Automakers

GM is investing more than $230 million in four greater Flint, Mich. plants to support production of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt

2009-10-13 -- FLINT, Mich. - General Motors Company is investing more than $230 million in four GM plants in the greater Flint area to support the production of the fuel-efficient 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt, representing more than 500 jobs. The four GM plants include Flint Engine South, Flint Metal Center, Flint Tool & Die and Grand Blanc Weld Tool Center.    » read more »

Ford achieved a market share high of 10.1 per cent in September in its 19 European main markets – the best share for any month for Ford of Europe since September 2001

COLOGNE, October 12, 2009 – Ford achieved a 10.1 per cent market share in September 2009 in its 19 European main markets – the best share for any month since September 2001 and a 0.8 percentage point increase on the same month 2008.

A total of 51,400 new Ford Fiestas were registered in Europe last month – the best September for Fiesta since 1994.    » read more »

DETROIT and SICHUAN, Oct. 9, 2009 - General Motors (GM) and Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd (Tengzhong), today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive agreement that will allow Tengzhong to acquire GM's premium all-terrain HUMMER brand.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, the buyer will acquire the ownership of the HUMMER brand, trademark and tradenames, as well as specific IP license rights necessary for the manufacture of HUMMER vehicles. The buyer will also assume the existing dealer agreements relating to HUMMER's dealership network.    » read more »

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 6 October 2009 – Ford car sales were up by over 22 per cent in September, compared with the same month in 2008. This is twice the size of the market increase after a busy month of new "59" plate and "scrappage" registrations.

Over 54,500 new cars left Ford dealerships – 22.2 per cent more than during September 2008.

The market leader, Ford, took 14.8 per cent of all car sales and 15.7 per cent of the total UK vehicle market last month once commercial vehicle registrations are factored in. In either case, Ford's share is around a percentage point higher than a year ago.    » read more »

More competitive operating model and streamlined leadership structure in place

2009-10-07 -- DETROIT - General Motors today outlined progress it has made toward achieving commitments in its business plan, including implementing a leaner structure, building stronger brands, and driving a company culture that puts the customer at the center of everything it does.    » read more »

TORRANCE, Calif. (October 1, 2009) – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported September sales of 126,015 vehicles, a decrease of 16.1 percent from last September, on a daily selling rate basis. TMS posted sales of 525,975 units in the third quarter, a 28 percent increase over the second quarter.

“Improving economic conditions and the CARS program led to a significant increase for the industry in the third quarter over the first-half year,” said Don Esmond, senior vice president of automotive operations for TMS. “Moving into the fourth quarter, we expect continued momentum will close the year on a bright note.”    » read more »

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury U.S. third quarter sales increased 5 percent versus a year ago and U.S. market share increased 2 points

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct., 1, 2009 – Ford, Lincoln and Mercury third quarter sales were 5 percent higher than a year ago in the U.S., making Ford the only full-line manufacturer to report a sales increase in the period.

In September, Ford sales were 6 percent lower than a year ago. This followed a 2 percent increase in July and a 17 percent increase in August, marking the first time in four years that Ford is reporting a quarterly sales increase.

Ford estimates it gained over 2 points of market share versus last year in September and the third quarter. September marked the 11th time in the last 12 months Ford has gained retail market share.    » read more »

Third-quarter results mark a 26% increase in sales: best quarterly sales increase since 2003

OAKVILLE, Ontario, October 1, 2009 – Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited saw sales increase 24.3 per cent compared to last September marking the company's fourth consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains.

Strong car sales led by the all-new Ford Taurus, Fusion, Focus and Mustang resulted in more than half of all vehicle sales for Ford of Canada. September also marked the eleventh month of market share growth for the company and rounded out the highest quarterly sales increase since 2003 with a 26 per cent increase.    » read more »

Cash for Clunkers conclusion, weak consumer confidence and extremely low inventory levels adversely affected the industry and GM sales results

2009-10-01 -- DETROIT – General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 156,673vehicles in September. When compared with strong sales a year ago, September’s sales were down 45 percent. GM retail sales were down 46 percent while fleet sales declined 43 percent. When comparing GM’s September total sales with a strong August, and the conclusion of the Cash for Clunkers program, volume was down 36 percent month-over-month.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. – The Pew Center on Global Climate Change today launched a new Corporate Energy Efficiency Web Portal that features a myriad of resources designed to help businesses develop new and stronger energy efficiency strategies. The Web portal is part of a larger Pew Center project to document and communicate best practices in corporate energy efficiency strategies in internal operations, supply chains, products and services, and cross-cutting issues.

The broader project is being funded by a three-year, $1.4 million grant from Toyota. The Web portal will continue to be built out over time, and currently features preliminary research findings and other resources, including:    » read more »

The most recent and most complete research shows that distractions that take drivers’ eyes away from the road for an extended period of time are a factor in nearly 80 percent of accidents

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 25, 2009 – The vast majority of U.S. drivers believes handheld texting while driving is very dangerous and should be banned nationwide, according to a new national survey released today.    » read more »

System with 5th Generation Fuel Cell Stack Could Be Commercialized in 2015

2009-09-24 -- Washington, D.C. -- The second generation hydrogen fuel cell system in development by General Motors Co. is half the size, 220 pounds lighter and uses less than half the precious metal of the current generation in the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell electric vehicle.

And the production intent fuel cell powertrain can be packaged under the hood in about the same space as a four-cylinder engine. It contains GM’s fifth-generation fuel cell stack, which could be commercialized in the 2015 time frame.    » read more »

New Delhi, September 24, 2009: General Motors India and Reva Electric Car Company (REVA) have entered into a collaboration agreement to develop electric vehicles for the Indian market. This unique partnership will bring together two companies, established in their own field to develop car platforms, electric vehicle technology and advanced control systems.

The agreement was announced jointly by Karl Slym, president and managing director, General Motors India and Chetan Maini, deputy chairman and chief technology officer, REVA.    » read more »

No Gasoline or Tailpipe Pollution in Reaching Milestone

2009-09-11 -- DETROIT, September 11 - The Chevrolet Equinox fuel cell electric vehicles today passed 1 million miles of gasoline and tailpipe pollution-free driving by homemakers, accountants, computer game designers and others using the vehicles every day in real-world conditions.

More than 50,000 gallons of gasoline have been saved so far in the fuel cell Equinox, more than 100 of which are part of the largest consumer fuel cell demonstration fleet in the world. The fuel cell electric Equinox runs on electricity created by an on-board fuel cell stack. The only emissions are wisps of water vapor.    » read more »

August 27, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - Automakers have now successfully implemented a voluntary agreement under which new cars and light trucks are engineered to be more compatible in front- and side-impact crashes. Since launching the agreement, manufacturers have been quickly increasing the percentage of vehicles with the compatibility engineering, and as of September 1, 2009, 100 percent of each participating manufacturers’ applicable vehicles will be made in a way that improves crash compatibility.    » read more »