1965, degree in mechanical engineering, Himeji Institute of Technology Career: Joined Toyo Kogyo Co., Mazda's forerunner, in 1965. Named general manager of vehicle...

In and Out.(News)
September 1, 2003... Mazda's 4 previous chief executives and why they left 1. 1996-97, Henry Wallace, named CFO of Ford of Europe 2. 1997-99, James Miller, retired because of ill health 3. 1999-02, Mark Fields, named vice president of Ford's Premier...

Imaki's resume gives him influence at Mazda.(News)(Hisakazu Imaki)
September 1, 2003... Byline: James B. Treece Hisakazu Imaki, Mazda Motor Corp.'s new CEO, is a manufacturing expert who played a key role in the introduction of the Mazda6. Given the Mazda6's central role in Ford Motor Co.'s product plans, Imaki could...

World Debuts.(News)
September 1, 2003... Production vehicles Alfa Romeo 166 Aston Martin DB9 BMW X3 BMW 6 series Citroen C2 Daewoo Lacetti Jaguar X-Type Estate Kia minicar Land Rover Freelander Maserati Quattroporte Mazda Mazda3 ...

Taking stock.(News)
September 1, 2003... Title: Will Churchill, vice president of Frank Kent operations Dealerships: Frank Kent Cadillac, Frank Kent Motor Co., Frank Kent Enterprises dba Frank Kent's Pit Stop, Fort Worth, Texas Franchises: Cadillac, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, GMC,...

Loss of Leach is a serious blow for Ford Motor.(News)(Martin Leach resigns)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Bradford Wernle Martin Leach was a Ford man through and through. He had been at Ford Motor Co. almost his entire working life, rotating through a series of important assignments until his Aug. 12 resignation. He personified the...

Back to auto show time.
September 1, 2003... Mainstream cars such as the redesigned Volkswagen Golf, top, and Opel Astra will grab headlines at the Frankfurt International Motor Show next week. But more adventurous designs, such as the Citroen C6 Airlounge concept, right, also will draw...

Toyota aims for Lexus perfection; Company frets over handing make to North America.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Lindsay Chappell In three weeks, the first Lexus built outside Japan rolls down the assembly line here. To make sure the Canadian-made RX 330 has the same cachet of craftsmanship as RX 330s imported from Kyushu, Japan, an...

Jaguar marks down X-Type.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Mark Rechtin Faced with lagging sales of its entry-luxury X-Type, Jaguar Cars North America will slash the price of the 3.0-liter model for the 2004 model year. Jaguar will cut the sticker price of the upper-level X-Type 3.0 to...

Taking stock.(News)(Towbin Dodge Superstore in Nevada has annual revenues of $100+ million)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Title: Josh "Chopper'' Towbin, co-owner Dealership: Towbin Dodge Superstore, Henderson, Nev., near Las Vegas Sales: More than 5,000 new and used in 2002 Annual revenues: More than $100 million Idea: He produces and hosts "The...

Lightening the load; When the service business at his family's Cadillac store outgrew the building, Will Churchill built an off-site shop to handle the excess - and more.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Donna Harris Will Churchill was just a 24-year-old with a $1 million loan and a dream when he built Frank Kent's Pit Stop in Fort Worth, Texas, 21/2 years ago. Churchill had persuaded his family to invest in a stand-alone,...

New Dodge Durango combines car, truck features.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Mary Connelly To fight a new generation of sport wagons, Dodge redesigned the Durango SUV for a dual mission: drive more like a car, and haul and tow like a truck. This month, Dodge begins assembling the redesigned 2004 model...

dealers.(News)
September 1, 2003... Beginnings * Marc Treiber has been awarded a Suzuki franchise for Rallye Suzuki in Monroe, N.Y. He also owns Rallye Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep in Monroe. Citizenship * Bobby Rodriquez of Boardwalk Auto Group in Plano, Texas, has been...

