by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 6, 2012
Despite clear concerns, even outright misgivings, auto industry leaders expect to see a steady ramp-up in spending on automotive electrification in the years ahead, that money going to everything from motors to battery packs and other technologies. But the survey by...
by Marty Bernstein | Jan 6, 2012
But first our first annual MMM Media Kit Award This is my homage to the annual deluge of Car-of-the-Year awards that will be raining down on us, notably including the widely-watched North American Car and Truck of the Year ceremony that will usher in the Detroit Auto...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 6, 2012
How low can you go? India’s Tata Motors thought it found rock-bottom when it launched the $2,600 Nano several years ago. But it is about to get a run for its money from the new Bajaj RE60, a microcar its manufacturer says is meant to replace the time-honored...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 6, 2012
Chrysler will add another 1,250 jobs at a pair of assembly plants in the Motor City, as it prepares to launch production of a diesel-powered version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee along with an all-new Dodge Viper sports car. The biggest increase, involving 1,100 workers,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 6, 2012
Ford Motor Co. is setting up a new research lab in California’s fabled Silicon Valley, underscoring the Detroit maker’s efforts to turn the car into a mobile “platform,” rather than just a mechanical conveyance. The new facility will help Ford develop a variety of new...
by Bryan Laviolette | Jan 6, 2012
Where is it written that fuel efficiency has to mean boring? Why does saving money at the gas station mean conforming to normal? Why can’t a fuel sipper also be fun to drive? Hyundai’s product planners must have asked themselves those questions. And they decided to...
by Joseph Szczesny | Jan 5, 2012
While there doesn’t seem to be a problem with hanging chads, a recount may still be possible as the winner prepares to take the crown as U.S. luxury sales leader for 2011. Barring a Supreme Court intervention, it appears that BMW will take its place as...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 5, 2012
The idea seemed to have enormous potential: give automotive wannabes the opportunity to drive the cars of their dreams. Unfortunately for San Francisco-based start-up HiGear, the company also gave a bunch of car thieves to steal the cars of their dreams. The company...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 5, 2012
With the temperatures hovering in the low 20s one doesn’t often think of convertibles this time of year in Detroit. But Porsche is hoping to get a more balmy reception when it pulls the covers – and the top – off its new 911 sports car next week as it makes a return...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 5, 2012
General Motors will make a series of “enhancements” to ensure there is no risk of its Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric vehicle catching fire after a side-impact crash. The move follows reports last month that several Volt battery packs either caught fire or smoked and...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 5, 2012
With the launch of the new Dodge Dart, making its debut at next week’s North American International Auto Show, Chrysler expects to grab a larger share of the growing compact car segment. But the maker’s Italian partner Fiat will grab an immediate larger stake in the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 5, 2012
Fuel prices may be nudging back up again but Americans are once again racing to plunk their money down on pickups, vans and SUVs again, light trucks collectively accounting for 54.8% of the U.S. market last month – with the Ford F-Series wrapping up 2011 as the...
