Auto News 5

Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., maker of Subaru-brand vehicles, rose to profitability during the April-December period, burgeoned by growing vehicle sales overseas. The Japanese automotive and aerospace manufacturing company posted net income of 58. Full story...

IRN Inc., a Michigan data analysis and consulting firm, has started a joint venture with the Office of Automotive and Vehicle Research (OVAR), a research and consulting unit at the University of Windsor. Full story...

Despite debuting in 2009, the Passat CC still catches my eye and commands my attention; it has yet to become a commonplace sighting on the automotive landscape. I applauded when VW found the spine to deliver such a highly stylized car to North American shores, and I'm still clapping. Full story...

Andrew Ridgeway, a former executive at General Motors, has taken over as president of powertrain engineering-services supplier IAV Automotive Engineering Inc. Ridgeway, 45, moved into the position at the start of 2011. Full story...

The German automotive trade association VDA has reported that January car sales in Germany were up by 17% on last year, continuing the positive trend that began in December. Full story...

The Crest Automotive Group, owned by a Ford family in-law, has acquired the 50-year-old Bob Thibodeau Ford dealership in the Detroit suburb of Center Line, Mich. Full story...

The Suzuki SX4 hatchback is no longer the freshly discovered species of our automotive fauna. It's already been around since 2007. Though less popular than the similarly sized Toyota Matrix, Volkswagen Golf and Nissan Versa, it nevertheless has one particularity that's rather important to many drivers across the country. Like the Subaru Impreza, it offers the undeniable advantages of all-wheel drive, particularly appreciated in winter. Full story...

Japanese firm Fujikura Automotive, an electronics manufacturer for cars, said it would double production and personnel in its plant in Cluj, northwestern Romania, in 2011. Full story...

Tenneco Inc has benefited from the recovery in global automotive market and reported that its third quarter has swung back into profit. Full story...

Automotive supplier Tenneco Inc.reported a third-quarter profit on Thursday as revenue jumped 23 percent. Tenneco reported net income of $10 million versus a net loss of $8 million a year ago. Full story...

Despite a spat over an acquisition attempt this summer, Group 1 Automotive Inc. still wants to add Toyota stores to its network. Full story...

Kongsberg Automotive Holding has opened a North American Technical Centre in Michigan today (27 October). Full story...

Faurecia is to acquire the seat comfort technology unit of German group Hoerbiger Automotive Komfortsysteme GmbH Full story...

Automotive supplier Visteon Corp.'s third-quarter loss widened on reorganization and post-retirement related expenses, although sales rose slightly. Visteon posted a loss of $140 million compared with a year-earlier loss of $38 million. Full story...

It's that time of the year again. Right before Halloween, a bunch of automotive journalists and manufacturers get together in Niagara-on-the-Lake for an intense week of testing in order to determine the AJAC's Canadian Car of the Year Awards. Check out our gallery of amazing pictures shot by Matthieu Lambert. Full story...

International Automotive Components (IAC) is a Tier I supplier of interior systems and components specialising in instrument panels and cockpit systems, door assemblies, overhead systems, door and trim systems, and flooring and acoustic systems. It was formed in 2005 by investor Wilbur Ross and Franklin Mutual Advisers following the acquisition of Collins & Aikman's European assets. Dave Leggett caught up with IAC's John Smail - who manages the firm's North American business relationships with OEMs - at the company's Dearborn (Detroit) headquarters this week. Full story...

Automotive supplier Visteon Corp.'s third-quarter loss widened on reorganization and post-retirement related expenses, although sales rose slightly. Full story...

Group 1 Automotive's adjusted net income increased $19.3 million in the third quarter, a 14.6 percent increase from the same time last year. Total company revenues of $1.46 billion were up 17. Full story...

Buoyed by a more aggressive marketing plan, Group 1 Automotive Inc. is gaining revenue from new and used vehicles even though the retailer is making slightly less money on each transaction. The strategy helped Group 1 to a 17. Full story...

Dealership group Asbury Automotive Group Inc. reported net income of $12.5 million for the third quarter, up from $7.4 million during the same quarter last year. The retailer reported revenue of $1.09 billion, up from $1. Full story...