Friday, March 31, 2017

Chevrolet Bolt sells out in tech-savvy South Korea

Chevrolet Bolt sells out in tech-savvy South Korea http://ift.tt/2olqLDQ new Chevrolet Bolt EV is getting a warm welcome in South Korea, where the car was designed and sources its battery.

Carvana files for IPO

Carvana files for IPO http://ift.tt/2nseVDL used-car retailer Carvana, known for its vehicle 'vending machine' towers, filed for an initial public offering of up to $100 million.

Fuji Heavy officially changing name to Subaru Corp.

Fuji Heavy officially changing name to Subaru Corp. http://ift.tt/2ojWvt4 Heavy Industries has a new, albeit familiar, name. Effective April 1, the maker of Subaru vehicles will be known as Subaru Corp.

First Shift: Legal threat to Uber robot-car venture

First Shift: Legal threat to Uber robot-car venture http://ift.tt/2ooUIzt in Waymo case threatens injunction against Uber; New Wrangler, same look?; Jeep exec: Fleet cutback won't hurt '17 sales; Toyota turns to AI; Snyder: What's odd about sales.

Uber self-driving car project at risk as engineer may face charges

Uber self-driving car project at risk as engineer may face charges http://ift.tt/2nGIfbY judge said he's inclined to slap an order on Uber that may impede its self-driving car program after being told its director won't testify because he faces possible criminal action.

Renault counts on SUVs to maintain sales growth

Renault counts on SUVs to maintain sales growth http://ift.tt/2ogfBiZ is counting on SUVs to maintain sales momentum in Europe, Thierry Koskas, the group's sales and marketing boss, said. Last year, Renault became Europe's No. 2 brand by sales.

Aston Martin plans debt refinancing as it revamps product range

Aston Martin plans debt refinancing as it revamps product range http://ift.tt/2ogg4li Martin is testing whether investors think its financial prospects are as polished as its brand. The automaker needs to refinance almost $600 million in debt as it revamps its product range.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Jeep, despite fleet cuts, sees flat to higher U.S. sales in 2017

Jeep, despite fleet cuts, sees flat to higher U.S. sales in 2017 http://ift.tt/2nEGtrQ chief Mike Manley said Thursday that despite a deliberate reduction in fleet sales by the brand, full-year 2017 U.S. sales should still be up or on pace with last year's tally.

Discounts to drive U.S. sales to best March since 2000, analysts say

Discounts to drive U.S. sales to best March since 2000, analysts say http://ift.tt/2nEDkIB. new-vehicle sales are on pace for the strongest March since 2000, with fast-rising incentives expected to help the industry post its first year-over-year increase of 2017.

Toyota in high-tech hunt for new ZEV materials

Toyota in high-tech hunt for new ZEV materials http://ift.tt/2oCwyAU is investing $35 million in a high-tech research program to identify advanced battery materials and fuel-cell catalysts for future zero-emission vehicles.

VW, Ford and others helped in Russia by ruble's rise

VW, Ford and others helped in Russia by ruble's rise http://ift.tt/2nP2d4Z automakers in Russia including VW, Ford and Renault-Nissan are benefiting from a stronger, more stable ruble, which is reducing their costs and supporting earnings.

Ruble's rise benefits foreign automakers in Russia

Ruble's rise benefits foreign automakers in Russia http://ift.tt/2oCbSsM carmakers in Russia including Volkswagen, Toyota and Ford are benefiting from a stronger, more stable ruble, which is reducing their costs and supporting earnings.

Hyundai seeks to renew fuel cell push with long-range SUV

Hyundai seeks to renew fuel cell push with long-range SUV http://ift.tt/2nOXWhN, the first automaker to mass-produce fuel cell vehicles, plans to unveil a new hydrogen-powered SUV next year with longer driving range than rival offerings by Toyota and Honda as it attempts to reclaim leadership in the field.

Skoda previews self-driving, EV tech with Vision E concept

Skoda previews self-driving, EV tech with Vision E concept http://ift.tt/2oBfFGH will present self-driving and electric drivetrain technologies with the Vision E crossover concept that the brand will debut at the Shanghai auto show next month. The concept previews a production model due in 2020.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Waymo sought arbitration over engineer now at Uber

Waymo sought arbitration over engineer now at Uber http://ift.tt/2o9I2z2's Waymo self-driving unit sought to arbitrate claims last year against a former employee at the center of a lawsuit against Uber, court records show, in what Uber said strengthened its bid to get the case out of court and into arbitration.

AutoNews Now: First U.S. sales gain of 2017?

