by Ken Zino | Dec 11, 2009
If only they could sell as many cars? A free computer game launched last spring has been played on more than 850,000 computers, and adds about 20,000 new players every week. More than 300,000 people have watched YouTube films about the game. (In 2008 about 375,000...
by Marty Bernstein | Dec 11, 2009
Eight days and out! Not too long ago the line workers in automobile factories used the phrase, “30 and Out!” meaning after thirty years one could retire with full pension and benefits. GM’s new executive paradigm beats the old by 29 years and 358 days without pension...
by Mike Davis | Dec 11, 2009
Last night the Friends of the National Automotive History Collection (NAHC) at the Detroit Public Library gathered to announce this year’s winner of the Future Collectible Car of the Year award. In this season of almost daily COTY/TOTY/VOTY awards, the NAHC award,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 11, 2009
Like much of the developed world, Japan has been struggling to reverse an economic downturn that has hit hard its long-ailing auto industry. Sales will barely top 5 million, this year, off nearly half from the country’s one-time car sale peak. But there have been...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 11, 2009
We won’t get a chance to see the next-generation Volvo S60 until next year’s Geneva Motor Show, but Turkish artist Esref Armagan is offering his impressions in a new painting that’s up for auction on eBay. It might be tempting to say Armagan got a sneak peek if it...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 10, 2009
Even in the “new” General Motors, Michael Richards has set a record for short tenure, the Buick boss lasting just eight days before being resigned. He will be followed out the door by long-time GM executive Brent Dewar, who was ousted this week as general manager of...
by Ken Zino | Dec 10, 2009
Since batteries for electric vehicles can cost as much as the car itself, and much more for larger ones, automakers are asking for huge taxpayer subsidies to aid EV sales. The United Kingdom is the latest government to propose EV financial assistance. In an historic...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 10, 2009
Struggling to recharge its business after a brush with bankruptcy, the Scandinavian battery car maker, THINK, has resumed production of its little electric two-seater at a new assembly plant in Finland. The 18-year-old company has struggled for most of its existence. ...
by Ken Zino | Dec 10, 2009
Resale value and vehicle quality have become increasingly important reasons for new-vehicle buyers to remain loyal to an automotive brand, according to the J.D. Power and Associates. In its latest Customer Retention Study just made public, resale value as a reason for...
by Ken Zino | Dec 10, 2009
Porsche announced this morning that it would extend shortened working hours at the Zuffenhausen plant until the end of March 2010. In the coming three months, approximately 2,300 employees who make 911 sports cars will not be working on a total of 16 days, according...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 10, 2009
This month’s Los Angeles Motor Show brought the launch of an assortment of small cars, including Ford’s new Fiesta and Mazda’s subcompact Mazda2. Even more downsized offerings will make their debut at Detroit’s North American International Auto Show, next month....
