http://blog.mlive.com/autoblog/Auto Industry News, Analysis and OpinionenTue, 23 Jun 2009 10:38:47 PDTMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/noAuto Industry News, Analysis and Opinionauto_bloghttp://feedburner.google.comhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/iAGRC0Lmzm8/can_fiat-chrysler_ceo_sergio_m.htmlRick HaglundRick HaglundWed, 04 Nov 2009 21:42:43 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3881930 ]]>Auto executive offered ambitious outlook Wednesday for struggling automaker.http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/11/can_fiat-chrysler_ceo_sergio_m.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/xDW4ZDiteFE/gm_ford_report_october_auto_sa.htmlRick HaglundRick HaglundTue, 03 Nov 2009 17:09:56 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3873994 ]]>It was the third time in four months Ford has posted a sales increase.http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/11/gm_ford_report_october_auto_sa.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/_ihnuR8NaGY/author_blames_factory_operatio.htmlRick HaglundRick HaglundTue, 03 Nov 2009 17:07:34 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3872487 ]]>Bob Dewar journaled his time as a supervisor at Ford's Sharonville transmission plant near Cincinnati.http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/11/author_blames_factory_operatio.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/QsvXSGHN1-8/r_l_polk_co_says_us_auto_sales.htmlAutomotive IndustryBusiness - DetroitDetroit - Home Page - BusinessDetroit - Home Page - NewsMLive - BusinessRick HaglundRick HaglundMon, 02 Nov 2009 17:51:57 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3866039 ]]>It used to be that sales of 15 million cars and trucks constituted just an average year for automakers. But following a steep recession, combined with last year's financial meltdown and credit crunch, the U.S. auto industry would kill for...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/11/r_l_polk_co_says_us_auto_sales.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/NMDN97tlbCE/some_folks_just_wont_let_ponti.htmlAutomotive IndustryGeneral Motors NewsRick HaglundRick HaglundMon, 02 Nov 2009 11:55:36 PSTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3864161 ]]>DeLorean Motor Co.Pontiac Solstice The DeLorean Motor Co., revived by Texas entrepreneur Stephen Wynne, wants to take over production of the Pontiac Solstice, which is being discontinued along with the rest of Pontiac's line-up.And on Tuesday, Lingenfelter Peformance Engineering will...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/11/some_folks_just_wont_let_ponti.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/wycS1gOO8is/union_label_helps_delphi_retir.htmlAutomotive IndustryGeneral Motors NewsRick HaglundRick HaglundThu, 29 Oct 2009 06:55:42 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3839786 ]]>Delphi Corp.retirees represented by the United Auto Workers union are faring much better financially than their nonunion salaried brethren because of a special deal between Delphi and General Motors Co.U.S. Rep. Dan Burton, an Indiana Republican, doesn't think that's fair....http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/union_label_helps_delphi_retir.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/hI0lbjzzxAA/chinese_students_must_salute_p.htmlChineseRick HaglundRick HaglundMon, 26 Oct 2009 12:18:40 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3824258 ]]>No, it's not part of the Chinese's government's plan to build a domestic auto industry, now largely controlled by Western automakers.But children in that country are being required to salute every passing car as they walk to school, according to...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/chinese_students_must_salute_p.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/RwhRahzjG_I/us_automakers_still_face_roadb.htmlAutomotive IndustryJapaneseRick HaglundRick HaglundMon, 26 Oct 2009 11:41:46 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3824086 ]]>The debate over whether Japan deliberately keeps foreign automakers from selling very many cars there has died down in recent years. U.S. automakers  have had little success in pushing the federal government to help them break open the Japanese market. And...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/us_automakers_still_face_roadb.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/d2HNn4iQ64Q/man_convicted_of_driving_while.htmlRick HaglundRick HaglundMon, 26 Oct 2009 06:51:06 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3822767 ]]>A Minnesota man, Dennis LeRoy Anderson, 62, has pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence after he slammed his La-Z-Boy recliner into a parked vehicle near a bar in August.That's right--his La-Z-Boy. This wasn't just any recliner. Anderson had...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/man_convicted_of_driving_while.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/gKYSwLs9TGU/roast_lutz_on_the_menu.htmlGeneral Motors NewsRick HaglundRick HaglundMon, 19 Oct 2009 15:05:46 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3790653 ]]> GM photoGM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz There aren't too many celebrity roasts of auto executives because, well, there aren't very many celebrity auto executives anymore.A major exception is General Motors Co. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, who is known for...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/roast_lutz_on_the_menu.