Ford F-150 Wheel on 2040-parts.com

Cash for clunkers plan revives trade fight

Import brand automakers and dealers warned on Thursday that a vehicle scrappage proposal before the Senate would violate trade agreements and could weaken the economy. The Senate could vote on the plan on Thursday, which would offer $10,000 to any moderate- or low-income consumer who trades in a car or truck that is at least 10 years old and buys a new one that is more fuel-efficient and "assembled in the United States." The trade-ins would be scrapped rather than resold. The U.S.-made mandate "smacks of the protectionism that led to the Great Depression," said Barbara Nocera, the top Washington lobbyist for Mazda North American Operations.

Ford posts $2.1 billion profit on rising sales, lifts production plan

Ford Motor Co. posted net income of $2.1 billion in the first quarter, almost twice the figure projected by analysts, fueled by a 37 percent rise in U.S. sales.

Volvo, Geely working on shared architecture

Geely and its Volvo ward are working at developing a new compact car architecture that will be shared by both companies. For Volvo, this means a smaller luxury car, possibly a few. The platform will be modular, as is practically required in this day and age, ready to underpin different body styles or—if need be—an entirely new lineup.