Toyota plans California fuel cell plant to make power, hydrogen

Toyota plans California fuel cell plant to make power, hydrogen http://ift.tt/2i5d4DE said it will build a renewable fuel-cell power-generation plant, plus a hydrogen fueling station, to support its operations at the Port of Long Beach in California.

VW brand lifts midterm profit outlook on higher-margin cars, cost cuts

VW brand lifts midterm profit outlook on higher-margin cars, cost cuts http://ift.tt/2AsPFqK brand raised its midterm outlook for profitability on cost cuts and a planned rollout of higher-margin models, and expects deliveries to hit a new record this year.

How Ford plans to market the gasoline-electric F-150

How Ford plans to market the gasoline-electric F-150 http://ift.tt/2Boc99a, despite customer priorities for trucks, is plowing ahead with a gasoline-electric version of the crazy-popular F-150, the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. since the Reagan administration.

Avis tests fully connected wireless car fleet in Kansas City

Avis tests fully connected wireless car fleet in Kansas City http://ift.tt/2j1WmGc launched its first fleet of cars that are fully connected to the internet, other vehicles, and to the car rental company via wireless technology in a bid to enhance fleet management.

Ford looks beyond longtime ad agency WPP; hires new firm for some Lincoln work

Ford looks beyond longtime ad agency WPP; hires new firm for some Lincoln work http://ift.tt/2AhMqlt has moved outside of longtime ad agency WPP for help on a new campaign for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, tapping New York firm Laundry Service.

Volvo plans to charge $600 a month for XC40 subscription service

Volvo plans to charge $600 a month for XC40 subscription service http://ift.tt/2jwJmb9 Cars will allow customers to subscribe to the 2019 XC40 compact crossover for a flat fee of $600 a month.

VW CEO expects record vehicle sales this year; laments slow culture change after diesel scandal

VW CEO expects record vehicle sales this year; laments slow culture change after diesel scandal http://ift.tt/2ilTvej Group is headed for record vehicle sales across its 12 brands this year as a strong trend in deliveries is set to continue in November and December, CEO Matthias Mueller said.

Lada brand returns to Cuba

Lada brand returns to Cuba http://ift.tt/2ikeSN7 automaker AvtoVAZ said it would resume exports of its Lada cars to Cuba, starting with a shipment of 344 Vesta sedans and Largus crossovers to be used as government taxis and tourism and rental vehicles.

Speed hurts quality at Tesla, some workers say

Speed hurts quality at Tesla, some workers say http://ift.tt/2AfDay8 Tesla's Model S sedans and Model X crossovers roll off the company's assembly line, the electric vehicles usually make another stop -- for repairs, nine current and former employees have told Reuters.

How an airport argument reinforced Lincoln's decision to kill the MK names

How an airport argument reinforced Lincoln's decision to kill the MK names http://ift.tt/2imylMV marketing chief Robert Parker received validation for the Lincoln moniker change following an argument he observed at the airport.

Lincoln rebrands MKX as Nautilus as brand drops confusing MK name

Lincoln rebrands MKX as Nautilus as brand drops confusing MK name http://ift.tt/2BwifFi hello to the Lincoln Nautilus and goodbye to the brand's "MK" naming scheme that some customers still haven't deciphered after more than a decade.

VW packs I.D. Crozz EV with smart motors

VW packs I.D. Crozz EV with smart motors http://ift.tt/2zNLLJt VW I.D. Crozz, due in 2020, will be powered by a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, with a combined output of 302 hp. Each motor can operate together or separately as conditions demand.

Porsche's championship year tops viral list

Porsche's championship year tops viral list http://ift.tt/2AGO9l5's celebration of its FIA World Endurance Championship topped our list of viral videos for the week.

Audi races to the mall

Audi races to the mall http://ift.tt/2AeljYq's off to the races this holiday season.

Mercedes plans more drone deliveries after 100 flights

Mercedes plans more drone deliveries after 100 flights http://ift.tt/2id52MI plans more drone deliveries after using Vito vans and mini aircraft to ship goods ordered online to customers in Zurich. Mercedes is testing drone deliveries to bypass congested roads amid a boom in e-commerce.

AutoNews Now: Spiffs add cheer to Nov. U.S. sales

AutoNews Now: Spiffs add cheer to Nov. U.S. sales http://ift.tt/2hXK8O3 Nov. expected for U.S. sales; Detroit show to get a luxury boost; Welburn: Robocars a 'very cool' challenge for designers; What auto execs told Pence; A heli-skiing All-Star.

Waymo-Uber trial delayed over new evidence

Waymo-Uber trial delayed over new evidence http://ift.tt/2Ae2G6W federal judge overseeing the high-profile patent theft case between Waymo and Uber delayed the beginning of the trial after new information emerged from a former Uber employee.

