Auto News 5

The Emir of Qatar plans to buy a stake in Porsche, possibly shoring up the German sports-car maker's strained finances, a German magazine reported. Full story...

Opel's German factories would keep operating and the General Motors subsidiary would not be burdened with Fiat's large debt if the rival European automakers form a partnership, the online version of German news magazine Der Spiegel reported... Full story...

Opel's German factories would keep operating and the General Motors subsidiary would not be burdened with Fiat's large debt if the rival European automakers form a partnership, the online version of German news magazine Der Spiegel reported... Full story...

Mike Crowley will be battling history as he tries to sell Ford's new EcoBoost engine. His job: Persuade consumers to pay extra for an optional engine that's no bigger than the standard engine. Full story...

A nine-week summer shutdown at most of General Motors' North American plants could bankrupt as many as 10 percent of GM's top 300 parts makers, says a source familiar with GM's thinking. Full story...

Rival green carmakers Fisker Automotive and Tesla Motors have gone in opposite directions to sell their vehicles. Tesla is trying factory-run dealerships it likens to Apple computer stores. Full story...

The U.S. Treasury is expected to make a new debt restructuring offer to Chrysler's first-lien lenders as soon as Monday in the wake of cost-cutting deals the struggling automaker won with unions, people briefed on the negotiations said on Sunday. Full story...

Fiat wants to forge an alliance with Chrysler LLC even if the company is forced into Chapter 11, according to a source familiar with the matter. Full story...

Toyota Motor Corp.'s North American auto plants are warehousing key parts to safeguard against supply chain interruptions caused by supplier failures. Full story...

Cautious lenders have raised the stakes for dealers if General Motors or Chrysler LLC files for bankruptcy: At risk are the personal assets of many dealers. Lenders that provide inventory credit lines have required more than half of U.S. Full story...

Sonic Automotive Inc. plans to sell 33 of its 164 dealerships and use the proceeds to reduce its debt. CFO David Cosper said in an interview that Sonic typically disposes of 12 to 15 stores in a year. Full story...

Facing stricter fuel economy standards, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are considering bringing four-cylinder engines back to the United States. BMW stopped offering four-cylinders in 1999 when its 318ti hatchback flopped. Full story...

Chrysler and the UAW agreed to revised labor terms that may help the automaker forge an alliance with Fiat S.p.A. and qualify for additional U.S. rescue loans. Full story...

Automotive News and co-sponsors Ernst and Young and the Transportation Research Center Inc. honored winners of the 2009 Automotive News PACE Awards on Monday, April 20. Full story...

General Motors' profitable Chinese unit, and the Buick brand it relies on, would be protected if the automaker files for bankruptcy, a senior executive says. Full story...

It has been a tough year for Huntsville, Ala., dealer Gary Linam. Since January, Linam has closed two Suzuki dealerships and one Hyundai dealership. He also surrendered new- and used-vehicle inventory to two finance companies. Full story...

Jim Brodie struck a theme that was repeated often during a black-tie ceremony presenting the 2009 Automotive News PACE Awards on Monday, April 20. Full story...

Volkswagen is preparing to choose suppliers for the mid-sized sedan it will produce at a factory under construction in Chattanooga, Tenn., said Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America Inc. Full story...

MISSISSAUGA, ON (April 27, 2009) - As Nissan enters its 2009 fiscal year, the company has introduced a new management and operational structure for the Americas designed to capitalize on synergies across the region while focusing on individual market and consumer needs. Carlos Tavares, Chairman of the newly reconfigured Management Committee-Americas, described the integrated plan for growth in the region as a renewed commitment to delighting customers with innovative ideas for the joy of everyday driving. Full story...

Christophe Tinseau's Pescarolo Judd set the best lap time of the two testing days of testing held at the Le Mans-Bugatti circuit, in Le Mans in preparation for the famed 24 Hours event. Full story...