Author: Automotive News Breaking News Feed

Lexus’ boss says it will be tough to regain the U.S. luxury sales crown from German rivals, but the brand is changing advertising methods to help dealers better compete.

Nissan says the idea for the BladeGlider, the wedge-shaped concept that drew crowds at the Tokyo Motor Show last week, came out of the clear blue sky. One of Nissan’s former racing partners begs to differ and is suing the Japanese automaker.

Mercedes-Benz USA is providing dealers as much as $2,500 to please each buyer of the redesigned S class.

Lots of dealers walk their stores with coins in their pocket. But when Keith Kocourek does so, at least one of his 250 employees is about to be rewarded for reaching a goal or taking special care of a customer.

Big tax breaks for many buyers of commercial vehicles are scheduled to expire at year end, so automakers and dealers are scrambling to get the word out to small businesses to buy now.

Chrysler Group is expanding its “butts-in-seats” marketing, in which the automaker offers test drives to consumers at dealerships and elsewhere.

Automakers are crafting strategies to keep existing customers — and perhaps poach some new ones — when the number of vehicle owners coming off lease shoots up next year.

Nissan is sharpening its oversight of affiliated transmission supplier Jatco Ltd. in the wake of quality and customer satisfaction problems that have pinched the automaker’s profits.

The auto industry is stepping up the push for car features that work by electronic impulses, but its progress has been impeded by fearful consumers and luxury owners.