#AutomotiveBusiness

At least that’s the news according to statistics released by the two American automakers. Chrysler said it sold 34 percent more vehicles this March, versus the same period last year, delivering some 161,381 cars and trucks, versus 121,730 in March 2011.

A few years ago, Italian auto giant Fiat was very close to partnering up with General Motors. However, that deal went sour at the last minute and a few years after that, Fiat bought a big chunk of Chrysler in its quest to have a large slice of the American market.

We’ve already got the Renault/Nissan Alliance, so why not a General Motors/ PSA Peugeot-Citroen one? Well according to PSA Chief Executive Philippe Varin that might just be a possibility, at least from a manufacturing standpoint.

In the auto business, 2011 proved to be the year of the Koreans; both Hyundai and affiliate Kia sold a record number of vehicles, while their shares outperformed those of other automakers, including the likes of heavyweights such as General Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen.

Dany Bahar, the current CEO of Lotus is reportedly looking for a buyer to purchase the company from current Malaysian parent Proton.

It seems, from a financial standpoint, things are getting better for Chrysler Group.  The company reported a total net income of some $183 million last year.

Not since the original 1978-81 M1 (shown) has BMW‘s performance division offered a bonafide supercar, yet as the performance envelope is pushed further with the division’s other offerings, the idea to launch a halo, bespoke model has been gaining traction.

Along with the Saab saga, the story of VW‘s attempt to buy Porsche AG has been nothing short of a soap opera, with twists and turns at every juncture. After previous attempts by the Wolfsburg automaker to purchase the remaining shares in the smaller Stuttgart concern fell through, it now appears, the deal may be on again.

Despite all the current hype surrounding Electric Vehicles and the seemingly huge amount of money some automakers are investing in them, a recent survey among global auto executives by consulting firm KPMG revealed that most are skeptical about the future success of EVs.

For the first time since 2007, just prior to the US economy tanking, and with things still spluttering along on many fronts, the new numbers are very encouraging from America’s second largest automaker.

With court appointed administrators having taken over the remnants of Saab following the automaker’s bankruptcy, exactly what to do with the company’s assets is still very much an ongoing process.

You’ve probably been noticing that fuel prices have been creeping up lately, as usually jittery investors see signs that the economic outlook is improving.

Like many luxury automakers these days, Cadillac is looking to capitalize on the perceived growing affluence of consumers in China.

Despite being officially declared bankrupt,  Saab still has organizations willing to snap up the remnants, as the former Swedish carmaker goes into liquidation.

In yet another twist to the ongoing Saab soap opera, the Swedish automaker has received a payment from Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile as it struggles to stay solvent. The payment, which is some $5 million will be reportedly be used to cover outstanding tax expenses.