Amid worries of possible radiation stemming from the fallout of the recent disaster in Japan, Toyota Motor Corp. got a bit of relief. The automaker said Monday that its export vehicles pose “no danger to human health" as far as exposing people to unsafe radiation. In a statement, the automaker noted: "Toyota Motor Corp. — […] [Read More]

Lithia Motors announced Monday it acquired a trio of franchise dealerships located near Portland, Ore. Executives indicated Lithia’s newest stores include Rasmussen BMW Mini, Mercedes-Benz of Portland and Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville. They calculated the stores will add $176 million in estimated annual revenues. “The Rasmussen group has a strong history in the Portland market,” stated […] [Read More]

In the latest update from the automaker, Toyota Motor Corp. decided that vehicle production from May 10 to June 3 will proceed at approximately 50 percent of normal. “As TMC continues to address its production situation in Japan following the disaster, (the company) will decide on production after this period after assessing the situation of […] [Read More]

In a speech last week to the Society of Automotive Engineers 2011 World Congress, Dan Akerson called General Motors’ ability to keep operating efficiently despite part shortages from Japan “something of an engineering feat in its own right.” GM’s chairman and chief executive officer began by describing his relatively short tenure in the auto industry […] [Read More]

As federal officials explained Mercedes-Benz’s decision regarding an older model, Ford revealed Thursday that it’s ramping up a previous recall of the F-150 stemming from an airbag deployment issue. After voluntarily recalling 144,000 F-150s from the 2005 and 2006 model years in late February, Ford is bringing back the remaining population of F-150s built between 2003 […] [Read More]

Jaguar North America has named a new brand vice president. Taking on this post is David Pryor, effective April 18. Pryor will report to Gary Temple, president of Jaguar Land Rover North America, and will be responsible for marketing communications and product planning for Jaguar in the United States. Pryor comes from a rich background […] [Read More]

Chrysler dealers will now have a new way to win more service dollars thanks to a new deal the automaker signed that allows technicians to work on and replace parts in competitor vehicles.   Chrysler’s Mopar division announced a strategic agreement with Magneti Marelli and Shell Lubricants that will give its dealership network the ability to […] [Read More]

The latest advertising campaign by Mazda North American Operations asks a simple question: “What do you drive?” To hook potential buyers, the automaker believes this campaign is built around the core brand principle that “if it’s not worth driving, it’s not worth building and it is this basic statement that defines Mazda.” The new campaign […] [Read More]

Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Daimler AG board and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, told shareholders today that his company has emerged from the financial crisis and has now turned the corner to growth. "We are on a path of profitable growth," Zetsche told about 5,200 shareholders at the International Conference Center in Berlin. "We announced […] [Read More]

DealerRater recently revealed the winners of the 2011 Dealer of the Year Award Program, which hands out honors for distinction in outstanding customer service based upon reviews of dealership experiences shared on the company’s website. The highest honor went to Russell & Smith Honda of Houston as 2011 Dealer of the Year. Managed by Jack Carney, […] [Read More]