News By Topic: Automobile Manufacturers

Fiat: We Dont Want To Sell To GM

Mar 7, 2003

ROME March 7, 2003; AP reported that Fiat SpA chairman Umberto Agnelli says he hopes never to use an option to sell his company's auto unit to General Motors Corp., and wants instead to pursue cooperation with the Detroit automaker. In 2000, Fiat struck a deal with GM, selling 20 percent of its auto operations with a p ... Continue reading

Review: 2003 VW Eurovan

Mar 7, 2003

THE AUTO PAGE By JOHN HEILIG SPECIFICATIONS MODEL: Volkswagen EuroVan MV ENGINE: 2.8-liter V6 HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 201 hp @ 6200 rpm/181 lb-ft @ 2500-5500 rpm TRANSMISSION: 4-speed automatic WHEELBASE: 115.0 in. LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT: 188.5 x 72.4 x 76.4 in. STICKER PRICE: $31,650 There's no denying that Volkswagen (an ... Continue reading

Chrysler Group President Stresses Need at SAE Congress for 'New Breed' of Engineers for Next Era of Automotive Industry

Mar 7, 2003

Dieter Zetsche Prescribes Equation of Passion for the Product and Science of Engineering as Keys to Success DETROIT, March 6 -- Dieter Zetsche, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chrysler Group, today paid homage to the legendary "car guys" of years past, such as Walter P. Chrysler, Gottleib Daimler and Soich ... Continue reading

D'Arcy Detroit to Unveil New Name, Business Model On March 11

Mar 7, 2003

A multi-disciplinary agency focused exclusively on General Motors business WHO: Patrick J. Sherwood, chief executive officer Gary Topolewski, chief creative officer D. Stanley Fields III, chief operating officer Mike Bentley, director, account planning WHAT: The Publicis Groupe launches a new organization dedicated to ... Continue reading

2003.5 MAZDASPEED Protege to Hit Dealerships in April

Mar 7, 2003

- Exterior and Interior Upgrades Improve Car's Appeal - IRVINE, Calif., March 6 -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced product information and pricing for the new and improved 2003.5 MAZDASPEED Protege. Updated exterior and interior components highlight the new model, giving it an edgier look to go w ... Continue reading

2003 'Spring Break Tuner' Bash Presented by Chevrolet, March 21-22, Hottest Ticket in Daytona Beach

Mar 7, 2003

LOS ANGELES, March 7 -- PRIMEDIA's Super Street and eurotuner Magazines, announce the 3rd annual "Spring Break Tuner Bash" presented by Chevrolet, March 21 & 22 in Daytona Beach, FL. Once again, this free event which includes a car show and interactive exhibits, will be held at The Plaza Resort & Spa (600 N. Atlantic B ... Continue reading

Ducati Announces New Head of Communications

Mar 7, 2003

BOLOGNA, Italy, March 7 -- Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. , a leading manufacturer of high performance motorcycles, announced a new structure in the communication area of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. Today Francesco Rapisarda has been appointed Head of Communications of Ducati Motor Holding. Having arrived in Ducati Corse ... Continue reading

AutoWeek Magazine Announces 2003 Editors' Choice Awards From The Geneva International Motor Show

Mar 7, 2003

*Audi, Pininfarina, Bertone and Lamborghini Top This Year's Awards* DETROIT, March 7 -- AutoWeek has announced its 2003 Editors' Choice Awards from the Geneva International Motor Show, which each year inaugurates the European auto show season. For more than a decade, the AutoWeek Editors' Choice Awards have recognized ... Continue reading

March GoldStar Lease Award Winners

Mar 7, 2003

CAMPBELL, Calif., March 7 -- Each month, carmakers entice consumers with attractive new car lease rates. And each month IntelliChoice, a PRIMEDIA company that develops and distributes consumer automobile pricing, specifications, and ownership and leasing cost data, recognizes manufacturer leases with the lowest rates a ... Continue reading

Ward's Reports Estimated North American Vehicle Production

Mar 7, 2003

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 7 -- Vehicle production this week in the U.S., Canada and Mexico is expected to hit an estimated 336,627 units, down from the 342,413 cars and trucks built last week, according to Ward's Automotive Reports. Including this week's estimates, calendar year North American output now totals 3,144,22 ... Continue reading

New Chrysler Program Helps Parents Safely Ease Their Teens Into Driving

Mar 6, 2003

Survey Shows Most Parents Cite Driving Safety as a Top Concern, Know Their Teens Engage in High-Risk Driving Behaviors WASHINGTON, March 6 -- Six out of ten parents say driving safety is a top concern when it comes to their teens -- far outranking fears such as pregnancy, suicide, and drug and alcohol abuse(1) accordin ... Continue reading

Jury Finds for Ford in Sudden Acceleration Suit

Mar 6, 2003

DEARBORN, Mich. & SAN JOSE, Calif.--March 6, 2003-- On Friday, February 28, a Sacramento County jury returned a verdict in favor of Ford Motor Company, finding that a 1989 Ford Taurus had no defect in the design of its cruise control system, door latch and seat belt, as claimed by Carolyn Watts. The jury returned its v ... Continue reading

Experts Foresee Decline in Heavy-Duty Vehicle Market Share for Diesel

Mar 6, 2003

PASADENA, Calif.--March 6, 2003-- Prime Challengers Include Truck Systems Powered by Natural Gas, Hybrid Technology, According to a Survey Conducted at the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Conference Over the next decade, a market forecast by industry experts predicts that diesel fuel and engines will not maintain their near ... Continue reading

Nissan Giving Out Record Worker Bonuses

Mar 6, 2003

TOKYO March 6, 2003; AP is reporteing that Nissan Motor Co. is doling out a record bonus to its Japanese workers this year, and two other leading Japanese automakers are in talks with unions demanding similar hefty bonuses reflecting roaring profits. Nissan, Japan's second-largest automaker, has agreed to its union's d ... Continue reading

ZAP Electric Transportation, the Answer to Rising Oil Prices

Mar 6, 2003

Rent an Electric Vehicle for $5 a Day SEBASTOPOL, Calif., March 6 -- With gas prices rising over $2 per gallon in many parts of the U.S., electric vehicle pioneer ZAP (BULLETIN BOARD: ZAPZ) wants to help people save money by renting out its ZAP vehicles for as low as $5 a day. ZAP rents its vehicles as a way to educate ... Continue reading