Auto News 5

Joel Piaskowski, the chief designer for Hyundai Motor America, is resigning after six years at the company. Hyundai spokesman Chris Hosford said he didn't know what Piaskowski's plans are after he leaves at the end of the month. Full story...

Sprinkled in among the resto-mods, classic cars and a Ford Tri-Motor airplane that cross the block at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., in January will be some pieces of General Motors history. Full story...

One of Alan Mulally's first acts after taking the helm of the Ford Motor Co. was revive the Taurus nameplate, for the large sedan that had been christened the Five Hundred. Full story...

Finally... The RS is ready for the road! We've got full details and first pictures of the fastest ever Ford Focus. Full story...

Remember the Taurus? It was a good car at the right time and it made Ford a bunch of money--until they turned it into a jelly bean and then started concentrating too much on trucks. Full story...

Shame, all this financial doom and gloom stuff lately. It's depressing sure- but it also takes away from some of the great new stuff our automakers are planning to bring to market. Example? Ford's latest hybrid- the Fusion. Powered by a newly hybridized version of the automakers latest 2.5 liter four cylinder engine, Ford engineers are saying that it will be the most fuel efficient mid-sized sedan in America- with at least a 6 mpg advantage over its key competitor, the Camry hybrid. Full story...

Shame, all this financial doom and gloom stuff lately. It's depressing sure- but it also takes away from some of the great new stuff our automakers are planning to bring to market. Example? Ford's latest hybrid- the Fusion. Powered by a newly hybridized version of the automakers latest 2.5 liter four cylinder engine, Ford engineers are saying that it will be the most fuel efficient mid-sized sedan in America- with at least a 6 mpg advantage over its key competitor, the Camry hybrid. Full story...

The short list for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards is in, and diesels and Ford are looking good so far. Full story...

Ford Motor Co.'s Flex and F-150 pickup were among six finalists for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. The other cars were the diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Hyundai's Genesis luxury sedan. Full story...

Ford Motor Co. placed two candidates on the short list of finalists for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. Full story...

The Turkish operations of Fiat and Renault have followed Ford Otosan by halting production for about three weeks, citing falling demand. Full story...

Ford's Turkish operation it to suspend production for over three weeks after domestic and export demand slumped. Full story...

Ford of Britain said on Thursday it had sold 11,500 new Fiestas in the 77 days since the redesigned model went on sale on 1 October - with more than 9,000 going to retail customers. The retail sales rate so far is 80 per cent - a substantial increase on the more usual 60%. Full story...

Ford Motor Co. will close 10 of its active North American assembly plants the week of Jan. 5 as part of a previously announced plan to curb output. Full story...

Turkish vehicle maker Ford Otosan will suspend production at two factories for more than three weeks due to slumping demand at home and abroad, the company said on Thursday. Full story...

It seems like a tough battle between the Dodge Ram and the Ford F-150, both totally redesigned for 2009. The latest round in the head-to-head grudge match goes to the F-150 for claiming Motor Trend Magazine's "Truck of the Year" honours. At the end of October, the Ram outscored the Ford by a small margin to become the AJAC's "Best New Pickup Truck" for 2009. Full story...
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Ford Motor Co. will close 10 of its active North American assembly plants the week of Jan. 5 as part of a previously announced plan to curb output. All but two of the active plants will resume production the week of Jan. 12. Full story...

Ford has promoted company veteran Roelant de Waard to head its European sales, effective January 1. Currently, De Waard is head of Ford's operations in the UK, the carmaker's biggest European market. Full story...

Ford has promoted company veteran Roelant de Waard to head its European sales, effective January 1. Currently, De Waard is head of Ford's operations in the UK, the carmaker's biggest European market. Full story...

Ford has named Joe Greenwell chairman, Ford of Britain, and Nigel Sharp managing director from 1 January. Full story...