'Ford shouldn't sell Jaguar/Land Rover'

By Tim Pollard Motor Industry 30 January 2008 15:01 A majority of CAR Magazine Online users reckon that Ford is making a mistake by selling Jaguar and Land Rover. Nearly 60 percent of our website users say the Blue Oval shouldn’t flog its premium-badged crown jewels, according to our exclusive online poll. Ford is poised to announce the sell-off in the next few weeks; a decision is currently tipped for the end of February 2008, according to chief executive Alan Mulally, although deals of this epic scale can sometimes drag on for even longer.

Former Chrysler chief LaSorda joins Fisker

Former Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda will join Fisker Automotive as vice chairman, in the plug-in hybrid maker's second signing of an ex-Detroit 3 executive this week. CEO Henrik Fisker said LaSorda's position will include a day-to-day executive advisory role, as the fledgling automaker ramps up production of the Karma sedan at its Wilmington, Del., factory over the coming year. LaSorda will be chairman of the company's strategy council.

Toyota to halt North America vehicle output for 5 days this month

Toyota Motor Corp. will suspend production at its North American assembly plants for five days this month due to earthquake-related parts shortages. All but one of Toyota's assembly plants are scheduled to be idled on April 15, 18, 21, 22 and 25, the automaker said in a statement Friday.