SEMA 2008 show report: Ford F-150, Mustang and Flex

By Phil McNamara Motor Shows 06 November 2008 09:30 Ford's stand was dominated by four models: the Flex, a slammed, seven-seat SUV with Range Rover-styling cues; the iconic F-150 pick up; the Focus; and, of course, the Mustang. With an ear-splitting V8 roar, Ford unveiled a 50-edition run of the Cobra Jet Mustang, and the F-150 SVT Raptor, a go-anywhere extreme version of the pick-up, which will bounce across sand dunes in the Baja California race later this month before going on sale next year. But tucked away in a corner was a less environmentally destructive F-150, shaped by British engineering firm PML.

Chrysler's main creditors reach deal with U.S.; others hold out

The U.S. Treasury Department has reached a tentative debt-reduction agreement with Chrysler's main creditors but still must get other lenders to sign on for the deal to take effect, three people with knowledge of the talks said today. The accord with JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley would reduce Chrysler's $6.9 billion debt to $2 billion, which would be repaid by Chrysler in cash, they said.

Volvo to skip Tokyo Motor Show

Volvo, the Swedish unit of Ford Motor Co., will not participate in the Tokyo Motor Show this fall. "We have evaluated our participation at motor shows for 2009 to see how we can make the most out of our resources, and this year we decided not to participate at Tokyo," Volvo spokeswoman Maria Bohlin said today in an e-mail. Ford Motor Co.