Automotive News

• NHTSA adds crash dummy to assess safety seats for heavier children February 22, 2012
  A crash-test dummy designed to resemble a 10-year-old child has been added to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's family of test dummies to evaluate child safety seats and boosters made for children weighing more than 65... […]
• GM's Lauckner to replace retiring Stephens as technology chief February 22, 2012
  General Motors said today it has named Jon Lauckner vice chairman and chief technology officer, effective April 1. He will replace Tom Stephens who retires on that date. […]
• Lithia CEO Sid DeBoer to step down May 1 February 22, 2012
  Auto dealer group Lithia Motors said today its founder, Sid DeBoer, will step down as CEO on May 1 and will be succeeded by his son, COO Bryan DeBoer. […]
• Mazda eyes $2 billion share offering as strong yen bites February 22, 2012
  Mazda said today it was looking to raise up to 162.8 billion yen ($2 billion) in its second public share offering in 2-1/2 years, underscoring the Japanese automaker's vulnerability to the stubbornly strong yen. […]
• Ford concept hints at design of next light-duty Transit van February 21, 2012
  Ford will take the wraps off the Tourneo Custom concept next month at the Geneva auto show, a styling exercise that shows the design direction for the redesigned Ford Transit. […]
• GM, PSA in alliance talks, French minister says; Production tie-up in focus February 21, 2012
  General Motors and PSA are in talks about a possible alliance, PSA CEO Philippe Varin told the French government, following earlier news reports about the discussions. […]
• New Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG revealed February 21, 2012
  Mercedes-Benz used today's Formula One test session at Barcelona as the backdrop for the unveiling of its latest performance car, the SL63 AMG. […]
• U.S. Honda boss reinstated to parent-company board February 21, 2012
  The head of American Honda, Testuo Iwamura, is being promoted and reinstated as a member of the company's board of directors in June. […]
• Mazda seeks to shore up finances with $2.1 billion stock, loan plan February 21, 2012
  Mazda plans to raise $2.1 billion to shore up its finances and invest in a new plant in Mexico, financial sources said today -- a bigger-than-expected fund-raising effort that sent its shares tumbling 10 percent. […]
• Tata will double annual investments in Jaguar Land Rover February 21, 2012
  Tata Motors will double investments in its Jaguar Land Rover brands to $2.4 billion a year, even as the Indian automaker warned that it will be a challenge to sustain high margins at its key profit generator. […]