Ford unveils programs to woo GM, Chrysler buyers | detnews.com | The Detroit News
As Chrysler LLC and General Motors Corp. move to dismantle brands and close dealerships, other automakers are moving in to pick up the pieces. Analysts said it will take a couple more months to fully gauge consumer reaction to these moves, but Haig Stoddard of IHS Global Insight said one thing is already clear: "Ford is likely to be the big volume winner." While Chrysler touts the benefits of "quick-rinse" bankruptcy -- something GM is expected to soon enter into as well -- Ford Motor Co. is in the...

Obama sets GM, Chrysler talks | detnews.com | The Detroit News
WASHIINGTON -- The Obama administration's auto team will hold face-to-face talks with top executives from both General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC this week, even as the automakers face down a March 31 deadline to win key concessions from the UAW and bondholders. GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson and Chief Financial Officer Ray Young are to have a lengthy meeting Thursday with key members of the administration's auto restructuring team, people familiar with the...

Beijing Auto mum on report it may bid for Chrysler | detnews.com | The Detroit News
SHANGHAI -- Staff at Chinese car maker Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp. refused comment Monday on a report that the company might bid for assets of Chrysler LLC. The state-run newspaper China Business News, citing an unnamed Beijing Auto executive, said the Chinese automaker wanted to acquire Chrysler assets using a similar approach to that taken by Nanjing Automobile Group Corp.'s when it bought defunct automaker MG Rover Group. The aim, China Business News said, was to acquire production...

Chrysler takes steps in quality | detnews.com | The Detroit News
The first thing Doug Betts did when he arrived at Chrysler LLC in October 2007 to oversee quality was define the term so everyone would be on the same page to fix problems. The Auburn Hills automaker had not scored well in quality surveys, which has been costly in terms of lost sales. Betts noted similarities to problems he encountered as a troubleshooter at Nissan Motor Co. following poor product launches in 2003. Months of brainstorming at Nissan became Chrysler's gain, as Betts said he knew within...

Canada wants Chrysler to flesh out plans | detnews.com | The Detroit News
OTTAWA -- The Canadian government needs to get a better idea from Chrysler Canada about the implications for this country of the company's financial restructuring plan, said Industry Minister Tony Clement. In an interview Sunday on CTV's "Question Period," Clement said he is especially interested in finding out what product lines Chrysler LLC has in mind for its plants in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario. Chrysler provided only a sketchy outline of its latest proposals Friday, sending a brief letter to the...

Canada official seeks more detail on Chrysler plan | detnews.com | The Detroit News
OTTAWA -- The Canadian government needs to get a better idea from Chrysler Canada about the implications for this country of the company's financial restructuring plan, says Industry Minister Tony Clement. In an interview Sunday on CTV's "Question Period," Clement said he's especially interested in finding out what product lines the Chrysler LLC Chrysler has in mind for its plants in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario. Chrysler provided only a sketchy outline of its latest proposals Friday, sending a brief...

GM, Chrysler rush plans | detnews.com | The Detroit News
General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC are scrambling to finish key negotiations and fine-tune restructuring plans that will dramatically transform companies pushed to the brink of bankruptcy late last year. The automakers have had more than two months to slash costs and prove they can repay up to $17.4 billion in federal loans, despite the worst U.S. auto sales market since the 1980s. Preparations are expected to continue through the weekend to meet Tuesday's deadline to submit plans to the U.S...

GM, Chrysler labor talks slow as deadline nears | detnews.com | The Detroit News
DETROIT -- Concession talks between the United Auto Workers and the Detroit Three shifted into an odd phase Saturday as negotiations broke off with General Motors Corp., slowed at Chrysler LLC and picked up speed at Ford Motor Co., financially the healthiest of the three, according to people briefed on the bargaining. The developments come as GM and Chrysler race toward a Tuesday deadline to submit plans to show the government how they will become viable and repay billions in loans that are keeping them...

GM, Chrysler credit union car buying program shows results | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Credit unions closed about 25,000 vehicle sales for General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC in less than a month through their "Invest in America" campaign. The campaign with GM and Chrysler is proving successful since its nationwide launch Jan. 7, said David Adams, president of CUcorp, the marketing company for about 7,800 credit unions across the country. The program made $80 billion available in low-cost auto loans to new and current credit union members, on top of discounts on new vehicles. The...

GM, Chrysler offer new buyouts | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Cash-strapped automakers General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC are offering another round of buyouts and early retirement packages to hourly workers in a move designed to help shed higher-paid employees in keeping with conditions of a $17.4 billion federal loan package. GM sent an e-mail to local United Auto Workers officials this afternoon outlining its latest offer. That offer includes a $25,000 voucher to buy a new GM vehicle and $20,000 cash to retirement-eligible workers and any UAW worker, said a...