NASHVILLE (AP) — Maintenance workers at Volkswagen's lone U.S. plant in Tennessee are seeking a new election in two weeks on exclusive union representation by the United Auto Workers.
Under the filing with the National Labor Relations Board on Friday, the two-day election starting on Nov. 5 only applies to the about 165 "skilled trade" workers at the plant.
49. Tech companies face rocky road on the way to making cars - Friday, October 23, 2015
NEW YORK (AP) — Silicon Valley may think it can build a better car. But should it?
As tech giants like Google and Apple look to automobiles as the next frontier for innovation, they face a looming reality: Cars are a lot harder to manufacture and sell than smartphones.
50. UAW threatens strike in contract talks with Fiat Chrysler - Friday, October 2, 2015
DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union is threatening to go on strike against Fiat Chrysler after its membership rejected a tentative contract deal with the company.
In a statement, Fiat Chrysler said Tuesday that it received a strike notice from the union, and that it continues to work toward reaching an agreement.
51. Nearly two-thirds of UAW members reject Fiat Chrysler deal - Friday, October 2, 2015
DETROIT (AP) — Nearly two thirds of United Auto Workers at Fiat Chrysler voted to reject a proposed contract agreement with the company.
Sixty-five percent of the membership voted against the pact, the union said Thursday, sending UAW leaders scrambling for a Plan B. Union leaders from across the nation were meeting Thursday in a Detroit suburb to talk about their next move.
52. Fiat Chrysler CEO skips Frankfurt show; UAW deal may be near - Friday, September 11, 2015
DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne canceled plans to attend the Frankfurt International Motor Show in Germany, an indication that the company may be getting close to a contract agreement with the United Auto Workers union.
53. Automakers trying to prevent hackers from commandeering cars - Friday, July 31, 2015
DETROIT (AP) — When researchers at two West Coast universities took control of a General Motors car through cellular and Bluetooth connections in 2010, they startled the auto industry by exposing a glaring security gap.
54. Rekindling the flame that was Jefferson Street - Friday, July 24, 2015
Lorenzo Washington pushes “pause” on his conversation so he doesn’t have to compete with the scream of a fire engine as it roars past his Jefferson Street recording empire and into the barbecue-flavored haze of this steamy, storm-threatened mid-summer’s day.
55. Only 3 of 7 midsize SUVs perform well in crash tests - Friday, May 8, 2015
DETROIT (AP) — Only three of seven midsize SUVs from the 2015 model year performed well in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group.
The Nissan Murano and Jeep Wrangler four-door got the highest, or "good," rating in the latest round of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety small overlap crash tests. The Ford Flex got the second-best "acceptable," rating in the test, which mimics what happens when a car's front corner collides with another vehicle or object such as a utility pole.
56. Small, midsize SUVs drive April US auto sales gains - Friday, May 1, 2015
DETROIT (AP) — Hot sales of small and midsize SUVs drove auto sales higher last month as Nissan, General Motors, Ford, Toyota and Fiat Chrysler all reported U.S. sales gains.
Several of the companies reported their best April totals in years. Overall, sales were mostly in line with analysts' predictions of a 6 percent increase compared with a year ago. All automakers were scheduled to report sales on Friday.
57. Investor seeks $8B GM stock buyback, seat on board - Friday, February 6, 2015
DETROIT (AP) — A General Motors stockholder representing four investment funds has told the company he'll seek a seat on its board at the annual meeting this summer and will push for an $8 billion stock buyback to take place next year.
58. Why US inflation stays ultra-low while job growth is surging - Friday, January 9, 2015
WASHINGTON (AP) — This isn't explained in Econ 101. Month after month, U.S. hiring keeps rising, and unemployment keeps falling. Eventually, pay and inflation are supposed to start surging in response.
59. Chrysler recalls 67,000 pickup trucks - Friday, December 26, 2014
NEW YORK (AP) — Fiat Chrysler is recalling about 67,000 model year 2006 and 2007 pickups because of a problem that could allow the trucks to be started without the clutch being depressed. Chrysler said one death is associated with the problem.
60. Minivans do poorly in new crash tests - Friday, November 14, 2014
DETROIT (AP) — The Honda Odyssey was the only minivan to earn the highest safety rating in new crash tests by the insurance industry.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said Thursday that the Nissan Quest, Chrysler Town and Country, and Dodge Caravan all garnered the lowest rating on the small overlap front crash test, which replicates what happens when a vehicle's front corner collides with another object at 40 miles per hour.