Mercedes plans more drone deliveries after 100 'perfect' flights

Mercedes plans more drone deliveries after 100 'perfect' flights http://ift.tt/2iZw6fD said it plans more drone deliveries after conducting tests using the aircraft to deliver everyday items such as coffee and cellphones in 100 drop-offs to strategically placed vans in Zurich, with a perfect safety record.

Bugatti's sales chief quits to head luxury beds brand

Bugatti's sales chief quits to head luxury beds brand http://ift.tt/2Ah5cY4's sales and marketing chief, Stefan Brungs, is leaving to take up a new position as CEO of bedding specialists Bico in Switzerland. Brungs led prelaunch marketing campaign for the Chiron supercar.

Mulvaney has vilified the CFPB -- now he's promising to fix it

Mulvaney has vilified the CFPB -- now he's promising to fix it http://ift.tt/2k3UqAr Mulvaney, who once called the CFPB the 'worst kind' of government entity, vowed to keep the agency open while making changes that protect people without choking off capitalism.

U.S. auto sales pace expected to normalize in November

U.S. auto sales pace expected to normalize in November http://ift.tt/2Aai8Rn sales in the U.S. are expected to normalize after two consecutive months of unseasonably strong results. November U.S. auto sales forecasts call for a 1 percent decrease to 3.5 percent increase compared to November 2016.

Shared self-driving cars could slash demand for sedans, KPMG study says

Shared self-driving cars could slash demand for sedans, KPMG study says http://ift.tt/2zKajmw services using self-driving vehicles could slash by more than half demand for owner-driven sedans in the United States by 2030, according to a new KPMG study.

Why Congress should be concerned about floorplan interest

Why Congress should be concerned about floorplan interest http://ift.tt/2BfTbRZ is deep into the process of rewriting the tax code for a first time in a generation, and the stakes for our industry and the economy couldn't be higher.

PSA seeks to capitalize on Russia rebound with van production

PSA seeks to capitalize on Russia rebound with van production http://ift.tt/2k3IC0S will start production of Peugeot Expert and Citroen Jumpy vans at its plant in Kaluga, Russia, as the automaker seeks to increase sales in the Russian market, which is rebounding from a deep slump.

PSA seeks to capitalize on Russia rebound with added van production

PSA seeks to capitalize on Russia rebound with added van production http://ift.tt/2AbnBrv will start production of Peugeot Expert and Citroen Jumpy vans at its plant in Kaluga, Russia, as the automaker seeks to increase sales in the Russian market, which is rebounding from a deep slump.

BMW will increase spending on randd, finance chief tells paper

BMW will increase spending on randd, finance chief tells paper http://ift.tt/2k0JUK7 will increase spending on research and development as it increases investments in EVs and self-driving cars, finance chief Nicolas Peter told German daily Handelsblatt.

BMW to spend up to 7% of sales on randd in 2018, report says

BMW to spend up to 7% of sales on randd in 2018, report says http://ift.tt/2iUorzk will further raise its spending on research and development next year, to 6.5 to 7 percent of sales, its finance chief Nicolas Peter told German daily Handelsblatt.

Volvo's new North America CEO hits the road in first month on the job

Volvo's new North America CEO hits the road in first month on the job http://ift.tt/2Af0z0C Gustafsson, Volvo Cars' newly minted CEO of North America, spent little time in the office during his first month on the job.

GM offering 'flex cash' incentives

GM offering 'flex cash' incentives http://ift.tt/2AdvQAY is offering a new incentive program for its Chevrolet dealers that some argue resembles controversial stair-step incentive plans and gives unfair advantages to larger retailers.

Genesis split remains an open wound for Hyundai dealers

Genesis split remains an open wound for Hyundai dealers http://ift.tt/2AdvOsQ Motor America and its dealers still are struggling to resolve differences over the spinoff of the Genesis retail network.

Mazda's Kogai on rebuilding for a U.S. revival

Mazda's Kogai on rebuilding for a U.S. revival http://ift.tt/2AeGnvI Masamichi Kogai is busy building pint-sized Mazda Motor Corp. into an automaker able to compete on the global stage with the biggest rivals. But first, Mazda is trying to fix operations in the U.S.

Hertz's bid to rely less on auctions starts to pay off

Hertz's bid to rely less on auctions starts to pay off http://ift.tt/2Ad0zhv disposed of a growing share of its retired vehicles through channels other than auctions in the third quarter, and expects that growth to continue.

