by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 20, 2012
Honda hopes to kick-start one of its more embarrassing failures when it rolls out a new version of the Crosstour crossover at next month’s New York Auto Show. For the moment, Honda is holding back details on the Crosstour update, but suggests it will reveal a “new...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 20, 2012
When even Bentley is talking plug-in hybrid for its planned SUV you have to assume the era of big, powerful luxury cars has come to an end. Well, not really, as we’ve also seen some new extremes from the likes of Ferrari and BMW, with the F12 Berlinetta and next M6,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 20, 2012
General Motors Chairman Dan Akerson is getting a big payday – though he won’t be able to cash the check for a couple of years. Akerson, who also serves as GM’s chief executive has been awarded 76,249 shares of restricted stock, according to paperwork the maker has...
by Bryan Laviolette | Mar 20, 2012
Now that Consumer Reports has its Fisker Karma back from it’s emergency trip to the dealer, the magazine is ready to share its initial thoughts on the car. In it’s first impression video, CR’s Tom Mutchler starts by saying the obvious – the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 19, 2012
Swedish automaker, er, make that Chinese-owned carmaker Volvo is hoping to score a slam dunk by signing a marketing agreement with the NBA’s new Asian-American superstar Jeremy Lin. Details of the deal – which Volvo describes as a “dynamic marketing partnership”...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 19, 2012
A fire at a key supplier plant has forced Kia to temporarily suspend production at its own factory in West Point, Georgia. Even a brief shutdown is a potentially serious problem for the Korean carmaker as it has already been struggling to meet demand for products such...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 19, 2012
European automakers are desperately hoping that the just-concluded Geneva Motor Show will give the industry a much-needed push. But with the Greek debt crisis still unsettled and economic problems spreading to other parts of the Continent, few expect automotive sales...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 19, 2012
The on-again/off-again Volkswagen-Porsche merger appears to have moved into the indefinite hold category, but that doesn’t mean the two German makers won’t expand their ties. In fact, VW will begin producing the all-new Porsche Boxster, later this year, alongside the...
by Joseph Szczesny | Mar 19, 2012
When you think Volvo you almost certainly think safety. But the Swedish maker also would like to get potential buyers to associate the brand with performance. Mercedes-Benz has AMG and BMW has its M-Class and now Volvo is challenging its German rivals with cars...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 19, 2012
Think of it as the “democratization of technology.” Hi-tech systems routinely make their debut on luxury models and, if they prove popular, usually migrate down-market – often with mainstream manufacturers coming up with more inexpensive, but equally effective,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 16, 2012
A lawsuit filed this week in federal court in New Jersey claims Ford Motor Co. hid problems with the fuel tanks in its big F-Series pickups that reportedly can lead to a loss of power or stalling. The complaint, Coba et al v Ford Motor Co., seeks to be certified as a...
by Joseph Szczesny | Mar 16, 2012
BMW’s efforts to settle a class action lawsuit are coming to a head in a federal court in San Francisco – but a potential last-minute roadblock could conceivably increase the maker’s cost or settling the issue by 2500%. The class action, which has been in court...
