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Toyota drags down new-vehicle quality average; Ford leads Detroit 3 gains

Dragged down by Toyota Motor Corp., the quality of new cars and trucks sold in the United States slipped slightly this year--the first time since 2007, according to a study released Thursday. But Detroit's automakers--helped by Ford Motor Co. and some of the smoothest new-model launches ever--have matched or surpassed Asian and European rivals in initial vehicle quality for the first time, based on the closely watched J.D.

General Motors to shut down Saab

General Motors has announced that it will be closing the Saab brand after the company was unable to strike a deal with Spyker Cars. This follows from last month's withdrawal of would-be suitor Koenigsegg, leaving Spyker the sole contender in the acquisition of the ailing Swedish brand. According to Nick Reilly, GM's European president, the company has decided to cut its losses: "Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has become very clear that the due diligence required to complete this complex transaction could not be executed in a reasonable time.

Opel not for sale, GM exec says

General Motors Vice Chairman Steve Girsky says Opel is not for sale. "We're developing plans to make Opel work," he said at the Automotive News World Congress on Tuesday. Opel and PSA/Peugeot-Citroen were mentioned as possible targets of Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, who said on Monday he may seek to combine his company with another automaker to increase efficiencies and cut development costs.