Wells Fargo, seeking fresh start, renames beleaguered auto unit

Wells Fargo, seeking fresh start, renames beleaguered auto unit http://ift.tt/2nvwWlP Fargo is renaming its auto-loan business a year after it was beset by regulatory scandals and operational hurdles.

AutoNews Now: Ex-union VP implicated in FCA-UAW scandal

AutoNews Now: Ex-union VP implicated in FCA-UAW scandal http://ift.tt/2E4sXa2 VP implicated in FCA-UAW scandal; Nearly flat Jan. sales expected; Daimler, BMW move, suspend workers tied to fumes tests; Hyundai's Super Bowl ad spotlights cancer charity.

Penske ponders the costs of FandI managers

Penske ponders the costs of FandI managers http://ift.tt/2Et2YHm Automotive Group's used-only stores generate $300 to $400 more gross profit per vehicle than the group's franchised stores. One reason: no FandI managers.

Ford's late arrival to U.S. subcompact crossover segment symbolic of CEO's need to overhaul

Ford's late arrival to U.S. subcompact crossover segment symbolic of CEO's need to overhaul http://ift.tt/2rQIG80 understand why CEO Jim Hackett is urgently overhauling Ford, look no further than the surging subcompact crossover segment.

No Audi, but a quattro-like freeride skier

No Audi, but a quattro-like freeride skier http://ift.tt/2BGVvRJ partners with a freeride skiing expert and transports him to new locations in the newest video to join our charts.

Ford credit rating threatened by negative Moody's outlook

Ford credit rating threatened by negative Moody's outlook http://ift.tt/2DQoJ6T six years after Ford reclaimed its good name in the credit community, the automaker was put on notice when Moody's signaled its investment-grade rating could again be at risk.

January U.S. auto sales on similar pace as a year ago

January U.S. auto sales on similar pace as a year ago http://ift.tt/2BDJxbM. new-vehicle sales this month are expected to roughly match the levels of January 2017, though the selling rate is projected to decline as the industry prepares for a second straight year of lower volume.

Autoliv Q4 adjusted earnings rise 8%; strong sales growth expected in 2018

Autoliv Q4 adjusted earnings rise 8%; strong sales growth expected in 2018 http://ift.tt/2rRSK0r forecasted higher organic sales growth this year after fourth-quarter adjusted earnings rose 8.2 percent and revenues increased 5 percent.

Autoliv Q4 profit rises 8% as supplier sees strong 2018 sales growth

Autoliv Q4 profit rises 8% as supplier sees strong 2018 sales growth http://ift.tt/2Gxg6vE forecasts higher than expected organic sales growth this year after fourth-quarter earnings rose 8.2 percent.

How Silicon Valley startup Nuro envisions delivery van of the future

How Silicon Valley startup Nuro envisions delivery van of the future http://ift.tt/2BEbnV2 future of driverless driving looks like a giant toaster with a funny hat. That's an approximation of a new autonomous vehicle unveiled by Nuro, a Silicon Valley startup that's been cryptic about its business plan.

Opel, Spanish unions reach deal over Corsa plant

Opel, Spanish unions reach deal over Corsa plant http://ift.tt/2nnNH2U and its Spanish unions have reached an agreement on worker conditions at its Zaragoza plant after threats by owner PSA to cut investment at the factory that builds the best-selling Opel Corsa.

Autotrader revamps to prepare for digital retailing

Autotrader revamps to prepare for digital retailing http://ift.tt/2rQ0NLc Autotrader shopping site is changing so that it can shepherd consumers through much of a deal online and save them time when they connect with dealers.

Hyundai plans another live Super Bowl ad

Hyundai plans another live Super Bowl ad http://ift.tt/2DKFvnP Super Bowl spot will again take shape on game day. The brand will highlight its Hyundai Hope on Wheels initiative and the 60-second spot will air in the fourth quarter.

Hyundai pushes philanthropy in Super Bowl ad

Hyundai pushes philanthropy in Super Bowl ad http://ift.tt/2nlwdEF said it plans to use a 60-second ad spot in Sunday's Super Bowl to plug an organization dedicated to fighting childhood cancer.

Audi starts taking deposits for e-tron SUV

Audi starts taking deposits for e-tron SUV http://ift.tt/2BAQZ7z is taking deposits from potential customers for its new e-tron full-electric SUV in four European markets. The e-tron will launch later this year as a rival to cars such as the Tesla Model X and Jaguar I-Pace.

