GM agrees to sell Nexteer steering unit

General Motors Co. has agreed to sell its Nexteer Automotive steering-parts business to China's Pacific Century Motors, part-owned by Beijing's municipal government.

The sale includes Nexteer's 22 plants, along with its engineering centers and customer support centers worldwide. The companies did not release terms of the sale, but said today they expected the deal would close by the end of the year. The sale still needs regulatory approval from both the U.S. and Chinese governments, and other countries where Nexteer operates, GM spokeswoman Renee Rashid-Merem said.

Pacific Century Motors is owned by Beijing's financing and investing division, called Beijing E-Town International Investment & Development Co., and Tempo International Group, a Chinese supplier of chassis and powertrain components.

GM acquired Nexteer last year from its former parts arm, Delphi Corp. The automaker viewed the steering business as a non-core asset and put it up for sale.

The sale of Nexteer will allow GM to focus on engineering core parts of the car, like engines and transmissions, while outsourcing smaller systems to parts suppliers, said Mike Wall, an analyst with IHS Automotive, a research firm based in Lexington, Mass.

“GM doesn't need to be the expert in steering,” Wall said. “They can buy that from someone else. For some of these Asian parts companies, it makes sense to get into other parts businesses.”

Src & Text: [autonews]

Edge 2010

The 2010 Edge is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in 7 trims, ranging from the SE FWD to the... Sport AWD.

Upon introduction, the SE FWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 265-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. The Sport AWD is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 265-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

The 2010 Edge is a carryover from 2009.

HOMEPAGE: EDGE 2010







SPECIFICATIONS:(MULTIVARIANTS)
Official Spedifications

Overall: 8.1
Performance: 7.9
Exterior: 8.7
Interior: 8.0
Safety: 9.3
Reliability: 7.0

The 2010 Ford Edge ranks 15 out of 30 Affordable Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 54 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Edge, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Reviewers praise the Ford Edge for its sharp styling, comfortable cabin and solid performance - but they still say the aging SUV is in dire need of an update. However, they'll have to wait a bit longer, since the 2010 model is mostly unchanged from 2009.

Edmunds notes that the Edge "has been standing idly by for the past couple years as many of its Ford siblings have received a slew of much-needed updates and upgrades. The Edge's name can't be called soon enough, because a few tweaks here and there could dramatically improve this midsize crossover SUV's standing in an increasingly competitive segment." Among the Edge's downsides are somewhat poor interior quality and a base price that can quickly skyrocket with options. The Edge also lacks a third-row seat. For more seating space, consider the GMC Acadia. For high interior quality, check out the Nissan Murano or Toyota Venza.

Despite the fact that it hasn't been redesigned since its 2006 introduction, the Edge is one of Ford's top-selling vehicles. It's also a proven award winner. The 2007 model was named as one of AAA and Parents magazine's "Best Cars for Families" and received the "Urban Truck of the Year" award from On Wheels, Inc. It was also a top-ten finisher in Motor Trend's "Sport/Utility of the Year" testing.

The 2010 Edge is available in three trims: the base SE, SEL, Limited, and all-new Sport. It's available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Be sure to check for current Ford deals that may be available on a new Edge. Since the 2010 model is nearly identical to the 2009 Edge, this review uses data from both model years.- usnews.rankingsandreviews