Happy Endings. Literally. That's the latest strategy from French automaker Citroen, as it moves to fulfill its promise to double its sales in China over the next three years.

Citroen's new ad campaign for its C4L model is an extended joke about going to a brothel, but the ad is similar to an erotic hit Hong Kong film from last year. It's just one more way Citroen is embracing the fact that it might soon be more Chinese than French. Continue reading...

Count the global automotive industry as another huge entity now shifting mightily in response to the deep economic woes of Europe. That's one main reason General Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroën today announced a partnership that will give GM a 7% stake in the French auto maker while it helps the two companies to cut costs by a targeted total of $2 billion over five years.

The tough European market also is why Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne now is talking a lot about finding yet another partner for the Italian automaker even after Fiat snatched up the carcass of Chrysler a few years ago. "We're on the move," Marchionne said. "We can be an active partner everywhere around the world."

The GM-Peugeot deal will involve sharing of vehicles' mechanical "platforms" and components and creation of a purchasing joint venture but won't affect their brands per se.Continue reading...

BMW projected to beat Mercedes-Benz for US luxury crown.

PepsiCo reportedly mulls layoffs and salary freeze to appease Wall Street.

Kodak bankruptcy report in WSJ slams stock price.

Apple hires Adobe exec to oversee iAds, threatens to sue company behind Steve Jobs doll and rises at Foxconn's expense.

Australia's Commonwealth Bank crowdsources customer ideas.

Arm & Hammer ordered to pull TV commercial criticizing cat litter competitor.

Audi's China sales outstrip Germany.

Boeing closes premier factory in Wichita.

Burberry is now the most popular luxury brand on Facebook, as YouTube, MTV and Coca-Cola lead in FB engagement.Continue reading...

Abbott recalls millions of diabetes testing strips.

Allied Irish Banks is recapitalized by Irish government.

Apple sees acceleration in sales of its set-top TV boxes.

Beiersdorf rationalizes brand and product portfolio.

Chrysler Financial sale may stoke U.S. auto-industry recovery.

Democrats (via Nancy Pelosi) tap director Steven Spielberg to rebrand party.Continue reading...

Italy's Fiat SpA industrial group is getting out of the car-making business, announcing today its board's decision to spin off its automotive manufacturing division. Fiat chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo will step down from that role, but remain as the chairman of its luxury unit, Ferrari.

Fiat's luxury Maserati and Ferrari units are run separately from its automotive unit, which includes the Fiat brand, Lancia and Alfa Romeo.

The surprise spin-off news, as reported by Reuters, the New York Times and others, comes a day ahead of Fiat's two-year strategy plan, to be presented tomorrow to shareholders and the press at its headquarters in Turin.Continue reading...