Fwd: WEEKLY: Toyota starts to fight back; Drought ends; Average Joe can get a car loan

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From: "Automotive News" <autonews@e.ccialerts.com>
Date: February 21, 2010 11:16:13 PM MST
To: rpaglia@gmail.com
Subject: WEEKLY: Toyota starts to fight back; Drought ends; Average Joe can get a car loan
Reply-To: "Automotive News" <support-bu7cr71a2geh96bdss685aqge7ehjx@e.ccialerts.com>

CLICK HERE TO OPEN THIS NEWSLETTER IN A WEB BROWSER Feb. 22, 2010 Automotive News digital edition for Feb. 22, 2010 EDITOR'S PICKS TOYOTA IN CRISIS Toyota starts to fight back Company argues that overall safety record is normal Tired of the flood of negative reports from the government and media, Toyota's U.S. executives are mounting a new and more vigorous defense of the company's tarnished safety record. Company officials argue Toyota is being punished unfairly for a level of long-term safety performance that is well within industry norms. Last week they cited consumer complaint statistics to defend Toyota's record.  FULL STORY  Drought ends; Average Joe can get a car loan The worst of the crisis in retail automotive financing has passed. Late last year, lenders began extending more loans to car buyers -- even some with weak credit histories -- and to dealers. Late in 2008 and for most of 2009, even customers with good credit had trouble financing a car purchase. But now auto lenders are somewhat freer with their money, dealers say.  FULL STORY  GENEVA AUTO SHOW PREVIEW Geneva gets smaller — and more practical Spotlight shifts to green vehicles for the real world A year ago, the 32 world debuts at the Geneva auto show belied the industry crisis moving from North America to Europe. A year later, reality has reached Geneva. This year's show, with 25 concept and production debuts, is more modest, more focused on real-world possibilities and increasingly environmental. Even high-performance brands such as Ferrari and Porsche have bowed to the trend to be...  FULL STORY  GM priority is profit, not all-out production General Motors Co. and its dealers are adjusting to a new reality: It's OK to miss some sales in the name of profits. GM is squeezing all the vehicles it can out of its existing plants instead of hurrying to restart idle plants, even though an improving economy this year could push demand past GM's forecast. Meanwhile, dealers are learning to operate without lots bloated with ready-to-sell...  FULL STORY  AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE CONGRESS European auto leaders will discuss industry challenges at ANE Congress European auto industry leaders including the heads of Opel, Ford of Europe and Saab-Spyker will speak at the Automotive News Europe Congress in June. The theme of this year's Congress is "Solutions After a Crisis: Navigating out of a European Downturn."  FULL STORY  Big trucks: First gain in 3 years Sales of medium- and heavy-duty trucks rose in January for the first gain in three years. The rise in commercial-truck sales, a leading economic indicator, may point to an improving economy. Sales rose 3 percent in January from the year-earlier level to 17,557 trucks. The last rise in commercial-truck sales was in January 2007.  FULL STORY  DEALERS NEWS ANALYSIS Software may end showroom haggling Two software applications unveiled at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention last week could change the way trade-ins and new-car pricing are handled online. Automotive Web sites took the car retailing process to the Internet years ago, but most still require interaction with a car salesman at some point. That could all change.  FULL STORY  Public retailers will invest more With signs of improvement for auto sales, some of the industry's biggest retailers are ready to invest again. AutoNation Inc., Group 1 Automotive Inc. and Asbury Automotive Group Inc. all say they will increase capital expenditures in 2010. In AutoNation's case, COO Michael Maroone is eyeing a record investment amount: $150 million, double 2009 spending.  FULL STORY  Crossovers are key to BMW pursuit of Lexus Lexus widened its lead over BMW as the best-selling luxury brand in the United States last year. But BMW's top U.S. executive aims to overtake his rival in 2011 or 2012 after three new crossovers are introduced. "Ask me in 2011 and I will say we have a chance," Jim O'Donnell, CEO of BMW of North America, said at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention.  FULL STORY  Dealership bankruptcies soar in Japan The global financial crisis isn't hammering auto dealers in just the United States. Bankruptcies of dealership companies in Japan shot up 28 percent last year as economic hard times hit sales. The number of dealerships going bust reached 50 in 2009, up from 39 the year before, according to a study by Teikoku Databank Ltd., a Japanese market research company.  