Automobiles

June 18, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance) praised the Senate for passage of the fleet modernization, or "Cash for Clunkers" legislation. The proposal will now go to President Obama where it is expected to be signed into law. The Department of Transportation has already started working on the program’s implementation and will be announcing more information soon.    » read more »

Statement of Troy Clarke, President, General Motors North America

2009-06-18 -- As part of its long-term viability plan and recent decision to phase out the Pontiac brand, General Motors has decided to discontinue production of the Pontiac Vibe by the end of August 2009.

The Vibe is produced at the New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated (NUMMI) facility jointly operated by GM and Toyota in Fremont, California.

While no replacement for Vibe production has been determined, GM and Toyota remain in active discussions regarding potential future production at NUMMI.

Source: GM

Senator Rockefeller Calls On Companies To Do More To Protect Consumers, Dealers And Workers

June 16, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – Members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee last week sent letters to the President of Chrysler and CEO of General Motors requesting responses on a number of issues regarding consumer, dealer and worker protections. The Committee received a response this week from both companies and Senator Jay Rockefeller IV issued the following statement:    » read more »

Senators want automakers to give car dealers adequate time and fair compensation in closing down

June 12, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson wants bailed-out automakers GM and Chrysler to compensate car dealers who have been told to close.

Nelson, joined by Sen. Bob Corker, of Tennessee, has filed legislation to require the two automakers to reimburse the dealers for inventory and parts they bought since last fall. They introduced the bill yesterday.    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley announced today that Chrysler has revised its strategy for compensating dealers that are losing their franchises. Last week, Merkley sent a letter to Chrysler and GM taking issue with the lack of assistance.

In the letter to Fritz Henderson, CEO of General Motors, and James Press, President of Chrysler, Merkley expressed his belief that the market should determine whether or not a dealership closes. Merkley requested that, if these two companies insist on terminating contracts, the dealerships be compensated to minimize harm to businesses and communities.    » read more »

June 18, 2008 Torrance, CA - With the introduction of the third generation Prius, hybrid-electric vehicles have now been on the road for more than 10 years. They’ve received much attention for offering substantial fuel savings and fewer emissions then their traditional counterparts. But questions remain. What is a hybrid? How do hybrids work?    » read more »

Ford's 10th Annual Sustainability Report Details Progress on Blueprint for Sustainability

DEARBORN, Mich., June 15, 2009 – Ford Motor Company’s 10th annual Sustainability Report released today provides a comprehensive look at the company’s progress on environmental and social issues over the past year.

The 2008/2009 reported entitled “Blueprint for Sustainability: Our Future Works” updates the company’s progress in key areas of climate change, fuel economy, mobility, vehicle safety and human rights.

The report reaffirms Ford’s strong commitment to its sustainability strategy to support positive social change and reduce the environmental impact of its products and facilities while ensuring economically viable for the long term.    » read more »

Customer Demand Drives Up Ford's European Sales Share In May For Fifth Successive Month

COLOGNE, June 15, 2009 – Driven by enthusiastic customer demand for its strongest-ever range of vehicles, Ford saw its sales market share increase for the fifth successive month in May across its main 19 markets.

Continued economic uncertainty and lower overall volume, combined with political and industry upheaval in some of the company's major markets has not deterred car buyers from choosing Ford's newest models, the Fiesta and Ka, thereby helping to increase the company's market share to 8.9 per cent in May, up 0.2 percentage points.

Ford's year-to-date share was 9.2 per cent, up from 8.7 per cent in the same period in 2008.    » read more »

DEARBORN, Mich., June 10, 2009 – Esquire magazine editors evaluated nearly a dozen significant new cars – using some unique subjective criteria – before naming the 2010 Taurus SHO as its inaugural Car of the Year. The article appears in the magazine's July issue, on newsstands today.

"We had three main criteria in selecting the Esquire Car of the Year," explained David Granger, editor-in-chief. "The vehicle needed to be a pleasure to drive and be capable of shortening your breath when you slam down the pedal. It needed to be gorgeous and aggressive, capable of eliciting stares and gawks. And it needed to be attainable – a vehicle that most men actually can buy and drive. The new Taurus SHO nailed all of these parameters."    » read more »

First Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) delivered in Canada to Hydro-Québec, the largest electricity generator in Canada.

MONTRÉAL, Québec, June 9, 2009 – Ford Motor Company and Hydro-Québec announced today that Hydro-Québec has joined a North America wide demonstration and research program on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).    » read more »

Robert Kidder to be named Chairman of U.S. Automaker; Sergio Marchionne to Serve as Chief Executive Officer

Auburn Hills, MI and Turin, ITALY – June 10, 2009 – Chrysler Group LLC and Fiat Group announced today that they have finalized their previously announced global strategic alliance, forming a “new" Chrysler that has the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete effectively on a global scale. The new Chrysler will begin operations immediately.    » read more »

Proposal would achieve 32 to 38 percent greater oil savings than House compromise

June 8, 2009 --
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Tom Carper (D-Del.) today formally introduced legislation to establish a “Cash for Clunkers” program that incentivizes the purchase of more fuel efficient vehicles and would achieve at least 32 percent more oil savings than a House version of the bill. Senators Feinstein, Collins, and Schumer previously outlined the basic concepts in this bill on May 15.    » read more »

BRENTWOOD, Essex, June 8, 2009 – Ford has supplied more than 1,600 vehicles to Avis as part of an innovative new daily rental service Avis is providing for BAE Systems.

Ford delivered more than 1,600 Ford Focus models to the rental fleet as well as a number of Ford Fiesta and Ford Mondeo vehicles. Avis is managing the operation through five BAE locations and three newly opened rental stations in Southampton, Leicester and Barrow-in-Furness.

The entire fleet of Ford cars was supplied and delivered within just two weeks to ensure the contract started on time.    » read more »

Statement of Mark LaNeve, GM North America Vice President, Vehicles Sales, Service & Marketing regarding GM's ongoing discussions with NADA on Dealer Participation and Wind-Down Agreements

2009-06-08 -- "The consolidation of GM's dealer network nationwide is a very difficult, but necessary part of GM's overall reinvention efforts. During testimony last week before the Senate Commerce Committee on this topic, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) expressed concern over some specifics in GM's Participation Agreements for our dealers.    » read more »

Gentex Corporation Named Corporation of the Year

2009-06-05 -- WARREN, MICHIGAN - General Motors recognized 99 suppliers today with its highly coveted Supplier of the Year award during the 17th annual awards presentation held at the GM Heritage Center in Warren, Michigan. The awards presentation followed a morning business meeting, in which attending suppliers heard from GM senior leaders on a variety of key business issues.

Gentex Corporation was presented with the Corporation of the Year award.    » read more »