How did Chopper get his name?(News)
September 1, 2003... "My dad gave it to me. I was buying and selling cars since I was 14, before I had a driver's license. They'd say the car is $1,000. I'd offer them $500, chop the price. My dad called me Chopper. That's how I got the name. I always knew what I...

Car brands and tennis: It's a veritable love match.(Marketing)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Marty Bernstein More than 23 million Americans play tennis, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. While that's several million fewer than the number of golfers in the country, tennis has become a hot market...

Bing Group poised to buy; Supplier says it can now handle growth, thanks to GM's help in fixing quality woes.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Julie Armstrong NBA Hall-of-Famer Dave Bing has been playing one of his favorite positions: scout. The 6-foot-3-inch chairman of the Bing Group, whose primary business is processing steel and stamping metal parts, has been...

Another GM supplier spinoff to shut down.(Automotive Component Systems of Michigan Inc. to close Ontario factory)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Robert Sherefkin A supplier that was formed from a failed General Motors parts operation will close its factory in Oshawa, Ontario, eliminating more than 1,200 jobs. Automotive Component Systems of Michigan Inc., headquartered...

Suitor extends Dana offer - at same price.(News)(ArvinMeritor Inc.)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Robert Sherefkin Any plans for a quick buyout of Dana Corp. ended late last week when potential acquirer ArvinMeritor Inc. extended the deadline of its tender bid but declined to raise its offer of $15 per share. ArvinMeritor...

Techs push for union organization; Ford's limits on time for warranty repairs is heart of issue.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Ralph Kisiel A group of Ford and Lincoln-Mercury service technicians, frustrated by reductions in Ford Motor Co.'s reimbursements for warranty repairs, is spearheading a drive to get service technicians to unionize. Mark Ward,...

Freedom's techs also earn bonuses.(News)(Freedom Automotive Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Donna Harris It's not just the salespeople who are rewarded for longevity at Freedom Automotive Inc. The dealer group pays bonuses to shop personnel, too. Technicians and service advisers can earn year-end bonuses of several...

Prechter benefit hopes to exceed $1.25 million.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Julie Armstrong Organizers of the second annual benefit for the Heinz C. Prechter Fund for Manic Depression hope to top the $1.25 million they collected last year. Funds from the event aid in research to find a cure for bipolar...

From one revolving door to another; Ford moves Booth from Mazda to Europe.(News)(Lewis Booth)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Bradford Wernle Five executives have been president of Ford of Europe in the past five years, and some here have begun to view that as a problem. By contrast, American Michael Burns has been the only president of General Motors...

Late News.(briefs)
September 1, 2003... Lexus spends lavishly on sedan ads Lexus is launching ad campaigns for the ES 330 and LS 430 sedans, part of $50 million in ad spending this fall. Most of Lexus' fourth-quarter ad spending will go toward the two cars. The...

Battery maker creates hydrogen-electric car.(News)(Energy Conversion Devices)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Richard Truett It has been a two-horse race - gas or liquid - in the quest for the best way to store hydrogen in an automobile. But there may be a third contender: solid metal hydrides. Energy Conversion Devices, a company best...

BMW rolls out 5 series with test drive on TV.(Marketing)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Jean Halliday BMW of North America LLC, praised for its cinema-quality Internet films, is taking a different turn with its newest marketing push: a 30-minute test drive program on the Speed Channel. For this month's...

Frankfurt's spotlights aim at heart of market.(News)(Frankfurt International Motor Show)
September 1, 2003... The high-volume car market will take center stage at the Frankfurt International Motor Show next week. Volkswagen will show the redesigned Golf, its best seller. The Mazda3 and new versions of the Opel Astra and the Volvo S40 also will be...

GM's small pickups built for lifestyles, not work.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Dave Guilford General Motors says its 2004 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon represent the new reality: Small pickups are mostly lifestyle vehicles, not work trucks. That translates to roomier interiors, a full range of...

