Chrysler, CAW reach tentative contract deal

The Canadian Auto Workers tentatively agreed tonight to new concessions that will save the struggling automaker $240 million annually and help the carmaker to try to avoid a bankruptcy filing, CAW President Ken Lewenza said at a news conference. In exchange, the CAW got Chrysler and potential partner Fiat SpA to agree to keep its two Chrysler assembly plants open even if bankruptcy is unavoidable, Lewenza said. General Motors and Ford Motor Co., which signed new CAW agreements earlier, have indicated their desire to get the same concessions as those negotiated with Chrysler, Lewenza said.

CCS - AISI project 2007

The college for Creative Studies (CCS) has been teaming up with the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) since 1989, bringing together imaginative automotive design and steel, the material of choice in the industry. As did last year's program, this summer also saw three engineering students from the University of Michigan (UM) join three CCS transportation design students to develop a concept car. Revolving around an 'Inside Out' theme, students conceptualized, rendered and created a concept vehicle based on a steel exoskeleton design.

2014 Kia Forte sedan pricing set at $16,700

UPDATED: The base 2014 Kia Forte sedan will cost $16,700 including destination when it goes on sale next month, fitting slightly below its compact competitors. Kia is touting the 2014 Forte as the least expensive in its class, and the compact sedan does in fact cost $80 less than the redesigned 2013 Nissan Sentra at $16,780, $90 less than the new 2013 Dodge Dart at $16,790 and $225 less than the 2013 Ford Focus sedan at $16,995. The new price is a slight increase from the 2013 model, which cost $16,175 after shipping charges.