Employee Discounts Are Driving Consumers Away From Captive Financing   29 Jul 2005 14:40 GMT
The employee discount programs being offered by the Big Three are moving some consumers away from financing through the manufacturers' captive financing arms, according to the Power Information Network (PIN). PIN finds that the percentage of consumers using the Big Three's captive ...
Source: CarKB

Infiniti Begins Vehicle Sales in Korea   29 Jul 2005 14:36 GMT
Nissan Korea Co., Ltd. today celebrated its official Infiniti launch in the Korean market in conjunction with the opening of a new luxury showroom, the first of four showrooms scheduled to open in Korea in the next few months. The initial lineup of Infiniti vehicles, which go on ...
Source: CarKB

Mazda Adopts More Eco-Friendly Painting Process   29 Jul 2005 14:33 GMT
In collaboration with the Nippon Paint Company, Mazda Motor Corporation has developed a new electrodeposition basecoat--known as e-coating--that substantially reduces both volatile organic compounds (VOC) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Raising Mazda’s painting process to a ...
Source: CarKB

Automakers must report serious recalls to dealers within 3 days   29 Jul 2005 14:30 GMT
Harry Stoffer at Autoweek reports that under a new federal rule, an automaker must notify its dealers within three days if the company plans to recall a vehicle with a defect that poses "an immediate and substantial threat" to safety. Such a notice effectively stops sales of the ...
Source: CarKB

Young Enthusiasts Get Fueled Up For Driving Fun With New BMW 6 Series Car   29 Jul 2005 14:26 GMT
Young performance drivers can cruise through the frenzied terrain of the playground in luxury style in the new BMW 6 Series Convertible Kids' Car. Detailed with BMW precision, the single-seater will put a spark in the eye of little tikes everywhere with its sporty design and fun ...
Source: CarKB

Shake-Up at DaimlerChrysler   29 Jul 2005 04:00 GMT
Dieter Zetsche, a well-regarded executive who turned around the money-losing Chrysler division, will succeed Jürgen Schrempp as chairman of DaimlerChrysler.
Source: NY Times

Porsche Will Build Fourth Model Line: Porsche Panamera   28 Jul 2005 12:56 GMT
The Supervisory Board and the Board of Management of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, gave their approval today for the development and production of another Porsche model line. To be called Panamera, the new car will be a premium-class sports coupe with four seats, four ...
Source: CarKB

E.P.A. Holds Back Report on Car Fuel Efficiency   28 Jul 2005 04:00 GMT
An embargoed report shows that loopholes have allowed automakers to produce vehicles that are significantly less fuel efficient than they were in the late 1980's.
Source: NY Times

Chairman of DaimlerChrysler Announces Plans to Step Down   28 Jul 2005 04:00 GMT
Jürgen Schrempp spearheaded the merger of Daimler-Benz and Chrysler but struggled to make the combination profitable.
Source: NY Times

California Governor Signs 'Car Buyer's Bill of Rights'   27 Jul 2005 13:37 GMT
The California Motor Car Dealers Association (CMCDA) announced that Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 68 (Montanez) this afternoon. The comprehensive measure approved today was the product of countless hours of negotiations between the Governor's office, legislative leaders, ...
Source: CarKB