Lithia sells Toyota, Ford and Bentley-Lotus car dealerships

Lithia sells Toyota, Ford and Bentley-Lotus car dealerships

Lithia said it sold Bentley of Denver-Lotus of Denver, previously housed in its Ferrari of Denver dealership in Highlands Ranch, Colo., to John Elway Dealerships on June 8. Lithia acquired the exotic and ultraluxury dealership in December. Lithia plans to complete a full remodel of the Ferrari store consistent with the automaker’s new image program,…

GM: Most EV minerals to come from Asia, without course correction

GM: Most EV minerals to come from Asia, without course correction

General Motors’ new Canada-based critical-minerals expert says the automaker has the local battery-cell manufacturing capacity to supply all of the electric vehicles it will build in North America by 2030. Local sources of critical minerals, however, are proving difficult to come by. Simon Thibault, who recently joined GM as EV critical-minerals leader for global purchasing…

In death, Shoichiro Toyoda rekindles Toyota’s risk taking, tenacious spirit

In death, Shoichiro Toyoda rekindles Toyota’s risk taking, tenacious spirit

Family members were front and center at a morning ceremony, including Toyoda’s son and current Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda, his widow Hiroko and his daughter Atsuko. Also on hand was Toyoda’s grandson Daisuke, an executive at Toyota’s software subsidiary, Woven by Toyota. At multiple services throughout the day, Toyota executives, Japanese business leaders, diplomats, politicians…

Kia plans an EV sales blitz by 2030 with the first dedicated EV factory

Kia plans an EV sales blitz by 2030 with the first dedicated EV factory

Kia’s upbeat outlook comes amid increasing enthusiasm for EVs across the industry as automakers from Japan to Europe and the US raise sales expectations amid stronger customer interest and government regulations and subsidies that promote the technology. The shift to electrification will also help Kia move its upmarket brand image, Song added. “In 2021, Kia…

Volkswagen Is Reportedly Removing Its Design Chief

Volkswagen Is Reportedly Removing Its Design Chief

Volkswagen Is Reportedly Removing Its Design ChiefULI_SONNTAG/VW Volkswagen will replace its current design chief Jozef Kaban, Automotive News Europe’s affiliate Automobilwoche reports. The designer’s work reportedly hasn’t impressed new VW CEO Thomas Schaefer, and as a result, he’ll reportedly be replaced by Bentley design boss Andreas Mindt. Kaban has been the head of Volkswagen design…