by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 30, 2011
Who says a green machine also has to be a stone pony? A number of makers are out to prove that clean, high-mileage battery technology can also deliver surprising performance with products like the Audi etron concept and the Mercedes-Benz SLS e-Cell. But now Toyota is...
by Joseph Szczesny | Jun 30, 2011
China and Germany have signed a new round of 14 trade deals, including one valued at more than $15 billion. The agreement that has sparked considerable interest is one that calls for closer collaboration between German automakers and their Chinese counterparts on the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 30, 2011
Don’t be surprised if the local market marks up prices on hot dogs, ground beef and barbecue supplies in the coming days as they take advantage of the Independence Day holiday – but getting to the store might prove cheaper than anticipated. Despite recent forecasts...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 30, 2011
It’s expensive in Tokyo. But Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn shouldn’t have to worry much about the price of sashimi – the Brazilian-born executive drawing a paycheck of nearly $12 million last year. That figure, which includes pay, stock options and bonuses,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 30, 2011
With Washington floating plans to raise federal fuel economy standards to as much as 56.2 mpg, many experts believe that hybrids could become the norm, rather than the exception, in the years ahead. But while today’s gas-electric technology may deliver a significant...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 29, 2011
This story has been updated to include details on Nissan’s individual U.S. and Mexican plants and more on its plans for Infiniti. Anticipating significant growth in both North and South America Nissan is working up plans that will call for the expansion of its...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 29, 2011
The rotary engine is the powertrain of the future – and always will be, declares the engineers who have spent frustrating decades trying to overcome the once-promising Wankel engine’s drawbacks. Small, light and powerful, the rotary seemed destined for glory, with...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 29, 2011
Toyota will recall more than 82,000 hybrid SUVs sold in the United States due to potential wiring defects. The news is another setback for the Japanese giant, which has been struggling to regain control over its quality after a series of safety-related problems that...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 29, 2011
This is an update: Live – from Detroit – it’s TheDetroitBureau. Publisher Paul A. Eisenstein’s guest host appearance on the Craig Fahle program on NPR affiliate WDET-FM will be rebroadcast from 7 to 9 PM this evening. The program’s last 45 minutes were...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 29, 2011
Not long ago seen as the auto industry’s invincible 800-pound gorilla, the problems keep piling up for Toyota, and that’s worrying the folks who have to put a rating on the maker’s debt – Moody’s downgrading Toyota and warning it could cut the debt rating again in the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 28, 2011
General Motors’ long-standing manufacturing base in Australia could be in jeopardy, the maker warned, unless the government comes up with substantial new financial incentives. If that happens GM would follow a long list of makers that have ruled it too expensive to...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 28, 2011
The U.S. auto industry should have a reason to celebrate over the upcoming Independence Day holiday; initial data suggest that increased industry discounting set off fireworks for consumers, sending them back to showrooms after May’s unexpected downturn. But the...