61. US factory output increases 0.2 pct in October - Friday, November 14, 2014
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. manufacturing output grew modestly in October, as autoworkers churned out fewer cars and trucks.
Output at manufacturing plants rose 0.2 percent in October, the Federal Reserve said Monday. Gains came from the rising demand for machinery, plastics, clothing and furniture. Factory output has risen 3.4 percent over the past 12 months.
62. Chrysler 3Q earnings up 32 pct. on rising sales - Friday, October 31, 2014
DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler Group's third-quarter net profit rose 32 percent as worldwide sales continued to climb, helping the U.S. company prop up its ailing parent.
Chrysler made $611 million in the July-through-September quarter, compared with $464 million a year ago. Revenue rose nearly 18 percent to $20.7 billion.
63. Fiat Chrysler to spin off sports car maker Ferrari - Friday, October 24, 2014
MILAN (AP) — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced Wednesday it will spin off sports car maker Ferrari into a separate company, a move to unlock the luxury brand's value and distinguish it from its mass-market parent.
64. Toledo nervously awaiting fate of beloved Jeep - Friday, October 10, 2014
TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — The thought of losing the Jeep Wrangler — a direct descendant of the original olive-drab vehicle that rolled off the assembly line in Toledo on its way to the battlefields of World War II — feels a little bit like losing a family member to those who have spent generations on the factory floor.
65. Rogue, Leaf help Nissan sales jump 18.5 percent in September - Friday, September 26, 2014
DETROIT (AP) — Nissan sales rose 18.5 percent to 102,955 in September. Sales of the newly revamped Rogue crossover jumped 52 percent, while sales of the electric Leaf were up 47 percent. Both are assembled in Smyrna.
66. GM says China sales this year to top 3.1 million - Friday, September 19, 2014
SHANGHAI (AP) — General Motors Co. expects its sales in China this year to top 3.1 million vehicles and sees no impact on business from an anti-monopoly probe of the industry, the president of the automaker's China unit said Wednesday.
67. Chrysler 2Q profit up 22 pct. on rising US sales - Friday, August 1, 2014
DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler Group's second-quarter net profit rose 22 percent, fueled by rising sales in the U.S.
The company on Wednesday reported that it made $619 million in the April-through-June quarter, compared with $507 million a year ago.
68. Chrysler US sales climb 20 percent in July - Friday, August 1, 2014
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Chrysler says its U.S. sales rose 20 percent in July from a year ago, its best performance for the month in nine years.
The automaker said Friday that it sold 167,667 vehicles in the U.S. during the month compared with 140,102 in the prior-year period.
69. US service firms grow at fastest pace since August - Friday, May 30, 2014
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. service firms grew more quickly last month as production, hiring and new orders increased, adding to signs that the economy is accelerating after dipping at the start of the year.
70. Chrysler reports $690 million first quarter loss - Friday, May 9, 2014
DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler Group saw big sales gains in the first quarter thanks to the new Jeep Cherokee and Ram pickup, but its results were overshadowed by charges related to its merger with Italian automaker Fiat SpA.
71. Chrysler to drop Dodge minivan in wider revamp - Friday, May 2, 2014
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — Chrysler Group wants to expand its sales with new vehicles — including a plug-in hybrid minivan and a new small Jeep SUV — and a more aggressive effort to differentiate its brands.
72. Carmakers bank on small SUVs as next big thing - Friday, February 28, 2014
GENEVA (AP) — Carmakers are banking on the fast-growing demand for small SUVs to earn new customers in the U.S. and help turn around their businesses in Europe's still-fragile market.
U.S. carmaker Chrysler's Jeep brand launched the Renegade and France's Citroen introduced the funky Cactus at the Geneva Auto Show on Tuesday. And they are just the start of a long list of carmakers looking to "come to the party," said IHS analyst Tim Urquhart.
73. Consumer Reports names Tesla Model S its top pick - Friday, February 21, 2014
DETROIT (AP) — The Tesla Model S electric sedan is Consumer Reports' top pick in this year's automotive rankings.
The magazine cited the Model S's sporty performance and technological innovations, including its 225-mile range. But it acknowledged that the car is expensive. Consumer Reports paid $89,650 for the Model S it tested.
74. UAW: Workers at VW's Chattanooga plant voting Feb. 12-14 - Friday, January 31, 2014
DETROIT (AP) — Workers at Volkswagen's only U.S. factory will decide next week whether to be represented by the United Auto Workers union.