FULL STORY  GM calls for more ethanol stations General Motors Co.'s growing output of vehicles capable of running on ethanol-gasoline blends won't help cut polluting emissions or U.S. dependence on foreign oil until a slim network of ethanol stations is greatly expanded, said Tom Stephens, GM's vice chairman for global product operations.  FULL STORY  Hyundai plans to increase U.S. share this year Hyundai Motor Co. aims to increase its U.S. market share to 4.5 percent this year from 4.2 percent in 2009, propelled by product launches and aggressive marketing. Hyundai, one of the few brands to increase sales in the battered U.S. market last year, sees a "really good chance" that U.S. sales will break 500,000 vehicles for the first time in 2010, U.S. sales chief Dave Zuchowski said.  FULL STORY  Sears recruits rejected dealers Retail giant Sears Holdings Corp. hopes to expand its Sears Auto Center network by recruiting former auto dealers as franchisees. The Independent Sears Auto Center franchise program allows dealers who lost their General Motors Co. or Chrysler Group franchises to operate as licensed Sears Auto Centers.  FULL STORY  NADA CONVENTION Business, bonding and blues Auto people like to talk business -- and party. At the NADA convention in Orlando, they got both, although the party scene was subdued -- befitting a lean industry still climbing out of a nasty recession.  FULL STORY  NADA CONVENTION Hyundai ups Tucson build for U.S. Hyundai Motor Co. will boost Tucson production in South Korea to meet rising demand for the redesigned crossover, said John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America. In December, Hyundai introduced a new-generation Tucson with a sportier design and drivetrain in an attempt to appeal to singles and young couples. Hyundai's U.S. retailers sold 2,216 Tucsons in January, up from 974 in the same month...  FULL STORY  NADA CONVENTION CEO: Asbury's lean, looking to buy stores Charles Oglesby says 2010 is looking up. The CEO of Asbury Automotive Group Inc. said the public group has planned its business around flat volume but expects sales to increase, particularly when warm weather arrives.  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP COLUMNISTS KEITH CRAIN NADA proves cooperation is still king There was some remarkable dialogue between manufacturers and their franchised dealers this month at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Orlando. Of course, there were notable exceptions of companies not in attendance -- manufacturers that don't seem to see their dealers as equal partners. Instead, they see them as outlets to sell vehicles and do the factory's bidding. But,...  FULL STORY  HANS GREIMEL Have Toyota execs learned from the recall ... of 2006? Akio Toyoda and Shinichi Sasaki hold a press conference, apologize for a rash of recalls and then explain how Toyota Motor Corp. will improve quality so it never happens again. If you think this scene sounds familiar from last week, try four years ago Hans Greimel is Asia editor of Automotive News.  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP FINANCE & INSURANCE Hyundai-Kia captive steps up leasing, financing It may be easier for Hyundai and Kia dealers to close deals this year as the finance arm serving both brands offers more enticing leasing and financing offers. Hyundai Capital America President Michael Buckingham also said he's making loans to customers with lower credit scores.  FULL STORY  FINANCE & INSURANCE Panel: Reliable lenders are critical New models and hot-selling brands are nice. But what dealers need to keep the auto industry going is a steady source of customer financing from committed lenders, say some of the nation's largest auto retailers. "We need a finance company," said Tammy Darvish, a second-generation Chrysler dealer and vice president of Darcars Automotive Group in Silver Spring, Md. Darvish was part of a dealer...  FULL STORY  Forecast: Lenders want more up front, leaving less for F&I Dealerships will continue to find that lenders remain unwilling to front as much money toward car loans as they used to, making sales of aftermarket products by the finance and insurance office a challenge. That's the dim forecast from senior executives from top auto lending institutions who were interviewed this month during the National Automobile Dealers Association convention.  FULL STORY  FINANCE & INSURANCE Wachovia will become Wells Fargo; growth expected Wachovia Dealer Services saw double-digit growth in its dealer client base last year and expects double-digit growth again in 2010 as the division is renamed Wells Fargo Dealer Services. Wells Fargo intends to increase retail and commercial lending services for auto dealerships. It has more than 200 salespeople handling 60 to 80 dealerships each.  FULL STORY  Ford offers dealers free F&I training Ford Motor Co. has hired MarketSource to provide free finance and insurance training to dealerships, the automaker told dealers at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention. The goal is for dealers to sell more extended service plans and other F&I products.  