Auto industry payback may surprise U.S. taxpayers | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

WASHINGTON -- Saving Detroit's auto industry may be a better deal for U.S. taxpayers than anyone expected.

A Free Press analysis suggests that taxpayers could get back about $74 billion of the $86 billion the government made available in 2008 and 2009 to save General Motors, Chrysler and Ally Financial, the former GMAC.

Auto industry payback may surprise U.S. taxpayers | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

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Toyota Subpoenaed Again by a U.S. Grand Jury - WSJ.com

Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it has been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury in New York to submit documents related to problems with steering relay rods, part of an expanded investigation into the safety of its vehicles.

The subpoenas to Toyota's U.S. subsidiaries on June 29 were issued by a U.S. grand jury in the Southern District in New York. They appear to be tied to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into whether five years ago Toyota notified the agency of a steering rod defect in a timely fashion, as required by law.Toyota Subpoenaed Again by a U.S. Grand Jury - WSJ.com

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Automotive World - US: Hyundai eyes pick-up tie-up with Chrysler - report

Hyundai has reportedly proposed plans to enter the pick-up market in the US by way of a partnership with Chrysler Group LLC.
Reuters, citing unnamed sources familiar with this matter, said a proposal made by Hyundai to Chrysler earlier in 2010 involved Chrysler building a pick-up for Hyundai, based on the Ram pick-up platform.
Chrysler's chief executive officer Sergio Marchionne turned down Hyundai's initial proposal, the report said, citing its sources. He had said that Chrysler needed to focus on its turnaround plans under Fiat.
According to the sources, Hyundai continues to be interested in the pick-up market in the country, and could come back to Chrysler to explore options. These discussions at Hyundai, however, are still in the preliminary stage.Automotive World - US: Hyundai eyes pick-up tie-up with Chrysler - report

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Porsche 911 Carrera S deserves mythical label

The 911 S is a mechanical dream, watch-like precision in a car. There's a reason German engineering comes with such a glorified reputation and the 911 S proves this at every turn....more

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Toyota recalls 600,000 Sienna minivans (AP)

AP - As congressional investigators dig further into potential electronic problems in runaway Toyotas, the automaker is facing other safety concerns, recalling 600,000 Sienna minivans over rusting spare tire holders....More

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Lexus GX 460 rated 'do not buy,' Toyota halts sale

AP - Toyota Motor Corp. has suspended sales of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 after Consumer Reports warned car shoppers not to buy the sport utility vehicle because handling problems could lead to rollover accidents during sharp turns....More

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Class-action lawsuits could cost Toyota $3 billion

Miami -- Toyota owners claiming that massive safety recalls are causing the value of their vehicles to plummet have filed at least 89 class-action lawsuits that could cost the Japanese auto giant $3 billion or more, according to an Associated Press review of cases, legal precedent and interviews with experts.---...More

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Toyota Prius with stuck accelerator glides to safe stop

El Cajon, Calif. -- A California Highway Patrol officer helped slow a runaway Toyota Prius from 94 mph to a safe stop on Monday after the car's accelerator became stuck on a San Diego County freeway, the CHP said.
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Geneva Show News: Alfa’s Guilietta hints at future Chrysler

Alfa Romeo's new Guilietta, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, is a far more significant car than it might appear.
Not only has it got to appeal to a wider buying public as beleaguered Alfa tries to rebuild its European sales, it also forms the basis of what Fiat hopes will be a one-million units a year Chrysler-Fiat-Alfa range of cars....More

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GM recalls 1.3m cars over power steering fault

General Motors (GM) is recalling 1.3 million small cars in North America because of a power steering problem that has been linked to 14 crashes.
The firm said four models were affected - the Chevrolet Cobalt, Pontiac G5, Pontiac Pursuit and Pontiac 4.....More

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Fiat 500C Abarth: 2010 Geneva Auto Show

TURIN, Italy — Fiat's Abarth brand will display performance editions of the 500C and the Punto Evo at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.

Abarth has kitted out the 500C in a choice of two-tone exterior paint schemes, loud graphics and 17-inch diamond-finish alloy wheels.

Under the hood is an Abarth-tuned 1.4-liter four-cylinder Turbo T-Jet gas engine that makes 140 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with a six-speed Abarth Competizione automated manual gearbox with paddle shifters, the engine provides 0-60-mph acceleration in less than 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 127 mph, while returning impressive average fuel economy of 36 mpg in the European combined driving cycle....More

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Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid: 2010 Geneva Auto Show

HETHEL, England — Lotus Engineering has created what the U.K. firm calls a "high-performance technology demonstrator" in the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid. The Lotus shares elements of its plug-in series hybrid drivetrain with a Giugiaro-designed concept from Lotus' Malaysian parent, Proton. Both will be at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show...More

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