Automakers and suppliers invested heavily on research last year, more than companies in most other industries despite a terrible downturn that gathered pace in the second half of 2008.
Enough plants now have rejected the deal to make it virtually impossible for the agreement to win enough votes for approval. Meanwhile, the Canadian Auto Workers announced a tentative agreement Friday with Ford that matches concessions union members gave to GM and Chrysler.
Chrysler Group LLC is again offering factory workers buyouts or early retirement as the automaker continues to restructure to cut costs. Chrysler confirmed Friday that the offers went out this week to 23,000 workers.
General Motors Co. CEO Fritz Henderson told Michigan congressional members that the automaker is willing to re-examine decisions to close a limited number of profitable dealers because of poor scores on other criteria.
Next week, Las Vegas turns into aftermarket heaven. Roll out the rally cars, billion-horsepower engines and every conceivable electronic device -- and some you couldn't imagine -- replica rattlesnake seat covers, bamboo floor mats and more rims than a junkyard and you'll begin to picture SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association trade show.
Washington -- General Motors Co. CEO Fritz Henderson told Michigan members of Congress that the automaker must increase market share and said the Chevrolet Volt is on track for production in late November or December 2010.
Dearborn --A stunning 93 percent of workers at Ford Motor Co.'s Dearborn Truck Plant voted to reject a tentative agreement between the automaker and the United Auto Workers on Friday, according to union sources.
The Chevrolet Volt chief executive is leaving almost one year before the extended-range vehicle's launch to take a new job with General Motors Co.'s struggling German carmaker Adam Opel GmbH.