AutoNews Now: First U.S. sales gain of 2017? http://ift.tt/2nMPaRI U.S. sales gain of '17?; Ford engine-fire risk; Recalls cut into Blue Oval earnings; Big checks for Opel execs?; VW's raid outrage; Brexit wish list; Driverless deep-dish.

Leave 'warranty' out of the service contract pitch

Leave 'warranty' out of the service contract pitch http://ift.tt/2o7Fphj managers encourage customers to buy a service contract, not a 'warranty,' but does the sales team?

First Shift: Mercedes hits the gas on electric cars

First Shift: Mercedes hits the gas on electric cars http://ift.tt/2ogiDBh hits the gas on electric cars; Next-gen Nissan Leaf spied; Lexus teases refreshed NX; How Mitsubishi can help Renault; Porsche partners with Disney to train retail workers.

Daimler accelerates electric-car goal

Daimler accelerates electric-car goal http://ift.tt/2nLj7kM says it expects to bring more than 10 new electric cars to the market by 2022, pulling forward its previous goal by three years.

Daimler brings forward electric-car goal

Daimler brings forward electric-car goal http://ift.tt/2ngeb3L says it expects to bring more than 10 new electric cars to the market by 2022, bringing forward a goal it had previously set at 2025.

Daimler brings forward EV goal

Daimler brings forward EV goal http://ift.tt/2ofztjJ says it expects to bring more than 10 new electric cars to the market by 2022, bringing forward a goal it had previously set at 2025.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Subaru goes bobsledding

Subaru goes bobsledding http://ift.tt/2owhqFl takes a WRX STI bobsledding in the latest spot to join our weekly viral video charts.

Car shopping site CarGurus hires banks for stock offering, report says

Car shopping site CarGurus hires banks for stock offering, report says http://ift.tt/2nsfIFF, a popular website where consumers go to browse cars, has tapped investment banks for an initial public offering later this year, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Nissan's next-gen Leaf on deck

Nissan's next-gen Leaf on deck http://ift.tt/2oddU3f next-generation Nissan Leaf has been spotted testing, and spy photos indicate that the electric vehicle's styling will line up with the rest of the brand.

First Shift: Trump teases Ford plant announcement

First Shift: Trump teases Ford plant announcement http://ift.tt/2od7lh5 teases Ford plant announcement; Tesla CEO's brainy new venture; Uber seeks arbitration with Waymo, resumes self-driving pilot; Volvo stays with Uber; Another AMG sales surge?

Hertz shares bear brunt of 'freak out' over used-car price drop

Hertz shares bear brunt of 'freak out' over used-car price drop http://ift.tt/2odi5fm investor concern spreads about the plunging prices of used cars in the U.S., one company and its top investor are enduring the biggest beating: Hertz and Carl Icahn.

Uber wants fight with Waymo out of public view

Uber wants fight with Waymo out of public view http://ift.tt/2od170x says Alphabet's own ground rules require accusations that the ride-hailing giant stole trade secrets for autonomous cars be resolved in private arbitration and not a public court.

Monday, March 27, 2017

Getting payment figures down to the penny

Getting payment figures down to the penny http://ift.tt/2na0dRL advancements in online tools for trade-in valuation and financing, could there be a day when consumers get exact payment offers via third-party sites before stepping foot in dealerships?

Auto sales peak heightens risk for lenders, Moody's warns

Auto sales peak heightens risk for lenders, Moody's warns http://ift.tt/2n9bWPD U.S. auto sales have peaked, competition to finance car loans is set to intensify and drive increased credit risk for auto lenders, Moody's Investors Service warns in a new report.

Auto sales peak heightens risk for lenders, Moody's says

Auto sales peak heightens risk for lenders, Moody's says http://ift.tt/2n9kN3O U.S. auto sales have peaked, competition to finance car loans is set to intensify and drive increased credit risk for auto lenders, Moody's Investors Service warns in a new report.

Plateau in U.S. auto sales heightens risk for lenders, Moody's says

Plateau in U.S. auto sales heightens risk for lenders, Moody's says http://ift.tt/2mIxEyq U.S. auto sales have peaked, competition to finance car loans is set to intensify and drive increased credit risk for auto lenders, Moody's Investors Service said.

Gap between sales and registrations narrowed in 2016

Gap between sales and registrations narrowed in 2016 http://ift.tt/2omJQkH sales practices by the U.S. auto industry were thrust into the spotlight last year amid investigations into Fiat Chrysler's reporting. Yet the difference between industry sales and actual registrations considerably narrowed.

