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News watch October 2012: today's industry news

Welcome to CAR Magazine's news aggregator as we round up the daily stories in the auto industry. Top tip: news summaries are added from the top hour-by-hou Wednesday 31 October 2012• It's emerged GM's European 2012 earnings are down nearly half a billion dollars in Europe, where it now expects to lose $1.5bn to $1.8bn before interest and taxes for the full year (DetNews)• Ford has posted a third-quarter net profit of $1.63bn (£101bn) - almost matching its eventual profit total for the entire year 2011. Despite painful losses in Europe (Ford expects to lose $1bn in Europe alone this year) a resurgent North American market has buoyed Fords sales even higher than previous forecasts (Automotive News Europe)• Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has weighed in against Republican presedential nominee Mitt Romney, who argued that a move towards Chinese production would harm American jobs.

Honda's Rose Parade float to break length record

Soichiro Honda's company built its reputation on the backs of reliable, efficient, rather diminutive things. The Super Cub/Passport motorcycle. The wee 600s and the slightly larger original Civic.

General Motors cancels plans for Buick compact crossover

General Motors has canceled plans for a compact crossover for Buick, vice chairman Tom Stephens said Wednesday in a posting on the company's blog. The five-passenger crossover was just announced earlier this month at an event in Northern Michigan. But GM reversed plans after negative feedback about the vehicle said that it didn't fit the premium characteristics associated with the brand.