Voices from Canton, Ohio’s Timken Co. are Heard at Democratic National Convention
Real America — including the leader of a union for Timken steelworkers facing more than 1,000 job losses and plant shutdowns — spoke to the Democratic National Convention on Monday. “Our community has been decimated with plant closings and job losses…. There is a great human price being paid,” Bill Wright told Democrats via satellite from the United Steelworkers of America Local 1123 hall in Canton, Ohio.
Rising Auto Recalls Eat Profits
General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and two other U.S. carmakers have in six months exceeded the vehicle recalls for last year, reducing profit. GM recalled 7.92 million cars and light trucks as of July 2, and said repair costs had helped cut first-quarter profit in North America by 18 percent. Toyota recalled 367,000 Highlander sport-utility vehicles, surpassing last year’s total by 74 percent. DaimlerChryslerAG’s Chrysler and Honda Motor Co. also are ahead of 2003.
Much of Coastal U.S. May Follow California on Car Emissions
California’s plan for sharp cuts in automotive emissions of global warming gases could eventually lead much of the coastal United States to turn to vehicles that are substantially cleaner, and by extension more fuel efficient, than those in the rest of the nation.
Mitsubishi Motors to Revise Organization
Scandal-tainted Mitsubishi Motors Corp. said Tuesday it will revise its organization, effective next Tuesday, to speed up its decision-making process and clarify responsibilities.
Volvo Trucks to Increase Production at Dublin, Va., Plant
Volvo Trucks North America will again ramp up production in August at its Dublin truck plant, and could hire as many as 300 new workers.
OEM Purchasing VPs to Discuss Industry Collaboration at Auto-Tech 2004
Top purchasing executives from DaimlerChrysler Corp., Ford Motor Co., and General Motors Corp. will headline a panel discussion on global purchasing practices at the 17th annual Auto-Tech conference at the Cobo Conference Center on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Auto-Tech is an automotive industry trade conference organized by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG).
Chinese Autobuyers Have No Brand Loyalty Yet
China’s thriving car market boasts huge business opportunities, yet automakers should put more effort into making the local consumers loyal to their products, according to a recent survey of three major metropolitan Chinese cities. The survey was conducted by market research company AC Nielsen, in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, China’s three major automobile markets.
DCX Accused of Intimidation
The controversy over DaimlerChrysler AG’s lending policies in Chicago, where the company is under a boycott and sales of the automaker’s vehicles continue to erode, appears to have escalated. Two longtime Chicago automobile dealers accuse DaimlerChrysler of harassing them because they plan to testify in a federal lawsuit on behalf of a former dealer, who accuses the automaker of racist lending policies. They say the company has made unreasonable requests for documents through subpoenas.
Police Raid Home of Ex-Mitsubishi Head
Police on Monday raided the home of the former president of Mitsubishi Motors Corp., who was arrested last week on suspicion of hiding auto defects. Police on Monday raided the home of the former president of Mitsubishi Motors Corp., who was arrested last week on suspicion of hiding auto defects.
Honda CR-Vs Recalled
Honda Motor Co. is recalling 130,617 CR-V sport-utility vehicles because the driver’s air bag might inflate incorrectly, federal regulators said Wednesday.
Chrysler Recalls 438,000 PT Cruisers
Chrysler has recalled 438,000 PT Cruisers for a defective power steering hose that can leak fluid into the engine compartment. Nine underhood fires linked to the defect have been reported.
Jury Punishes Ford in SUV Rollover Case, Awards $368.6 Million in Total Damages
Ford Motor Co. must pay $246 million in punitive damages to a California woman who was paralyzed when her Explorer sport-utility vehicle rolled over, a jury in San Diego ruled Thursday.