by Bryan Laviolette | Jan 12, 2012
Chevrolet’s groundbreaking Volt extended-range electric vehicle is a great first step, but a fledgling new company wants to do a similar system for light-duty trucks. Considering the poor mileage such trucks get and the number of them on the road – making up half of...
by Bryan Laviolette | Jan 12, 2012
Acura is revamping in attempt to return to its core values, but the decisions regarding the second-generation RDX small crossover seem to go against the current convention. The 2013 RDX will trade its turbocharged 240-horsepower 2.3-liter four cylinder for parent...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 11, 2012
It wasn’t all that long ago that most analysts were ready to write off the Buick brand, many being shocked by General Motors’ decision not to abandon the long-struggling nameplate – as it did Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Hummer – when it emerged from bankruptcy. Senior...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 11, 2012
They’re the vehicles Americans love to hate. Few automotive products do their job more efficiently than the minivan. Yet they’re much maligned and have become something that even the most dedicated soccer mom is likely to trade in as soon as the kids are old...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 11, 2012
Only a few years ago, many in the mainstream media seemed intent on writing the obituary for the SUV. Those reports, like those of the death of Mark Twain, were “greatly exaggerated.” Well, maybe not. The traditional SUV definitely isn’t dead, but more and more...
by Henny Hemmes | Jan 11, 2012
Carroll Shelby is the Energizer Bunny of the automotive world. He’s had his heart and any number of other vital organs replaced over the decades but keeps on ticking – his car company, Shelby American, continuing to roll out new products. A half-century after making...
by Joseph Szczesny | Jan 11, 2012
Despite the economic problems in Europe and concerns about a double-dip recession in the U.S., the Euro-Asian Renault-Nissan Alliance set a sales record in 2011, collectively marketing a total 8.03 million vehicles around the world, including 4.67 million vehicles for...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 11, 2012
“To say last year was an incredible challenge would be a gross understatement,” suggested John Mendel, the chief U.S. executive with American Honda, as he opened up the maker’s Detroit Auto Show news conference. The maker suffered a double-digit decline in U.S. sales,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 10, 2012
The new Ford Fusion and the Lexus LF-LC took honors as the best production and best concept cars in the annual Eyes on Design Awards at the 2012 North American International Auto Show. It wasn’t an easy trophy to take home, more than 50 concept and production vehicles...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 10, 2012
The next few years will be critical if the auto industry hopes to win popular support for new battery-based powertrain technology – rather than just having it mandated by government fiat, said Jim Lentz, Toyota’s top U.S. executive. Lentz spoke during a well-attended...
by Joseph Szczesny | Jan 10, 2012
After setting a blistering pace during the past three years, Kia Motors America expects sales to continue climbing well past 500,000 units in 2012 even though it will not be launching any new products for the first time in recent years. Kia sales increased 36% last...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jan 10, 2012
Nissan expects to double sales of its Leaf battery-electric vehicle in 2012, CEO Carlos Ghosn said during a meeting with members of the automotive media at the North American International Auto Show. The make sold just 9,674 of the cars last year, its first entry into...
