News By Topic: Automobile Manufacturers

Volkswagen Reports U.S. Sales for June 2003

Jul 1, 2003

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 1 -- Volkswagen of America, Inc. reported U.S. sales of 25,808 new cars for the month of June, off 21 percent when compared to last year's June sales of 32,659. For the year, Volkswagen has sold 145,958 cars compared to 170,019 a year ago. ... Continue reading

Ford Motor Company Reports June and First Half U.S. Sales

Jul 1, 2003

* Full-size trucks and premium sport utility vehicles continue to pace Ford's U.S. sales * Small cars and small sport utility vehicles also post higher sales * U.S. economy and auto sales poised for stronger second half DEARBORN, Mich., July 1 -- U.S. customers purchased or leased 311,252 cars and trucks from Ford , Me ... Continue reading

Nissan North America Reports June 2003 Sales

Jul 1, 2003

GARDENA, Calif.--July 1, 2003--Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) reported June total sales of 68,799 for its Nissan and Infiniti divisions, a 21.5 percent increase versus June of last year. NNA reports selling 376,601 units calendar year-to-date, a 0.9 percent increase from last year at this time. NISSAN HIGHLIGHTS -- N ... Continue reading

Porsche Cars North America Reports June U.S. Sales; Second Best June in PCNA History

Jul 1, 2003

ATLANTA, July 1 -- Porsche Cars North America, Inc., (PCNA), importer and distributor of Porsche sports cars (Boxster, 911 and Cayenne) in the United States, today announced U.S. retail sales for June totaled 2,711 cars, an increase of 27 percent compared to the same period last year. It was the second best U.S. June s ... Continue reading

New Ford Focus C-Max production begins

Jul 1, 2003

www.autoindex.org Click 4 More from AutoIndex Initial production of the new Ford Focus C-MAX began on Friday at Ford’s assembly plant in Saarlouis, Germany. The new model is due to go on sale in the autumn of 2003 and will be offered in 33 European countries. Ford plans to manufacture 96,000 new Focus C-MAX vehic ... Continue reading

Japan: New Models Raise Auto Sales

Jul 1, 2003

TOKYO, July 1, 2003; Chang-Ran Kim writing for Reuters reported that a flood of new models helped vehicle sales in Japan grow in the first six months of the year, but only slightly, and analysts saw few prospects of higher growth ahead without a pick-up in dormant consumer spending. Sales of new cars, trucks and buses ... Continue reading

Exports Drive Korean Car Sales

Jul 1, 2003

SEOUL July 1, 2003; Jean Yoon wrting for Reuters reported that South Korean auto makers, led by Hyundai Motor Co, reported on Tuesday that sales of cars motored ahead in the first half of the year, driven by higher exports to the key U.S. market, despite a drop in domestic sales. Racy new models, improved quality and h ... Continue reading

Fiat To Become Independent Company?

Jul 1, 2003

MILAN, July 1, 2003; Reuters reports that Italy's Fiat wants to turn its ailing carmaker into a "profitable independent auto manufacturer" and an option to sell it to General Motors is only a "secondary possibility", Fiat said in an SEC filing. In a document dated June 30, said Fiat it may need to sell more assets and ... Continue reading

Land Rover Launches Comprehensive Marketing Campaign

Jul 1, 2003

IRVINE, Calif., July 1 -- Land Rover North America announced today it will launch an extensive marketing campaign targeting its flagship Range Rover. For the first time in over five years, Land Rover will run a national TV campaign, coupled with print, website, outdoor and event marketing activities throughout the summ ... Continue reading

Nissan To Unveil Device That Cools, Cleans Air

Jul 1, 2003

WASHINGTON June 30, 2003; Dow Jones reported that Japan's Nissan Motor Co. and Sharp Corp. jointly developed a car air-conditioner that also cleans air inside the car, the major daily Yomiuri Shimbun reported on its Web site Monday. The two companies claim that the device that both cools down and sanitizes air is the f ... Continue reading

Hyundai Extends Electric Vehicle Testing Program Through 2005

Jul 1, 2003

- Hyundai Continues Real-World Test of Electric Vehicles in Honolulu, Hawaii To Refine Fast-Charging Technology - ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 30 -- Hyundai Motor Company and the state of Hawaii announced a two-year extension of the Hawaii Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program (HEVDP). The program began in July 2001 as a pa ... Continue reading

Ginseng Forest, Inc. Announces Completed Merger With Carroll Shelby

Jul 1, 2003

Ginseng Forest, Inc. Soon to Be Called Carroll Shelby International Inc. Completes Its Transaction With Carroll Shelby's Licensing And Automobile Companies LOS ANGELES, June 30 -- Ginseng Forest (BULLETIN BOARD: GSGF) announced today that it has successfully completed the agreement to acquire Carroll Shelby Licensing I ... Continue reading

Globalization, New Technology, New Products Bring New Dynamic To Japan's Auto Markets

Jul 1, 2003

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Japan's vehicle market is developing a new dynamic based on rapid globalization and a race for new products and new environmental technology according to Japan Auto Trends, newsletter of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). According to the newsletter, new models, exciting new f ... Continue reading

Ford Credit to Exit Auto Leasing in Rhode Island in October

Jul 1, 2003

DEARBORN, Mich., June 30 -- Ford Credit today announced that it plans to exit automobile leasing in Rhode Island in October 2003, in response to an outdated law that holds finance companies responsible for accidents involving their leasing customers. Rhode Island's vicarious liability law has resulted in significant pa ... Continue reading

BorgWarner Chain Technology Helps Deliver First Chain-Driven Power Take-Off Unit To Marketplace

Jul 1, 2003

CHICAGO, June 30 -- The first chain-driven power take-off unit (PTU) offered to the marketplace will contain technology developed by BorgWarner Morse TEC and will help enable the all-wheel drive capability of Volvo's first SUV, the XC90. BorgWarner's rocker-joint style HyVo(R) chain provides the transfer of torque with ... Continue reading