Toyota Reveals New Yaris at Lollapalooza

Toyota Reveals New Yaris at Lollapalooza

These days, you never know where a new car might first show up.  While most makers continue to rely on major auto shows, such as those in Detroit, Frankfurt or even Beijing, industry planners have been looking for ways to avoid getting lost in the crowd. The unveiling...
Saab Steers Clear of Bankruptcy – for Now

Saab Steers Clear of Bankruptcy – for Now

It’s becoming almost the norm for Saab, the maker fighting off yet another threat that could drive it into bankruptcy.  This time, however, it’s the maker’s workers who were threatening to deliver the coup de grace. The union representing 1,600 salaried employees in...
First Drive: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

First Drive: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

Jeeps have always traded on their rugged capability. But for once the brand guys at Chrysler have decided to forego tradition and build a Jeep for speed. The Jeep Grand Cherokee becomes the fourth new 2012 offering from Chrysler to wear the SRT badge, along with the...
Fisker to Unveil Third Karma Variant in Frankfurt

Fisker to Unveil Third Karma Variant in Frankfurt

With sales of the new Karma battery car unofficially underway, California battery-car start Fisker Automotive will roll out an additional variant of the costly commuter car at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The sleek combination of a sports car and a plug-in...
Toyota and Tesla Discussing Billion-Dollar Deal

Toyota and Tesla Discussing Billion-Dollar Deal

Is there a billion-dollar deal in the works between Japanese auto giant Toyota and the American battery-car upstart Tesla Motors? That appears to be a very real possibility according to comments by Tesla’s founder Elon Musk. The relationship between the two...
Maserati Ready to Reveal Jeep-Based Luxury SUV

Maserati Ready to Reveal Jeep-Based Luxury SUV

Maserati is expected to pull the wraps off its eagerly awaited SUV at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, several well-placed sources have confirmed, while there are reports the Italian automaker might also reveal two new sedans, as well. The three models are key...
Honda, Chrysler Recalling Nearly 2 Million Vehicles

Honda, Chrysler Recalling Nearly 2 Million Vehicles

Nearly 2 million vehicles will be impacted by a pair of recalls involving Honda and Chrysler. The newest recall involves a potentially faulty transmission used on a variety of Honda vehicles built between the 2005 and 2010 model-years.  In all, about 1.5 million...
Ford CEO Mulally Lands Laughs with Letterman

Ford CEO Mulally Lands Laughs with Letterman

It wasn’t your typical auto show, but Ford CEO Alan Mulally was as boyishly exuberant as always when he rolled onto the stage for The Late Show With David Letterman in a new Ford Focus Electric – Letterman himself behind the wheel. Grabbing a seat on the New York set...
A Car by Any Other Name? 2012 Honda Crosstour

A Car by Any Other Name? 2012 Honda Crosstour

Can a new name and a few added features salvage one of Honda’s slowest-selling models?  Apparently, the Japanese maker is hoping so as it transforms last year’s Accord Crosstour into just the Honda Crosstour for 2011. Even normally upbeat Honda executives, including...
Mazda Looking to Bring Back Rotary Engine

Mazda Looking to Bring Back Rotary Engine

With the upcoming demise of the RX-8 sports car, a piece of Mazda’s history will vanish.  But a senior company engineer tells TheDetroitBureau.com that the Japanese maker aims to bring back the rotary engine – in all-new form – shortly after mid-decade. Formally known...