KIMBERLY S. JOHNSON

AP Auto Writers
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GM to shut down Saturn after Penske walks away

General Motors Co. said Wednesday it would shut down its Saturn division after an agreement to sell it to Penske Automotive Group Inc. fell apart.

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GM to shut down Saturn after Penske walks away

General Motors Co. said Wednesday it would shut down its Saturn division after an agreement to sell it to Penske Automotive Group Inc. fell apart.

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GM's trial program selling cars on eBay set to end

General Motors Co. said Tuesday that it is concluding its partnership with eBay Inc. in which the automaker used the auction site to sell new cars through California dealerships, as it shifts focus to broader, national marketing programs.

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Ford to build new assembly plant in China

Ford Motor Co. said Thursday it will invest $490 million to build an assembly plant in China to produce the next-generation Focus compact car, which it plans to sell globally.

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UAW president walking fine line with Ford

United Auto Workers union president Ron Gettelfinger said Thursday that while the group continues to discuss additional contract modifications with Ford Motor Co. both sides are working to maintain a good relationship.

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Families 'cross over' to the smaller side of SUVs

Suburban mom Shana Rampersad is looking for a new family car, and it's got to be fuel efficient, stylish and roomy.

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Ford announces plan to preserve tax assets

Ford Motor Co. said Friday its board of directors has adopted a plan designed to deter shareholders who hold more than a 5 percent stake from increasing their ownership, in order to protect its tax assets.

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AutoNation to order more cars as it waits for $54M

AutoNation Inc. said Wednesday it will increase vehicle orders in the fourth quarter as it seeks to restock showroom floors emptied out during the Cash for Clunkers program.

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Ford to add shifts at plants in Michigan, Missouri

Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that it would add a third shift to production plants in Michigan and Missouri to meet increased demand for its F-150 trucks and Escape crossover vehicles.

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GM to remove "excellence" mark from vehicles

General Motors Co. will begin removing its "Mark of Excellence" logo from vehicles as the company places greater emphasis on its individual brands.

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Ford plans vehicles to interact with power grids

Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday its future electric cars will "talk" to power grids across the country, allowing car owners to control when they charge vehicles and for how long.

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Ford to boost production of Focus, Escape

Ford said Thursday it will build more of its popular Focus and Escape models and boost total vehicle production later this year to help dealers restock depleted showrooms.

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Car buyers returned to American showrooms in July

The government's "cash-for-clunkers" program drew car and truck buyers back to American showrooms last month, making July the best month for auto sales in nearly a year and offering powerful evidence that the rebates were working as senators debate whether to continue them.

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Task force head says gov't wants to sell car stock

The federal government plans to sell its shares in General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC as soon as it can, the head of the autos task force told a congressional panel Monday.

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Debt reduction pushes Ford to $2.3B 2Q profit

Ford Motor Co.'s return to profitability last quarter won't last long unless it can boost sales of cars and trucks and continue to grab market share from rivals.

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Ford to sell improved EcoBoost engine

Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday that it will offer a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine for some of its vehicles starting next year, an effort to provide greater fuel economy to consumers without compromising on horsepower.

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Ford says more of its suppliers are ailing in 2009

Ford Motor Co.'s top executive for auto parts purchasing said Wednesday the number of the automaker's suppliers that are under distress, bankruptcy protection or under observation has more than doubled in the last year.

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GM CEO says early Chapter 11 exit possible

General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson said Wednesday the company is moving swiftly on restructuring under bankruptcy protection and the watchful eye of the president's auto task force.

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High school students compete for auto repair crown

For Matthew Ludwig and Justin Dwyer, their future in the auto industry is a bright one, unmarred by a slumping auto sales market and Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings.

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Mulally: Ford will take more action to reduce debt

Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally said Thursday that the automaker will continue to take action to improve its balance sheet so the company can become profitable in 2011.

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Dealer shutdowns mean extra towing for some owners

There are 789 fewer Chrysler dealers this week. And by the end of next year, there will be 1,100 fewer General Motors dealers.

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AP source: Chinese auto company looking at Volvo

A person briefed on the matter said Wednesday that a Chinese automaker is considering buying Ford Motor Co.'s Volvo unit.

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Meltdown 101: What if my car dealer shuts down?

So your local Chrysler dealer is slated to close, and a nearby General Motors dealer could get the ax too. What happens if you need service on your car?

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How could a government-run GMAC reshape car sales?

With the federal government almost certain to take control of GMAC Financial Services, analysts suggest it could become a loan machine that gives General Motors and Chrysler a huge advantage over their competitors.

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UAW chief says union will sell its Chrysler stock

The United Auto Workers union has no intention of keeping its 55 percent stake in the new Chrysler and will sell the shares as soon as possible to fund a trust that will take over retiree health care costs next year, the union's president said Monday.

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