by Ken Zino | Apr 16, 2009
The United States Environmental Protection agency this morning requested public comments on a waiver application to increase the amount of ethanol that can be blended into a gallon of gasoline to up to 15% of volume (E15). At the heart of this seemingly innocent...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 16, 2009
As many as 800,000 new car buyers steered clear of showrooms, during the first quarter fearing they’d be turned down for a loan, reveals a new report. There’s little doubt that a lack of credit is hurting the overall American economy, and car sales, in...
by Joseph Szczesny | Apr 16, 2009
Smart USA is defending its two-seat microcar, the fortwo, in the face of problems it experienced during a new test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The respected IIHS said that despite early good marks, a new crash test shows some serious problems for...
by Ken Zino | Apr 16, 2009
The global economy is in recession, U.S. Secretary of Treasury Tim Geithner said yesterday in a semi-annual report to Congress on international economic and exchange rate policies. Since the start of the recession there have been “more than 5 million job...
by Marty Bernstein | Apr 16, 2009
Crowds in New York seem to gather almost anywhere at almost any time. Last week as a run-up to the New York Auto Show, Maserati at 55th and Park Avenue showroom, drew a red carpet group of auto journalista’s inside and jaded New Yorker’s outside for an...
by Marty Bernstein | Apr 15, 2009
Of the 30-something introductions of new models and concepts at the New York International Auto Show, the one vehicle that could be another Car of the Year award winner for Hyundai was on a turntable on the far side of its display. This was Thursday afternoon and the...
by Joseph Szczesny | Apr 15, 2009
General Motors Corp. has confirmed that it is moving ahead with talks on a possible sale of Saturn Distribution LLC to one of two groups of private investors that have expressed an interest in the dealership network. The objective of a deal would be to turn Saturn...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 15, 2009
Chrysler’s white knight is ready to gallop off into the sunset. Fiat Group SpA will walk away from alliance talks with the floundering U.S. automaker unless Chrysler’s unions agree to make significant concessions, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne says. Pulling...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 15, 2009
Our daring spy photographers go to great lengths to grab shots of tomorrow’s hottest products. So what do we do when an automaker snaps some pics even before we get the chance? Publish them, of course. Aston Martin’s eagerly-awaited four-door sports car...
by Ken Zino | Apr 14, 2009
After five straight years of declining auto thefts in the United States one thing is clear — our Mexican border remains porous not only to an influx of illegal immigrants but to an outflow of stolen vehicles. So the next time you see a Canadian, thank him or...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 14, 2009
Four new battery manufacturing ventures, worth an estimated $1.7 billion, will be launched in Michigan, state officials have announced. The news underscores Michigan’s efforts to transform itself into the center of a new, green auto industry. A total of 6,683...
by Joseph Szczesny | Apr 14, 2009
Less than a week after announcing that it would supply the lithium ion batteries for Chrysler LLC’s electric vehicles, A123 Systems has obtained a $69 million investment from General Electric to expand research centers in the states of Massachusetts and...
