by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 13, 2011
As proponents of battery power like to envision the future, owners of electric vehicles will do their charging overnight when energy rates are lowest. But there’s an increasing sense that for battery cars to make the transition from niche to mainstream they’re going...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 13, 2011
A familiar name for U.S. motorists, but the Chevrolet TrailBlazer SUV debuting at the upcoming Dubai International Motor Show next month may not make it to American shores. The midsize sport-utility vehicle shares its underpinnings with the completely redesigned...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 12, 2011
General Motors is developing an all-new family of high-tech global engine family that it hopes will reduce costs while delivering better mileage and performance. The new engine line will power a wide array of products, from the smallest GM produces all the way up to...
by Joseph Szczesny | Oct 12, 2011
As part of its new contract with the United Auto Workers Union, Chrysler will invest $4.5 billion in new vehicles and technology, including two compact models based on Fiat products that will be built at the automaker’s assembly plants in Michigan and Illinois. But...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 12, 2011
The roar is returning to Detroit. With General Motors lending its support – along with race legend Roger Penske – the Motor City will again see a weekend of racing next year with the IndyCar series serving as its high-profile anchor. To mark its own return to IndyCar...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 12, 2011
General Motors will introduce its first pure battery-electric vehicle, or BEV, sometime in 2013, basing it off the next-generation Chevrolet Spark platform. The Spark EV initially will be sold in “select” urban markets around the world, including Southern California. ...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 12, 2011
Working well into the night, Chrysler and United Auto Workers Union negotiators hammered out a new contract for 26,000 hourly employees – nearly a month after the maker’s original labor contract was set to expire. The deal makes the conclusion of this year’s round of...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 11, 2011
The rotary engine is in for a revival, or so it might seem based on a tweet posted – in Japanese by the PR folks at Mazda headquarters in Hiroshima. It suggests a “new model with next-generation rotary engine” is in the works, confirming a report by...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 11, 2011
Women drivers have long been a mainstay for comics and comic strips, and most men are likely to say they’re better drivers. But a new study suggests you guess again. The data all point to women as the better drivers, with women getting fewer tickets for reckless...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 11, 2011
As if its problems with passenger car production and poor reviews for the latest Civic weren’t enough of a headache, Honda has been hammered again – though this time on the aircraft side of its business. Problems with the new engine it has developed will force at...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 11, 2011
With a pair of Chinese deals apparently ready to collapse, it appears that embattled Swedish automaker Saab may be mere hours away from bankruptcy. The administrator put in charge of helping Saab reorganize appears to be losing patience as several proposed...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 11, 2011
What is a brand name worth? Lots, according to just about any study you can imagine, at least a well-respected name like Coca-Cola, IBM – or Toyota. Despite the problems the Japanese maker has had in recent years, it remains the highest-ranked of all automotive...
