by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jul 25, 2012
After a decade of sharp declines, highway fatalities increased unexpectedly during the first quarter of 2012, according to preliminary government data – and a warm winter may catch at least some of the blame. Traffic deaths surged a substantial 13.5% for the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jul 25, 2012
American motorists no longer need worry about what they’ll have to sacrifice trading in a larger vehicle for a smaller one. A new study by J.D. Power and Associates finds that, “across the board,” manufacturers are offering small car buyers the sort of features and...
by Joseph Szczesny | Jul 25, 2012
Near-record profits in North America and continued strong performance from Ford Credit could not offset the bleak economic news from Europe and other parts of the world that slashed Ford Motor Co.’s profitability by 57% during the second quarter. The company reported...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jul 25, 2012
While most makers like to use key auto shows like Paris, Geneva, Detroit, Tokyo or even Beijing to reveal major new products Mazda has developed an unusual fascination with Moscow where it has introduced several products in recent years – and where it is today pulling...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jul 24, 2012
More than two months after his passing, legendary racer and raconteur Carroll Shelby is close to finding his final resting place – or, more accurately, resting places – as his widow and children settle the bitter dispute that had Shelby’s body held in a Dallas morgue...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jul 24, 2012
For all too many potential buyers the idea of a compact Cadillac brings to mind the last attempt by the U.S. maker to tackle the likes of the vaunted BMW 3-Series. Caddy’s dreadful Cimarron almost single-handedly brought the General Motors flagship brand to its knees,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jul 24, 2012
Highway toll roads have become a way of life in many parts of the country but regulators in the San Francisco Bay area are looking at enacting new fees that would tax motorists for every mile they drive – no matter what roads they drive on. A preliminary plan was...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jul 24, 2012
For the first time since its 1997 introduction Mercedes-Benz plans to sell its smallest model, the A-Class in the U.S. – and to help meet anticipated global demand the luxury maker is turning to a partner to help boost capacity. Finnish specialty company Valmet...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jul 23, 2012
After much internal debate General Motors has apparently agreed to give Cadillac the resources it needs to give serious chase to its European competitors, notably by approving a new 7-Series competitor that will serve as the domestic maker’s flagship sedan. As...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jul 23, 2012
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched two new investigations that could lead to the eventual recall of several popular Chrysler products. The probes begin even as NHTSA continues looking into reports that several Jeep models produced between...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Jul 23, 2012
Can Ford’s new “people-mover” topple the battery-powered king-of-the-hill? The Toyota Prius routinely captures half of the hybrid market, and the Japanese maker has been gaining ground – despite the recent slide in U.S. fuel prices – by expanding the range of models...