Ex-Nissan dealer's big win reversed

Ex-Nissan dealer's big win reversed http://ift.tt/2AdvJ8w dealer Mike Kahn won a $256 million jury verdict in his lengthy fraud case against Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. But a judge dismissed the verdict.

Waymo, AutoNation deal creates new position

Waymo, AutoNation deal creates new position http://ift.tt/2AdvHxq auto industry has its share of CEOs and CFOs and COOs. Soon, there will be a CWO #8212; at least in spirit. That's W as in Waymo.

Auctions offer peace of mind with purchases

Auctions offer peace of mind with purchases http://ift.tt/2AdvESg such as Manheim and Ally's SmartAuction are expanding their assurances to buyers that if something goes wrong, they will be made right.

Businesses see opportunities in servicing driverless fleets

Businesses see opportunities in servicing driverless fleets http://ift.tt/2AdvD0E Waymo's competitors begin to finalize plans for self-driving taxi fleets, companies are rushing to meet back-end demands that may arise from these networks, hoping to establish a permanent place in the self-driving economy.

CarGurus IPO reveals investors' enthusiasm

CarGurus IPO reveals investors' enthusiasm http://ift.tt/2AdvASw and its rivals point to its successful IPO as evidence of the rising interest among investors in third-party shopping sites.

Forecasting the future of auto retailing

Forecasting the future of auto retailing http://ift.tt/2AAxkZb there's no certainty in any future prediction, it is pretty clear that today's dealership model -- based primarily on selling one vehicle at a time to individuals and then servicing those cars and trucks -- won't emerge unscathed in a world of...

Future dealers need product presenters, not salespeople

Future dealers need product presenters, not salespeople http://ift.tt/2A9qGIJ automotive retailers tweak their business models, the number and type of employees needed change dramatically.

Two young dealers consider on their retailing future

Two young dealers consider on their retailing future http://ift.tt/2AAxiAx two young dealers whose careers are likely to include massive changes in auto retailing, the future of the business is top of mind. But so are daily operations.

Jeremy Tucker named Automotive News All Star

Jeremy Tucker named Automotive News All Star http://ift.tt/2zGtbTE has found a sweet spot with the Rogue, and Jeremy Tucker has helped push the crossover to the masses in a series of high-profile promotions.

Christian Meunier named Automotive News All Star

Christian Meunier named Automotive News All Star http://ift.tt/2zGuMJ5 Meunier spent most of this year pursuing an aggressive agenda #8212; no less than rewiring Nissan Division's U.S. marketing structure.

Uber re-focuses on self-driving initiative

Uber re-focuses on self-driving initiative http://ift.tt/2zq9zPl a tumultuous 2017, it was unclear what direction Uber would go under its new CEO. Last week the ride-hailing giant showed it still is charging ahead with plans to deploy autonomous vehicles.

Samsung expects fourfold boost in auto revenue on self-driving cars

Samsung expects fourfold boost in auto revenue on self-driving cars http://ift.tt/2jnaj0S Electronics believes the auto industry offers growth opportunities because of the shift toward electric, connected and autonomous vehicles.

Hyundai fuel cell crossover spied

Hyundai fuel cell crossover spied http://ift.tt/2hQw9cL photographers recently captured the Hyundai FCEV, revealing the crossover's styling cues are largely carried over from a concept that debuted in August. The production FCEV will be formally introduced at CES in January.

Mazda plans new SUV for U.S. growth

Mazda plans new SUV for U.S. growth http://ift.tt/2hQw8FJ CEO Masamichi Kogai concedes his company is still in transition mode, four years after predicting U.S. sales would hit 400,000 a year. Now, he says the resurgence will start in earnest in 2019.

UK diesel tax is not what automakers expected

UK diesel tax is not what automakers expected http://ift.tt/2hPaXni UK government came under fire this week from automakers after announcing it was linking the taxation of diesel cars from next year to their ability to hit the new real driving emission standards (RDE), which is not what they were expecting.

Auto sector surges in Q3

Auto sector surges in Q3 http://ift.tt/2hObfL9's listed automakers gained 11.5 percent in shareholder value in the third quarter, the latest Automotive News Europe/PricewaterhouseCoopers Transaction Services Shareholder Value Indices shows, a figure matched by the supplier sectors.

Off-lease trucks race toward market

Off-lease trucks race toward market http://ift.tt/2mY3w2G fresh surge of vehicles coming off leases in 2018 will include more light trucks and fewer cars. Increasingly, they'll have low mileage and higher price tags.

Maserati's program changes 'unfair,' NY judge rules

Maserati's program changes 'unfair,' NY judge rules http://ift.tt/2As6LFw New York administrative judge ruled that proposed changes to Maserati's incentive program and franchise agreement were "unfair," confirming a previous decision.