FULL STORY  Extended service plan launched Auto lender Santander Consumer USA began offering an extended service contract program in January and eventually will launch its own GAP, or guaranteed automotive protection, plan that helps pay off the loan if a customer's vehicle is totaled or stolen.  FULL STORY  Zurich debuts e-contracting Zurich North America has introduced a process that allows dealerships to remit insurance products such as vehicle service contracts over the Internet. Zurich already offers dealers a Web-based system for quoting prices on its contracts.  FULL STORY  Ford Credit expands e-contracting Ford Motor Credit Co. is expanding its e-contracting program this year to dealers in 12 states. The program now is available in eight states and will be nationwide by 2012, officials said at the NADA convention.  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP AUTOMAKERS AND SUPPLIERS Fiat's Russia deal: 150,000 Jeeps a year? A Fiat joint venture plant in Russia will build 150,000 Jeeps per year, says the venture's Russian partner. But Fiat and Chrysler aren't commenting. On Feb. 11, Fiat S.p.A. signed a deal to expand its joint venture with Sollers to build as many as 500,000 vehicles a year by 2016. Fiat owns 20 percent of Chrysler Group.  FULL STORY  Mercury is likely to revive Tracer name for small car Mercury will get a small car off the platform of the redesigned Ford Focus, Ford officials have confirmed. Ford Motor Co. executives told dealers this month at the make meeting at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention that the car will reach showrooms in 2011, the same year as the Focus.  FULL STORY  QUESTION & ANSWER Pickens sees natural gas as a natural for big trucks T. Boone Pickens says the United States never has had an energy policy. No matter. The 81-year-old Texas oil and gas billionaire crafted one. And he expects passage this spring of federal legislation enabling a chunk of it -- fueling big trucks with natural gas. He spoke with reporters last week at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention.  FULL STORY  Global platforms could shake up suppliers A new shakeout of the North American supply base could be under way as automakers focus on global vehicle platforms, an industry consultant says. The race to compete in this industry dictates global platforms, says James Ricci. That creates opportunities for the best-positioned suppliers -- but undermines ones that aren't global.  FULL STORY  OPINION Toyota's solution: Old plan in search of a new result In announcing the latest solution for a rapidly disintegrating situation, Toyota last week apologized for past actions, announced the formation of committees and appointed more people to ensure quality is never an oversight again. In essence, it is history repeating itself.  FULL STORY  Daimler cuts dividend; 3 more years for Zetsche Daimler AG scrapped its dividend for the first time in 14 years after swinging to a worse-than-expected 2009 net loss, sending shares down to their lowest level in five months.  FULL STORY  Schweitzer to chair Volvo Truck Volvo Truck Corp.'s election committee unanimously proposed former Renault CEO Louis Schweitzer as board chairman, Reuters reported. Schweitzer, 67, took over as chairman last month after the resignation of Finn Johnsson, who had chaired the board since 2004.  FULL STORY  Plane crash kills 3 Tesla workers Three employees of electric-vehicle maker Tesla Motors were killed Wednesday, Feb. 17, in a crash of a small plane belonging to one of them.  FULL STORY  Ex-GM exec joins Boston-Power Boston-Power Inc., a lithium ion battery maker, named former General Motors executive Robert Purcell Jr., 57, to its board.  FULL STORY  LETTER TO THE EDITOR Toyota will do what must be done As a business owner whose company supplies both Toyota and other OEMs, I have been directly impacted by the recent recall campaign at Toyota. Rather than bog down Congress with a public witch hunt filled with needless grandstanding, I suggest we allow the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to do the job it is commissioned to do and has done effectively in this case.  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP NADA OPINION Letting bygones be gone General Motors Co. and officials with the National Automobile Dealers Association say they've put their disputes behind them. A bond between the two groups now "is nonnegotiable," says Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. That's the right move.  FULL STORY  NADA CONVENTION NADA sales forecast: 11.9 million this year Powered by the improving economy, U.S. sales of cars and light trucks likely will rise 14 percent this year to 11.9 million vehicles and will go higher next year, the chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association predicts.  