Toyota recalls '13 GS 350 for steering software flaw

Washington— Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it is recalling more than 650 2013 Lexus GS 350 cars because the steering wheel could be dramatically off-center because of a software flaw.

Obama campaign criticizes Romney on bankrupt auto supplier

Washington -The Obama re-election campaign says Republican Mitt Romney's tenure at private equity firm Bain Capital resulted in the loss of more than 1,000 jobs at a Michigan auto supplier.

Korean automakers’ success threaten slumping European competitors

As many European mass car manufacturers struggle to survive, their Korean counterparts Hyundai and Kia sail on serenely and relentlessly.

Survey: Gas mileage top concern for new-car buyers

New-car buyers ranked fuel efficiency their top issue and are considering smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, according to survey by Consumer Reports released today.

BMW wins 'carmaker of the future,' most valuable brand

BMW was selected "carmaker of the future" by IHS Automotive and the German magazine Automobil Produktion, followed by runners-up Daimler AG, Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co.

Officials urge safety as motorcycle deaths remain high

Washington — Motorcycle deaths are an increasing concern among U.S. state highway safety officials as deaths may have hit 4,500 in 2011 — about the same as the year before — a study released Tuesday found.

Toyota's cumulative hybrid sales hit 4 million

Toyota Motor Corp. has sold 4 million hybrid vehicles since 1997 when it introduced its first gas-electric car in Japan.

Nissan rolls out Quick Chargers in Europe for electric cars

Nissan Motor Co. unveiled its first fast battery chargers Tuesday in Europe for drivers of its own and other technologically compatible electric vehicles.

Nissan to build Datsun cars in Russia

Nissan Motor Co., seeking to expand its presence in the fast-growing Russian market, will build low-cost cars under the Datsun brand at the facilities of its Russian partner AvtoVAZ.

Carmakers adding Internet devices despite safety concerns of feds

Drivers, start your cars and fire up your Wi-Fi. And please don't crash while tweeting or making dinner reservations on the interstate.

NHTSA probes fire in garage containing plug-in Fisker Karma

U.S. auto safety regulators are investigating a Texas garage fire that destroyed a Fisker Automotive Inc. Karma, a $103,000 plug-in electric vehicle.

Amid poor sales, Toyota unplugs Lexus HS hybrid

Toyota Motor Corp. has pulled the plug on the Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan, which never came close to hitting the sales targets set at its launch in 2009.

High-tech interiors drive future vehicles

The interior of your next vehicle will be driven by technology and entertainment systems, and in the next few years, could include “augmented reality” technology that spreads across your windshield, showing you roadway lines and exits, automakers and suppliers say.

Bailout hype disses Delphi

The Obama administration’s endless election-year touting of the auto bailouts it engineered to save a gazillion jobs in the Midwest and rescue two Detroit automakers evidently doesn’t apply to the pensions of 20,000 current and future salaried retirees of the former Delphi Corp.

E15 fuel harms autos, says study backed by carmakers, refiners

A study backed by automakers and oil companies has found that a new blend of gasoline and ethanol recently approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ...

Auto sales buoy economy

Car sales that are running at the fastest pace in four years are poised to reverberate through the world’s largest economy as a spillover into production, ...

Briefs: Nissan readies Altima to take on Toyota’s Camry

Nissan Motor Co. plans to run three daily assembly shifts at U.S. plants building a revamped Altima, as the company tries to challenge Toyota Motor Corp.’s ...

New Japan auto chief promises to keep production

Tokyo— Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda took the helm at Japan's auto industry group Thursday with a promise to keep production and jobs at home ...

Honda recalls nearly 53,000 Acura TL sedans in U.S.

Detroit— Honda says it's recalling nearly 53,000 Acura TL sedans in the U.S. to fix a problem with power steering hoses.

Toyota's U.S. finance unit plans sale of 5-year dollar bonds

Toyota Motor Corp., the world's largest automaker, plans to sell five-year debt through its U.S. finance unit, according to a person familiar with the offering.

U.S. factory output rose in April on stronger autos

Washington — U.S. factory output increased in April, helped by a gain in auto production. Busier factories have driven stronger hiring this year and ...

Ally to keep U.S. loan unit

Washington — Detroit-based Ally Financial Inc., the nation’s largest new-car lender, has no plans to sell its U.S. auto lending operations, the company’s chief ...

Safety agency aims to stop bus, truck rollovers

Washington— Manufacturers would have to equip large trucks and buses with safety systems that help prevent rollover accidents through computer-controlled ...

Nissan expands U.S. Altima capacity to challenge Toyota Camry

Nissan Motor Co. said it plans to run three daily assembly shifts at U.S. plants building a revamped Altima, as the company tries to challenge Toyota Motor ...

Supplier to buy ex-Mopar site, add 450 jobs

A major auto supplier will invest $60 million and add 450 jobs as it acquires the New Boston Chrysler Mopar site in Wayne County.

NTSB urges new fight against drunken driving deaths

Washington —The National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday called for a renewed push to cut down on drunken driving deaths.

German brands widen lead in U.S. luxury auto market

As Germany's luxury carmakers battle among themselves for global leadership, they have widened their lead in the U.S. over other premium brands that have been ...

Suppliers like working with Detroit’s Big 3

Automotive suppliers increasingly see Detroit's Big Three as easier to work with, as foreign competitors slide into disfavor, according to an annual study of ...

ResCap bankruptcy may come today

Washington — The struggling mortgage unit of Detroit-based Ally Financial Inc. is expected to file for bankruptcy in New York early today after the board ...