General Motors

Why cars still matter

Rumors of the automobile's demise are persistent but wrong. A review of Paul Ingrassia's Engines of Change: A History of the American Dream in Fifteen Cars.

By Alex Taylor III, senior editor-at-large

FORTUNE -- It has become an all-too familiar trope for the lazy writer or overworked editor: The American love affair with the automobile is over. The evidence for this assertion is usually shallow, and its half-life fleeting: a dip MORE

Detroit's big crash and bigger resurrection

Our Weekly Read column features Fortune staffers' and contributors' takes on recently published books about the business world and beyond. We've invited the entire Fortune family -- from our writers and editors to our photo editors and designers -- to weigh in on books of their choosing based on their individual tastes or curiosities. In this installment, writer-reporter Scott Cendrowski dives into Bill Vlasic's Once Upon a Car, which traces MORE

The mighty Hyundai juggernaut rolls on

Hyundai's two new cars and its luxury-car strategy offer proof that GM, Ford and Toyota ought to worry more about the South Korean automaker than one another.

By Doron Levin, contributor

FORTUNE -- Two main themes of 2011's post-recession competition in the U.S. car market so far are:  1) the rebound of Detroit and 2) the stumbles of Toyota.

A third and equally significant development has drawn less attention, namely the surging fortunes MORE

Meet the auto industry's favorite Republican

How did the union-heavy Big Three end up with a Republican as the face of the U.S. auto industry in Washington? Matt Blunt will tell you how.

By Anna Palmer, contributor

FORTUNE -- Matt Blunt has a big job ahead of him.

As the new head of the American Automotive Policy Council, a lobbying group formed in late 2009 by Chrysler, Ford (F) and General Motors (GM), the former governor of Missouri has MORE

Today in the Fortune 500: Quake in Japan could mean price increases for some manufacturers, Microsoft to make a more private browser and Pfizer may undo its mega-mergers

The Fortune 500 comes out just once a year, but the companies on it make headlines every day. Here then are today's highlights of news and happenings coming from the biggest names in business.

By Shelley DuBois, reporter

DISASTER IN JAPAN One of the less tragic effects of the earthquake and tidal wave that hit the Japanese coast is that they damaged factories for major manufacturers, which will have to MORE

Today in the Fortune 500: GM is profitable again, Boeing wins Pentagon contract, and Exxon says it could contain a deepwater spill

The Fortune 500 comes out just once a year, but the companies on it make headlines every day. Here then are today's highlights of news and happenings coming from the biggest names in business.

By Shelley DuBois, reporter

GM IS IN THE BLACK for the first time since 2004. While the last quarter of 2010 didn't represent a great profit margin for GM (GM), the company reported a MORE

Today in the Fortune 500: GM could be back in the auto loan business, executives leave AMD and Microsoft and Ford wants 7,000 new workers.

The Fortune 500 comes out just once a year, but the companies on it make headlines every day. Here then are today's highlights of news and happenings coming from the biggest names in business.

By Shelley DuBois, reporter

IS GMAC BACK? Top auto company General Motors (GM) is contemplating getting back its auto loan business, formerly called GMAC. GM needs the business, renamed Ally Financial, to enable the MORE

Today in the Fortune 500: Goldman Sachs sees Facebook's 500 shareholder plan, Borders not yet at its final chapter and Berkshire Hathaway expands covereage for big oil.

The Fortune 500 comes out just once a year, but the companies on it make headlines every day. Here then are today's highlights of news and happenings coming from the biggest names in business.

By Shelley DuBois, reporter

FACEBOOK LIKES SHAREHOLDERS according to a document disclosing financial information that was given to a select group of Goldman Sachs (GS) employees who have the opportunity now to MORE

Today in the Fortune 500: Qualcomm bids for chipmaker Atheros Communications, other car companies pull up to GM and Ford and Wells Fargo launches a mobile phone payment trial.

The Fortune 500 comes out just once a year, but the companies on it make headlines every day. Here then are today's highlights of news and happenings coming from the biggest names in business.

By Shelley DuBois, reporter

QUALCOMM WANTS TO CASH IN ON CHIPS The tech company, which has thus far focused on wireless technology, is nearing a deal to buy MORE

Today in the Fortune 500: BoFA settlement spurs bank stock surge, Motorola splits in two and Ford and GM sell small cars well in India.

The Fortune 500 comes out just once a year, but the companies on it make headlines every day. Here then are today's highlights of news and happenings coming from the biggest names in business.

By Shelley DuBois, reporter

BANK OF AMERICA PAYS UP a $2.8 billion settlement to Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FMCC), which had accused the bank of botching mortgage loans. MORE