FULL STORY  NADA CONVENTION Tonkin: NADA will be noticed New chairman says dealers' input will drive group in '10 Dealers who questioned whether the National Automobile Dealers Association adequately defended dealers' interests last year will see a lot more of the group in 2010, said Ed Tonkin, who became NADA chairman Feb. 15. "We have a new attitude that our agenda for NADA must be built from the bottom up, directly from dealer input," Tonkin said at the closing session of the NADA convention last week.  FULL STORY  NADA CONVENTION Business, bonding and blues Auto people like to talk business -- and party. At the NADA convention in Orlando, they got both, although the party scene was subdued -- befitting a lean industry still climbing out of a nasty recession.  FULL STORY  NADA CONVENTION Hyundai ups Tucson build for U.S. Hyundai Motor Co. will boost Tucson production in South Korea to meet rising demand for the redesigned crossover, said John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America. In December, Hyundai introduced a new-generation Tucson with a sportier design and drivetrain in an attempt to appeal to singles and young couples. Hyundai's U.S. retailers sold 2,216 Tucsons in January, up from 974 in the same month...  FULL STORY  NADA CONVENTION CEO: Asbury's lean, looking to buy stores Charles Oglesby says 2010 is looking up. The CEO of Asbury Automotive Group Inc. said the public group has planned its business around flat volume but expects sales to increase, particularly when warm weather arrives.  FULL STORY  NADA CONVENTION What Lithia's DeBoer wants in a carmaker Sid DeBoer, 64, is CEO of Lithia Motors Inc., a publicly traded group of 86 auto dealerships in 12 states. This month Lithia made a preliminary estimate of 2009 sales totaling $1.8 billion to $1.85 billion. The earnings are scheduled to be released Wednesday, Feb. 24. DeBoer spoke during J.D. Power's International Automotive Roundtable just before the National Automobile Dealers' convention.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Ford strives to speed up inventory flow Ford Motor Co. executives told dealers that the automaker is working on ways to get them a steadier supply of products. Ford leaders confirmed here at the make meeting that Mercury will get a new small car in 2011.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Chrysler dealers hunker, wait for products Dealers who attended the Chrysler make meeting are hunkering down, waiting for a wave of new products in the works. They seem to be willing to give the company the benefit of the doubt that a brighter future is ahead. Chrysler engineers have been working on a line of new vehicles based on Fiat platforms. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the last vehicle to share Mercedes-Benz components, is due in...  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Kia aims to boost U.S. sales 10% this year Kia will continue to be aggressive in the United States this year, executives told dealers at the make meeting. The brand is shooting for a 10 percent increase in sales this year and says it has the means to do it. Last year, Kia sold 300,063 vehicles in the United States.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Audi U.S. chief: Profit means more than hitting sales goal Despite Audi's oft-stated plans to sell 200,000 vehicles in the United States by 2018, the luxury brand's North American chief says profitable growth is more important. "We are not going to chase volume for the sake of volume," Johan de Nysschen, president of Audi of America, said after the make meeting. "We will only grow if it puts an extra dollar in the bank. Otherwise it is no good."  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Subaru dealers: We need cars With sales hot and market share rising, the only thing Subaru dealers want is more cars. They can't keep enough in stock, particularly the updated Outback crossover and Legacy sedan, Phil Porter, chairman of the Subaru National Dealer Advisory Board, said after the make meeting.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Volvo can offer 0% after Ford Credit split For the first time in years, Volvo Cars of North America Inc. has competitive 0 percent loans because it dumped Ford Motor Credit Co. financing. Late last year Volvo switched entirely to U.S. Bank for consumer financing because Ford's rates weren't competitive, said Doug Speck, CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. U.S. Bank was already handling Volvo's lease financing, he said.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS After quiet '09, Mazda will crank up ads After an erratic marketing effort in 2009, Mazda North American Operations promised its dealers that "we will not be dark" during 2010, or at least for the first six months. Mike Morais, chairman of the Mazda National Dealer Advisory Council, said Mazda Motor Corp. has marked North America as its "primary target" in the coming year.