– The Isuzu Axiom sport-utility vehicle, which had projected sales of 12,000 in its first year when it was launched in April, has sold 3,994 copies through Oct. 31. Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc., the Lafayette, Ind., plant that builds Axiom, is looking to cut inventory and will reduce production to one shift next year. The plant, which employs 3,200 people, also is cutting production on Fridays the rest of the year.
– Honda has announced prices for the 2002 CR-V, Insight and S2000. The redesigned CR-V sport-utility starts at $18,800 for an LX model with front-wheel-drive, a $50 increase. The most-expensive model, the four-wheel-drive EX, is $22,300 with automatic transmission, up $310. Prices are $200 higher on the Insight gas-electric hybrid. The base Insight with manual transmission is $19,080, and air conditioning adds $1,200. The price is $21,280 with air and a continuously variable transmission. The S2000 sports car is $32,400, up $100, and a removable hardtop is a new option for $2,500. Prices do not include the $440 for freight.
– Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. have agreed to develop and produce transmissions together in Japan for use by both automakers. The goal is about 4 million transmissions annually within a few years.
– Ford is on the fence about its Forty-Nine concept that appeared on the auto-show circuit this year. “We’re still having discussions about how it would fit [in the lineup],” says Jim Padilla, group vice president in charge of Ford Motor Co.’s North American automotive operations.
