Auto News 5

In the first two weeks of conservatorship of the AutoWeek semi-long-term Nissan Leaf electric car, colleague Barry Winfield and I have put 287 miles on it.

In the first two weeks of conservatorship of the AutoWeek semi-long-term Nissan Leaf electric car, colleague Barry Winfield and I have put 287 miles on it.

Our spies capture the most revealing look yet of the new Mercedes ML-Class inside and out.

March U.S. auto sales are expected to increase from last year despite rising gasoline prices and inventory concerns after the earthquake in Japan, J.D Power and Associates said today in a monthly report. U.S.

Russian banker Vladimir Antonov is prepared to invest up to 50 million euros in Saab after returning as a shareholder in Dutch group Spyker, which bought Saab from General Motors last year.

Editors Greg Migliore and Jon Wong take the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox 2LT for a spin.

British Touring Car grid swells for 2011 to include 13 different models from 10 different car makers.

Kia built a record number of vehicles at its factory in Slovakia last year to meet rising demand for sport-utility vehicles.

Auto and aircraft partsmaker GKN on Thursday said CEO Kevin Smith would retire at the end of 2011 after nine years in the post. He joined the board in 1999 as head of the aerospace division and became chief executive in January 2003.

Honda extended the shutdown of assembly plants in Japan and says it will take several months for its randd center in the quake zone to resume full operations.

Honda is further extending its assembly plant shutdowns and says it will take several months for its randd center in the quake zone to resume full operations.

In this month's three-part management briefing, Mark Bursa takes a close look at the development and changing structure of China's automotive industry. Part 3 examines the rise of the 'independent' OEMs, their growing pains and export strategies.

Rieter Holding says its decision to split its automotive component and textile machinery business will allow it to target both sectors' cycles independently.

Azure Dynamics which makes hybrid electric and electric components for commercial vehicles including the Ford Transit Connect EV, posted a total fourth-quarter revenue rise to $13.4 million, a threefold rise on 2009 figures.

Honda, which had previously announced the suspension of production through Sunday 27 March, on Thursday (24 March) said it would now extend the production suspension of finished vehicles at its Sayama and Suzuka factories until at least Monday 4 April. Toyota plans to resume hybrid production on Monday but its US unit cautioned that "some production interruptions in North America are likely" though it was too early to predict location or duration. Nissan Americas said car supply and production were good for now and may send US-made V6 engines to Japan.

Honda, which had previously announced the suspension of production through Sunday 27 March, on Thursday (24 March) said it would now extend the production suspension of finished vehicles at its Sayama and Suzuka factories until at least Monday 4 April. Toyota plans to resume hybrid production on Monday but its US unit cautioned that "some production interruptions in North America are likely" though it was too early to predict location or duration.

Honda, which had previously announced the suspension of production through Sunday 27 March, on Thursday (24 March) said it would now extend the production suspension of finished vehicles at its Sayama and Suzuka factories until at least Monday 4 April. Toyota plans to resume hybrid production on Monday but its US unit cautioned that "some production interruptions in North America are likely" though it was too early to predict location or duration.

Foreign car makers who want to expand their portfolio in China will be expected to develop a low-cost local brand as well, they are being told.

Norwegian Post has become the first European customer of the Ford Transit Connect Electric, ordering 20 units.

The grousings of editor Wes Raynal usually are reserved for the AutoWeek staff. But you can join in the fun at 12:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday, March 25, in a live Web chat with Wes.