– Volkswagen has reduced the 2005 production target for its top-selling Golf compact by more than 10 percent because of Europe’s sluggish auto market. The German automaker said it planned to produce 600,000 Golfs next year but now expects to make only 530,000. VW earnings have fallen amid stronger competition from Japanese carmakers, price competition in North America and sluggish demand in Germany.
– The Honda CR-V sport-utility vehicle will be made for the first time in the U.S. at one of two Ohio plants. CR-V production will begin in 2006 at the plant in Marysville or East Liberty.
– Pontiac has added a larger engine and $500 to the price of the GTO for 2005. Base price is $32,295, not including $700 for freight. A 6-liter, 400-horsepower V-8 replaces a 5.7-liter with 350 h.p. The only option is a $695 6-speed manual transmission. Models with the standard 4-speed automatic carry a $1,300 gas-guzzler tax.