AutoNation looks other way when applicants test positive for marijuana

AutoNation looks other way when applicants test positive for marijuana http://ift.tt/2DYOUrj no longer refuses to hire job applicants who test positive for marijuana in drug screenings, CEO Mike Jackson said.

Skoda veteran named Audi's China sales chief

Skoda veteran named Audi's China sales chief http://ift.tt/2rC7FeW has appointed Marco Schubert, Skoda's sales chief for Asia, as president of sales at VW's joint venture with China FAW Group.

Hammer named to head ADESA

Hammer named to head ADESA http://ift.tt/2FhqNko Hammer has been named president of the ADESA unit of KAR Auction Services, effective Feb. 26. He replaces Stephane St-Hilaire, who resigned.

Kia releases Super Bowl teaser

Kia releases Super Bowl teaser http://ift.tt/2DCRccc released a Super Bowl ad teaser on YouTube for its 2018 Kia Stinger sport sedan, starring Brazilian racing icon Emerson Fittipaldi and a mystery driver.

GM sued over copyright infringement

GM sued over copyright infringement http://ift.tt/2E8ATop Swiss artist has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against GM, accusing the automaker of using one of his outdoor murals in a marketing campaign without his knowledge or consent.

Lexus releases 'Black Panther' Super Bowl ad

Lexus releases 'Black Panther' Super Bowl ad http://ift.tt/2Bt1YzH most brands talk about luring younger buyers, millennials or Gen Z kids come to mind. But Lexus will settle for getting a few more fortysomethings in the fold during the Super Bowl.

Opel threatens to move Corsa production from Spain in union standoff

Opel threatens to move Corsa production from Spain in union standoff http://ift.tt/2FcLiP7 could move production of the Corsa hatchback from its Zaragoza plant in Spain after failing to reach a deal with unions to improve the factory's competitiveness. Opel's new owner, PSA, says its Spanish plants are more efficient.

Volvo could build Lynk and CO cars in Europe, CEO Samuelsson says

Volvo could build Lynk and CO cars in Europe, CEO Samuelsson says http://ift.tt/2rCU72K could build cars for Lynk and CO in Belgium and may also extend its European service and logistics infrastructure to the new brand, Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson said.

Hyundai sees tough U.S. market, after dismal 2017

Hyundai sees tough U.S. market, after dismal 2017 http://ift.tt/2DAEpqn said challenges are expected to persist in the U.S. market, where its sales have already been battered by a lack of SUVs, after earlier reporting its worst annual earnings in seven years.

Opel threatens to move Corsa production from Spain

Opel threatens to move Corsa production from Spain http://ift.tt/2E4wYZD could move production of the Corsa hatchback from its Zaragoza plant in Spain after failing to reach a deal with unions to improve the factory's competitiveness. Opel's new owner, PSA, says its Spanish plants are more efficient.

Volvo could build Chinese cars in Europe, CEO Samuelsson says

Volvo could build Chinese cars in Europe, CEO Samuelsson says http://ift.tt/2rBsrvj could build cars for the LYNK and CO in Belgium and may also extend its European service and logistics infrastructure to the new Chinese brand, Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson said.

Ally commits $750 million for retail contracts at DriveTime

Ally commits $750 million for retail contracts at DriveTime http://ift.tt/2FbgVIL Financial said it will commit $750 million to finance retail contracts for used-vehicle retailing giant DriveTime this year.

Ally, DriveTime form partnership

Ally, DriveTime form partnership http://ift.tt/2DDOVkP Financial will commit $750 million to finance retail contracts for DriveTime this year.

Redesigned Ram goes from farm to city

Redesigned Ram goes from farm to city http://ift.tt/2n91U2X shows off the redesigned 1500 in a new ad campaign with a new take on a classic tune.

J.D. Power launches branded FandI products

J.D. Power launches branded FandI products http://ift.tt/2DC06L5. Power has begun offering FandI products, labeled J.D. Power Automotive Protection Products, for new-car buyers across the U.S.

Wrestling with Military Lending Act? Insiders offers help

Wrestling with Military Lending Act? Insiders offers help http://ift.tt/2F8DwWv and lenders that have been grappling with the latest interpretation of the Military Lending Act may have solutions that will help them remain compliant with the guidelines.

Watch payments, not unit sales, economist says

Watch payments, not unit sales, economist says http://ift.tt/2n8zxmt industry counts vehicle sales as a broad measure of consumers' economic health, but the monthly payment may provide a better assessment, an economist said.

