Archived Auto News and Events for November 2007

Tesla Motors Names New CEO
Next quarter Tesla Motors will begin production of its electric Roadster sports car with Ze'ev Drori at the helm as the company's newly named CEO.

Drori, a car enthusiast and well-known entrepreneur in Silicon Valley will assume his position on December 3 according to the company chairman Elon Musk, PayPal founder and a major Tesla Motors investor.

Oil Prices Surge, Retreat in Reaction to Pipeline Damage
Oil prices spiked then retreated following damage to a Minnesota pipeline responsible for carrying 14 percent of the imports of domestic crude into the United States.

Chinese Automaker BYD Sets Sights on U.S. Market
BYD Auto Co. of China plans to sell its brand of automobiles in both Europe and the United States by late 2008 or early 2009.

As the latest of the Chinese carmakers to announce its plans to tackle the U.S.

Kia Offers Factory-Certified Used Vehicle Program
Beginning in 2008 Kia Motors America Inc. will begin offering factory-certified used cars and trucks, the last full-line automaker to do so.

Kia, which Kelley Blue Book and Automotive Lease Guide rank under the industry average for residual value in 2008, hopes the program will make consumers familiar with the brand and increase the long-term value of their vehicles.

Salinas Group, Chinese FAW to Produce Cars in Mexico
On November 23 a business conglomerate in Mexico announced plans to import Chinese cars into Mexico starting in 2008 and to begin building the vehicles there in partnership with a Chinese firm by 2010.

Chrysler Plans Three Bold Concepts for Detroit Show
In January at the Detroit auto show Chrysler LLC plans to unveil a trio of concept vehicles featuring cleanly performing powertrains and long driving ranges.

Mitsubishi Announced Outlander, Lancer Engine Changes
Mitsubishi has announced that the 2008 Outlander ES will be outfitted with a 2.4-liter, 168 hp, four-cylinder engine rather than the the 3-liter, 220 hp, V6 that has been used since the vehicle's introduction in 2006.

Chrysler Announces Hybrids, Start/Stop Tech in L.A.
At the annual Los Angeles Auto Show, Chrysler LLC introduced two new hybrids and announced that start/stop technology will soon be available on a portion of its stable of vehicles.

Pelosi Calls for Fuel Standards Legislation by Year's End
Although Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) wanted to see energy legislation enacted before the Thanksgiving break, she is now saying raised economy standards for fuel would make a nice "Christmas present" for the American public.

Concepts and Hybrids to Highlight LA Auto Show
With the 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show set to open November 16 and run through November 25 at the LA Convention Center, concept cars from foreign automakers and hybrids of all flavors are set to be this year's show-stealers.

Ford UAW Workers Approve Contract
By an announced margin of almost 4 to 1, the United Auto Workers rank and file ratified the labor contract hammered out by their leadership and the Ford Motor Co.

Ford Design Unit Reconceptualizing Global Look
Ford Motor Co. is undergoing a shift to a worldwide design for its brand, to be achieved by both a restructuring of its design unit under the direction of J Mays and the potential sale of its luxury brands.

GM to Build Compact Mini for Chevrolet
Chevrolet's adding a new compact minivan to it's lineup for the 2009 model year, according to news from GM. .

Currently code-named MPV-7, the new car will be derived from the newest generation of another GM minivan, the Opel Zafira, though it will not be an exact copy.

Ford to Retain, Improve Volvo
In the wake of third quarter losses that still represented an improvement for the Ford Motor Company over 2006, the automaker has said it will retain the Volvo brand for the time being.

Third Quarter Earning Reflect Ford's Restructuring Efforts
Although Ford Motor Co. posted a net loss of $380 million for the third quarter, revenue for the period grew to $41.1 billion, an improvement from the figure of $37.1 billion a year ago.

GM Posts 3Q Loss of $39 Billion
General Motors posted a third-quarter net loss of $39 billion today, translating to $68.85 per share, compared to the 2006 figures of $147 million for 26 cents per share.

Clinton Outlines Dramatic Fuel Efficiency Plan
The cornerstone of Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton's plan for energy and climate change is a call for 55 mpg fuel efficiency by 2030.

The goal, far more ambitious than current levels being debated by Congress, would help to achieve an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 from levels measured in 1990.

Ford, UAW Contract Set to Go to the Membership
The tentative agreement reached between the Ford Motor Co. and the United Auto Workers union should face a smooth road to approval.

The proposed contract, which includes both product commitments for the future and job guarantees will go to the membership for ratification after national UAW leaders meet with shop chairs and local presidents to review the contract details.

Foreign Car Sales Improving in U.S.
Volkswagen. Audi. Mazda. What do these three models have in common? While Detroit news is all about American car companies stuck in trade negotiations, cutting jobs, and deleting models from their lineups, Volkswagen and their subsidiary, Audi, have both posted improved United States sales through the month of October.

Chrysler Cuts Jobs and Models
Chrysler LLC announced today that it will cut between 8,500 and 10,000 hourly jobs by the end of 2008 and remove four models from its stable of vehicles.