Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has decided to increase the production at its Ontario plant in Canada.

Ford Motor Company Pushing Canada Output

As a part of the move, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is putting a third shift at the Essex Engine Plant in Windsor from late April onwards.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) spokeswoman Lauren More said, “The shift is expected to open up 100 positions that will likely be filled with people who have been laid off in Windsor. It’s what we call a flexible manufacturing plant so it can quickly adjust to changes in the market and ramp up to higher levels of production quite quickly.”

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) shares were at 12.32 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 14.0% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Moderate Buy
Mean recommendation: 1.64
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: 1.64
Zack’s Rank: 2 out of 6 in the industry

Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) has formed a joint venture with Indian based Pricol Limited.

Johnson Controls Makes India Instrument Deal

The new 50:50 joint venture between Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) and Indian based automotive instrument cluster supplier Pricol Limited will use Pricol’s Pune manufacturing plant as its base and manufacture instrument clusters, displays and body electronics for both car and motorcycle manufacturers in India.

Jeff DeBest, group vice president and general manager electronics for Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI)’ Automotive Experience said, “This new partnership combines the expertise and capabilities of Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) and Pricol to create a unique value proposition for our customers and differentiation in the industry.”

Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) shares were at 32.13 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 4.9% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.

Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Moderate Buy
Mean recommendation: 1.77
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: 1.49
Zack’s Rank: 5 out of 34 in the industry

It has been reported that Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is planning to use social media for customer service.

Ford Motor Company Start Customer Service Revolution

As a part of the move, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has started using a customized search engine tool based on key words to monitor concerns, questions or comments on Twitter, Facebook, auto forums and message boards.

Craig Daitch, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) manager of digital communications in the US said, “Customers do have the option of switching the conversation with an agent to the phone. But for the most part, the consumers prefer to engage digitally. That can be challenging, especially if they prefer to Tweet on Twitter via 140 characters at a time.”

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) company shares are currently standing at 12.32.

Price History
Last Price: 12.32
52 Week Low / High: 9.05 / 16.18
50 Day Moving Average: 12.51
6 Month Price Change %: 23.8%
12 Month Price Change %: -16.9%

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) is set to unveil a new US designed Sedan at the New York International Auto Show.

Toyota Motor Corporation To Unveil Sedan At New York Show

The Japan based car maker Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) announced that it will unveil a US designed all new Sedan at this year’s New York International Auto Show on April 5.

The company said that the new car is a model it plans to produce in the near future.

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) has released a rear end photo of the new Sedan, and the image shows that the vehicle is sleeker and larger than current Camry sedans.

Toyota Motor Company (NYSE:TM) shares were at 85.64 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 29.9% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.

Toyota Motor Company (NYSE:TM) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Hold
Mean recommendation: 3
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: 3
Zack’s Rank: 4 out of 12 in the industry

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has decided to open a new production facility in Thailand.

Ford Motor Company To Open Thailand Plant

According to an announcement made by the company, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) plans to officially open its $450 million manufacturing facility in Rayong, a coastal province in eastern Thailand, in May.

Joe Hinrichs, president of Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s Asia and Africa business said, “This investment underscores our long term commitment to Thailand, and its role as a global production and export hub for Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F). The facility will start building the Focus passenger car in 2012 for Thailand and other markets in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) stocks were at 12.48 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 12.5% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Moderate Buy
Mean recommendation: 1.64
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: 1.64
Zack’s Rank: 1 out of 6 in the industry

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has announced it is reducing per vehicle water use in Asia and Africa.

Ford Motor Company Cutting Water Use On Vehicles

The US based auto maker giant Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has reduced water usage per vehicle by 25% from 2000 to 2011 in its Asia Pacific and African plants.

Gary Johnson, vice president, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) Manufacturing, Asia Pacific and Africa said, “As we increase production in the Asia Pacific and Africa region, we are focused on assuring that we make the most efficient use of water. We recognize the critical importance of this precious natural resource.”

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) shares were at 12.32 at the end of the last day’s trading. There’s been a 17.9% change in the stock price over the past 3 months.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) Analyst Advice
Consensus Opinion: Moderate Buy
Mean recommendation: 1.64
(1=Strong Buy, 5=Strong Sell)
3 Months Ago: 1.64
Zack’s Rank: 1 out of 6 in the industry

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) has announced the price of its new Scion FR-S sports car.

Toyota Motor Corporation Announces Scion Price

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) has announced the pricing of its upcoming 2013 compact Scion FR-S sports car.

The manual transmission version is priced at $24,200 and the automatic transmission version will be priced at $25,300.

This rear-wheel drive sports car has high performance aspirations and features a flat four-cylinder boxer engine.

Jack Hollis, Scion vice president at Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM), said, “Scion’s goal was to create an affordable sports car that true driving enthusiasts could enjoy. We accomplished that goal with the FR-S starting under $25,000…a total home run! Add in Scion’s complimentary Scion Service Boost, our no-haggle no-hassle Pure Price, and Scion’s network of about 1,000 dealers, and the FR-S is a grand slam”.

Toyota Motor Company (NYSE:TM) company shares are currently standing at 84.43.

Price History
Last Price: 84.43
52 Week Low / High: 60.37 / 85.85
50 Day Moving Average: 78.62
6 Month Price Change %: 22.9%
12 Month Price Change %: 1.2%

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) has completed the extension of its existing revolving credit facility.

Ford Motor Company Credit Line Continues

According to an announcement made by the auto maker giant Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), it has successfully completed an amendment and extension of its revolving credit facility.

As a result, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F)’s revolving lenders have agreed to extend the maturity of commitments to Nov. 30, 2015, from Nov. 30, 2013.

Neil Schloss, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) vice president and treasurer said, “We are very pleased with the results of the amendment and extension transaction, which was significantly oversubscribed. This support from our global banking partners represents an important source of committed liquidity and financial flexibility for Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F).”

Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) company shares are currently standing at 12.57.

Price History
Last Price: 12.57
52 Week Low / High: 9.05 / 16.18
50 Day Moving Average: 12.49
6 Month Price Change %: 26.1%
12 Month Price Change %: -12.3%