JD Power launches branded FandI products

JD Power launches branded FandI products http://ift.tt/2BqTcC5. Power has begun offering FandI products, labeled J.D. Power Automotive Protection Products, for new-car buyers across the U.S.

Zurich pulls back on some dealerships' insurance

Zurich pulls back on some dealerships' insurance http://ift.tt/2n68RCu North America no longer will offer property and casualty insurance to independent dealerships and some franchise dealerships. FandI products are not affected.

BMW, Daimler close to merging car-sharing units, exec says

BMW, Daimler close to merging car-sharing units, exec says http://ift.tt/2n410EQ and BMW are close to agreeing to combine their car-sharing services Car2Go and DriveNow, a senior executive at one of the carmakers told Reuters.

Jeep's sales decline dents Marchionne's ambitions for key brand

Jeep's sales decline dents Marchionne's ambitions for key brand http://ift.tt/2BlZF1g global vehicle sales fell 1 percent to less than 1.

VW expects 4% growth in China market

VW expects 4% growth in China market http://ift.tt/2n26MI0 Group expects China's passenger car market to rise around 4 percent this year, with its own vehicle sales growing at a similar pace, partly due to its continued emphasis on SUVs.

Subaru sticks with dog-friendly ad campaign

Subaru sticks with dog-friendly ad campaign http://ift.tt/2DpHWaZ of America is sticking to its dog-friendly formula with its "Dog Tested. Dog Approved" ad campaign.

Waymo names Atlanta as next test city

Waymo names Atlanta as next test city http://ift.tt/2DqgzxM, Google's self-driving car affiliate, said it has chosen metro Atlanta as the next location to test its autonomous minivans.

Hyundai teases Super Bowl ad

Hyundai teases Super Bowl ad http://ift.tt/2DCWibH is vowing to surprise millions of people on Super Bowl Sunday. But it's not above a little teasing, first.

Lexus looks to ride 'Black Panther' movie back to luxury lead

Lexus looks to ride 'Black Panther' movie back to luxury lead http://ift.tt/2n3krOX the upcoming "Black Panther" blockbuster, the superhero surfs through a city clinging to the roof of his Lexus LC 500 as his sister pilots it remotely. The brand hopes that cameo helps end a seven-year drought as U.S. luxury sales leader.

Mercedes, BMW wade into subscriptions

Mercedes, BMW wade into subscriptions http://ift.tt/2Dn0yZb German rivals are joining the list of luxury automakers exploring subscription models as they try to figure out the future of car ownership #8211; and whether such plans will be profitable over time.

BMW looks for crossovers for U.S.

BMW looks for crossovers for U.S. http://ift.tt/2DXhhDI and redesigned crossovers should get BMW's U.S. sales growing again in 2018, BMW Group finance chief Nicolas Peter said.

Infiniti quietly builds QX50 in Mexico

Infiniti quietly builds QX50 in Mexico http://ift.tt/2Drjbvd is keeping a low profile as it launches the redesigned QX50 crossover, even though it is the brand's most significant new vehicle in years.

BMW's 2nd place? It was a surprise!

BMW's 2nd place? It was a surprise! http://ift.tt/2DVc2nQ second place finish in the 2017 U.S. luxury sales race came as a surprise to BMW of North America CEO Bernhard Kuhnt.

Mercedes tries gaming events, pop-up stories

Mercedes tries gaming events, pop-up stories http://ift.tt/2DpQ8s3 is tapping gaming events and pop-up shops to find new customers as it prepares for business to move increasingly online and to new types of vehicles.

VW vows to not squander opportunities in the U.S.

VW vows to not squander opportunities in the U.S. http://ift.tt/2DXa9aw Woebcken said VW's U.S. recovery from the depths of the diesel crisis has been possible in large part because the North American region is able to exercise some autonomy from corporate headquarters in Germany.

Japanese brands zoom in China as U.S. cools

Japanese brands zoom in China as U.S. cools http://ift.tt/2DrSTch sales in China are booming -- and helping them offset the slowdown in the U.S.

Experts expect strong 2018 vehicle sales

Experts expect strong 2018 vehicle sales http://ift.tt/2DVbVsq interest rates and tightening credit are reasons for concern, but shouldn't cause new-vehicle sales to tumble, speakers at the Automotive News World Congress said.

Turo bets Vegas tourists will drive rental program

Turo bets Vegas tourists will drive rental program http://ift.tt/2DnyBAI, the peer-to-peer car rental program has 4 million customers.