by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 6, 2011
Mazda has confirmed that it will end U.S. production of its Mazda6, the next-generation midsize sedan to be built at its main plant in Japan. But the maker says it is still studying “future opportunities” for the suburban Detroit factory it currently operates as part...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 6, 2011
The good news? BMW has introduced the fastest small car in its line-up — and the most affordable car ever to wear the vaunted M badge. The bad news? It won’t be around for long. More than two years in the making, we got the chance to take the 2011 BMW...
by Henny Hemmes | Jun 6, 2011
It’s a small world, after all. At least when it comes to cars. And even in the luxury market motorists have been steadily downsizing, as BMW discovered with the launch of the original 1-Series. Earlier this spring, a new version of the Bavarian maker’s smallest...
by Mike Levine | Jun 6, 2011
Oil and water don’t mix, and neither do gasoline and diesel fuels. Not until now, anyway. But that old rule could soon go out the door. Chrysler and the U.S. Department of Energy are developing a radical engine design that burns a combination of gasoline and diesel...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 6, 2011
Fuel prices are up and closing on record levels, but U.S. hybrid sales have slumped to their lowest level s in 16 months, with few signs of any imminent improvement. Put much of the blame on the March 11 disaster in Japan that has led to a massive drop in production...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 3, 2011
Fiat will purchase the U.S. Treasury’s remaining 6.6% stake in Chrysler for $560 million, and will now have the option to purchase the shares held by the United Autoworkers Union. With the Italians set to acquire yet another 5% as it meets the third hurdle set by the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 3, 2011
Mazda appears ready to end a nearly quarter century-old joint venture with Ford Motor Co. and stop producing cars in the United States. The apparent decision reflects the fact that Ford has sold off all but a small portion of its holdings in the Japanese maker – as...
by Tim Healey | Jun 3, 2011
Competence may be a virtue, but not necessarily at the expense of personality. This is the lesson of the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, a perfectly capable crossover SUV that inspires nothing of note in those who look at it or drive it. That’s not necessarily bad, there’s...
by Joseph Szczesny | Jun 3, 2011
In a move fraught with political overtones, President Barack Obama will visit a Chrysler Group plant in Toledo, Ohio today to hail the ongoing recovery of the once-bankrupt automaker, which has now posted 14 consecutive months of sales growth and is preparing to sever...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 2, 2011
It’s a long way from Chrysler’s suburban Detroit headquarters to the Audi offices in Ingolstadt, but the German maker may have come a little too close to home for its U.S. rival and the rap star Eminem. Audi is taking flak for a 2-minute video for the 2012 A6 Avant...
by Joseph Szczesny | Jun 2, 2011
Fresh on the heels of a 53% jump in May sales, Kia has announced plans to spend $100 million on a series of expansion projects at its assembly plant in West Point, Georgia, as part of a plan to focus on domestic production for an expanding U.S. market. Kia Motors...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jun 2, 2011
Saying his union is in the midst of “reinventing” itself, United Auto Workers President Bob King strode into the lion’s den, this week, aiming to convince a gathering of Michigan’s most powerful business leaders that the labor movement is not just relevant but useful....