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Suzuki will share Kizashi launch budget Realizing it can't compete against the big players in mid-sized sedans, Suzuki has taken half of its $30 million marketing budget for the crucial Kizashi sedan launch this year and given it to the dealers, said Kevin Saito, president of American Suzuki Motor Corp.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Dealers pose tough questions for Toyota But post-meeting ire is reserved for media, government Toyota's make meeting was not as contentious as some dealers had expected. But with the company mired in quality problems, dealers asked plenty of tough questions. For example, they wanted to know how long Toyota had known about the safety defects that led to recalls and how the controversy would affect dealer business.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS For Nissan, more models, better floorplan rates Nissan dealers devoted most of their make meeting to talking about new products coming this year. But dealers also heard of plans to boost inventories of older trucks. Dealers have clamored for more Frontier and Titan pickups and full-sized Armada SUVs -- all of which had factory volumes slashed after the light-truck market began shrinking in 2007.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Land Rover promises small SUV in 2011 A new, smaller SUV for Land Rover will go on sale late in the third quarter of 2011, Land Rover announced to dealers at a breakfast meeting. The SUV, based on the LRX concept, debuts at the Paris auto show this fall and will be seen first in the United States in December at the Los Angeles auto show.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS BMW is big Olympic advertiser BMW Group is using the Winter Olympics to launch a marketing campaign to convince shoppers that BMWs are engineered well but are fun to drive, too. George Sharpe Sr., chairman of the BMW Dealer Forum and president of Sharpe BMW in Grand Rapids, Mich., said the brand's make meeting was upbeat -- as might be expected, given the average 2.5 percent net margin on sales that BMW's 378 dealers obtained...  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Jag dealers hear about future under Tata As the second anniversary of the brand's sale to India's Tata approaches, Jaguar dealers heard repeated assertions at a breakfast meeting that the future is bright. Gary Temple, president of Jaguar Land Rover North America, conveyed the parent company's belief that the U.S. market is the "bellwether for Jaguar, Land Rover and other luxury brands" whose success in the United States reflects what...  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS VW restates goal: Double U.S. sales by 2012 Volkswagen Group of America reaffirmed its goal to sell 450,000 cars in the United States by 2012 at the make meeting. That's a big jump from 2009, when VW sold 213,454 vehicles. But VWoA management says new product introductions, including a redesigned Jetta and an all-new mid-sized sedan out of its new Chattanooga, Tenn., plant, will make that target achievable.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Acura ups spiffs till hybrids arrive A sharp sales slide and Acura's decision to cancel rear-drive V-8 vehicles have dealers wondering whether the brand ever will reach Tier 1 luxury status. But Acura officials tried to convince dealers at the make meeting that the new plan -- relying on hybrids -- will succeed.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Honda wants to help dealers boost margins Honda dealers aim to improve their profit margins, increase conquest sales and keep their image separate from the tarring that Toyota has taken of late. John Mendel, American Honda Motor Co.'s executive vice president, said the company will try to give dealers "more below the line" in terms of profit margins not visible to consumer Web sites.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS GM promises to fix parts shortages General Motors Co.'s dealers have complained of repair parts shortages, but that problem should end this year, executives told dealers at an invitation-only luncheon. Dealers say back-ordered parts range from engine motor mounts for Northstar V-8 engines to steering rack-and-pinion assemblies for large crossovers to trim items for Hummers.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS M launch is Infiniti's key event for '10 Infiniti plans a large national advertising push this spring to support its 2011 M sedan, which will be the brand's primary focus in 2010, dealers were told at the make meeting. Dealers are counting on the car for added sales and to bring new attention to the brand. Infiniti sales were down 6 percent in January compared with a year ago.  FULL STORY  NADA MAKE MEETINGS Porsche will end spiffs; under VW, it's 'business as normal' Porsche Cars North America says it has slashed its inventories in half in the past few months to about 45 days and expects to end incentive spending by the end of March. "We were oversupplied across the board, and those inventory levels are pretty balanced again," said COO Michael Bartsch.  