Headlines for Friday, February 24, 2012

Dodge lets consumers build their own Darts online, but there's a catch

Dodge is offering an online tool to enable consumers to build their own 2013 Dodge Dart. Read More »

3 reasons why Volvo will suffer for its foreign status in China

Despite Volvo Car Corp.'s Chinese ownership, the central government views the automaker as a foreign entity, Volvo Chairman Li Shufu admitted last week. That's very bad news for Li and for Volvo, which was acquired 19 months ago by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Li also is Geely's chairman. Read More »

North America car and truck production - 02/27/2012

This is data compiled by the Automotive News Data Center and requires a Data Center subscription to access. Read More »

Ford books order for 500 Police Interceptor sedans, SUVs

The city of Chicago has ordered 500 Ford Police Interceptor sedans and SUVs from Ford Motor Co., the largest order to date for the new vehicles, the automaker said today. Read More »

Sonic, Mercedes end 4-year legal spat

Mercedes-Benz and Sonic Automotive have settled a nearly four-year old legal spat over dealership upgrades. The two sides declined to provide details of the settlement announced today. Sonic sued Mercedes-Benz in May 2008. Read More »

Toyota's Carter on new cars, fresh challenges

Toyota Division is charting a comeback in 2012 after battling recession, a recall crisis and natural disasters in Asia in recent years. In this segment he discusses competition as well as Toyota's priorities, product assault, and marketing plans. Read More »

Why you still see the Dodge name in a Ram

While it might have been easy to take the Ram out of Dodge, apparently it hasn't been so simple for the automaker to take the Dodge out of Ram. Read More »

Ford to pitch new Mustang customizer in Daytona 500 TV spot

Ford will highlight the customization possibilities available to Mustang shoppers during a one-minute TV spot to be aired during the Daytona 500 NASCAR race Sunday. Read More »

With Viper splitting from Dodge, should Corvette have separated from Chevy?

Viper without Dodge is similar to Corvette without Chevrolet, isn't it? Last year Chrysler Group surprised Dodge enthusiasts by announcing that Viper no longer would be marketed under the Dodge brand. Read More »

Porsche recalls 102,000 Cayennes to fix headlights

Porsche AG is recalling nearly 102,000 of its top-selling Cayenne SUVs worldwide to fix a potential problem that could result in a headlight coming loose or falling off. Read More »

Ferrari 599 successor teased in Internet video

Ferrari is following the SRT Viper playbook by leaking out bits and pieces of its 599 successor on various Internet pages. The darkened photo shown comes from Ferrari.com, while the video was released at the company's media site. Read More »

AutoNews Now: Romney: Set GM free

Romney takes his message to the heart of the automotive industry; Obama unleashes pro-bailout ad; UAW counter-protest, gun racks and Volts. Read More »

Marchionne buys two homes in suburban Detroit

Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne has put down roots in the Detroit area with the purchase of two homes in Commerce Township, Mich. Read More »

Detroit 3 must learn from mistakes on Japan trade, for a change

Chrysler Group, General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and their Washington lobbying arm -- The American Automotive Policy Council -- are fighting Japan's efforts to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. This is the wrong approach. Read More »

Land Rover unveils concept for convertible Evoque

Land Rover will unveil a Range Rover Evoque convertible concept at next month's Geneva auto show. The company says the model could become a production reality if public reaction is positive. Read More »

2013 Acura RDX to start at $35,205

Acura announced on Thursday that the 2013 RDX crossover will start at $35,205 including an $885 destination fee. That’s a significant jump over the current Acura RDX, which starts at $33,780 including destination. Read More »

Fiat to ship Serbian-built 500L through Montenegro port

Fiat will export more than 90 percent of its Serbian car production through the port of Bar in Montenegro. The automaker plans to begin serial production of the 500L in Serbia in the second quarter. Read More »

Bertone to unveil concept inspired by Lancia Stratos Zero

Stile Bertone will unveil a concept for a high performance coupe at next month's Geneva auto show to mark the Italian design house's centenary. Read More »

Fiat may shut two Italy plants without U.S. exports

Fiat may have to close two plants in Italy if plans to export to the U.S. market don't materialize, CEO Sergio Marchionne said. Fiat must take advantage of a revived U.S. car market since the outlook for the European business is bleak., he said. Read More »

First Shift (2/24/12)

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VW's record year ends in disappointment after fourth-quarter profit slips

Volkswagen Group posted an unexpected decline in fourth-quarter operating profit, even as it said full-year results for 2011 were a record. Quarterly operating profit slid 0.9 percent to 2.29 billion euros ($3.05 billion). Read More »

Ford opens plant in China, increasing capacity by a third

Ford opened its third passenger-car factory in China on Friday, increasing the automaker's manufacturing capacity in the country by a third to more than 600,000 vehicles annually. Read More »