by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 15, 2011
For the first time ever there will be no Detroit entries among the finalists for North American Truck of the Year – and only one domestic among the Car of the Year finalists. The all-new Range Rover Evoque, updated Honda CR-V and second-generation BMW X3 grabbed the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 15, 2011
The once nearly forgotten Buick brand is on a roll and will add yet another new model to its line-up with the introduction of a small crossover-utility vehicle during next month’s Detroit Auto Show. It’s believed to be sized to go up against more mainstream models,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 14, 2011
Fiat has reached what it’s describing as a “historic” agreement with its union workers, a deal that could convince the maker to maintain a significant share of its production base in Italy. The possibility of shifting production has been hanging like a Sword of...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 14, 2011
Clearly concerned by the controversy that’s erupted over fires involving the Chevrolet Volt’s lithium-ion batteries, Ford Motor Co. officials pointedly stressed that they have gone to extremes to ensure there won’t be problems when they launch an array of...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 14, 2011
Volkswagen hopes to charge into the upcoming Detroit Auto Show with a pair of battery-based vehicles including a new hybrid version of its hot-selling Passat sedan. The German maker is better known for its commitment to diesel technology, so-called “oil burners”...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 14, 2011
Automakers will do almost anything to avoid slowing or, worse, shutting down an assembly plant. And that’s doubly true when that factory is rolling out a product as hot as the Chevrolet Cruze which has, in recent months, been running at or near the top of the U.S....
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 14, 2011
With both sales and market share up for 2011 and Ford likely to post the strongest earnings it has seen in years, the maker’s goal of “growing profitably…is on track,” asserted CEO Alan Mulally. It has clearly been a good year for the maker, which posted $1.6 billion...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 14, 2011
The National Transportation Safety Board wants to ban the use of all electronic devices while driving. That includes not only handheld phones and texting, but even the use of hands-free phones, Internet-connected devices and other high-tech systems. The recommendation...
by Joseph Szczesny | Dec 13, 2011
Embarrassed by reports that the batteries in several of its Chevrolet Volts caught fire after crash tests, General Motors is fighting back by pointing out that there are more than 215,000 car fires annually in the U.S. involving vehicles fueled by gasoline. GM is...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 13, 2011
The Dodge Viper will return to production late next year – and it will roll off the same small Detroit assembly line that built the original “snake” sports car. A release going out later today will confirm the long-anticipated revival of the distinctive, low-volume...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 13, 2011
It isn’t often one hears a V-8 described as a way to save fuel. But not many makers today rely solely on V-12 power, so with the addition of new twin-turbo V-8 to its Continental line-up Bentley just might be able to meet its goal of slashing the fuel consumption of...
by Joseph Szczesny | Dec 13, 2011
The California Air Resources Board has released a new set of policies aimed at cutting vehicle pollution, guarantee consumer access to clean fuels and “foster” the development of zero-emission car technology. The major changes in policies will apply to new...
