by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 15, 2010
The idea seemed preposterous: Three people, one medium-sized dog, two sets of golf clubs (minus one of the bags), three duffel bags and all the usual paraphernalia – including 10 pairs of shoes(?) – required for a long weekend at the lake. But how to stuff...
by Joseph Szczesny | Oct 15, 2010
The Securities and Exchange Commission has postponed – temporarily – a vote to approve a preliminary settlement with Steven Rattner, the Obama administration’s former “auto czar” who was instrumental in re-shaping Detroit through a massive bailout of...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 14, 2010
Toyota will introduce an all-new hybrid-electric vehicle that will share the Prius badge with the maker’s existing 4-door hybrid, the first step in a strategy to turn the Prius name into a green-tinged brand-within-a-brand. “It will be an all-new model,” said Don...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 14, 2010
How many models is too many? While proliferation in the luxury car market has been intense in recent years, it looks like the high-line German marques are only beginning. Both BMW and Porsche are well underway with the development of downsized crossover coupes that...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 14, 2010
Good fuel economy is not something normally associated with a pickup truck – one reason the truck market crashed when gas prices spiked past $4 a gallon in 2008. But Ford Motor Co. is betting that a new array of powertrains, including a high-mileage V6, will help...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 14, 2010
While specifics of General Motors planned IPO have yet to be released, it appears the company’s retirees will wind up owning an even bigger chunk than before. The U.S. Labor Department has given the go-ahead for GM to fund the United Auto Workers Union’s retiree...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 13, 2010
The Environmental Protection Agency has approved a controversial proposal to increase the use of ethanol in the nation’s automotive fuel supply – but set strict limits on which vehicles can and can’t use what is referred to as E15. Initially, only vehicles produced in...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 13, 2010
Remember the fuel cell? Not all that long ago, it seemed like the technology bound to replace the internal combustion engine. But, for the moment, at least, the hydrogen-based power source has fallen out of favor, the automotive world now focusing its attention on...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 13, 2010
In the days leading up to this month’s Paris Motor Show, French papers raised the suggestion that the event organizers consider changing its name; perhaps offered one, the Paris Electric Vehicle Show might be more appropriate. While the idea was politely rejected,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 13, 2010
As with most IPOs, General Motors’ initial public offering will be aimed at getting big investors to come in and snap up the millions of shares that will be put on the block. Traditionally, that’s meant that the “little guy,” whether a day trader or just someone...
by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 13, 2010
During the automotive age, countless numbers of forward thinkers have contributed to the car as we know it today. These pioneers all envisioned a new type of device or a new way to make or sell it, despite naysayers, critics and doubters telling them that it couldn’t...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 13, 2010
The controversy about just how the Chevrolet Volt works may only get more cloudy after an interview with General Motors’ product development czar. During a lengthy discussion, GM Vice Chairman Tom Stephens discussed the new patent the maker has received for the new...
