Korean automaker Hyundai may also be interested in purchasing Chrysler from DaimlerChrysler, if DCX decides to dump its American arm, according to new reports. Last week, most of the speculation was on a General Motors purchase of Chrysler Group, but now rumors are spreading of a pack of international suitors. Last week, DaimlerChrysler chairman Dieter […]

Automotive News continues to insist that General Motors is in talks with DaimlerChrysler about the possible buyout of the Chrysler Group. Inside sources in both the U.S. and Germany claim that GM is interested, and that high-level talks are taking place between executives.
GM spokesman Tony Cervone wouldn’t comment, but said, “We have always said that […]

In a turnaround from his statements last fall, DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche would not rule out a sale of the Chrysler Group. According to a report by Reuters, Zetsche said all options are on the table.
“In this regard, we do not exclude any option in order to find the best solution for both the Chrysler […]

While facing the same automobile weight challenge as other automakers, DaimlerChrysler is looking to address the overall weight gain in its vehicles.
According to Thomas Weber, DaimlerChrysler’s board member in charge of group research and development, vehicle weight has grown between one-half of 1 percent and 1 percent per year. And said that DCX wants to […]

The Chrysler Group today announced a three-year plan that will cut 13,000 jobs and close its Newark, Del., assembly plant, which builds the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs. The Recovery and Transformation Plan seeks to return the automaker to profitability by 2008.
The 13,000 job cuts will complete by the end of 2009, and will […]

BMW will offer an eight-speed automatic transmission on the next-generation 7-Series when it debuts in 2009 or 2010, according to industry sources. BMW’s new eight-speed automatic is being developed by ZF Friedrichshafen, who also designed the current model’s six-speed automatic.
BMW was the first to offer a six-speed automatic transmission on the 7-Series back in 2001, […]

Malaysia’s state-owned Proton Holdings said that it could not confirm the report stating that Volkswagen will take a 51 percent stake in the automaker’s manufacturing division.
Proton’s spokesperson said: “This is a shareholders matter. Let’s wait for the announcement by the government which is expected before the end of the first quarter.”
Newsreports say that German carmaker […]

Volkswagen has signed an agreement of intent to buy a substantial stake in the manufacturing division of Malaysia’s state-owned Proton Holdings. An official statement is due on February 8th, but was leaked from an inside source. Volkswagen is expected to take a 51 percent stake in Proton, giving the German automaker control over its operations.
It […]

Today in his keynote speech at the Washington Auto Show, DaimlerChrysler’s CEO Dieter Zetsche encouraged U.S. lawmakers to support a diversity of approaches to reducing dependence on foreign oil. Zetsche cautioned against policies that favor hybrids over other fuel-saving technologies, pointing out the new generation of BLUETEC clean diesels.
“What we need to avoid in this […]

After last month’s meeting between Ford CEO Alan Mulally, Ford’s president of the Americas, Mark Fields, and Toyota executives, including company chairman Fujio Cho, rumors began about a possible alliance between the two companies, a la the failed GM-Nissan-Renault alliance. Both Ford and Toyota have said the meeting was simply a get-acquainted meeting.
However, Toyota would […]