Government Rejects GM, Chrysler Viability PlansIn a move that rattled investors and sent General Motors stock plunging 92 cents, the federal government rejected the company's viability proposal as well as the plan set forth by Chrysler LLC.
Obama Indicates More Expected of GM, ChryslerIn an interview broadcast by the CBS news program "Face the Nation" on Sunday, March 29, President Barak Obama said that U.S. automakers have not yet taken sufficient steps to become "lean, mean and competitive" under federal oversight.
Tesla Introduces Famity SedanOn Thursday, March 26, Tesla Motors Inc., the California electric start-up well-known for producing its electric Roadster sports car for the rich and famous, unveiled the four-door Model S "family" sedan set to go in production during the third quarter of 2011.
Toyota Expects Flat March Sales at BestToyota Motor Corp. expects to report industry-wide sales in the United States for the month of March that will be, at best, flat, and at worst, weaker than those returned in February.
Toyota to Answer Honda Insight with Yaris HybridToyota , long king of the hybrid heap with the Prius, soon to be released in its third generation, will answer Honda's new inexpensive Insight hybrid, which opens at $20,000, with a Yaris spin-off.
Toxic Asset Program Appears to Calm Some Investor FearsIn response to the announcement of the Treasury Department's plan to eradicate toxic assets from bank ledgers as well as an expansion of efforts to free up the market for asset-backed securities, auto stocks responded favorably and climbed throughout the day on Monday, March 23.
Obama Administration Extends Aid to Auto SuppliersOn Thursday, March 19, 2009 the U.S. Department of Treasury announced the creation of a $5 billion line of credit for auto parts suppliers directly threatened by the financial condition of General Motors and Chrysler.
Buick, Jaguar Top Reliability StudyAfter 14 years at the top of the J.D. Power and Associates' Vehicle Dependability Study, Lexus has lost out this year to Buick and Jaguar, brands that now share the top spot on the list.
Foreign Interest in Saturn Spin-OffAutomotive News is reporting that an undisclosed group of automakers, including foreign manufacturers, have approached the group studying a potential spin-off of Saturn from General Motors about selling their products under the Saturn brand.
Suzuki Runs Short Ad Blitz for SX4For most of the first quarter, American Suzuki Motor Corp. refrained from broadcast advertising, but returned to television on Monday, March 16 with commercials for both the SX4 hatchback and small sedan.
Ford Grants Stock Options to MulallyOn Wednesday, March 11, Ford Motor Co. awarded CEO Alan Mulally 5 million shares in stock options, a benefit that will not show fruition for the executive until company stock substantially improves.
American Axle Warns Potential Failure in 2009Auditors for American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. have warned the company that the pressure of the financial concerns of its principle customers, General Motors and Chrysler LLC, may drive the company out of business this year.
BMW Reports First Annual Loss Since 1993On Thursday, March 12, BMW Reports First Annual the largest maker of premium cars in the world, reported a drop of 78 percent for its group earnings before interest and taxes, news that sent the company's stock down 12 percent.
GM Discontinues Diesel Engine Project for FallGeneral Motors has placed production of its innovative Duramax 4.5 liter V8 diesel engine on indefinite hold, a high-efficiency unit that would have been used in the Chevolet Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty trucks.
GM Officials to Meet with European LeadersOn Friday, March 13, executives from General Motors from both Detroit and Europe will meet with European lawmakers according to Ton van Lierop, a spokesman from the European Commission.
Automakers Cut Output as Sales Continue to SlideIn response to the lowest annualized sales rate in North America in 27 years for February, automakers will cut production to just 4.1 million vehicles for the first half of 2009, a drop of 41 percent from 2008.
Japan's Automakers Seeking Government Aid at HomeLike their American counterparts, Japanese automakers are feeling the effects of falling sales and tight credit, a situation that has caused Nissan , Honda, and Mazda to follow Toyota's lead in asking the Japanese government for emergency loans.
Ford Announces Significant Debt RestructuringOn Wednesday, March 4, the Ford Motor Co. announced the negotiation of a series of successful concessions for its debt holders that, through company stock swamps and cash payouts, will reduce the company's debt by as much as $10.4 billion.
Honda's Domestic Production to Fall Below 1 Million UnitsIn a move indicating the global scope of the recession, Honda Motor Co. is expected to cut its production levels in Japan by more than 150,000 units in the coming fiscal year, bringing its "at home" output under 1 million vehicles for the first time in 14 years.