FULL STORY  advertisement BACK TO TOP MARKETING Dealers and social media: Promise, pitfalls Retailers learn tech tools to get closer to customers Ford dealer Wendell Barron spent much of his time at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention trying to understand the social media marketing craze sweeping the industry. The closest he had come to social media before was a Facebook page that his wife created for him. But Barron joined hundreds of other dealers learning about social media and evaluating a dizzying array of products.  FULL STORY  Honda saves face on Facebook after cross words for Crosstour Automakers that want to join social media communities have to play by the social media rules. That can mean taking the bad with the good -- and occasionally losing control of the message. Nowhere was this more apparent than when Honda created a Facebook page in September to unveil its new Accord Crosstour people hauler. Unfortunately for Honda, the photo used to accompany the Crosstour was not...  FULL STORY  Chrysler dealers like new ads Chrysler Group's new dealer council got a peek at some new advertising last week and was pleased to see messages focused more on selling cars. Some dealers had been unhappy with recent ads geared toward brand-building, such as a Jeep spot that showed clocks but no Jeeps.  FULL STORY  Fisker hires ad agency Fisker Automotive has hired Lambesis, of Carlsbad, Calif., as its global advertising agency of record.  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP PEOPLE QUESTION & ANSWER Pickens sees natural gas as a natural for big trucks T. Boone Pickens says the United States never has had an energy policy. No matter. The 81-year-old Texas oil and gas billionaire crafted one. And he expects passage this spring of federal legislation enabling a chunk of it -- fueling big trucks with natural gas. He spoke with reporters last week at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention.  FULL STORY  Schweitzer to chair Volvo Truck Volvo Truck Corp.'s election committee unanimously proposed former Renault CEO Louis Schweitzer as board chairman, Reuters reported. Schweitzer, 67, took over as chairman last month after the resignation of Finn Johnsson, who had chaired the board since 2004.  FULL STORY  Plane crash kills 3 Tesla workers Three employees of electric-vehicle maker Tesla Motors were killed Wednesday, Feb. 17, in a crash of a small plane belonging to one of them.  FULL STORY  Ex-GM exec joins Boston-Power Boston-Power Inc., a lithium ion battery maker, named former General Motors executive Robert Purcell Jr., 57, to its board.  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP REMARKETING M-B device aids end-of-lease inspections Wireless hand-held devices used by Mercedes-Benz dealerships to inspect new vehicles before they are delivered to customers now can be used to inspect vehicles at the end of their leases.  FULL STORY  TOYOTA IN CRISIS Some customers take hits on Toyota trade-ins Last week Todd Caputo had a customer who wanted to get rid of a 2009 Toyota Camry with 10,000 miles. The customer's wife refused to drive it because it was part of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.'s massive recall. Caputo, a Chittenango, N.Y., Chevrolet dealer, offered the man $12,000 toward the purchase of a 2009 Hyundai Sonata with 5,000 miles on it. The customer owed about $20,000 on the Camry...  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY TOYOTA IN CRISIS Toyota starts to fight back Company argues that overall safety record is normal Tired of the flood of negative reports from the government and media, Toyota's U.S. executives are mounting a new and more vigorous defense of the company's tarnished safety record. Company officials argue Toyota is being punished unfairly for a level of long-term safety performance that is well within industry norms. Last week they cited consumer complaint statistics to defend Toyota's record.  FULL STORY  Lawmakers focus on Tacoma complaints NHTSA records suggest unintended acceleration cases were more than 'minor drivability issues' When lawmakers question Toyota President Akio Toyoda and other Toyota Motor Corp. executives this week, they will be honing in on how the automaker handled the high number of safety-related complaints about its Tacoma pickup truck. In 2008, Toyota said hundreds of unintended-acceleration complaints about the Tacoma reflected "minor drivability issues and are not indicative of a safety-related...  FULL STORY  GM's next pickups: More technology General Motors Co. will add technology to its next generation of full-sized pickups, including adaptive cruise control and Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, GM may offer a flexible electronics system that is compatible with a wide range of aftermarket devices beyond MP3 players and mobile phones.  