by Joseph Szczesny | Aug 16, 2012
He played a critical role in saving Chrysler three decades ago, and now the U.S. Treasury is hoping one of the maker’s top former executives can work the same magic at struggling Ally Financial, one of the companies bailed out by the government in 2009. A turnaround...
by Joseph Szczesny | Aug 16, 2012
Ford Motor Co., despite the feeble growth of sales of hybrids and electric vehicles, has no intention of backing off its ambitious plans to build more electric vehicles. Instead, the automaker has announced plans to invest another $135 million to design, engineer and...
by Bryan Laviolette | Aug 16, 2012
Updating the best-selling of anything is fraught with peril, whether it is a car or a hammer. There’s a reason its maker sells so many, so you don’t want to get too crazy. But the competition is looking to take away that sales crown, so standing pat isn’t an option....
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 15, 2012
Audi is likely to confuse some potential customers in the months ahead. The maker has announced it will stop importing the wagon version of its small A4, known as the Avant, in 2013. So what should a buyer make of the vehicle that will be taking its place? ...
by Joseph Szczesny | Aug 15, 2012
Negotiations between Detroit’s three automaker and the Canadian Auto Workers Union have gotten underway in Toronto. And with the CAW’s contract with the automakers expiring in mid-September there could be trouble ahead. The talks are expected to be...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 15, 2012
After years of struggle that saw 3,000 U.S. retailers shutter their showrooms, this could be a record year for American auto dealers. Profits are back and sales are likely to reach an all-time high, at least on a per-dealership basis, according to a new report by the...
by Joseph Szczesny | Aug 15, 2012
The typical Chinese car dealership sells approximately 980 vehicles annually, substantially more than dealers in Europe and North America as China’s government actively promotes the creation of large dealer groups, according to a new report released Tuesday....
by Joseph Szczesny | Aug 15, 2012
Okay not every one is comfortable in with the idea of cars that drive themselves despite predictions they could start reaching the highway before the end of the decade. Some critics remain skeptical for technical reasons, while others are uncomfortable because the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 15, 2012
Expect to see Lincoln continue to downsize even as it expands, several company sources suggest. That’s not some Zen mantra but an increasing interest in smaller models that can flesh out the brand’s currently modest line-up. Among the offerings likely to reach market...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 15, 2012
It has long set the benchmark for the classic, full-sized SUV but it’s been a decade since Land Rover last rolled out a new version of its flagship ute and the market has changed dramatically since then. The wait is finally over. The British maker is officially...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 14, 2012
The man who helped turn a radical idea into the Chevrolet Volt will become the new chief executive of Fisker Automotive, the struggling California start-up hoping to make a go out of selling its own plug-in hybrid vehicles. Tony Posawatz’s move to Fisker Automotive...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Aug 14, 2012
American taxpayers could wind up losing as much as $25 billion on the 2008 – 2009 automotive bailout, according to a new report, a figure that has increased by 15% since an earlier forecast, in large part representing the significant downturn in General Motors’ stock...