Parts locating guide available on CD-ROM.(News)(briefs)
September 1, 2003... Garden of Speedin' has released its 14 Parts Locating Guides on CD-ROM. Dealers as well as consumers have used the guides for eight years to find parts for older General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler group vehicles. The...

Magazines get bulk of auto ads.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Marty Bernstein Car ads are the largest source of advertising revenue for American magazines. Auto advertising led all other categories in ad pages and spending January through July, according to the Publishers Information...

Briefly.(News)(includes multiple articles)
September 1, 2003... No lion - just lyin' publicists HEAR THE ROAR - A crate labeled "Wild Animals'' and blasting out lions' roars in a town in southwestern Germany had locals running scared and animal lovers up in arms before it was revealed as an advertising...

The best leaders are those who serve.(News)(Scott Rigell of Freedom Automotive Inc.)(Brief Article)(Interview)
September 1, 2003... Scott Rigell, owner of Freedom Automotive Inc. in Chesapeake, Va., says he owes his success with employees to a philosophy he learned while obtaining his master's degree in business administration at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. ...

Rewarding experience; Freedom Automotive's generous bonus plan keeps sales staff on the job.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Donna Harris If there is an industry shortage of good salespeople, Scott Rigell of Chesapeake, Va., hasn't noticed. Turnover at his two Ford stores and one Lincoln-Mercury store in Virginia's Tidewater area is a fraction of the...

3 dealers are swindled in online scams.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Arlena Sawyers Internet scam artists posing as online used-car buyers have duped three Canadian dealerships. One franchised dealership was swindled out of nearly $36,000. The tricksters are trying to bait Canadian and U.S....

Lexus in Cambridge.(News)
September 1, 2003... Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. details Location: Cambridge, Ontario President: Ray Tanguay Production launched: 1988 Products: Corolla sedan, Matrix sport wagon, Lexus RX 330 Rated capacity: 260,000 vehicles a year...

Sellers of service plan face class-action suit.(News)(National Warranty Insurance Co.)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Donna Harris Twenty-two people who bought extended service plans covered by insolvent National Warranty Insurance Co. have filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that vendors and other affiliates were involved in a Ponzi scheme. ...

2005 Saab SUV won't get turbo; But TrailBlazer cousin to get other Saab cues.(News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Rick Kranz - Saab's mid-sized SUV, coming in 2005 off the Chevrolet TrailBlazer platform, won't have the Swedish brand's signature turbocharger, Saab said. But Tom Wallace, vehicle line executive for General Motors' mid-sized...

GM to build Hummer H2 in Russia.(News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... - General Motors will assemble the Hummer H2 SUV in Russia to target the country's growing band of businessmen with money to burn and a desire to impress. GM signed a framework agreement with Russian automaker Avtotor at Moscow's annual...

How Bing Group solved 2 problems.(News)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Julie Armstrong Dennis Meagher, president of the Bing Group's stamping and assembly division of the metals group, discussed two quality problems fixed with GM's help. Problem: Partly because of space constraints, parts were...

Ford picks pigskin to push new pickup.(News)(F-150 advertising campaign)
September 1, 2003... Football, football, football. That's how Ford will pitch the redesigned F-150 this fall. The main advertising campaign for the pickup kicks off Thursday, Sept. 4, during the first game of the National Football League regular season. ...

Chrysler unveils wagon.(News)(Chrysler 300C Touring concept)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Debuting at the Frankfurt Motor Show Sept. 9 will be the Chrysler 300C Touring concept, a wagon version of the 300C sedan. The five-passenger all-wheel-drive wagon features a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. The production model will be sold exclusively...

Lending an ear.
September 1, 2003... Ford Motor says it will listen to service technicians about changes in repair standards. * Ford will establish a 40-person advisory committee of service technicians. * The committee will review proposed repair changes coming this...

