Cult Appeal Helps Subaru Buck Market

(NEWSER) - Indian automaker Tata has 203,000 domestic orders for the Nano—the world’s cheapest car—which will start delivery in July, Bloomberg reports. The first editions of the $2,500 vehicle will go out to just 100,000 eager buyers, who will be chosen by lottery and must put about $1,900 down. The groundswell of enthusiasm will net the company $501 million—and 17% of India’s auto market for the fiscal year ending in March. More»

Country's carmakers look to Beijing as slowdown puts the brakes on sales

(NEWSER) - China's automakers are looking to emulate a new Detroit invention—a bailout, the New York Times reports. After years of rapid expansion, the industry has been hit by a sudden slowdown as confidence crashes both home and abroad. Executives are now quietly pressing Beijing for a US-style rescue package to boost demand and fund research into greener vehicles. More»

(NEWSER) - Cadillac's CTS won Motor Trend’s 2008 car of the year honors today, reports the AP. Editors said the $32,990 entry-level luxury sedan stood up to BMW and Mercedes, and proves Detroit can build a competitive sedan—despite years of focusing on SUVs and trucks. "The CTS obliterates the old man image of Cadillac," MT wrote. More»

To return to profitability, car maker may restructure its vehicle and dealer lineup

(NEWSER) - Clued-in dealers say Chrysler is considering a restructuring plan to simplify its lineup: Chrysler dealers would sell all the company’s passenger cars, Jeep dealers would carry only Jeeps and SUVs, and Dodge dealers would handle commercial trucks and pickups. The reorganization would allow Chrysler to eliminate overlapping models and cut up to 1,000 underperforming dealers, reports the Wall Street Journal. More»

US auto giant plans to use tiny imports to battle Japanese manufacturers

(NEWSER) - In a cost-cutting move, Chrysler will introduce cars produced by China's biggest automaker to the US market by late 2009. Chrysler and Chery staged a signing ceremony today in Beijing to allay fears about the American auto giant's new ownership not backing the deal, MarketWatch reports. The first vehicles will hit Latin American and Eastern European markets within a year. More»