Auto News 5

Some NASCAR watchers expect as many as 1,000 crewmen to lose their jobs in the next few weeks as Cup, Nationwide and Craftsman teams trim their payrolls. One longtime owner predicted cuts will affect every team. Full story...

The Detroit 3's quest to secure emergency federal aid has inspired a rush of letters from our readers. Here's a sampling. We will add more as they come in. Full story...

Renault's arrival as AvtoVAZ's partner signals the start of a much-needed renewal for the Russian auto giant. But could this lead to a return to the west for the Lada brand? Not impossible, as Mark Bursa discovers. Full story...

A reorganization of the Detroit 3 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court would be preferable to a federal bailout of the automakers, a U.S. congressman said today on the sidelines of the dedication of a new Honda Motor Co. assembly plant here. Said U.S. Rep. Full story...

GM and Avtotor are expected on November 21 to open a new plant in Kaliningrad (a Russian enclave on the Baltic) that will produce Chevrolet Lacetti cars. Full story...

The Volkswagen Group has announced that it delivered 502,600 vehicles worldwide, some 5.1% down on last year. However, it says that result was still stronger than the market which it estimates as down 16% in the period. Full story...

Michelin has announced that it will cut production at its Polish plant in the face of falling demand. Full story...

Michigan Sen. Carl Levin has said the top executives of Detroit's Big Three automakers should consider resigning if necessary to convince Congress to quickly pass up to USD25bn in emergency loans for the ailing companies. Full story...

Getrag Transmission Manufacturing LLC (GTM LLC) has filed for protection under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code for its Tipton, Indiana facility. The GTM LLC facility in Tipton was being constructed for the sole purpose of manufacturing dual clutch transmissions for Chrysler LLC (Chrysler). Full story...

A bailout for the automobile industry being pushed by Democrats would assist companies that shouldn't be getting aid, open the door to other undeserving applicants, and stretch the limits of government, according to several prominent economists and... Full story...

Getrag Transmission Manufacturing LLC, a planned U.S. transmission-building operation in Indiana, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after Chrysler LLC's pullout from the joint venture. Full story...

Vauxhall family car wins prestigious award by one point. Full story...

If you think you're insulated from the death rattle of Detroit, think again. General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler together accounted for 3.3 percent of 2007 U.S. Full story...

Next time you look at your rearview mirror, take a second look. It could incorporate a number of different features. Matthew Beecham reports on how the humble rearview mirror has been transformed over the last decade into a high-tech electronic module. Full story...

Volkswagen reported a drop in sales in October but predicted it would sell more cars in 2008 than it did last year. Europe's largest automaker said it delivered 502,600 vehicles last month, a drop of 5.1 percent from a year ago. Full story...

New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI), a JV between Toyota and GM, is planning to cut one shift of pickup truck production in January at its Freemont, California, plant. It's another sign of the impact of slowing vehicle demand in the US. Full story...

Draexlmaier Group Automotive, a family-owned supplier of door panels, central consoles, electronics and wiring harnesses, has shelved plans for a pilot plant in Prishtina, Kosovo. Full story...

Cash-strapped General Motors will dump its 3 percent stake in Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp. for about $230 million as it scrambles for funds to avert collapse. Full story...

Indian truck maker Ashok Leyland has said its planned light truck manufacturing plant with Nissan has been delayed by six months. Full story...

GM will sell its 3% stake in Suzuki in order to raise cash. Full story...