Who makes the safest cars? Hyundai Motor and its sister make, Kia Motors, along with Volkswagen and its luxury brand, Audi, garnered the most awards in the recent vehicle crash tests conducted by an insurance industry testing group.
South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia are combined recalling about 9,500 vehicles to repair a brake component that may cause brake fluid to leak, impairing braking ability, according to federal safety officials.
Temporary workers at a Hyundai Motor manufacturing plant in South Korea reportedly have agreed to end a near-monthlong strike that was inhibiting domestic production of subcompact cars, such as the Hyundai Accent.
It's traditionally one of the slowest months of the year for vehicle sales, but most automakers reported higher U.S. sales in November compared to a year ago, despite continued consumer caution about the slow economic recovery.
Year-over-year gains are again likely when automakers report November U.S. sales figures Wednesday. But a drop from this October's level is on tap. Detroit probably fared better than its foreign counterparts as sales rebounded further from last year's anemic levels.
After its near-miraculous emergence so quickly from bankruptcy, the new GM will certainly make big bucks for investors if it fulfills its potential to beat sales forecasts and earnings expectations. And, no, it wouldn't take another miracle.
Fiat is still planning to spin off the American carmaker late next year, but the road to an IPO could be bumpy.
Buoyed by consumers' increased confidence in the U.S. economy, most automakers reported higher sales of cars and trucks in the U.S. during October compared to a year ago -- making it the best October in three years for the auto industry.
Initial reports show automakers having their best sales so far this year in October, despite consumer wariness about the lackluster economy. Foreign carmakers Hyundai, Kia, Subaru and Volkswagen all turned in solid performances.
Carmakers are expected to report a mixed picture for October sales: mostly better than a year ago, but down slightly from September. Still, the pace appears strong enough that the upper end of full-year forecasts is reachable.
Chrysler, which emerged from bankruptcy owned by its unions, Fiat, and the American taxpayers, is expected to announce its October sales surged 40% year over year.
Although Honda and Toyota remain the benchmark of reliability in the U.S. automobile industry, General Motors has made considerable strides in improving the quality of its cars and trucks, according to the magazine's 2010 Annual New Car Reliability Survey.
Vehicle sales have been less than stellar in recent months, disappointing some analysts. But the industry is gradually improving in a broad trend that is benefiting nearly all automakers -- including the Big Three, which have returned from the brink.
Demand for new cars and trucks should be better than it was a year ago. But expectations now are for lower sales than in August, itself unimpressive. That would leave autos stuck in a four-month-long rut.
