Auto News 5

Group 1 Automotive Inc., the No. 4 U.S. auto dealership, has been looking at possible acquisitions over the past few months and would consider buying more Ford Motor Co. dealerships, CEO Earl Hesterberg said today. Full story...

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said today that the Ford-UAW contract modifications rejected overwhelmingly by Ford's 41,000 hourly U.S. workers would have saved the automaker just $30 million. Full story...

Ford Motor Co.and#8217;s surprise profit in the third quarter and#8220;absolutelyand#8221; would have happened even without the cash-for-clunkers program, CEO Alan Mulally said today. Full story...

Moody's Investors Service today raised its debt ratings on Ford Motor Co. and its finance arm, citing the automaker's progress in cutting costs and boosting market share. Full story...

Moody's Investors Service today raised its debt ratings on Ford Motor Co. and its finance arm, citing the automaker's progress in cutting costs and boosting market share. Full story...

Mazda Motor Corp. is recalling as many as 39,600 B-series pickup trucks because of leaky cruise control switches that can lead to engine fires -- the same kind of problem that led to Ford Motor Co. Full story...

EXECUTIVE EDITOR WES RAYNAL: I was kiddingly whining about having to drive a six-cylinder Mustang, but gawd, this is one terrible engine. Actually, let me qualify that: This is not a great engine for a sporty car. Full story...

Ford's excellent Q3 results announcement on Monday has been overshadowed somewhat by mixed union reactions in North American to proposed concessions it has said it needs to stay competitive. Full story...

Ford increased its Q3 pre-tax operating profit in Europe while Volvo narrowed its loss for the quarter. Ford said Q3 pre-tax operating profit in Europe was $193 million, compared with a profit of $69 million a year ago. Full story...

Ford on Monday announced third quarter net income of US$997m, up $1.2bn from the third quarter of 2008, pre-tax operating profit up $3.9bn to $1.1bn - its first pre-tax operating profit since the first quarter of 2008 - and an operating profit of $357m at its North America operations, the first quarter in the black since Q1 2005. It has also revised its full-year 2011 guidance for total company and North American automotive operations from "break even or better" to "solidly profitable", pre-tax. Full story...

A combination of flexible manufacturing plants, global vehicles and a weak US dollar could see Ford exporting US-made vehicles, chief executive Alan Mulally has said. Full story...

Ford Motor Co. posted a surprise $997 million net profit in the third quarter and boosted cash reserves while saying it will be and#8220;solidly profitableand#8221; in 2011. Ford's pre-tax operating profit of $1. Full story...

Talk about a one-horse race! The latest Mustang is the runaway star of the SEMA automotive modification show in the US.Seven Ford-backed tuner versions of the 2010 model ‘pony car’ are turning heads at this week’s annual Las Vegas extravaganza, heaping extra visual and engineering muscle on to the standard coupé. Full story...

Geely ready to take over Swedish firm from Ford. Full story...

Ford could export Fiesta and Kuga cars from North America to Europe as a way to exploit its manufacturing flexibility, global vehicle platforms and the weak dollar. Ford plans to start assembly of the Kuga in Kentucky in 2011. Full story...

Sub-1-Series model sets sights on Ford and front-wheel drive will be most frugal BMW Full story...

U.S. factory workers at Ford Motor Co. overwhelmingly rejected proposed concessions it has said it needs to stay competitive, while union workers in Canada on Sunday accepted cuts aimed at retaining jobs. Full story...

U.S. factory workers at Ford Motor Co. overwhelmingly rejected proposed concessions it has said it needs to stay competitive, while union workers in Canada on Sunday accepted cuts aimed at retaining jobs. Full story...

Some hybrids stand out with unique names and designs -- the Prius and Insight immediately come to mind. Others fly under the radar despite their remarkable fuel economy. They're found in various market segments under more familiar names like Camry, Malibu, Altima, Escape, Escalade and now Fusion. Full story...

DEARBORN, Mich.,- Ford Motor Company today reported net income of $997 million, or 29 cents per share, in the third quarter as strong new products, structural cost reductions and improved results at Ford Credit lifted the company's results despite continued weak global economic conditions. This is a $1.2 billion improvement compared with the same period last year. Full story...