Author: Detroit News Online

Detroit Three signal cautious optimism for second half of 2020

Detroit’s three automakers are cautiously optimistic for the next six months after second-quarter earnings took a beating because of the coronavirus. Performance predictions hinge on specific conditions, but other actions signal a brighter future. “We expect a much, much better second half,” Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV CEO Mike Manley said Friday during a conference call after the… Continue reading Detroit Three signal cautious optimism for second half of 2020

Electric pickups a possibility, FCA CEO says, as it updates product plans

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV could electrify its Ram trucks if they face deteriorating market share, CEO Mike Manley said Friday, as he provided updates on product launch plans that faced delays due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Italian American automaker has said it will electrify its profit-heavy Jeep brand by 2022, but overall it has been… Continue reading Electric pickups a possibility, FCA CEO says, as it updates product plans

Ford takes $1.9 billion hit in second quarter, but that’s far better than expected

Dearborn — Ford Motor Co. took a $1.9 billion hit to its pretax earnings during the second quarter — far better than the $5 billion the automaker had warned it might lose during the eight-week pandemic shutdown. But by recording a one-time $3.5 billion gain on its investment with self-driving software Argo AI, the automaker managed to post an overall… Continue reading Ford takes $1.9 billion hit in second quarter, but that’s far better than expected

GM, EVgo to install 2,700 electric-vehicle charging stations

Detroit — General Motors Co. and EVgo, a public electric-vehicle charging network, are joining forces to add 2,700 electric-vehicle fast-chargers to the network to spur adoption of the vehicles across the U.S. The installation, which will take place in the next five years, will triple the size of EVgo’s charging network with charging stations being added in 40… Continue reading GM, EVgo to install 2,700 electric-vehicle charging stations

Ford lost $1.9 billion in second quarter, but that’s far better than expected

Dearborn — Ford Motor Co. took a $1.9 billion hit to its pretax earnings for the second quarter during the second quarter — but that’s far better than $5 billion the automaker had warned it might lose. Ford said it burned through $5.3 billion in the second quarter amid the coronavirus pandemic that kept plants closed. The Blue Oval’s… Continue reading Ford lost $1.9 billion in second quarter, but that’s far better than expected

Odd couple: Audi S5 Sportback vs. Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus

Autoplay Show Thumbnails Show Captions Last SlideNext Slide My comparison cars this week have much in common. They are muscle models from notable performance brands. They bear fresh, head-swiveling colors: one District Green, the other Sinamon Stick red. Both have elegant “T” shifters, sculpted 20-inch wheels, elevated sticker prices and multiple words in their badges. Yet… Continue reading Odd couple: Audi S5 Sportback vs. Dodge Charger Scat Pack Plus

Howes: GM demonstrates resilience amid COVID-19 pandemic, but shares slip

That could have been worse. After missing eight of 13 second-quarter weeks of North American production because of the coronavirus shutdown, General Motors Co. posted a loss of less than $800 million for the three-month period, rescinded most of its salary cuts and signaled that the second half of the year could prove surprisingly resilient.… Continue reading Howes: GM demonstrates resilience amid COVID-19 pandemic, but shares slip

GM to increase production at Fort Wayne truck plant

Detroit — General Motors Co. is increasing production at its Fort Wayne, Indiana, assembly plant in September to meet consumer demand for its pickups, according to a plant communication from Gary Duff, plant executive director.  In the July 28-dated communication obtained by The Detroit News, Duff wrote that the plant would increase daily production levels of… Continue reading GM to increase production at Fort Wayne truck plant

GM prodded to catch electric-car zeitgeist with name change

David Welch and Chester Dawson, Bloomberg Published 1:56 p.m. ET July 29, 2020 | Updated 2:02 p.m. ET July 29, 2020 General Motors Co. has weathered depressions, wars and pandemics under its century-old name, but the coming shift to battery-powered vehicles may be an opportunity to rethink its generic-sounding corporate moniker in favor of something… Continue reading GM prodded to catch electric-car zeitgeist with name change