by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 16, 2012
The recent run-up in fuel prices has put the spotlight on hybrids, battery cars and other high-mileage vehicles. But while it may sound great to get 40, even 50 miles a gallon, are you spending an arm and a leg to save far less than you might expect on your annual...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 16, 2012
No, this isn’t the world’s fastest mid-cycle refresh of the new BMW 5-Series. It’s actually a special stretch edition of the Bavarian maker’s 3-Series, which will be making its debut at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show. Despite the rapid emergence of a middle class...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 16, 2012
It had to happen. And how could it be more appropriate: the maker of one of the world’s smallest automobiles turning to one of the shortest forms of social media to get the message out. Daimler’s Smart car brand has just launched the first ads on Twitter, the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 13, 2012
Automakers will get one more shot to trot out their latest and greatest products as the Beijing Motor Show prepares to get underway before the car show circuit takes its summer hiatus. And Porsche is preparing for China by giving us a sneak peek at the maker’s...
by Joseph Szczesny | Apr 13, 2012
General Motors is preparing to build three new Cadillac models in China – including its all-new XTS flagship — with the help of its principal Chinese partner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. or SAIC. The cars are expected to compete for high-end Chinese...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 13, 2012
Chevrolet is about to bury its once-popular Avalanche – but not without a fitting farewell. The Avalanche, for those who might have forgotten, was Chevy’s attempt to blend the best attributes of a pickup and it ever-popular Silverado pickup. Launched a decade ago, it...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 13, 2012
Federal safety regulators want to enact new rules requiring manufacturers to install brake-throttle override systems designed to cut power to the engine if a motorist inadvertently hits both pedals at the same time. The proposed update by the National Highway Traffic...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 13, 2012
When the National Academy of Sciences earlier this year ruled out the likelihood of unknown electronic gremlins causing so-called unintended acceleration problems with Toyota vehicles researchers instead suggested that driver error was largely to blame. A new study...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 12, 2012
According to a recent study we reported on TheDetroitBureau.com earlier in the week, young folks are waiting longer than ever to get their driver’s licenses – and one reason, said the researchers, is that they’re apparently too busy online. So, no wonder Ford has...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 12, 2012
The factory in Trollhattan stands idle but the bookkeepers and bankruptcy attorneys have been keeping busy in recent weeks trying to tally up the debts owed by the now-insolvent Saab Automobile and compare that to the company’s few remaining assets. The math doesn’t...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 12, 2012
Who says the Hummer is dead? All right, the big tri-star on the hood is a clear giveaway, but like the abandoned General Motors off-roader, the Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen is the sort of go-anywhere brute that gets folks to move aside when they see it approaching in...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Apr 12, 2012
The news is not good for parents who have counted on child safety seats to keep the kids out of harm’s way in the event of an accident. Despite toughened federal standards and industry efforts, only 21 of 98 vehicles met the requirements for ease of use, and seven of...
