Auto News 5

Automakers reduced spending on discounts and incentives for U.S. customers in April by 14 percent to an average $2,320 per vehicle, the lowest in more than five years, as sales climbed. Ford Motor Co.

Racing fans owe a debt of gratitude to the late Ab Jenkins.

Since Mercedes-Benz offered the first car sunroof in 1932, roof makers have found novel - and more complex -- ways in which to let the sun shine into the cabin. Continuing just-auto's series of interviews with leading roof makers, Matthew Beecham talked with engineers of Magna Car Top Systems (CTS) about their roof systems business, modular roofs and the challenge in providing a soft-top with a high-quality appearance without any wrinkles or optical impairments from mechanical parts, even after hundreds of opening and closing cycles.

Skoda first quarter sales rose 33% year on year and operating profit was up 87%.

Mercedes sales rose 8.2 percent to 100,703 vehicles in April, led by continued strong demand for luxury cars in China.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The Mazda CX-7 is one of the more handsome midsize crossovers on the market to my eye.

In this interview, Matthew Beecham talked to Alexander Moser, Supervisor Advanced Product Engineering, Clutch Systems, BorgWarner Drivetrain Systems, about the market position and prospects for dual clutch transmissions (DCTs).

Honda said its decision to reduce car production in India by 50% from this month is likely to continue for the next three months due to parts supply constraints after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Europe's Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) CEO Lars Holmqvist is leading the European Commission (EC) automotive delegation negotiating a free trade deal with ASEAN countries

Growth of the German new car market slowed to just 2.7% year-on-year in April according to industry data.

March's devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan led to a huge fall in new car sales in April. Sales fell 47.3% from April 2010 to 185,683 units, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association.

Thousands of female university students are writing off potential careers in the automotive industry without even applying, according to the results of a new survey released today by Autocar magazine.

GM may report $1.74 billion in net income for the three months ended in March as rising sales in the U.S. and China helped the company to its best first quarter since 2000. Earnings probably rose 63 percent from $1.

GM may report $1.74 billion in net income for the three months ended in March as rising sales in the U.S. and China helped the company to its best first quarter since 2000. Earnings probably rose 63 percent from $1.

BMW Group has reported first quarter sales up 28.9% year on year to EUR16bn on the back of record vehicle deliveries and said it was targeting a record 1.5m units this year.

Sales of new cars fell 11.2% year-on-year to 169,453 units in April according to the latest industry data released by the CCFA.

Europe's main supplier body says Saab now has "absolutely the last chance" to succeed following news of Chinese manufacturer Hawtai's EUR150m (US$223m) investment plan.

Renault's Slovenian unit will cut 520 jobs at its Novo Mesto plant, as it reduces shifts following a shortage of electronic parts from Japan.

Scoop shots reveal B-MAX mule on British roads for the first time.

There was little cheer for automakers in the major European markets as the April sales numbers highlighted a slump in deliveries in Spain, France and Italy and slowing growth in Germany.