EPA won't regulate CO2 emissions.(News)(the Bush administration denies a petition to declare carbon dioxide spewed by automobiles as a pollutant)
September 1, 2003... The Bush administration has denied a petition by three environmental groups to declare carbon dioxide spewed by automobiles as a pollutant, saying it has no authority over emissions linked to global warming. The Environmental Protection...

GKN expands to offer entire driveline.(News)(GKN Driveline seeks to become a one-stop shop for drivelines)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Julie Armstrong GKN PLC's automotive division is on a mission to rebrand itself as a one-stop shop for drivelines, starting with a name change to GKN Driveline, from GKN Automotive Inc. The company may be known for its constant...

UAW poised to choose target company.(News)(the UAW is in preliminary contract talks with General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and the Chrysler group)
September 1, 2003... Like prizefighters vying for a title bout, each of the Big 3 hopes to be the first to step into the ring and work out a new labor contract with the UAW. General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and the Chrysler group have been holding preliminary...

* Solstice: From concept to prototype.(News)(the Pontiac Solstice is being developed)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... This remarkably well-finished prototype snapped near Detroit and pictured in the bottom photos shows that Pontiac's Solstice will be fairly true to the concept car (top photo) revealed in January 2002. For example, the large clean grille and...

Opinion.(automakers accept a court decision requiring them to introduce in-tire pressure sensors)
September 1, 2003... Makers are wise to accept ruling on tire sensors Automakers wisely accepted a recent court decision requiring them to introduce in-tire pressure sensors. On Aug. 2, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered federal regulators to...

Japanese pickups win favor out West.(Column)
September 1, 2003... Byline: KEITH CRAIN Last week, I was able to take a few days off and head to where the trout hang out in Montana and Utah. The weather was good, and the fish were cooperative. You learn a lot about America by spending some time in the...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... How far will the retro fad go? To the Editor: Are retro names - vs. the industry's current dull letters and numbers for model designation - gaining acceptance? This question refers to Chrysler group's fantastic concept car, the...

Mitsubishi dealership fights extra Dallas store.(News)(the Texas Motor Vehicle Board rejects Craig Huggins' challenge of plans by Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America for a dealership in Grapevine, Texas)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Donna Harris A North Richland Hills, Texas, dealer will keep fighting the entry of another Mitsubishi dealership in his market area despite a legal setback. The Texas Motor Vehicle Board on July 31 rejected Craig Huggins'...

Chrysler adds to 2004 rebates.(News)(Chryslter places rebates of $500-$3,000 on almost every car and light truck in its 2004 lineup)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Byline: John K. Teahen Jr. The Chrysler group dislikes customer incentives intensely. Nevertheless, it has jumped the gun by a month and placed rebates of $500 to $3,000 on nearly every car and light truck in its 2004 lineup. The new...

Ford techs get voice on repairs.(Ford Motor Co. will establish a panel of technicians to review repair procedures)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Amy Wilson DETROIT - Ford Motor Co., criticized by dealers for reducing warranty repair times and compensation, will establish a panel of technicians to review repair procedures. Dealers and technicians still are smarting over...

Ford plans dealer lottery for scarce GTs.(News)(Ford Division will hold a lottery to determine which dealers get one of the 1,500 GTs produced per year)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Amy Wilson Most Americans must win a lottery to afford a $100,000-plus Ford GT. Next year, many Ford dealers must win a lottery to sell one. Ford Division intends to produce just 1,500 GTs per year, but it has about 3,800...

Taking stock.(News)
September 1, 2003... Title: Ben Kolbuc, president Dealership: Norden Autohaus (Porsche-Volkswagen), Edmonton, Alberta 2002 sales: 640 new, 370 used Idea: He introduced the Porsche Cayenne to guests at a $55,000 event that included smoke, laser lights,...

At a glance.(News)(some Ford and Lincoln-Mercury service technicians want their colleagues at dealerships to join the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers union)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Some Ford and Lincoln-Mercury service technicians are trying to get their colleagues at dealerships around the U.S. to join the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers union. * Why: They're unhappy with how Ford Motor...

