Camry likely to surpass F-Series

Massive declines in pickup sales, combined with stronger sales of cars, means that the Toyota Camry will likely pass the Ford F-Series as the best-selling vehicle line in America this year, according to Kimberly Rodriguez, principal of Grant Thornton Advisory Services Automotive Platform. She also expects Honda Motor Co. to surpass Chrysler LLC as the No. 3 automaker in the United States.

F-Series sales were down 22% through July, with 319,542 units sold. The Toyota Camry, meanwhile, posted flat sales through July, with 282,012 units sold.

Coming up: Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, will speak on a panel on "Transcending Turbulence: A New Beginning?" at the Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City.

Chrysler discount to cover Cerberus

Chrysler's revamped program to allow employees and retirees to share their employee discount on the purchase of new vehicles with anybody will apply to Cerberus Capital Management employees, according to a company.

Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli told employees Aug. 1 that the discount was going to be offered.

"Direct employees of Cerberus receive one Chrysler LLC employee discount number," Beverly Thacker, a Chrysler spokeswoman, confirmed. "However, those who work at individual businesses that are part of the Cerberus portfolio are not eligible to receive the discount."

Coming up: Tom LaSorda, a Chrysler president and vice chairman, is slated to speak Wednesday at the Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City.

CEO to visit Ohio assembly plant

General Motors Corp. Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner plans to visit the automaker's bustling Lordstown, Ohio, small car assembly plant this month, spokesman Chris Lee confirmed this week. Wagoner has trumpeted GM's plans to add a shift and increase line speed at the plant as evidence of the automaker balancing its production to meet market needs.

GM is in the midst of cutting truck production as it adds to car production. GM started a third shift of about 1,400 workers in Lordstown on Aug. 3.

Coming up: The GM Century Cruise, a parade of 100 classic GM vehicles, will begin at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 16 from the Renaissance Center to the Woodward Dream Cruise.