DETROIT (AP) — Ford, GM, Chrysler and Nissan all reported double-digit U.S. sales increases last month, signaling the best April for car and truck sales in six years.
A rebound in pickup truck sales led the way, especially for the Detroit automakers. Small businesses are replacing aging trucks that they've kept since the Great Recession.
2. Chrysler US sales up 11 percent in April - Friday, April 26, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — Strong demand for the Ram pickup truck helped drive Chrysler's sales up 11 percent last month as the company posted its best April in six years.
The increase is another sign that Americans continue to buy cars and trucks despite high unemployment and mixed economic signals. All automakers report monthly sales Wednesday, and industry analysts expect an overall increase of around 10 percent over April of last year. That would make it the best April since 2007.
3. Honda's quarterly profit rises despite China woes - Friday, April 26, 2013
TOKYO (AP) — Honda's fiscal fourth quarter profit rose nearly 6 percent as the Japanese automaker's recovery from floods in Thailand the previous year offset recent sales losses in China.
Honda Motor Co. reported Friday a quarterly profit of 75.7 billion yen ($765 million), up from 71.5 billion yen the same period the previous year. Quarterly sales jumped 14 percent to 2.74 trillion yen ($27.7 billion).
4. Japanese, other automakers hit with air bag recall - Friday, April 12, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — Six automakers, including Toyota, Honda and Nissan, are recalling nearly 3.4 million older-model vehicles worldwide because of defective air bags that can send shrapnel flying into the passenger compartment.
5. Toyota, Honda, Nissan announce air bag recall - Friday, April 05, 2013
TOKYO (AP) — Toyota, Honda and Nissan are recalling more than 2 million vehicles globally for an identical problem with air bags on the passenger side whose inflator may burst, sending plastic pieces flying.
6. Nissan quarterly profit dives on China sales slump - Friday, February 08, 2013
TOKYO (AP) — Nissan Motor Co. reported a 35 percent plunge in October-December profit to 54.1 billion yen ($579 million) as global sales languished, especially in China, where anti-Japanese sentiment flared over a territorial dispute.
7. Mazda to produce Toyota-brand vehicles in Mexico - Friday, November 09, 2012
TOKYO (AP) — Mazda Motor Corp. will make Toyota-brand subcompacts at its new plant in Mexico, allowing Japan's top automaker to strengthen its North American model lineup.
8. Mitsubishi Motors profit improves on cost cuts - Friday, October 26, 2012
TOKYO (AP) — Mitsubishi Motor Corp.'s fiscal second-quarter net profit improved 60 percent to 10.1 billion yen ($126 million) on cost cuts, but the Japanese automaker lowered its projection Tuesday for China, where a bitter territorial dispute is sending sales plunging.
9. Toyota on top in latest Consumer Reports survey - Friday, October 26, 2012
DETROIT (AP) — And the winner is ... Japan.
Japanese brands took the top seven spots in Consumer Reports' annual reliability rankings, pushing aside their U.S. and European rivals. Toyota Motor Corp.'s Scion, Lexus and Toyota brands took the top three spots and the Toyota Prius C, a subcompact hybrid, got the best overall score. Mazda, Subaru, Honda and Acura were close behind.
10. Toyota, Honda sales plunge in China on islands row - Friday, October 05, 2012
TOKYO (AP) — Sales of Toyota and Honda vehicles nosedived in China during September as anti-Japanese sentiment flared over a territorial dispute that threatens to hobble what was a booming business relationship between Japan and its biggest export market.
11. Honda's profit quadruples on disaster recovery - Friday, July 27, 2012
TOKYO (AP) — Honda's quarterly profit quadrupled to 131.7 billion yen ($1.7 billion) as the Japanese automaker bounced back from last year's natural disasters with more vehicles sold across all key regions except for Europe.
12. Ford recalls 2013 Escapes; engines can catch fire - Friday, July 20, 2012
DETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co. is telling owners of one version of the brand-new Ford Escape not to drive the SUVs until dealers can fix fuel lines that can crack and spill gasoline, causing engine fires.
13. Mazda, Fiat to work together on small convertible - Friday, May 18, 2012
TOKYO (AP) — Mazda Motor Corp. and Fiat SpA are working together on developing and manufacturing a roadster, or two-seater convertible, although the automakers will come up with different, distinctly styled models.
14. Driving home a ‘statement’ - Friday, May 11, 2012
When gas prices hit $4 a gallon earlier this year, the local reaction was swift – and varied.
Some drivers opted for public transportation, while others traded in gas-guzzling SUVs for hybrids. Most just trimmed back their budgets to make room for the increased fuel cost.
15. 2 Key leaders in Ford's renaissance will retire - Friday, February 10, 2012
DETROIT (AP) — Two key leaders in Ford's remarkable turnaround are retiring.
Lewis Booth, chief financial officer, and Derrick Kuzak, product development chief, will leave the company April 1.
16. Toyota global production bounces back in August - Friday, September 23, 2011
TOKYO (AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday its global production rose for the first time in a year in August as Japanese automakers continued to recover from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
17. Mazda sees growth with lean gas engines, not EVs - Friday, June 24, 2011
Mazda sees growth with lean gas engines, not EVs
YURI KAGEYAMA,AP Business Writer
TOKYO (AP) — Mazda's president believes gasoline engines will still power 80 to 90 percent of the world's autos even in 20 years time, and remains confident the carmaker can grow without electric vehicles.