Lincoln MKS

DETROIT (Reuters) - Major automakers shut down plants in six Midwest states and Ontario on Wednesday after a winter storm that swept through the region a day before cut off shipments of parts and raw materials.

DETROIT (Reuters) - Major automakers shut down plants in six Midwest states and Ontario on Wednesday after a winter storm that swept through the region a day before cut off shipments of parts and raw materials.

Hyundai-Kia, Volkswagen win most 'top safety pick' awards from insurance industry group. South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia and German car maker Volkswagen lead the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles, used by safety-minded consumers looking to buy a new car.

Hyundai-Kia, Volkswagen win most 'top safety pick' awards from insurance industry group. South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia and German car maker Volkswagen lead the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles, used by safety-minded consumers looking to buy a new car.

The insurance industry's top safety pick winners for the 2011 model year. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recognized 66 vehicles as winners of their top safety pick award for the 2011 model year. The award honors vehicles for their ability to protect motorists in front, side, rear and rollover crashes. The vehicles must have anti-rollover technology called Electronic Stability Control, or ESC, and strong scores in roof strength tests.

2011 Ford Explorer restyled, with smoother ride, new features. For the first time in its 20-year history, the Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle is changing into a softer SUV with an underlying platform that's used by a car for a smoother ride.

DEARBORN, Michigan (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co has told its U.S. dealers it expects to drop about 175 Lincoln dealerships in and around urban markets as part of a plan to overhaul the brand with a new look and high-end stores.

DEARBORN, Michigan (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co has told its U.S. dealers it expects to drop about 175 Lincoln dealerships in and around urban markets as part of a plan to overhaul the brand with a new look and high-end stores.

DETROIT (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co <F.N> is counting on a leaner and greener makeover of its Explorer to find new buyers for a once hot-selling sport utility vehicle that powered the automaker's profits a decade ago.

iBiquity says more automakers to install HD radio, make the feature standard in more models. IBiquity Digital Corp., a developer of high-definition radio, said Thursday that seven automakers have agreed to offer the technology in upcoming vehicles.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co said on Tuesday it will build the next version of its Ford Explorer SUV in Chicago starting in late 2010, adding 1,200 jobs that may include hires at a new lower wage negotiated with its union.

Ford to build new Ford Explorer SUV in Chicago, bringing 1,200 jobs to Illinois. Ford Motor Co. will bring 1,200 new jobs to Illinois by shifting production of the new Explorer SUV to its Chicago assembly plant, the automaker announced Tuesday.

Study aims to improve driving safety, overall wellness. As Americans fight through the most stressful time of the year, Ford Motor Company and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are teaming up to study driver workload and identify new opportunities to use in-vehicle technologies to improve driver safety by lowering stress.

Ford, MIT to research ways technology can reduce driver stress. Ford Motor Co. and researchers with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are studying ways technology can strengthen the connection between the driver and the vehicle and reduce stress from behind the wheel.

Ford, Subaru, VW collect 'top safety pick' awards from insurance industry group. Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen lead the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles, according to a closely watched assessment used by car companies to lure safety-conscious consumers to showrooms.

Ford, Subaru, VW collect 'top safety pick' awards from insurance industry group. Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen sit atop the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles, according to a closely watched assessment used by car companies to lure safety-conscious consumers to showrooms.

Last of the Big 3 standing shows big successes. With its two North American competitors now in bankruptcy and wards of the U.S. government, Ford Motor Company is reporting a strong pick-up in sales.