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Chevrolet to dealers: Let Cruze shoppers test-drive competitors

Chevrolet is asking its 3,000 dealers to prepare for the late September launch of the Chevrolet Cruze compact by purchasing competitors' vehicles for test-drive comparisons. Chevrolet is encouraging dealers to have a Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic on site so prospective 2011 Cruze buyers can immediately measure the car against its segment competitors, said Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet small-car marketing director. At a media event Tuesday in suburban Detroit, Brooks said Chevrolet expects buyers to come away with a favorable view of the Cruze.

Cash-for-clunkers deal to end Monday night, government says

The Obama administration plans to cut off dealer funding for the cash-for-clunkers program on Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern, after finding that the $3 billion fund is nearing depletion, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. "The overriding objective was to be conservative and to provide an adequate window for a soft landing," a senior administration official said in a conference call with reporters Thursday.

Toyota's global design chief Tokuo Fukuichi appointed president of Lexus

Toyota's global design chief Tokuo Fukuichi will be the first designer to sit on the company's board of directors when his appointment comes into effect on 1 April. Fukuichi will retain his position as global head of design for the Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands and will join the board after the general shareholders' meeting. His influence on Toyota's design direction over the last few years has been noticeable, particularly with Lexus, as the company strives to make its traditionally very conservative products a little more exciting.