General Motors product development chief Mary Barra has been named the company's new chief executive, the first female head of a US car company.

Australia's automotive and aviation industries appear to be on the brink of collapse, writes Liam Dann. Holden is considering pulling its manufacturing operations out of the lucky country.

GM looks set to shut down its Holden plants in Australia from 2016, joining Ford in pulling out of the country.

Fisker Automotive, whose high-end electric cars caught the eye of Justin Bieber and other celebrities, has filed for bankruptcy protection.