Articles filed under Autos

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A look at the green cars at the Chicago Auto ShowFeb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
It's easy being green if you read our experts guide to alternate vehicles at the Chicago Auto Show. There are a lot of ways to save money on gas and save the planet, from diesel turbo charged vehicles to hybrids with tax credits to some luxurious electric cars. Thankfully, I've got Chicago Area Clean Cities Vice Chair John Walton to offer some analysis.
Affection for 1969 Pontiac GTO grew over time Feb 11, 2013 12:00 AM
For some, this shared love of automobiles comes naturally, while others require a bit more time to rev up. Jerry Bertram's wife falls in the latter category when it comes to the Palatine couple's 1969 Pontiac GTO.
Feds may expand Pontiac brake light recall Feb 8, 2013 12:00 AM
U.S. safety regulators are looking at expanding a small recall of Pontiac G6 midsize cars so it includes up to 550,000 vehicles. About 8,000 of the cars were recalled by General Motors in 2009 because the brake lights and cruise control didn't work properly. But the recall affected only cars made in January of 2005. On Friday, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in documents posted on its website that it's studying whether all G-6s from the 2005 through 2009 model years should be added to the recall.
Mileage vs. muscle at Chicago Auto Show Feb 7, 2013 12:00 AM
Consumers might flirt with the provocative 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray at this year's Chicago Auto Show, but not many are expected to go home with one. Instead, fuel economy is what car buyers want when they visit showrooms in the suburbs, local experts say. “The No. 1 reason that we see people replacing their old vehicle is for fuel mileage,” said Ray Scarpelli, owner of Ray's Chevrolet in Fox Lake and a Chicago Automobile Trade Association director.
United cuts 787 from February schedule Feb 6, 2013 12:00 AM
The airline says it has replaced its six 787s with other planes through the end of February. The 787s were grounded by the government last month.
Stingray not only fish in the sea at Chicago Auto ShowFeb 5, 2013 12:00 AM
What's hot at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show? Anything that's big and powerful, say experts. Gearheads can rejoice at the resurgence of sports cars like the Corvette Stingray and those on a budget will be interested in some concept cars like Honda's new Urban SUV.
Tribute 1967 squad car honors police profession Feb 4, 2013 12:00 AM
Chris Hahn grew up spending a lot of his childhood inside a Plymouth police car. “My uncle was a sergeant with the Elmhurst Police department and I can remember getting rides in his car as a child,” Hahn said. As an adult, he wanted to create a vintage squad from his 1967 Plymouth Fury.
GM reports 16 pct January US sales increase Feb 1, 2013 12:00 AM
General Motors' U.S. sales rose 16 percent in January, as auto sales continue to be a bright spot in the U.S. economic recovery. GM says it sold almost 195,000 cars and trucks last month, led by the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, with a 32 percent gain. GM sold more than 35,000 Silverados in January, a good sign for the economy as businesses replace aging trucks.
Ford’s US sales up 22 pct in January Feb 1, 2013 12:00 AM
Ford's U.S. sales rose 22 percent in January on strong sales of pickup trucks and new vehicles. F-Series truck sales jumped 22 percent over last January. Many analysts are predicting stronger truck sales in 2013 as housing construction increases.
U.S.-based automakers, Toyota report big sales gains Feb 1, 2013 12:00 AM
American consumers ignored tax increases and tromped through the winter chill to buy new cars and trucks at an unusually strong pace last month. "(January) was like a sprinter out of the starting blocks," said Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation Inc., the country's largest auto dealership chain. Analysts said it will likely be the best January in five years once all automakers report. Sales at Toyota rose 27 percent, and they were up 22 percent at Ford. GM and Chrysler each reported 16 percent gains compared with a year earlier.
Chrysler now a rising star among automakers Jan 31, 2013 12:00 AM
In just three years, Chrysler has gone from government ward to rising star. The No. 3 U.S. automaker made $1.7 billion last year thanks to big gains for its much-improved cars and trucks, and it's expecting profits to reach $2.2 billion this year. It's a big improvement over 2011, when Chrysler earned $138 million. And it's even more remarkable considering that Chrysler was in bankruptcy and living on taxpayer loans just three years ago.
Toyota recalls 1.29M vehicles for air bags, wipers Jan 30, 2013 12:00 AM
Toyota is recalling more than one million cars around the world for faulty air bags and defective windshield wipers. The move comes just days after Toyota regained its spot as the world's No. 1 automaker. The company is now recalling 907,000 cars, mostly Corollas, as well as 385,000 Lexus IS luxury cars.
Chrysler profit jumps on higher salesJan 30, 2013 12:00 AM
Just three years out of bankruptcy, Chrysler posted a $1.7 billion profit in 2012 and said it expects to earn more than $2 billion this year. Improving U.S. auto sales — and better products at Chrysler — were the big reasons that last year's profit was nine times higher than the profit of $183 million in 2011. Chrysler's worldwide sales were up 18 percent to 2.2 million last year.
Ford earns $1.6B in 4Q, tops Wall Street forecast Jan 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Ford earned $1.6 billion in the fourth quarter as sales rose in every region outside Europe. Ford's net income fell from $13.6 billion in the same quarter last year, but that figure included a big accounting-related gain. Without that gain, Ford's earnings were up from $1 billion in the fourth quarter of last year.
Why Metra approved raises for some employeesJan 28, 2013 12:00 AM
Leaving the past behind is costing Metra a pretty penny. It's not just about paying the management consultants - it's about paying for the changes the consultants recommend - like raises for employees that will cost about $3.6 million. We dig into more details of significant pay raises that were approved last week amidst economic austerity elsewhere.
Car enthusiasts find a fix with indoor winter show Jan 28, 2013 12:00 AM
Midwest winters can drag on, leaving cruising enthusiasts hungering eagerly for spring. To help tide their motoring appetites, there are a few special events each season, like the Custom Rides Car Show and Expo, held last weekend at the Tinley Park Convention Center.
Toyota sold nearly 9.75 million vehicles last year Jan 28, 2013 12:00 AM
Now it's official: Toyota is once again the world's top automaker. Toyota Motor Corp. released its tally for global vehicle sales for last year Monday at 9.748 million vehicles — a bigger number than the estimate it gave last month at about 9.7 million vehicles. It was already clear Toyota had dethroned General Motors Co. as the Detroit-based automaker fell short, selling 9.29 million vehicles.
Kia Motor’s profit tumbles on strong won Jan 25, 2013 12:00 AM
Kia Motors Corp. said Friday its fourth-quarter operating profit was halved as the won's rise erased overseas earnings and production was disrupted by a strike. South Korea's second-largest car maker said its October-December operating income plunged 51 percent from a year earlier to 404.3 billion won ($376.4 million).
Local students win money for duck calls, aluminumJan 24, 2013 12:00 AM
High-schoolers (or at least their parents) constantly are on the prowl for college scholarships. Most involve lots of writing and little money. But to win a scholarship from a trade organization in Wauconda, all you have to do is is come up with a good aluminum extrusion design.
Hyundai Motor profit declines 5.5%; Shares extend fall Jan 24, 2013 12:00 AM
Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's biggest automaker, reported a steeper profit drop than analysts estimated after the won appreciated more than any major currency, reducing the value of overseas sales. The stock fell.