American Axle co-founder Richard Dauch dies at 71

DETROIT, Aug 2 Reuters)-Richard "Dick" Dauch, the outspoken and hard charging co-founder and executive Chairman of American axle & manufacturing holdings, whose racing career stretched over 50 years, died Friday at the age of 71.

Not the cause of death expose auto parts supplier American axle. Dauch died at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

"All of us a great friend and leader have lost," said the company in a statement.

Then he worked at General Motors co in 1964 and later joined Volkswagen of America, he became the Director of the production. In 1980, he was tapped by famous auto executive Lee Iacocca, to overtake Chrysler manufacturing operations, as the company struggled to survive.

American axle was formed in 1994, as Dauch, a group of investors, the plants of GM was bought. He put immediately on an aggressive growth strategy.

"Demands perfection in everything he did, it was thick motor factory floor or his time at Chrysler, his early work on the General where he saved the company from extinction" Jay Timmons, the head of the National Association of manufacturers, said in a statement.

Dauch emerged as a controversial figure in American axle 2008 work contract talks with the United Auto Workers Union went 3,650 UAW to protest members at five factories in the strike, the low wages of offered Dauch to the negotiating table.

The strike forced GM at least partially about 30 from North American locations due to shortages of parts in idle.

In the past year, Dauch became Chief Executive of American axle, transfer remained the top spot to his son, David, but he as Chairman of the Board. Last year, he published the book "American Drive".

In a speech to the Detroit Economic Club last year, Dauch noted that the American way of life would be "less robust" for the next generation. He urged the auto industry to reform.

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GM shares China of the international units, hires former Volvo CEO

DETROIT, Aug 2 Reuters)-General Motors co said on Friday that it has divided critical activities in China by its international units, which is now run by the former Chief Executive of the Swedish automaker Volvo.

Tim Lee, who ran international operations unit for almost four years, was appointed Chairman of GM China and retains its position as the global Chief of manufacturing.

The trains allow more about China, the world's largest automotive market, as well as other rapidly growing and emerging markets focus, the company said GM.

"It will be in a better position to take on the competition and even greater use all opportunities that are available in the international market place" GM spokeswoman Katie McBride said.

GM said that Stefan Jacoby, a former head of Volvo, who worked also as an Executive at Volkswagen AG, as the head of the other international operations will do. This region comprises 100 countries and territories in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Jacoby, 55, begins his job Monday and will report to GM CEO Dan Akerson.

Jacoby left Volvo in October 2012 after the company missed its revenue targets, including aggressive growth plans in China. Sources said at the time, Jacoby, an important meeting and the strategy Board had clashed with the Deputy Chairman at Volvo.

Jacoby a slight stroke in September 2012, but GM officials said he is fit to international business activities of the company run and turned it off to discuss his health. Volvo said Jacoby left, had his condition nothing to do with the decision to remove him.

Jacoby is the latest former VW Manager GM join.

In January, GM VW named Karl-Thomas Neumann its money losing Opel unit in Europe to drive. Five months later developed GM Tim Mahoney, a former VW Executive as head of global marketing. Last summer, Michael Lohscheller VW U.S. auto manufacturers turned to Opel chief financial officer.

Akerson wants Lee to China, where GM is the market leader, and start on the product of the company's aggressive plans to focus.

GM has more than 60 vehicles worldwide starts this year and in the year 2014, including the recently introduced Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-sized pickups, are the main profit generators.

To register for 12 Bob Socia, President of GM China, continue to Lee, two wholly-owned foreign companies, joint ventures and more than 55,000 employees in China is responsible.

"Tim is crucial to building on our success in China and to ensure proper vehicle starting around the globe", Akerson said.

China will still be included in GM coverage is international activities when it comes to financial, however, McBride said.

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AutoNation July new vehicle sales up 17 percent

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida-AutoNations new vehicle sales rose 17 percent in July from the previous year's period to a supplement sales day in the period.

The country's biggest car dealership chain said Friday that it sold 25.403 new vehicles last month. Sales of domestic vehicles 23 percent rose 19 percent, while premium luxury vehicle sales climbed. Sales of the vehicles rose by 14 percent.

There days 25 sales in July compared to sell 24 days a year ago.

Sales of new vehicles in garages open at least a year by 12 percent to 24.195 vehicles has increased. This figure is an important indicator of a car dealership health, because results of the place recently are opened or closed out.

Last month, AutoNation reported that its earnings rose in the second quarter by 14 percent on strong growth in all business units.

AutoNation Inc., with in Fort Lauderdale, Florida based, is his new August vehicle sales through Sept. 5 reports.

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GM CEO says that the European car business is not for sale

DETROIT - General Motors CEO says that European car companies is not for sale.

Media have reported that GM wanted to sell the struggling operations that include the brands Opel and Vauxhall.

Opel not to "sell", said CEO Daniel Akerson reporter Wednesday in Detroit, Michigan on GM Europe's largest brand.

GM Europe has been a money loser for GM, but it is an important center of engineering and design. As former CEO Fritz Henderson tried to sell the business shortly after GM 2009 bankruptcy he was overruled by the Board, because some of the GM based designed by Opel on basics, small and medium-sized cars.

However, European sales caused a loss of $1.8 billion for GM Europe in the past year high labour costs, restructuring costs and sagging. GM, however has cost-cutting progress recently.

Reports in Germany mirrors and auto picture, publications have said that GM Europe could be sold to a Chinese company or Volkswagen AG. GM has been called the reports speculation, but has not been told that the business as a sale off block.

The company touted annual meeting in June shareholders, Akerson progress in Europe repeatedly in the last two years.

"It is not only an abyss, the we looked in 18 to 24 months,", he said.

The European business employs 40,000 people.

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