FULL STORY  GM calls for more ethanol stations General Motors Co.'s growing output of vehicles capable of running on ethanol-gasoline blends won't help cut polluting emissions or U.S. dependence on foreign oil until a slim network of ethanol stations is greatly expanded, said Tom Stephens, GM's vice chairman for global product operations.  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP SERVICE & PARTS Lawmakers focus on Tacoma complaints NHTSA records suggest unintended acceleration cases were more than 'minor drivability issues' When lawmakers question Toyota President Akio Toyoda and other Toyota Motor Corp. executives this week, they will be honing in on how the automaker handled the high number of safety-related complaints about its Tacoma pickup truck. In 2008, Toyota said hundreds of unintended-acceleration complaints about the Tacoma reflected "minor drivability issues and are not indicative of a safety-related...  FULL STORY  U.S. regulators were told of Toyota claims in 2004, insurer says The largest U.S. auto insurer alerted regulators earlier than first believed about a worrying trend of accidents involving Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles, while the Obama administration's top transportation official said on Friday he would not relax pressure on the carmaker. Both developments came as Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, readied to fly to Washington in an extraordinary appearance to...  FULL STORY  Most Toyota Financial auction vehicles are repaired, sold or for sale Eight-five percent of the nearly 42,000 vehicles that were affected by the recall and parked at auctions when the company suspended sales in late January have been repaired, sold or are for sale, a Toyota manager said. Those vehicles were owned by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.'s captive finance company.  FULL STORY  Media shy Toyota president faces makeover for U.S. stand After being pilloried for his less-than-perfect English, bowing technique and other bungles, the head of Toyota Motor Corp. will need a crash course in preparing for his debut in the U.S. Congress next week. Akio Toyoda, the grandson of Toyota's founder, has succumbed to pressure to testify before a congressional panel on Wednesday, ending days of uncertainty about how the embattled automaker...  FULL STORY  Akio Toyoda shifts stance, agrees to testify before U.S. House panel Toyota Motor Corp. CEO Akio Toyoda accepted an invitation to testify next week before a congressional committee that is investigating the automaker's safety problems. "I have received Congressman Towns' invitation to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on February 24 and I accept," Toyoda said in an e-mailed statement late Thursday.  FULL STORY  Spyker will need more money to sell more Saabs Spyker will have to raise more cash in order to make its $400-million acquisition of Sweden's Saab sustainably profitable amid gut-wrenching changes in the global automobile industry. Spyker CEO Victor Muller clinched an audacious deal last month to buy Saab, helping it avoid closure, but now the Dutch maker of custom-made sports cars will have to double Saab's production, roll out new models and...  FULL STORY  Secret Toyota records subpoenaed by U.S. House committee A House panel today subpoenaed confidential internal documents that a former Toyota Motor Corp. lawyer has said show that the automaker destroyed legal evidence about SUV rollover accidents. The House Oversight Committee issued the subpoena as part of its investigation into Toyota's problems with unintended acceleration.  FULL STORY  Corolla probe threatens Toyota brand Toyota Motor Corp. braced itself for further damage to its brand as a U.S. probe into power steering complaints in the Corolla heightened chances of another recall. U.S. regulators launched a preliminary investigation today into reported power-steering problems with the second most popular car in the U.S. market, behind Toyota's Camry.  FULL STORY  Sears offering defunct car dealerships auto center franchises Retail giant Sears Holdings Corp. hopes to expand its Sears Auto Center network by recruiting former car dealers as franchisees. Sears said today it is launching the Independent Sears Auto Center franchise program, allowing auto dealers who lost their GM or Chrysler franchises to operate as licensed Sears Auto Centers.  FULL STORY  NHTSA to study Toyota Corolla steering complaints U.S. highway safety officials will begin a formal investigation into electric power steering complaints in the Toyota Corolla, a person familiar with the plan said on Wednesday. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study will focus on vehicles from the 2009 and 2010 model years. In Tokyo earlier Wednesday, the automaker's quality chief, Shinichi Sasaki, said Toyota may consider a...  