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/hr7eIhmdFCA/opel_deal_with_magna_in_troubl.htmlGeneral Motors NewsRick HaglundRon FongerRick HaglundMon, 19 Oct 2009 11:56:51 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3789952 ]]>The European Union has thrown a potential monkey wrench into General Motors Co.'s plans to sell a majority stake in its Opel subsidiary to Magna International Inc.GM had hoped to finalize the deal last week. But that was delayed after...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/opel_deal_with_magna_in_troubl.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/VmewaMADwHw/pay_restrictions_hurting_gms_c.htmlGeneral Motors NewsRick HaglundRick HaglundMon, 19 Oct 2009 12:29:45 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3789573 ]]>GM photoGM Chief Financial Officer Ray YoungRumors have circulated for weeks that General Motors Co. will replace Chief Financial Officer Ray Young with an outsider under pressure from GM's new, post-bankruptcy board of directors.But Young is still the CFO and...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/pay_restrictions_hurting_gms_c.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/fhF17-UeLyk/jd_power_says_automakers_can_e.htmlAutomotive IndustryRick HaglundRick HaglundFri, 16 Oct 2009 09:03:14 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3774733 ]]>Domestic automakers have cut costs so much that they can break even next year, even if U.S. industry sales were to fall by 2 million cars and trucks below expectations.That's according to a forecast at J.D. Power and Associates' Automotive...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/jd_power_says_automakers_can_e.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/nO9xAZWRR6A/buick_regal_returns_to_the_us.htmlGeneral Motors NewsRick HaglundRick HaglundWed, 14 Oct 2009 10:39:26 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3766274 ]]>After a six-year absence, the Buick Regal nameplate is coming back to the United States.http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/buick_regal_returns_to_the_us.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/a1HTiBm0i9U/cupcake_car_looks_good_enough.htmlRick HaglundRick HaglundWed, 14 Oct 2009 08:14:39 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3765874 ]]>Neiman-Marcus photoNeiman-Marcus cupcake car Neiman-Marcus is out with its annual Christmas Book of outrageous gifts, which the company says aren't quite as outrageous this year in a nod to the poor economy.Still, buying a loved one this $25,000 cupcake car,...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/cupcake_car_looks_good_enough.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/oZ7uBk6aris/bill_ford_admits_company_built.htmlFordMLive - NewsMLive.com - Home Page - NewsNews - DetroitRick HaglundRick HaglundTue, 13 Oct 2009 17:12:10 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3757740 ]]>Ford Motor Co. photoBill Ford Jr.Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. is celebrating his 30th anniversary at the auto company that has his name on the building. In an interview with Detroit Free Press columnist Tom Walsh, published...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/bill_ford_admits_company_built.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/ezL-SWWc6A4/is_chrysler_rehiring_white-col.htmlAutomotive IndustryChryslerRick HaglundRick HaglundFri, 09 Oct 2009 11:24:45 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3744968 ]]>Under its previous owner, Cerberus Capital Management LP, Chrysler Group last year shed about 25 percent of its salaried work force through a lucrative, company-wide buyout offer.The loss of so many workers, many of them critical to the automaker's business,...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/is_chrysler_rehiring_white-col.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/7LnNPXoL6Yg/the_200000_speeding_ticket.htmlRick HaglundRick HaglundFri, 09 Oct 2009 10:50:53 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3744216 ]]>Better not put the pedal to the metal in Finland. Your bank account could take a serious hit.Finland assesses speeding fines based not just on how fast you drive, but on how much money you make. That's how Jussi Salonoja,...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/the_200000_speeding_ticket.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/_JZn-gzlwc0/gm_sales_chief_laneve_leaving.htmlGeneral Motors NewsMLive.com - Home Page - BusinessRick HaglundRick HaglundWed, 07 Oct 2009 18:42:53 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3734686 ]]>AP File PhotoIn this Feb. 8, 2009 file photo, General Motors Vice-president for sale, service and marketing, Mark LaNeve, talks about the future of GM, at the Chicago Auto Show in Chicago.DETROIT -- General Motors Co. sales chief Mark LaNeve...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/gm_sales_chief_laneve_leaving.htmlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/auto_blog/~3/FLLLY5RbCjc/chrysler_moving_upscale_or_not.htmlChryslerFiatMLive.com - Home Page - BusinessRick HaglundRick HaglundMon, 05 Oct 2009 11:17:27 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2009:/auto/index.ssf//4434.3726383 ]]>Chrysler photo2006 Chrysler Imperial conceptOne of Fiat's big challenges is trying to figure out where Chrysler fits in its brand scheme. Traditionally the nameplate has been positioned to compete with the likes of Buick, Mercury and (RIP) Oldsmobile.Former owner DaimlerChrysler...http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2009/10/chrysler_moving_upscale_or_not.htmlnonadult