German automaker Volkswagen AG said Monday that it has asked the National Labor Relations Board to conduct a vote at its Chattanooga, Tenn., plant Feb. 12 through 14. The plant, which makes the Passat sedan, has around 3,000 workers.
75. Sedate Super Bowl ads upstaged by a coat - Friday, January 31, 2014
NEW YORK (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks had a blowout victory Sunday night, but there was no big winner in the Super Bowl ad contest.
Many advertisers went for a more serious, toned-down feel than in previous years. Budweiser, Coca-Cola and Chrysler all hit patriotic notes. RadioShack got praise for its surprisingly frank acknowledgement of its dated image — and its use of 1980s pop culture figures including Alf. And "Seinfeld" characters Jerry, George and Newman got together for a mini reunion for Jerry Seinfeld's show "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee."
76. Nothing controversial in Super Bowl ads - Friday, January 31, 2014
NEW YORK (AP) — What Super Bowl ads will people discuss over the water cooler a day after the big game?
There were no crude jokes. Sexual innuendo was kept to a minimum. And uncomfortable scenes were missing.
77. 10 Super Bowl Ads to watch out for - Friday, January 31, 2014
NEW YORK (AP) — Actress Scarlett Johansson gives SodaStream some sex appeal in a controversial spot, Kia revives actor Laurence Fishburne's "Matrix" character Morpheus in its commercial. And cute puppies and kids abound in ads for Cheerios to Anheuser-Busch.
78. 2013 auto sales best in 6 years; Nissan up 9.4 pct. - Friday, January 3, 2014
DETROIT (AP) — December U.S. auto sales slowed a bit from the brisk pace earlier this year, but automakers still were on target to finish 2013 with the best numbers in six years.
For the year, Nissan had its "best sales year in history," according to Fred Diaz, senior vice president, sales & marketing, parts & service, U.S.A., with sales increasing 9.4 percent compared to 2012 with 1,248,420 cars sold.
79. Fiat stock soars on Chrysler deal but unions worry - Friday, December 27, 2013
ROME (AP) — Shares in Fiat soared on Thursday on the news the Italian automaker will take full ownership of Chrysler, but some Italian unions worried what the deal will mean for jobs and investments in the country.
80. Stocks sink as US consumer spending worries deepen - Friday, November 29, 2013
NEW YORK (AP) — After eight weeks of gains, maybe the stock market pullback long anticipated by investors has arrived.
Stocks fell Tuesday, dragged lower by the Detroit automakers and consumer-focused companies such as GameStop and Amazon.com. The market could be headed for its first weekly decline since early October, putting at risk a remarkable rally that has sent indexes to record highs.
81. Holiday weekend gives a boost to Nissan, other automakers - Friday, November 29, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — The holiday weekend was good to U.S. automakers, as sales reports indicate the auto industry is on track to beat strong numbers from a year ago.
Chrysler's U.S. sales rose a surprising 16 percent in November, while General Motors posted a 14 percent gain. Nissan sales rose 11 percent, while Toyota was up 10 percent. Ford notched a 7 percent gain and Hyundai sales rose just under 5 percent. Of major automakers, only Volkswagen and Honda reported sales drops. VW was off 16 percent, while Honda sales were down less than 1 percent.
82. Fiat says no Chrysler IPO in 2013 - Friday, November 22, 2013
FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Chrysler won't be offering its stock for sale on the public markets this year.
Italian automaker Fiat SpA, Chrysler's majority owner, said in a statement Monday that Chrysler's board has determined an initial public offering is "not practicable" in 2013.
83. Chrysler, Ford, GM, Nissan post big Oct. gains - Friday, November 1, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan and Toyota all posted October sales increases as the U.S. auto industry rebounded from a lackluster September.
The gains signal that automakers made it through the 16-day partial government shutdown relatively unscathed. Chrysler even predicted stronger industry sales for the month than most analysts.
84. Chrysler IPO could happen by year end, CEO says - Friday, October 25, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — On the heels of a profitable third quarter, Chrysler Group said it will proceed with a public offering of shares before the end of this year.
Italy's Fiat SpA owns the majority of Chrysler shares. Sergio Marchionne, who runs both companies, wants to combine them by purchasing the 41.5 percent of Chrysler now controlled by a United Auto Workers-run trust.
85. Chrysler 3Q profit up 22 pct on truck demand - Friday, October 25, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler Group's net income rose 22 percent in the third quarter as strong sales of the Ram pickup and Jeep Grand Cherokee masked weaknesses elsewhere in its lineup.
