California passes new auto emission rules

San Francisco— California air regulators passed Friday sweeping auto emission standards that include a mandate to have 1.4 million electric and hybrid vehicles on state roads by 2025.

GM: Bad publicity hurt Volt

Washington — The day after a congressional hearing into a fire in crash-tested Chevrolet Volt, General Motors Co. acknowledged that sales of the car had been hurt by bad publicity.

Chrysler cooperating in Jeep Liberty air bag probe

Washington- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is upgrading an investigation into nearly 390,000 Jeep Liberty SUVs for reports of inadvertent air bag deployments.

Obama tackles college costs, autos in local radio interview

Detroit — In a local radio interview aired Friday morning, President Barack Obama talked about national needs, including bringing jobs back to the United States, continued investment in research and technology and more cooperation from a bickering, politically obsessed Congress.

Detroit feels the love at Washington Auto Show

Washington — The Washington Auto Show in recent years has featured politicians riding to Detroit’s rescue or debates over fuel economy standards.

Auto bailout sticks to GOP, Obama in Michigan

No matter who wins the Republican nomination, President Barack Obama has a ready-made issue to pound every time he visits Michigan, Ohio and Indiana: the bailout billions used, he’ll say, to resuscitate General Motors and Chrysler.

GM seen accelerating Opel restructuring as sales plunge

The financial crisis in Europe is adding new urgency to General Motors Co.'s attempt to turn around its money-burning Opel unit.

Chrysler CEO to announce third shift at Illinois plant next week

Chrysler Group LLC CEO Sergio Marchionne will announce the addition of a third shift at the company's Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois next week, adding approximately 1,100 new jobs at the factory to support production of new vehicles based on the same platform as the recently unveiled Dodge Dart, according to people with direct knowledge of the company's plans.

EnerDel battery firm that won DOE grant files for bankruptcy

A New York-based battery company that won a $118 million federal grant filed for bankruptcy protection Thursday — as scrutiny in Congress over the Obama administration’s green investments has grown.

Fiat-Chrysler in talks to produce Jeeps in China

The Fiat-Chrysler group is in intense negotiations with the Guangzhou Automobile Group on a possible joint venture to produce Jeeps in China, for the Chinese market.

GM’s Reuss: Volt sales hurt by bad publicity

Washington —General Motors North America President Mark Reuss said Thursday that sales of the extended-range electric Chevrolet Volt have been hurt by bad publicity.

Calif. poised to vote on new 'clean car' regulations

San Francisco— The head of California's air quality board on Thursday called proposed rules that would require automakers to build less-polluting cars and trucks by 2025 a historic move for a cleaner environment.

Volkswagen may bring new VW Microbus to U.S.

Volkswagen AG, Europe's biggest carmaker, may bring the new version of its iconic VW Microbus to the U.S. as it aims to boost sales of VWs and Audis to 1 million in the nation by 2018.

Hyundai: Elantra U.S. sales growth to slow on plant capacity

GM’s Akerson stands firm in Congress’ Volt hearings

Ford: Fusion isn’t chasing Camry

Report: Taxpayers still owed $132.9B from bailout

Chrysler hiring to build Dart in Illinois factory

Skyactiv brings Mazda3 to Earth

Gap in perception of car brands narrows

Nissan to invest $2 billion for third plant in Mexico

Mitsubishi i catches the eye, needs a socket

Higher mpg gas engines push hybrids to roadside

GM chief keeps his cool

Briefs: UAW’s King applauds Obama’s commitment to auto industry

Coda expects to launch its electric car in February

Bosch: Diesels gaining popularity among consumers

Tax gain may boost Ford to most profitable year since 1998