FRANKFURT – The B-Segment represents an important growth opportunity for Mazda Motor Corp., and executives say the new Sassou shows how serious Mazda is about becoming a player in Europe. The car, designed to appeal to young, first-time car...
TRAVERSE CITY, MI After flying under media radar for the past several years, so-called drive-by-wire technology likely will be back in the spotlight this fall, thanks to SKF Automotive Div. North America. In an interview at the Management Briefing...
TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Chrysler Group underscores its strategy of encouraging suppliers to reach “reward” status by announcing two such overachievers have been awarded contracts for an ’09 cross/utility vehicle. Johnson...
TRAVERSE CITY, MI John Waraniak is one of the oft-seen utility players at the annual Management Briefing Seminars here, and he sometimes brings some “out there” concepts to the table, says the Center for Automotive Research's Brett...
General Motors Corp. is altering a 4-year-old initiative to have suppliers lead integration efforts for its North American vehicle interiors, a company executive says. We will still rely on suppliers doing the coordination, but we are becoming the...
Johnson Controls Inc. says its new line of CrafTec interior processes for injection-molded plastic interior components is helping auto makers respond to consumers' increasing desire for attractive, high-quality interiors in affordable vehicles...
Gray and tan interiors are the norm in U.S. vehicles today, but the auto industry is on the verge of a customization trend that will allow consumers to opt for more vibrant, exciting colors and designs, two Lear Corp. executives say. The...
The aging of the U.S. population and strict SUV safety requirements will force dramatic changes in the way vehicle interiors are designed, says a panel of interior stylists at the Auto Interiors Show. Roland Sternmann, executive design director...
Ford Motor Co. is taking control of 24 Visteon Corp. plants and facilities in a $1.1 billion bailout expected to lighten its largest supplier's load and better position the parts maker for future growth. The deal is dependent on approval by the 17...
DETROIT The May 17 bankruptcy filing by Collins & Aikman Corp. served as a bleak backdrop for last week's Auto Interiors show held here at Cobo Center. Collins & Aikman, of Troy, MI, is a $3.9 billion interior supplier that specializes in cockpits...