Automaker News

“As we improve the internal efficiency of the transmission, the automatics approach a well-driven manual by an expert.”

Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it plans to double the number of six-speed automatic transmissions in its models by the end of next year, increasing fuel efficiency to the point where it's equal to or better than ... via The Detroit News

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“It really didn't do much to drive sales, and it really was for consumers more an issue of do vehicles really get good fuel economy or not?”

Chrysler is offering to subsidize the cost of gasoline for car and truck buyers, but its biggest rivals - General Motors, Toyota and Ford - said Tuesday they have no plans to match it. via Journal Gazette

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“We're aware that the cost of college continues to rise exponentially, far outpacing inflation, and our hope is to help our customer's off-set that cost, while getting a great new vehicle.”

Click above for high-res gallery of the Volkswagen Routan The new Volkswagen Routan minivan hasn't even gone on sale yet and there is already an incentive on its hood. via Autoblog

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“We opted to purchase it outright because of the condition of the real estate market”

General Motors Corp. said Thursday that the shaky real estate market convinced the automaker that it was a good time to buy its previously leased headquarters in downtown Detroit's towering Renaissance Center ... via WOOD-TV Grand Rapids

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“They're having a tough enough time as it is, with two brands, without taking one away”

Should Ford Motor dump Mercury and Volvo? Jerry York, the longtime adviser to billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda, which recently acquired 5.6% of Ford, seems to think so. via KXAN-TV Austin

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“It's not the destination, it's the journey.”

Harley-Davidson has a message for those bummed out by bad economic news: "So screw it, let's ride." Minneapolis ad firm Carmichael Lynch created the Milwaukee-based motorcycle maker's new slogan. via WisInfo

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“If we get them from overseas now, it kind of undermines what the union is doing”

GM Wentzville Truck Assembly Center in Wentzville, Mo. General Motors Corp.'s full-size van assembly plant in Wentzville will restart operations Monday, the company said Wednesday. via St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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“We need to end this stalemate”

- A reform proposal by dissident shareholder Greenlight Capital was defeated, as expected, at the annual meeting of MI Developments Inc. (TSX:MIM.A) - a dramatic event featuring an emotional speech by company founder Frank Stronach.

Greenlight, a New York investment firm, had called for MI Developments to provide only short-term funding to horse-track subsidiary Magna Entertainment (TSX:MEC.A), and for the land developer to raise its dividend, repurchase stock and increase debt.

The Greenlight proposal went down to defeat Wednesday, and Stronach - the controlling shareholder of MID, MEC and Magna International (TSX:MG.A), from which they were spun off - joined MI Developments chief executive John Simonetti in calling for an end to the public feud with Greenlight. Read more

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“My gut tells me that RV total sales will be down more than 10%, which conforms to the projection of the [Recreational Vehicle Industry Association] of a 13% decline in shipments of fifth-wheel RVs”

Drew Industries, Inc. CEO Leigh Abrams said 2008 is turning out to be a "very challenging year" for the White Plains, N.Y.-based RV and manufactured homes maker. via All Stories

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“It is a fact that Toyota is losing some of its momentum.”

Toyota Motor Corp., the world's second-biggest automaker by annual vehicle sales, is raising its prices on some U.S. models later this month amid increased worries about its profit growth in the American ... via Canadian Business Magazine

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