Zellmer wins transformation role at Porsche

Zellmer wins transformation role at Porsche http://ift.tt/2omCYEi's U.S. chief Klaus Zellmer fell in love with the U.S. on an epic road trip as a 19-year-old. Now he gets the chance to shepherd the iconic sports car brand in the market he calls the most competitive in the world.

Car-shopping sites could start selling

Car-shopping sites could start selling http://ift.tt/2omDUrY shopping sites are consumer-research havens. But the executives who run them are considering whether those sites could become platforms where people purchase vehicles -- without visiting a dealership or dealership website.

Ford focuses on slimming down inventory

Ford focuses on slimming down inventory http://ift.tt/2omDTnU Motor Co. is determined to avoid a glut of unsold cars and trucks piling up on dealer lots by trimming production - even if its vehicle volumes are relatively healthy compared to the rest of the industry.

Getting payment figures down to the penny

Getting payment figures down to the penny http://ift.tt/2omPLGx advancements in online tools for trade-in valuation and financing, could there be a day when consumers get exact payment offers via third-party sites before stepping foot in dealerships?

Enterprise offers automakers renter insights

Enterprise offers automakers renter insights http://ift.tt/2omEDJU Enterprise Rent-a-Car mobile app now lets customers rate their rental vehicles, providing feedback to automakers on what are essentially extended test drives.

Velocity gains speed as driver of remarketing

Velocity gains speed as driver of remarketing http://ift.tt/2omNZp1 glut of off-lease vehicles returning to market is causing the nation's two largest auction groups to double down on the concept of velocity -- albeit in slightly different ways.

Consolidation pays off for auction players

Consolidation pays off for auction players http://ift.tt/2omNVWh growing reliance on data and analytics in the remarketing space is driving recent auction consolidation, some industry experts say.

Classics of tomorrow for the right price today

Classics of tomorrow for the right price today http://ift.tt/2omAHZN to buy a reasonably priced car that stands a chance of becoming a classic? You start by acquiring something that is hot and sporty and not produced in the hundreds of thousands.

Lithium next German power play?

Lithium next German power play? http://ift.tt/2omyRbd, Daimler and Volkswagen came together to acquire Nokia's HERE high-definition mapping unit in 2015, and they combined efforts when deciding to build an ultrafast charging network for electric vehicles in Europe.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Fraud claim revived against Illinois store

Fraud claim revived against Illinois store http://ift.tt/2omEPJe Chicago-area Fiat Chrysler Automobiles dealership will be spending more time in court over a claim it committed fraud when it sold a Dodge Charger as new despite repair work to the roof.

GM mandates video in stores

GM mandates video in stores http://ift.tt/2omFvOD Motors plans to make digital signage part of its dealership facility requirements for the first time, starting next year.

Compacts show strength

Compacts show strength http://ift.tt/2nVNjKO refunds, often used as down payments on used cars, have trickled out more slowly this year. In turn, previously beaten-down prices of used compact and subcompact cars have shown strength in recent weeks, according to Black Book data.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Uber suspends self-driving car program after Arizona crash

Uber suspends self-driving car program after Arizona crash http://ift.tt/2n3EEBk has suspended its pilot program for autonomous vehicles after a vehicle equipped with the nascent technology crashed on an Arizona roadway, the ride-hailing company and local police said.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Autos a no-show on list of advertising stars

Autos a no-show on list of advertising stars http://ift.tt/2n055Ia Age, a sister publication to Automotive News, published their annual '40 Under 40' list of standout individuals. Not one was from the auto industry.

AutoNews Now: March toward higher mpg inevitable?

AutoNews Now: March toward higher mpg inevitable? http://ift.tt/2nlcLYT review won't stop march toward tougher mpg, experts say; Ford, Lyft join YouTube ad exodus; Sales rise predicted; VW's latest compliance boss; Toyota billboard clears the air.

How an Atlanta dealership acquired a Chevy Bolt six months early

How an Atlanta dealership acquired a Chevy Bolt six months early http://ift.tt/2mzUsAu months before it was slated to hit dealerships in Georgia, a 2017 Chevrolet Bolt arrived at an Atlanta dealership. How?

VW finance arm makes record 2016 profit

VW finance arm makes record 2016 profit http://ift.tt/2nYBctB Group's finance division reported record earnings of $2.3 billion last year despite the automaker's emissions scandal. The division, which handles dealer and customer financing, said the residual values of the automaker's leased cars had held up.

VW finance arm makes record 2016 profit despite diesel scandal

VW finance arm makes record 2016 profit despite diesel scandal http://ift.tt/2mYagIK's finance division reported record earnings last year, despite the carmaker's emissions scandal, and held out the prospect of another strong result in 2017.