by Paul A. Eisenstein | Nov 22, 2010
The Nissan Leaf gets 99 miles to the gallon and can go for at least 102 miles per charge, according to new government fuel economy ratings. Or is that 100 miles before having to plug in again? Or 120? While the EPA’s long-awaited calculation, which will appear on...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Nov 22, 2010
By mid-decade, according to some industry estimates, as many as three dozen battery cars could be available to American consumers. But recent studies suggest that U.S. motorists remain reluctant to plug into the new technology, citing concerns like price and range...
by Henny Hemmes | Nov 22, 2010
Want to get a read on the mood of American motorists? Head to the L.A. Auto Show, this week. The annual event has routinely offered an insight into the economy – and the mood of the motorists who quite literally drive one of the biggest sectors of the economy. Over...
by Joseph Szczesny | Nov 22, 2010
L.A. Auto Show-goers are getting a first look at Mazda’s next-generation people-move, which is sharing the stage with the Japanese maker’s future Shinari concept vehicle. With the Shinari providing a longer look at Mazda’s design direction, the Mazda5 gives a more...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Nov 19, 2010
Anyone who has followed Japanese automaker Mazda for more than a few months knows it has made a name for itself by pushing the envelope, both with technology like the rotary engine but also with intriguing design statements. Like the Shinari, the latest in a series of...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Nov 19, 2010
Ford Motor Co. will sharply reduce its once commanding stake in Japanese automaker Mazda, reflecting the continuing shift in focus by the American automaker towards its core “Blue Oval” Ford brand. Despite the cutback, which means Ford will no longer be Mazda’s...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Nov 19, 2010
Late to the game, Infiniti nonetheless hopes to get off to a good start with the introduction of its first hybrid-electric vehicle, the M35h, which will be the first in the HEV segment to deliver both 30 mpg and more than 350 horsepower. Delivering both “V8 power and...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Nov 19, 2010
The much-anticipated L.A. Auto Show preview of the 2012 BMW 650i Convertible may have happened but no one seems to know where. Despite a press release suggesting the debut took place, the German maker didn’t show up on the media preview schedule, nor did it pull it...
by Henny Hemmes | Nov 19, 2010
Some folks celebrate their birthdays with candles. The folks at Porsche came up with a better way to mark the maker’s 60th anniversary her in the U.S. – by rolling out three new models at the 2010 L.A. Auto Show. Sharing the spotlight are the brand new Cayman R, the...
by Marty Bernstein | Nov 19, 2010
Everyone who watches television is subject to commercials — yes, even on PBS — which means everyone is a television commercial critic and at least self-styled expert. This fact, comes much to the chagrin of the professional ad critics, ad agency...
by Joseph Szczesny | Nov 18, 2010
General Motors Co.’s new stock closed above the IPO asking price, reaping more than $20 billion for the principal sellers — including the U.S. Treasury – finishing first-day trading on the New York Stock Exchange at $33 per share. “They marketed the heck out of...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Nov 18, 2010
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt has pulled off its third big victory in less than a week, taking top honors as Green Car of the Year during a ceremony at the L.A. Auto Show. The news comes just days after General Motors’ new plug-in hybrid was named both Motor Trend Car of...
