by Ken Zino | Dec 15, 2009
While there are some positive signs for the economy that might help 2010 turn out to be a better year than this, Dr. Sean McAlinden, of the Center for Automotive Research, says next year is only good if you compare it to a disastrous 2009. While the chief economist of...
by Ken Zino | Dec 15, 2009
Toyota Motor Sales, USA will stage the world debut of a new “dedicated” hybrid concept vehicle during the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The vehicle will be revealed during a news conference held on Monday, January 11. No other details were...
by Ken Zino | Dec 15, 2009
Subaru of America is recalling 2002-2003 Impreza WRX sedan and wagon models originally sold in or currently registered in 16 cold weather states. Subaru says the problem involves seepage of fuel around connections between a metal line and a rubber hose located beneath...
by Brenda Priddy | Dec 15, 2009
Today we’ve caught another sign of new life at Chrysler with these first photos of a 2012 Dodge Durango prototype. Code-named “WD,” the replacement for the current, truck-based Dodge Durango will be sharing a more car-like unibody chassis with the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 15, 2009
For a man who admits getting lost in Detroit’s maze-like Renaissance Center, the corporate headquarters of General Motors, Chairman and acting CEO Ed Whitacre is quickly finding his way around the troubled automaker. And he appears to like what he’s seeing. In his...
by Ken Zino | Dec 15, 2009
Nearly one in five new-vehicle buyers who avoid a particular vehicle model cite their concern over the future of the brand as a reason for avoidance, according to the latest J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Avoider Study released today. The study has negative...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 15, 2009
As bad as 2009 has been for the overall U.S. car market, it’s been especially tough for high-line manufacturers, like Mercedes-Benz. Where past recessions have left luxury brands largely unscathed, most premium brands have suffered hefty double-digit downturns, this...
by Ken Zino | Dec 14, 2009
While Porsche AG is struggling with profitability and cutting work hours, the new introduced Panamera sedan is doing nicely. Three months after the new Panamera went on sale, the 10,000th car rolled off the production line at the Leipzig plant. The 500-horsepower,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 14, 2009
Long expected to leave the automaker after helping guide it through its brush with bankruptcy, Chief Financial Office Ray Young will instead stay on as part of General Motors new management team. But the Chinese-born CFO will now head over to GM’s critical...
by Ken Zino | Dec 14, 2009
Saab Automobile AB announced today that it had closed on the sale to Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co. Ltd (BAIC) some Saab 9-3 technology, the older 9-5 production tooling and some powertrain technology. Saab will assist BAIC in integrating these unnamed...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 14, 2009
There’s an old adage, in the business world, about “first mover advantage.” Deliver a breakthrough product and, even if it falls short of what eventually comes to market, you’ve got an edge on the competition. So, after initially shrugging off plug-in hybrid...
by Joseph Szczesny | Dec 14, 2009
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. plans to add a second shift in March at an assembly plant in Woodstock, Ontario to build more RAV4 sport utility models. TMMC also builds the Corolla, Matrix, and the Lexus RX350 at the plant. The latest move will add more than...
