GM seeks deep cuts at Opel as losses mount, report says GM is pressing labor leaders for deep cuts at its European unit to stem mounting losses in the region, according to a report Tuesday. Chrysler's halftime ad: A roadmap for America? Is what is good for Chrysler good for America? The automaker is courting controversy and won kudos for a two-minute Super Bowl advertisement that was less a car sales pitch than a political message in a presidential election year. Daimler to extend Bernhard's contract, report says The supervisory board of German automaker Daimler will extend in April the contract of perennial chief-executive-in-waiting Wolfgang Bernhard by another five years, a source told Reuters. NADA's Underriner: 54.5 mpg fuel-economy proposal threatens sales The proposal to increase federal fuel economy standards to 54.5 mpg by 2025 threatens to price millions of consumers out of the market, the incoming chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association said Monday. Buick Regal to get mild hybrid as standard powertrain for '13 GM is expanding its eAssist mild hybrid technology by making it standard on the base-model 2013 Buick Regal. The eAssist powertrain, introduced as an option on the 2012 Regal, delivers 25 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway. How the Buick Regal GS became a collectible so soon What are the 10 most collectible Buicks from the past and present? Hagerty Insurance lists the 2012 Buick Regal GS on its annual Hot List as a future collectible along with nine other Buicks dating back to 1932. Toyota hikes earnings outlook but sees 'tough race' in N. America Toyota's third-quarter operating profit jumped 51.1 percent to 149.7 billion yen ($1.95 billion), the automaker reported on Tuesday. GM picks plant manager as customer-experience czar GM appointed Alicia Boler-Davis as U.S. vice president of customer experience, a position created four months ago as a way to boost customer retention. Credit thaw driving auto loan approvals, sales The steady thaw in credit markets and rebound in auto sales is spurring lenders to approve buyers faster and at better rates to compete for a piece of an expanding market. Steve Miller named CEO of jet maker Hawker Beechcraft Turnaround specialist and former Chrysler CFO Steve Miller has been tapped as CEO of Hawker Beechcraft, the jet maker partly owned by Goldman Sachs Group Inc.