by Joseph Szczesny | Mar 29, 2013
For the first time since the original Beetle dominated the American import market, Volkswagen of America is moving solidly back into the black. The German maker’s U.S. sales and marketing arm had steadily lost sales, share – and lots of money – ever since Asian rivals...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 29, 2013
Like a lot of folks in New York trade unions, Terry Keegan got his in through his family, but’s not always “like-father-like-son.” Baby Boomer Terry Sr. grew up in the back of a station wagon, often relegated to watching the world go by out the back window, his older...
by Joseph Szczesny | Mar 29, 2013
Cadillac expects to chalk up big sales gains this year thanks to the growing popularity of the new Cadillac ATS and the arrival of the new Cadillac CTS this fall, which was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show. Bob Ferguson, the head of General Motors’...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 29, 2013
Struggling Mitsubishi has had a hard time getting onto consumer radar screens in recent years, but it’s betting that potential buyers will pay attention to the news that its new small car is rated at 44 miles per gallon. And that’s no mirage. Or, wait a second, yes it...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 29, 2013
The Obama Administration is proposing new rules to reduce the level of noxious sulfur in the nation’s gasoline supply, a move that should reduce emissions – but also add a very small increase in pump prices. The so-called Tier 3 standards set to go into effect by 2017...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 29, 2013
A new lawsuit claims that nearly a decade’s worth of vehicles produced by the Ford Motor Co. suffer from a “design defect” that can make them susceptible to suddenly and unexpectedly begin racing out of control. The lawsuit, filed in West Virginia federal court on...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 29, 2013
After a series of false starts, Subaru finally has its first gas-electric model, the XV Crosstrek Hybrid, making its formal debut at this week’s New York International Auto Show. Expect to see more hybrids, as well as an all-electric model, possibly even a plug-in...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 28, 2013
It was supposed to be the shining moment for the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro, but the mainstream version of the Detroit pony car was upstaged by this week’s unexpected revival of the track-ready Z28. While the Z28 will certainly place a spotlight on the broader Camaro...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 28, 2013
Volvo has had a habit of doing things its own way, which includes selling wagons when those so-called two-box designs didn’t work for just about anyone else. Even Volvo has had to accept market trends in recent years, and shift to more contemporary crossovers. But...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Mar 28, 2013
Capping a rapidly expanding string of honors, the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf was named the World Car of the Year during a well-attended ceremony at the New York International Auto Show this morning. The award comes just weeks after the compact hatchback was...
by Joseph Szczesny | Mar 28, 2013
For now, Subaru is calling the little sports coupe on display at New York’s Jacob Javits Convention Center a “concept,’ but what you see is almost certain to be what you get – with only the most subtle tweaks – once the next-generation Subaru WRX goes into production...
by Joseph Szczesny | Mar 28, 2013
Subaru, the brand that helped popularize all-wheel-drive, is now trying its hand at hybrids. The Japanese automaker unveiled its first-ever production gas-electric model, the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid, at its 2013 New York International Auto Show press preview. The...