GENERAL MOTORS

General Motors Co reclaimed its title as the world's top selling automaker for the first time since 2007, after sales of more than 9 million vehicles globally in 2011.

General Motors Co reclaimed its title as the world's top selling automaker for the first time in three years, after sales of more than 9 million vehicles globally in 2011.

General Motors has once again grabbed the largest share of global sales and become the world's largest automaker, moving past sales of Toyota and Volkswagen in 2011.

Morgan Stanley removed General Motors Co as its top pick of U.S. auto stocks on Wednesday, expressing doubts the No. 1 U.S. automaker had the political will to overhaul its European operations.

Hyundai said Tuesday that it was proud to rank highest among automotive brands in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Consumer Retention Study, attributing the honor to an expanding model lineup and better perceptions of Hyundai's quality and appeal across the board in recent years.

DETROIT -- Three years ago at the North American International Auto Show, Nissan North America vice president Al Castignetti watched as most companies dismissed perhaps Nissan's biggest risk -- its electric concept vehicle, the Nissan Leaf.

The average age of U.S. vehicles rose to a record high in 2011, but an automotive analysis firm expects that to decline in the coming years as new sales climb and consumers gain confidence in a recovering economy.

China's GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2011 dipped to 8.9 percent, down from 9.1 percent in the prior quarter, but the Chinese government will likely take steps to ensure that a slowdown does not harm global manufacturers that increasingly look to China for new consumers.

DETROIT -- As Marc Harlow walked around Detroit's Cobo Center during the first day of the 2012 North American International Auto Show, he saw a different scene from recent years. To Harlow, one of the members of the show's public relations team, the buzz of the Detroit Auto Show had returned amid a brightening global outlook on the automotive industry.

DETROIT -- Five years ago, Bob Lutz stood in front of a curious crowd at the North American International Auto Show and introduced a radical concept car to the world. Lutz, then the vice chairman of product development for General Motors, revealed the first electric plug-in concept car from a major automaker: the Chevrolet Volt. He still calls it the most important car the company has ever made.

Investors have approved a year-long extension of a $4.7 billion property megafund from Morgan Stanley , a company spokesman told Reuters on Friday.

General Motors Co could shift more vehicle production to its European factories in a cost-cutting deal with its German union that could avert a damaging standoff and keep Opel out of bankruptcy, people familiar with the discussions said.

The car group reports selling 8.16 million sales last year, more than Toyota. Car group sales in India more than doubled, but General Motors could outshine the German automaker.

The International Business Times spoke with Bob Lutz on Tuesday about Via Motors' plans, the state of the U.S. auto industry and more.

Detroit's economy wasn't exactly in great standing before the housing bubble burst, before the automotive manufacturing that supports the community burst. It was already a case of haves, and have-nots. But when it all came crumbling down, with automakers slashing jobs and two filing for bankrtuptcy -- General Motors and Chrysler -- the shaky pedestal gave way.

Buick, a GM brand, developed the new Encore to compete at a more upscale level than the Toyota RAV 4 or the Honda CR-V. Buick did not announce pricing for the Encore, but it is expected to be comparable with class products including the Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.

European shares hit a one-week closing high on Tuesday after encouraging comments from some leading U.S. companies and hopes for more policy easing in China gave cyclical stocks a boost, with autos and miners among the top sectoral gainers.

General Motors Co expects to post market share gains this year in both China and South Korea, a top GM executive said on Monday.

DETROIT -- As the music blared and the Dodge Dart rolled out to its debut, the stage shook underneath Dodge CEO Reid Bigland's feet before he stepped off.

The Detroit Auto Show 2012 has been so far a testament to value and design combinations, key elements that deliver winning car products. The Hyundai Elantra kicked off the first day of the North American International Auto Show -- as it's officially called -- Monday with a somewhat surprising win as Car of the Year. The compact Elantra, cited by voting jurors for its low price and high efficiency with 40 miles per gallon, beat the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Passat for the annual honor.

Showcasing the best pictures from Day 1 of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.