UPDATE 1-Motor racing-Honda to pull out of Formula One ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:11:28 +0100) (Adds details, byline, quotes) By Alan Baldwin LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Honda are pulling out of Formula One and will close their team down if no buyer Read more FACTBOX-Options for helping U.S. automakers ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:11:38 +0100) (Adds short-term funding idea, new details throughout) Dec 4 (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers are considering several options to help General Motors Corp , Read more TEXT-Moody's rates GMAC Mortgage, may downgrade ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:12:08 +0100) (The following was released by the rating agency) Dec 4 - Moody's Investors Service has assigned the following servicer quality ("SQ") ratings to GMAC Read more CVS accused of poor service in minority communities ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:52:00 +0100) DETROIT -- Expired food, poor service and high prices are among the allegations a group is making against one of the nation's largest drugstore chains. Read more Mayor Cockrel encourages local holiday shopping ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:58:00 +0100) DETROIT -- Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr. this morning kicked off a "Shop Detroit 2008" campaign that will feature free parking across the city and $5 discount coupons available in Neighborhood City Halls. Read more
DPS board member seeks legal opinion on firing Calloway ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:14:00 +0100) DETROIT -- A Detroit school board member said today she is seeking a legal opinion this week on whether there is just cause to terminate the superintendent after multi-million-dollar contracts moved forward without board approval. Read more
WRAPUP 1-Automakers vow change, plead for aid in Congress ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:53:47 +0100) * Sen. Dodd says inaction on automaker aid is no solution * Sen. Shelby still opposed to auto rescue * GM and Ford shares mixed John Crawley and Kevin Read more
UPDATE 2-Argentina launches fresh economic protection plan ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:55:58 +0100) (Recasts, adds quote, reaction, details) By Hilary Burke BUENOS AIRES, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Argentina, seen as one of Latin America's most vulnerable economies Read more
WRAPUP 2-US automakers plead with Congress for emergency cash ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:56:18 +0100) * Broad economic damage feared from an automaker failure * Sen. Dodd says inaction on aid is no solution * White House: too early to give automakers' Read more
FACTBOX-Options for helping U.S. automakers ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:56:28 +0100) Dec 4 (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers are considering several options to help General Motors Corp , Ford Motor Co and Chrysler LLC [CBS.UL], which have collectively Read more
Gettelfinger avoids question on health concessions ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:19:00 +0100) UAW President Ron Gettelfinger declined today to say the UAW would accept additional concessions on retiree health care.Responding to questions from Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. Read more
Dealer Denny Hecker hospitalized after accident in Minn. ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:34:00 +0100) Minneapolis auto dealer Denny Hecker was hospitalized last night after an auto accident in Plymouth, Minn. Hecker, 56, is in fair condition at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbindale, Minn. Read more
GM-Chrysler merger regains traction ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:04:00 +0100) Chrysler LLC CEO Bob Nardelli told a U.S. Senate committee today he would support a merger with General Motors if it became a condition for government support of the Detroit 3 automakers. Read more
Jackson: 'It's not the Big Three. It's 4 million jobs' ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:26:00 +0100) DETROIT -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson said today that denying a federal bridge loan for the struggling Big Three would be devastating, collapsing the nation's economies and sending cities in a downward spiral. Read more
Granholm calls for quick action to help auto companies ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:07:00 +0100) LANSING --Gov. Jennifer Granholm said at a news conference Thursday "time is of the essence" for the auto companies, and she's concerned there may not be enough time for Congress to put together an oversight group and pass legislation to help the industry. Read more
UPDATE 4-French stimulus package aimed at investment ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:07:33 +0100) (Adds reaction, background) By Yann Le Guernigou DOUAI, France, Dec 4 (Reuters) - President Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled a 26 billion euro ($32.9 billion) Read more WRAPUP 3-US automakers face skeptical Congress on cash plea ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:07:43 +0100) * Union chief warns GM on the brink of failure * Sen. Schumer says doesn't trust auto industry leaders * Questions raised on bailout's cost * Shares of Read more GM Holden U.S. Export Program Hinges on Pontiacs Survival ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:08:03 +0100) The auto maker reportedly is continuing with plans to add a high-performance G8 version to Pontiacs U.S. lineup and will begin shipping its Commodore Ute, rebadged as the Pontiac G8 Sports Truck, next year. Read more Toyota Launches RAV4 in Canada ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:10:05 +0100) The Woodstock plant is the first facility outside Japan to build the RAV4. Read more Mercedes trims more production in Alabama ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:50:00 +0100) Mercedes-Benz's Alabama factory will shut down an additional two days this month and another two weeks next month to align production with falling sales. In meetings with employees last night and today, Mercedes-Benz U.S. Read more UPDATE 1-White House wants to hear automakers' testimony ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:52:10 +0100) (Adds comments, background) WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - It is too early to judge the restructuring plans put forward by the ailing U.S. automakers, Read more
Toyota to Increase Prices in Australia, NZ Next Year ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:50:07 +0100) Toyota Australias David Buttner says the auto maker is taking the action due to a dramatic decline in the value of the Australian dollar. Read more
Czech Toyota Peugeot Plant Produces 1 Millionth Car ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:50:27 +0100) The JV manufactured 247,841 cars through September, up 7.4% from like-2007. For 2008, the plant is expected to produce 320,000 vehicles, about 11,500 more than prior-year. Read more
France unveils stimulus package aimed at investment ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:41:33 +0100) DOUAI, France, Dec 4 (Reuters) - President Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled a 26 billion euro ($32.9 billion) stimulus plan for the faltering French economy on Read more TEXT-Fitch on European auto manufacturers in 2009; outlook neg ( Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:41:53 +0100) (The following statement was released by the ratings agency) Dec 4 - Fitch Ratings says today that the outlook for the credit quality of European automotive Read more
CVS accused of poor service in minority communities 
UPDATE 2-Argentina launches fresh economic protection plan 
Dealer Denny Hecker hospitalized after accident in Minn. 
UPDATE 4-French stimulus package aimed at investment 
Mercedes trims more production in Alabama 
France unveils stimulus package aimed at investment 
