Author: Automotive News n Feed

Did February’s auto sales results seem familiar?

The Korean automakers reported a 6.9 percent decline in combined U.S. sales for February, on weaker car demand, and as a significant drop in Kia volume magnified a slight dip for Hyundai.

Mercedes-Benz rolled through another month as the top-selling luxury auto brand in the U.S.

Trucks, spiffs push GM, Honda, Nissan sales, industry down 1.1%; Toyota shuffles N.A. execs; Ford workers worried in Wales; $12M for Marchionne; This lineup begins with ’01.’

Investors are running up the prices for cobalt, an important element that automakers and suppliers use in lithium ion batteries as they prepare for an increase in electric vehicle production.

Sales gains in the pickup, utility and luxury segments weren’t enough to save Ford from weak retail and fleet performances on the car side as February sales fell 4 percent.

As millennials age, the vehicles they choose to buy may change, but the way they look at affordability will likely remain consistent.

The percentage of auto loans delinquent 30 or more days rose slightly in the fourth quarter, Moody’s Analytics said, adding that it’s not cause for alarm. Most of the auto originations in the third quarter went to high-income borrowers.