by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 20, 2012
Keyless entry systems are one of those little conveniences most of us have come to appreciate – unless your neighbor is using one at two in the morning. Most sound the horn to signal when a door is locked or unlocked – loud enough to jolt even the deepest sleeper out...
by Bryan Laviolette | Dec 20, 2012
After inventing alternating current electrical transmission, Nikolai Tesla became obsessed with wireless electric transmission. He even created the scary Tesla Coil to demonstrate the concept. Tesla’s wireless electricity transmission was ahead of its time and...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 20, 2012
Only two of 18 midsize family cars earned “good” ratings in the new frontal crash test by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, and one of those will soon be leaving the market. The 2013 Honda Accord and Suzuki Kizashi were the only mainstream midsize sedans to...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 19, 2012
We’ve seen a steady increase in the number of vehicles recalled for safety related problems over the last several years, but it’s nonetheless unusual to see a manufacturer hammered by two separate service actions in one week. And, in this case, both of the recalls...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 19, 2012
The holidays may be a time to spread joy, but be careful you don’t let a car thief sour your good cheer. A new study ranks the final week of the year as one of the riskiest when it comes to getting your car stolen – though the good news is that even the bad guys seem...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 19, 2012
Despite having scuttled plans to produce a modern-day interpretation of the legendary Microbus, Volkswagen hasn’t given up on the U.S. minivan market – but odds are that many potential buyers don’t even know about the VW Routan. The maker’s current minivan model,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 19, 2012
Ford has long claimed that “Quality is Job 1,” though it has taken a drubbing in recent months for some nagging problems that have seen it tumble on quality and reliability surveys. The maker intends to aggressively address such “isolated incidents,” Ford’s new Chief...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 19, 2012
This story has been revised to reflect comments by CFO Dan Ammann and GM North America President Mark Reuss. General Motors will repurchase 200 million shares of its own stock currently held by the U.S. Treasury, with the White House announcing plans to sell off its...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 18, 2012
For a businessman, there are few things worse than having to start all over again – unless it involves losing millions of dollars in the process. But few in the auto industry have had more experience reinventing themselves than Scott Painter, a serial entrepreneur who...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 18, 2012
Officially scheduled to debut on January 15 at the North American International Auto Show, Cadillac is offering a sneak peek at the new ELR plug-in hybrid, its upscale take on the Chevrolet Volt. More accurately know as an “extended-range electric vehicle,” or E-REV,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Dec 18, 2012
In a further blow to its well-honed image of quality, reliability and safety, Toyota has confirmed it will have to pay a record $17.35 million fine for delaying yet another recall related to unintended acceleration problems. The news comes even as the Japanese giant...
by Joseph Szczesny | Dec 18, 2012
Over the years, the RAV4 has been one of Toyota’s great successes. The original “cute ute,” it was one of the first crossover vehicles to connect with American customers at a time when traditional SUVs dominated the market. But the market has changed...
