Projo Cars Blog

March 29, 2009 - April 4, 2009 Archives


Auto Sales for March Offer Hope

9:50 AM Thu, Apr 02, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

DETROIT -- New-vehicle sales fell in March for a 17th consecutive month, but carmakers said that proposed federal incentives and reports from dealers of increased......

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China Vies to Be World's Leader in Electric Cars

9:50 AM Thu, Apr 02, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

TIANJIN, China -- Chinese leaders have adopted a plan aimed at turning the country into one of the leading producers of hybrid and all-electric vehicles......

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CarMax 4Q profit rises on lower expenses

9:37 AM Thu, Apr 02, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

RICHMOND, Va. -- Auto retailer CarMax said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit jumped 72 percent as lower expenses and a profit in its financing arm offset......

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Glimmer of hope in March's steep auto sales drop

6:13 PM Wed, Apr 01, 2009 | | Comments (2)
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

Glimmer of hope in March's steep auto sales drop DETROIT -- March proved to be another dismal month of steep declines for U.S. auto sales......

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Automakers post steep sales drops for March

2:54 PM Wed, Apr 01, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

DETROIT -- March proved to be another dismal month of steep declines for U.S. auto sales, as low consumer confidence and job uncertainty kept buyers......

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Ford's US sales drop 41 percent in March

12:07 PM Wed, Apr 01, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. says its March sales in the U.S. fell 41 percent from a year earlier as low consumer confidence and job......

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Grim U.S. car sales seen, but incentives help in Europe

12:07 PM Wed, Apr 01, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

PARIS/DETROIT - The U.S. auto industry struggled to restructure and added deals to get buyers back into their showrooms, hoping to mimic the incentive-driven successes......

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GMAC to ease dealer financing charges

12:07 PM Wed, Apr 01, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

NEW YORK -- GMAC says it will temporarily eliminate and waive some fees and payments for dealers in an effort to ease the pressures stemming......

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Potential GM bankruptcy plan includes company split

12:05 PM Wed, Apr 01, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

NEW YORK - A possible bankruptcy plan being discussed for General Motors includes quickly forming a new company of the automaker's most profitable parts, while......

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Backseat Driver: Chrysler to the wolves?

2:50 PM Tue, Mar 31, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

If President Obama's Automotive Task Force (ATF) is preparing to reorganize General Motors through a quick and controlled bankruptcy filing, it seems to be prepared......

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Backseat Driver: Obama wakes up GM - and world!

2:50 PM Tue, Mar 31, 2009 | | Comments (2)
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

Finally! With his dramatic decision to oust General Motors chairman Rick Wagoner, President Obama has created the possibility that the company will end its interminable......

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The Last Best Chance for Detroit

11:58 AM Tue, Mar 31, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

President Obama struck an acceptable compromise on Monday between two unappealing options: letting General Motors and Chrysler go bankrupt right away or giving them tens......

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Ford, GM to cover car payments if buyer loses job

11:40 AM Tue, Mar 31, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. are offering payment protection plans to help reassure consumers who may be putting off buying a......

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Fritz.jpg 11:28 AM Tue, Mar 31, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

GM's new CEO, Fritz Henderson, last month. The company's former COO takes over from Rick Wagoner who was ousted by the Obama administration. (AP......

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With autos, Obama expands government's role

10:11 AM Tue, Mar 31, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's extraordinary auto industry intervention is assertive and coldly pragmatic, with a dose of caution and a sentimental nod to the......

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Chrysler backs off announcement of Fiat alliance

2:46 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

Chrysler has backed off its own statement announcing an alliance with Fiat S.p.A., saying the potential partners have only a "framework" accord, according to Automotive......

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White House questions viability of GM, Chrysler

12:31 PM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama refused further long-term federal bailouts for General Motors and Chrysler, saying more concessions were needed from unions, creditors and others......

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The Steady Optimist Who Oversaw G.M.'s Decline

10:13 AM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

DETROIT -- In recent years, despite many challenges to his leadership of General Motors, Rick Wagoner had managed to keep a firm grip on his......

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White House questions viability of GM, Chrysler

10:02 AM Mon, Mar 30, 2009 | | Write a comment
By Peter C. T. Elsworth    Email

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is sending a blunt message to Detroit automakers: To survive - and win more government help - they must remake......

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