by Paul A. Eisenstein | Feb 10, 2011
It was one of the highest-rated – and talked-about – commercials on the Super Bowl. But will there be a reprise of the cinematic Chrysler spot, dubbed “Born of Fire,” that featured rapper Eminem? That’s been a frequent topic of conversation almost from the moment the...
by Tim Healey | Feb 10, 2011
When Dodge unveiled the redesigned 2011 Dodge Charger last fall, it was almost a foregone conclusion that an SRT8 high-performance version would be on the way. Dodge made good on that assumption at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, where the 2011 Dodge Charger SRT8 made its...
by Bryan Laviolette | Feb 10, 2011
For the better part of two decades Kia has made progressively better cars, but the design and styling still lagged. The designs were often boring (previous generation Sportage) and sometimes strangely ornate (Amanti). Not many people looked at a Kia, any Kia, and said...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Feb 9, 2011
It’s brand-building time at Volkswagen, and the once-dominant German import is convinced that a wave of new products will help it recover its lost glory. With the launch of its new American assembly plant, and sale of the U.S. version of the bigger Passat just months...
by Joseph Szczesny | Feb 9, 2011
Chevy is adding a little more muscle to the pony car wars by bringing back the once-formidable Camaro ZL1. The General Motors division rocked the market when its reborn Camaro outsold the Ford Mustang, last year, for the first time in a quarter century. But GM...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Feb 9, 2011
Few brand names are more clearly associated with a particular type of product than Ram, the Chrysler marque that specializes in pickups. And the division rolled out a pair of new models, in Chicago, that should broadly expanding its appeal. The Ram 1500 Tradesman...
by Joseph Szczesny | Feb 9, 2011
Timing is everything, or so it’s been said, and Acura discovered that the hard way with the 2009 launch of its updated TL sedan, which arrived in showrooms just in time for one of the worst downturns the automotive market has endured since the Great Depression. This...
by Mike Levine | Feb 9, 2011
A simmering dispute between U.S. automaker Ford and Italy’s Ferrari has bubbled into public view and could soon land the two makers in court. Ford plans to seek an injunction, this week against Ferrari over the use of the F150 name for the Italian maker’s latest...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Feb 9, 2011
Building on its increasing involvement with the fast-growing social media, Ford will offer “a number of people” the opportunity create their “ultimate adventure” built around the maker’s all-new 2011 Explorer SUV. Those adventures – sponsored by Ford – will be woven...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Feb 9, 2011
Hoping to maintain its momentum as the brand continues its move up-market, Hyundai is rolling out an updated version of its Genesis sedan at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The 2012 Hyundai Genesis will deliver a number of upgraded features likely to appeal to luxury...
by Joseph Szczesny | Feb 9, 2011
It’s been a week of backpedaling for Sergio Marchionne, the outspoken CEO of both Chrysler and its Italian affiliate, Fiat. Seldom shy about expressing himself, the Canadian-educated executive has been tripped up by a series of quips, starting with remarks made, over...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Feb 9, 2011
Sometimes you have to take a closer look at some of the ads automakers roll out. Over the years, we’ve seen a number of future products put in cameo appearances behind other, more immediately apparent models – as we belatedly realized with the Super Bowl ad for...
