WEEKLY: Brain drain in Detroit? | Europe: It's 'a disaster' | Toyota's engine overhaul | Ford, GM co-design trannies

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Oct. 1, 2012

» Tell a colleague about this newsletter    » Open this newsletter in a web browser    » Home page » Webinars » Contact Us ShareThis Click here to view this week's digital edition EDITOR'S PICKS BRAIN DRAIN? Auto companies try new recruiting techniques and workplace practices to fill engineering vacancies in Detroit Threatened by a chronic shortage of engineers -- exacerbated by years of industry restructuring -- auto companies are having trouble filling job vacan ...  FULL STORY   Europe: It's 'a disaster'  Toyota's engine overhaul  Ford, GM co-design trannies  Guide to certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Programs  BMW to offer 3-bangers in the U.S.  Chevrolet Spark sales are heating up  Toyota's quiet hero  The no-dicker sticker is back  Cruisin' for burgers pollutes less than charbroiling them Advertisement Modern Healthcare, a sister publication of Automotive News, is conducting a survey to determine major employers' healthcare benefits costs. This survey is intended for all U.S. nongovernmental companies and organizations in any sector of the economy with a minimum of $100 million in annual revenue. To participate in the 2012 Healthcare Purchasing Power Survey, click here. FINAL ASSEMBLY FINAL ASSEMBLY Marchionne: Alfa's still not for sale The German business magazine Focus says Volkswagen executives have been touring Fiat's Mirafiori, Cassino, Melfi and Pomigliano plants in Italy ...  FULL STORY  FINAL ASSEMBLY : Prius chief: Toyota eyes 1 million hybrid sales in N.A. in this decade FINAL ASSEMBLY : Front bench seats are going the way of the drive-in FINAL ASSEMBLY : Imagine that: 'Reimagined' re-emerges FINAL ASSEMBLY : Former BMW marketer now a media mogul DEALERS AutoNation's big digital push Dealership group plans to spend $50 million to attract tech-savvy buyers AutoNation Inc. has poured $500 million into store renovations in the past three years. But customers still can't purchase cars as easily as they buy ...  FULL STORY   Toyota: Prius Plug-in needs more marketing  Hawaii dealer pleads guilty to federal tax evasion  Ex-store president faces prison  Former dealer principal indicted  Personnel  Bring back cash for clunkers  VW will add dealers; Passat sales hit record  Dealers AUTOMAKERS AND SUPPLIERS Chevy ad campaign touts Malibu style Chevrolet is heading into an epic mid-sized sedan battle with an advertising campaign that plugs its Malibu as a stylish alternative to the Honda Acco ...  FULL STORY   Subaru XV Crosstrek goal: 18,000 N.A. sales  CAW contracts give the Detroit 3 options in Canada  Lincoln dealers need better cars  Nissan plans probe into Leaf batteries  Tesla announces charging network, earnings shortfall  CAW's Chrysler deal matches Ford, GM pacts PEOPLE Passion fuels Toyota r&d chief Product development priorities: Share parts and raise quality Mitsuhisa Kato's top mission will be overhauling Toyota's product development strategy, moving toward increased use of common designs and parts and gl ...  FULL STORY   In Vietnam: 900 missions, Purple Heart and Silver Star  Innovation spurs Serra's growth  2012 Eurostars AUTO SHOWS PARIS AUTO SHOW Panamera wagon is 'more likely' Porsche finds concept's rave reviews persuasive Porsche's Panamera Sport Turismo concept got such rave reviews at the auto show that it may get a green light for production. The Sport Turismo concep ...  FULL STORY   Crosslane to join Audi's crossover lineup?  Audi: RS 5 convertible, more diesels on the way  Infiniti boss wants to fill gaps in U.S. and European lineups  BMW plans up to 12 models on new platform  Volvo counts on sedan updates to boost sales  China-Japan tension hurts sales, says Nissan  VW's e-Golf set to arrive in U.S. in 2014  Obituaries CHINA EDITORIAL All eyes on China Media days at the Paris auto show last week were a grim reminder of the challenges that confront the European auto industry. But the worsening situati ...  FULL STORY  DESIGN CARS & CONCEPTS Ram heavy-duty pickups get beefier diesel Chrysler Group's re-engineered lineup of Ram heavy-duty pickups and chassis-cab trucks will feature a more powerful diesel engine and more Tradesman e ...  FULL STORY   Fusion to challenge mid-sized leaders USED CARS Mopar adds used-vehicle service plans Mopar is offering several inexpensive service plans for pre-owned vehicles, part of a rebranding of its service contract business. ...  FULL STORY  FIXED OPERATIONS FIXED OPERATIONS Ford dealers start service expansion Stores add bays to develop a steady revenue stream After a long period of declining dealer population and consolidation, some Ford dealerships are adding service capacity again. ...  FULL STORY   Infiniti beefs up body shop network to boost image WEBINARS MARKETPLACE JOB LISTINGS Managing the Sky-Rocketing Complexity of Automotive Systems Engineering October 2, 2 p.m. EDT As cars become smarter and smarter, overall automotive systems complexity sky-rockets, with software a larger and larger driver of this complexity. To ensure successful management, car and subsystem manufacturers must rethink their software systems engineering approach. Jim Brown of Tech-Clarity and Matt Klassen of PTC will present challenges organizations face and examples of companies which have adopted a holistic approach. Cost: FREE Leveraging Vehicle Diagnostic Data October 17, 11 a.m. EDT Once a new car rolls off a dealer’s lot, it immediately begins to collect mountains of valuable data. The innovators that successfully mine this data will undoubtedly improve the quality of their vehicles and ultimately their bottom line. Participants will understand how to: Leverage the data produced by vehicles, aggregate data from disparate sources, and support both technical and business analyses. Cost: FREE Webinar Archives Library   OEM Parts Locator and Marketing Service PartsVoice   Electronic and no wires to test, tap or cut. 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