SAE shifts annual meeting to April.(News)(Society of Automotive Engineers)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Julie Armstrong DETROIT - The Society of Automotive Engineers is looking forward to thawing out in 2005, with hopes of attracting more exhibitors and attendees. The group will move the dates of its annual convention in Detroit...

Fairer weather fans.(News)
September 1, 2003... Schedule for SAE World Congress at Cobo Center in Detroit 2004 March 8-11 2005 April 11-15 2006 April 3-7 2007 April 16-20 2008 April 7-11 2009 April 20-24 2010 April 12-16

It's showtime! Canadian Porsche dealer Ben Kolbuc spiced things up when he presented the Cayenne to his customers.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Arlena Sawyers Ben Kolbuc, president of Norden Autohaus (Porsche-Volkswagen) in Edmonton, Alberta, believes a special vehicle such as the Porsche Cayenne deserves a special introduction. So he worked with his local IMAX...

Job fair lends corporate flair.(News)(Phil Long Dealerships Inc.)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Donna Harris The last place Colorado megadealer Jay Cimino wanted prospective employees to come for job interviews was a car dealership. Cimino, CEO of Phil Long Dealerships Inc. in Colorado Springs, needed to staff his new...

Clubbing it; What prompted Bruce Deardoff to start a private club for dealership customers? Dreary waiting rooms.(News)(Island Lincoln- Mercury Inc.)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Gail Kachadourian A private gym, a members-only grille, a seasoned barber. Ahh, club life. But this is no ordinary club. It's Island Lincoln-Mercury, where the terms of membership are simple: Buy or lease a new or used vehicle...

Staying ahead of the pack.(News)(an interview with Island Lincoln-Mercury owner Bruce Deardoff)(Brief Article)(Interview)
September 1, 2003... Staff Reporter Gail Kachadourian spoke with Island Lincoln-Mercury owner Bruce Deardoff in August about his idea for creating the dealership's Island Club customer entertainment area. When did you get this idea? I've had this idea for...

Taking stock.(News)
September 1, 2003... Title: Bruce Deardoff, owner Dealership: Island Lincoln-Mercury, Merritt Island, Fla. Franchises: Lincoln, Mercury (Jaguar and Land Rover to come in 2004) Sales: 1,012 new retail vehicles and 776 used vehicles in 2002 2002...

Taking stock.(News)
September 1, 2003... Title: Jordan Case, president Dealership: Park Place Lexus Plano, Plano, Texas Sales: 2,500-plus new; 1,075 used in 2002 Idea: Adopted Malcolm Baldrige quality practices, which won the dealership the Texas Award for Performance...

Lights, camera, sales! He's gaudy, he cusses, he's over the top, and he sells a lot of cars. Meet Chopper.(News)(Josh "Chopper" Towbin helps sales at Towbin Dodge Superstore)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Hubble Smith Towbin Dodge Superstore Sales Director Rony Mansour calls the dealership's sales staff to the showroom floor, where they whoop and holler in a short, furious rally. Someone bangs a gong, and then it's back to work. A...

Light trucks receive biggest price bumps.(News)(Dodge raises 2004 light-truck prices more than car prices, just like Chevrolet and fod)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Byline: John K. Teahen Jr. Dodge followed the Big 3 party line by raising 2004 light-truck prices considerably more than car prices. Chevrolet and Ford did the same. Automotive News estimates that Dodge truck prices rose an average of...

Dealerships seek to soften no-fax rule.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Harry Stoffer Despite a temporary reprieve, car dealerships and other businesses will face much tougher restrictions on their ability to fax potential customers. Starting Jan. 1, 2005, a business must have advance written...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... Jeep dealer dreams of more product To the Editor, As a Jeep dealer, I was glad to hear once again - as discussed in your June 2 article ("Marketing chief must make a difference fast'') about the appointment of Joe Eberhardt - that Jeep...