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP FINAL ASSEMBLY 10 years after Alfa's promised return to the U.S., it's still not here It seems like only yesterday that Fiat got American Alfisti all worked up by declaring that its Alfa Romeo brand would return to the United States. But alas, March 13 will mark the 10th anniversary of that announcement. And it still hasn't happened, although we may be getting closer.  FULL STORY  Some good news for Toyota owners: Cheaper child seats Here's reassurance, of a sort, for Toyota owners afraid that their vehicles might be prone to accidents. They can buckle up their kids for less. Through March, child-seat maker Evenflo is offering a $10 discount to Toyota owners.  FULL STORY  Googling after Toyota in its own backyard Web surfers who Googled "Toyota Corolla Torrance" last week were in for a surprise. At the top of the first Google page was a link to a video from Scott Robinson Honda in Torrance, Calif., which just happens to be the hometown of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.  FULL STORY  Can Forster make British luxury simmer like Bimmer? As CEO of India's Tata Motors, Carl-Peter Forster no doubt will focus intently on Tata's Jaguar Land Rover unit. But Forster, 55, won't be the first BMW-trained German executive to run these two quintessentially English luxury-car brands. A decade ago, Wolfgang Reitzle gave it a shot.  FULL STORY  BACK TO TOP EVENTS WEBINARS JOB LISTINGS June 16, 2010 Novi, Michigan Going Green is no longer an option or marketing ploy. Automotive companies have to raise fuel efficiency and lower emissions to stay in the game. Stricter government mandates are on the way in the United States, Europe and elsewhere. Attend the 2010 Automotive News Green Car Conference and Exhibition on June 16. Hear the industry's top executives discuss the challenges of going green, examine the barriers to meeting stricter standards and identify ways to quicken the progress. Get the information you need most. For details and registration, visit: www.autonews.com/green or call 313-446-0326. Attend the 2010 Automotive News Europe Congress on June 22-23 in Bilbao, Spain. Hear comprehensive pan-European solutions, alternatives and analysis for the most critical issues facing the industry today. Discussion topics include: Finding solutions through technological advances and environmental alternatives; making the right decisions after a crisis, including capacity adjustments and competition; and opportunities through collaboration for OEMs and suppliers. Get the information you need most. For details and registration, visit: www.autonews.com/anecongress or call 313-446-0326. Exclusive Lead Sponsor: Host Sponsor: Scrappage Scenarios: Europe's Automotive Outlook A Year Later With scrappage schemes ending, what is the outlook for 2010? What are the post scrappage plans from automakers? Our speakers Jürgen Stackmann, Member of the Board, Marketing & Sales at Ford of Germany and Arndt Ellinghorst, Automotive Analyst from Credit Suisse, will share their views on what the prospects are and what it will take to continue a recovery. Sponsored By Raytheon Register today to view the live webinar on Feb 22. Truck 2020: Transcending Turbulence The truck industry faces the dawn of a new era. The changes surrounding it are daunting, the need for transformation is immediate and the challenges are multidimensional. Current trends are forcing truck manufacturers to reexamine their operating models and search for new ones. Please join us for our webinar to discuss these trends and the results of IBM's important study. Sponsored By IBM Register today to view the archived webinar on-demand. Secure Collaboration - Manufacturer to Supplier In this global collaborative environment, manufacturers and suppliers need a solution where they can safeguard intellectual property and minimize risk, while keeping the natural flow of data unimpeded. Join us for a webinar where we will share insights on how other organizations are utilizing the skills of a talented work force and technology to support a business framework for secure collaboration and innovation. Register today to view the archived webinar on-demand. SALES/CLIENT RELATIONS/CLAIM ADJUSTER: National Automotive Experts Strongsville, NA, United States Various Management Positions: Unknown Unknown, NA, United States Parts Logistics, Supply Chain Management, and Warehouse Management: Volkswagen Group of America Auburn Hills, MI, United States OUTSIDE SALES: DAC Company Various, NA, United States AGENT ADMINISTRATORS: Confidential Various, NA, United States OFFICE MANAGER:: Confidential Unknown, FL, United States Parts Wholesale Operations General Manager: Group 1 Automotive Oklahoma City, OK, United States Finance Specialist: Toyota of Greer Greer, SC, United States Sales Agent Opportunity: Capital Payments Varies, NA, United States Sales Reps: NAS Global Various, NA, United States To view other breaking news stories throughout the day, visit autonews.com To unsubscribe from this email newsletter, or to sign up for more email products, please click here. 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