Chrysler said Wednesday that it earned $464 million in the July-September period. It was the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based company's ninth consecutive profitable quarter.
86. Japan car parts makers in price-fixing plea - Friday, September 27, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nine Japanese auto parts manufacturers and two of their executives will plead guilty and pay $740 million in criminal fines for conspiring to fix the prices of more than 30 products sold to many of the world's largest automakers operating in the U.S., the Justice Department announced Thursday.
87. US factories rebound with best growth in 2 years - Friday, August 2, 2013
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. factories revved up production, hired more workers and received a surge of new orders in July, helping them expand at the fastest pace in two years. The gains suggest manufacturing is rebounding and could provide a spark to economic growth.
88. Chrysler's 2Q net income up 16 percent on US sales - Friday, July 26, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler Group's sales picked up in the second quarter thanks to strong U.S. demand for trucks and SUVs, but the company still cut its full-year sales and profit targets after a slower than expected start to the year.
89. Former GM exec sees Toyota role as sign of change - Friday, July 19, 2013
NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — Mark Hogan, a former General Motors Co. executive tapped to join the Toyota board, sees his appointment as a sign of change at the Japanese automaker and hopes he'll play a role in the company becoming less insular and quicker in decision making.
90. Chrysler recalling nearly 46,000 2013 Ram trucks - Friday, July 12, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler Group is recalling 45,961 Ram trucks because their electronic stability control systems may not turn on when the vehicles start.
Ram 1500 4x4 trucks built between June 26, 2012, and Feb. 5, 2013, are involved in the recall.
91. Chrysler agrees to recall of Jeeps at risk of fire - Friday, June 14, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler abruptly agreed to recall 2.7 million older model Jeeps Tuesday, reversing a defiant stance and avoiding a possible public relations nightmare over fuel tanks that can rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
92. Chrysler freezes pension plan for 8,000 employees - Friday, June 14, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC says it is freezing the pension of roughly 8,000 U.S. salaried employees at the end of the year.
93. Chrysler refuses US request to recall vehicles - Friday, May 31, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — A defiant Chrysler is refusing to recall about 2.7 million Jeeps the government says are at risk of a fuel tank fire in a rear-end collision.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent Chrysler a letter asking that the company voluntarily recall Jeep Grand Cherokees from 1993 through 2004 and Jeep Libertys from 2002 through 2007.
94. US auto sales see big gains in May - Friday, May 31, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — Price cuts at Nissan and strong demand for pickup trucks helped U.S. auto sales rebound in May after a slight dip in April.
General Motors reported its strongest monthly sales since September of 2008. Chrysler, Ford, and Toyota also reported increases. Nissan Motor Co. notched its highest May sales ever after cutting prices on seven popular models early in the month. Only Volkswagen said sales fell compared with May of last year.
95. US auto factories cutting back on summer downtime - Friday, May 17, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit automakers are largely forgoing the traditional two-week summer break at their factories and speeding up production to meet buyers' growing demand for new cars and trucks.
96. GM profit falls 14 pct in 1Q; Europe loss narrows - Friday, April 26, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors' net income fell 14 percent in the first quarter, as it earned less money in North America while preparing to launch a redesigned version of its best-selling vehicle, the Silverado pickup.
97. Detroit boosted by truck sales; Honda, Nissan gain - Friday, April 26, 2013
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.
98. Chrysler profit falls 65 pct. on lower shipments - Friday, April 26, 2013
DETROIT (AP) — Chrysler's first-quarter profit tumbled 65 percent as shipments of cars and trucks fell while it prepared to launch several key new vehicles.
The Auburn Hills, Mich., company said Monday that it earned $166 million in the January-March quarter, compared with $473 million a year ago. Revenue fell 6 percent to $15.4 billion.
99. Get started before graduation - Friday, April 12, 2013
It’s always been easy to get a job out of college if mom or dad is chairman of the board.
It’s even easier if the graduate is chairman.
The experiential learning trend on university campuses fosters the career aspirations of students by helping individuals create their own companies and nonprofits – sometimes before graduation – by focusing on finding suitable internships and through course integration.
100. Health insurers lead stocks higher on Wall Street - Friday, March 29, 2013
The Dow Jones industrial average closed at a record high Tuesday after reports on auto sales and factory orders provided the latest evidence that the U.S. economy is strengthening. Traders plowed money back into European stocks as the financial situation in Cyprus appeared to stabilize.