Quality act; Park Place Lexus Plano has a mission: It wants to be the first shop to win the Malcolm Baldrige award.(News)
September 1, 2003... Byline: Lindsay Chappell Boeing. Xerox. Ritz-Carlton. IBM. Park Place Lexus Plano. What do these companies have in common? If Park Place Lexus dealer Ken Schnitzer has his way, they all will have in common a Malcolm Baldrige...

`It was really nerve-wracking'.(News)(Frank Kent vice president Will Chuchill discusses the spending of $1 million into Frank Kent's Pit Stop)(Brief Article)(Interview)
September 1, 2003... Will Churchill, vice president of the Frank Kent operations in Fort Worth, Texas, had his doubts about opening a separate shop for detailing, reconditioning and aftermarket sales. As he told Staff Reporter Donna Harris, he had to swallow...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
September 1, 2003... * The headline on a story on Page 16 of the Monday, Aug. 25, issue incorrectly characterized Cadillac's goal for dealership reduction. According to Marketing General Manager Mark LaNeve, Cadillac wants to reduce the number of dealerships in the...

Do's and Don'ts.(News)
September 1, 2003... Tips for avoiding trouble with electronic communications * Get advanced written permission from intended fax recipients by Jan. 1, 2005. * Don't call people on the do-not-call registry unless you have an "established business...

Kia wagon is on the way.(News)(Kia is adding a front-drive sport wagon)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Kia will expand its line next year with a stylish front-drive sport wagon. This camouflaged vehicle was snapped during testing last month. The vehicle will be developed off a car platform that will be shared with Hyundai. All-wheel drive is...

Chrysler offers supplier discount.(automotive industry news briefs)(Chrysler will offer its suppliers' employees a discount on vehicle purchases)
September 1, 2003... The Chrysler group says it will offer its suppliers' employees a discount on vehicle purchases. Supplier employees can buy or lease two Chrysler group vehicles each year at a rate that is 1 percent below the factory invoice, plus a $25...

VW counts on new Golf family to revive profits.(News)(Volkswagen AG expects to sell some 600,000 of its redesign Golfs next year)
September 1, 2003... Volks- wagen AG last week said that it expects to sell about 600,000 units of the redesigned Golf next year in Europe, about 100,000 fewer than in 1999. But VW is banking on the redesigned car, along with a number of spinoff models built...

Flying backward: The Breer touch.(Design)(wind tunnel car testing)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... Byline: Tim Moran Wind tunnel testing for cars in North America owes much of its heritage to aviation pioneer Orville Wright, automotive engineer Carl Breer and a single car made to run backward. Breer, with engineers Fred Zeder and...

Mitsubishi hires a fix-it man.(Finbarr O'Neill appointed CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America)
September 8, 2003... Byline: Mark Rechtin Finbarr O'Neill is walking into a hornet's nest of problems as the new CEO of struggling Mitsubishi Motors North America. The former boss of Hyundai Motor America last week assumed leadership of a company that is...

High prices cool large-dealership sales.(News)
September 8, 2003... Byline: Donna Harris While there's no shortage of buyers, steep prices are keeping a lid on the market for large, prosperous car dealerships in America. Purchases of small dealerships have picked up in the last year, but higher-volume...

Premier takes solid 1st half into Frankfurt.(News)(Ford's Premier Automotive Group)(Interview)
September 8, 2003... Byline: Bradford Wernle Ford's Premier Automotive Group lost $900 million in 2002, but Chairman Mark Fields expects the luxury division to be profitable in 2003. Each of the four PAG brands will show important models at the Frankfurt...

Protecting pedestrians; Designers and safety experts grapple with new European rules to reduce the death rate in crashes dramatically.(Design)
September 8, 2003... Byline: Richard Truett Strict new European regulations designed to cut pedestrian deaths in half by 2010 will bring sweeping changes in the shape of many cars and small vans sold there. That's the assessment of automotive designers and...