WEALTH

AUTOS

NHTSA Fines Fiat-Chrysler up to $105 Million, Jeep Owners Get $100 Gift Cards

– The federal government has fined Fiat-Chrysler $70 million for untimely responses to a series of recalls and forced the automaker to buy back a half-million vehicles, among many strict provisos announced Sunday night by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. – – In a consent order signed Friday by CEO Sergio Marchionne, FCA could face up to $105 million in civil penalties—the most ever levied against an automaker—except federal

Hellcats a-Poppin! Dodge Is More Than Doubling Output for 2016

-Dodge SRT Hellcat demand has easily outstripped supply—this is something the company intended. It was also blatantly obvious that a lot of dealers gouged the hell out of customers looking to get one of the few Hellcats around—something that Dodge isn’t terribly fond of. In an attempt to limit dealer shenanigans, Dodge is going to do a few things: cancel pending 2015 orders, increase production of 2016 models, and change the way

Hyundai Motor America CEO: Santa Cruz Pickup Expected to be Green-Lighted, Small SUV to Be Funky

– Hyundai is in the midst of a major push to remind consumers that it does, in fact, build plenty of “trucks”—and by trucks we of course mean crossovers. With a production mix skewed strongly toward cars, Hyundai publicly acknowledges that it isn’t as well set-up as it’d like to be for the automotive industry’s largely truck- and crossover-driven sales rebound. Even so, the company just rolled out an agreeable new

Hellcats a-Poppin! Dodge Is More Than Doubling Output for 2016

-Dodge SRT Hellcat demand has easily outstripped supply—this is something the company intended. It was also blatantly obvious that a lot of dealers gouged the hell out of customers looking to get one of the few Hellcats around—something that Dodge isn’t terribly fond of. In an attempt to limit dealer shenanigans, Dodge is going to do a few things: cancel pending 2015 orders, increase production of 2016 models, and change the way

Hellcats a-Poppin! Dodge Is More Than Doubling Output for 2016

-Dodge SRT Hellcat demand has easily outstripped supply—this is something the company intended. It was also blatantly obvious that a lot of dealers gouged the hell out of customers looking to get one of the few Hellcats around—something that Dodge isn’t terribly fond of. In an attempt to limit dealer shenanigans, Dodge is going to do a few things: cancel pending 2015 orders, increase production of 2016 models, and change the way

REAL ESTATE

Mortgage Rates Inch Upward to 3.58%

Filed under: Buying, Financing, Refinancing ZillowThe weekly mortgage rate chart illustrates the average 30-year fixed interest rate in six-hour intervals. By Lauren Braun Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed loans rose this week, with the current rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgages at 3.58 percent, up 3 basis points from this time last week. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose throughout the week before dipping to the current rate on

RCS MediaGroup faces calls for alternative board members

Italian publisher RCS MediaGroup faced calls for shareholders to back alternative boardroom candidates, having been criticized by one outspoken investor over plans to sell its book publishing and certain real estate assets. Advisory group Glass Lewis advised shareholders to vote in favor of candidates put forward by investor Urbano Cairo, increasing his chances to gain representation on the company’s new board, on which shareholders will vote on April 23. The

Greek Church offers up property to help Athens raise funds for debt

The head of Greece’s Orthodox Church said on Saturday it was willing to put property it owns up for development to help raise money to repay the country’s debt. The Orthodox Church is a powerful institution in Greece and owns more land than anyone except the state, including prime real estate in Athens. “Come, let’s develop (the property) for Greece,” Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens told Greek TV in an interview

Robert Durst indicted on federal weapons charge in New Orleans

By Jonathan Kaminsky NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) – Robert Durst, a real estate scion charged with murder in California, was indicted on Friday by a federal grand jury on a weapons charge stemming from his arrest last month in New Orleans, prosecutors said. The indictment diminishes the already slim chances of Durst being extradited soon to Los Angeles County, where prosecutors want him for the 2000 slaying of Susan Berman, in

LUXURY

Four Seasons dispels rumors with public statement regarding David Goldberg

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has issued a statement refuting claims that SurveyMonkey CEO David Goldberg passed away while at the gym at its Punta Mita, Mexico, property. Mr. Goldberg, husband of Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, reportedly passed away from a head trauma due to falling off a treadmill during a stay at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. As with any unexpected death, there

Time to expand retail footprint in Mexico: BCG

Exterior of Louis Vuitton store in Polanco Brands across product categories need to begin positioning themselves for the coming consumer boom in Mexico, according to a new report by The Boston Consulting Group. A confluence of positive socioeconomic trends are coming to fruition in the country, perhaps finally bringing the long-standing anticipation of a triumphant Mexico to a climax. Although the country still faces hurdles, retailers should be augmenting their store

Why most luxury media really are not what they claim

Lorre White is founder president/CEO of White Light Consulting By Lorre White There are few real luxury media. By that I mean there are very few sources that actually reach the ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) market. It takes more than just pretty pictures to reach the wealthiest demographic. It takes bringing them information that is relevant to them by someone that they trust. Several years back, a journalist who was being paid

Time to expand retail footprint in Mexico: BCG

Exterior of Louis Vuitton store in Polanco Brands across product categories need to begin positioning themselves for the coming consumer boom in Mexico, according to a new report by The Boston Consulting Group. A confluence of positive socioeconomic trends are coming to fruition in the country, perhaps finally bringing the long-standing anticipation of a triumphant Mexico to a climax. Although the country still faces hurdles, retailers should be augmenting their store

Brands highlight importance of craftsmanship at London Craft Week

London Craft Week will take place from May 6 until May 10 Brands are coming together for London Craft Week to remind consumers of the importance of fine craftsmanship and its essential role in the luxury industry. London Craft Week is a new event that will take place from May 6-10, highlighting all elements of craft and bringing together skilled craftsmen and brands from around the world. Fine craftsmanship is