by Ken Zino | Dec 3, 2009
There is no question that Korean automaker Hyundai is doing well in the unprotected U.S. market. The industrial giant has picked up two market share points this year as its relentless pace of new product introductions and savvy marketing and advertising left domestic...
by Joseph Szczesny | Dec 3, 2009
In Japan, smaller automakers, such as Subaru and Mitsubishi and even Nissan, are moving towards pure electric vehicles as way to offset the overwhelming edge Toyota and Honda hold in hybrid vehicles. Mitsubishi, which has been known primarily for small, sporty cars,...
by Henny Hemmes | Dec 3, 2009
Even if it is no Centennial, turning 50 is a milestone for a car brand – and reason to celebrate, which Mini did in style over the summer, at Britain’s Silverstone race track, with the introduction of two new models, the Mini 50 Mayfair and the Mini 50 Camden. Both...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 2, 2009
The “Made in America” tag continues to become more confusing, now that Kia has become the latest Asian brand to set up a “transplant” assembly plant. The factory, in West Point, Georgia, launched production of the all-new 2011 Kia Sorento just two weeks ago. The...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 2, 2009
Soccer Mom wagons, rugrat haulers, the minivan may be one of the most functional and efficient forms of transportation on the market, but it just doesn’t get much respect. Now, Toyota is out to change that with the third generation of its Sienna people mover. Based...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 2, 2009
The fallout from yesterday’s surprise ouster of General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson dominated the opening sessions of the 2009 Los Angeles Motor Show, as GM’s Vice Chairman dove in as a last-minute substitute for Fritz Henderson, the show’s initially-planned keynote...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 2, 2009
Think of the annual industry gathering in Los Angeles, this week as auto show light. The 2009 L.A. Auto Show is bringing with it the debut of an assortment of downsized cars, crossovers and concept vehicles, including the Volkswagen Up! Lite show car. That’s the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 2, 2009
For a small car, the new 2011 Ford Fiesta has a big mission ahead of it. Fiesta is the European-designed small car that has garnered a slew of awards for the automaker since its introduction, two years ago. It’s also the first serious attempt to translate Ford’s...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 2, 2009
The first cars off the line will be heading to California, late next year, when General Motors begins production of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. Other markets will follow in a planned nationwide roll-out, the automaker will announce, later today, at the Los...
