by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 29, 2012
Are you a good driver? A new study by Ford Motor Co. suggests 99% of Americans will answer, “Yes.” It’s always the other driver. But where does the other guy live? That’s what Allstate set out to find and, as one of the nation’s oldest and largest automotive...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 29, 2012
“Everything is on the table,” says Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne. The Italian-born, Canadian-educated executive could have been referring to any number of topics as he met with reporters this week at Chrysler’s massive proving grounds in Chelsea, Michigan. The...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 29, 2012
The long-awaited new Mazda6 has made its debut – in Moscow. The Japanese automaker turned to the annual Russian car show to reveal the new sedan, the latest in its line-up to migrate to Mazda’s new SkyActiv technology. The new 2013 Mazda6 will be entering a crowded...
by Joseph Szczesny | Aug 29, 2012
“Safety doesn’t sell.” Or so went the conventional wisdom that followed the failure of Ford’s effort, in 1957, to introduce what was, for that era, a raft of breakthrough safety gear. This time, the maker is a little more confident that safety really does attract...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 28, 2012
Bouncing back from an unexpected delay, the Obama Administration today formalized a more than 50% increase in federal automotive fuel economy standards. Even with automakers struggling to meet the 2016 Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, target of 35.5 miles per...
by Joseph Szczesny | Aug 28, 2012
Toyota has ruled the hybrid segment since the original Prius rolled onto the U.S. market a dozen years ago — and up until now Ford Motor Co. has trailed a distant second with its well-regarded Escape Hybrid. But Ford is changing gears, having retired the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 28, 2012
Earlier this year, Rolls-Royce officials pulled the plug on the 102 EX project, a prototype battery-powered version of the maker’s big Phantom sedan. But a couple decades back, 25 electric Rolls were produced. Not that you’re likely to see them on the road. The...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 28, 2012
Hoping to give its long-troubled luxury brand some new momentum – and much-needed economy of scale – Ford Motor Co. will launch Lincoln into the Chinese market in 2014. The announcement – which confirms a report on TheDetroitBureau.com earlier this month – will come...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 28, 2012
For the second time this year, General Motors will halt production of the Chevrolet Volt for several weeks — but company sources insist the move does not signal problems with the plug-in hybrid which got off to a slow start after its introduction in December...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 27, 2012
Even as it moves ahead with a court suit seeking $3 billion from General Motors, Dutch-based Spyker Cars sees a bright future – in China. Spyker – which ultimately lost its bid to save the struggling Swedish carmaker, Saab – is firming up its ties with China’s...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 27, 2012
As it has so often over the years, Toyota is coming out tops in the new Total Quality Index – at least when measured according to the least problems per vehicle – what is often referred to as “Things Gone Wrong,” or TGWs, inside the auto industry. But that’s only one...
by Joseph Szczesny | Aug 27, 2012
Looks can be deceptive. The 2013 Ram 1500 pickup truck might appear quite familiar but beneath the sheet metal it’s actually a new truck that delivers a quiet smooth ride as well as full range of truck features – along with markedly better mileage. The new Dodge...
