, May 14 (Reuters) – Cars that “talk” to
each other to avoid crashes or traffic jams, like those being
tested here, will save lives but the cost of the systems will
determine consumers’ acceptance of such technology, the U.S.
transportation secretary said on Tuesday.

“These are definitely safer vehicles. At what cost though?”
Ray LaHood told reporters at a connected-vehicle conference in
Ann Arbor, Michigan. “To me, that’s what the bottom line’s going
to be. Safety has a cost and we’re going to have to make that
judgment.”

SAN JOSE CHIAPA, Mexico (Reuters) – The automotive industry’s growing love affair with Mexico was celebrated here on Saturday as Audi executives laid the foundation stone for its first assembly plant in the Americas.

Volkswagen AG’s (VOWG_p.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) premium brand is joining a parade of automakers who have announced plans to build cars in a country that is seen as a doorway not only to the rest of North and South America but to the world. Audi officials said the $1.3 billion plant will open in three years and eventually be the German brand’s only source globally for its Q5 SUVs after it opens in mid-2016.

DETROIT (Reuters) – General Motors Co (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) posted stronger-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday as the U.S. automaker kept a tight grip on costs in its North American and European businesses.

GM shares rose 3.6 percent to $31.27, near their initial public offering debut of $33 in the fall of 2010, and hit the highest point since July of 2011.

DETROIT (Reuters) – General Motors Co posted stronger-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday as the automaker kept a tight grip on costs in its North American and European businesses.

Shares in GM rose 4.3 percent in premarket trading.

Net income attributable to common stockholders fell to $865 million, or 58 cents a share, in the first quarter, from $1 billion, or 60 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. The company took a $400 million hit to earnings in the quarter due to falling prices for its vehicles and weaker volume.

DETROIT (Reuters) – Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co (GT.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on Friday posted a stronger-than-expected quarterly profit as lower raw material costs and increased sales of higher-priced tires offset weakness in Europe, but the company warned industry demand would remain weak.

Shares of the tire maker were off 3.2 percent at $12.52 in afternoon trading on the Nasdaq.