by Joseph Szczesny | Oct 17, 2013
Even though Democrats and Republicans have agreed to end their debate over the deficit – for now — new car sales could drop sharply this month, in part due to the impact of the government shutdown and concerns about a possible default, according to the chairman...
by Joseph Szczesny | Oct 16, 2013
General Motors will launch a new CNG-powered version of its big Chevrolet Impala sedan next year, making it the first maker to offer the availability to use the cheaper, cleaner fuel in a full-size model. The announcement came in a speech by GM CEO Dan Akerson during...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 16, 2013
Whether you call it a statistical fluke or not, September saw U.S. car sales slow down a bit, and there are some signs that October could come in weak, as well, as a result of the government shutdown and deficit battle. But at least one senior industry executive...
by Michael Strong | Oct 16, 2013
When the future finally gets here and we’re all driving, or riding in, autonomous cars, the Toyota badge may not be on the side of your ride, according to Jim Lentz, Toyota North America CEO. The Japanese carmakers’ plans for autonomous vehicles fall more into the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 16, 2013
Considering the unexpectedly sharp slowdown in September car sales, automakers are clearly nervous about the impact of a continuing government shutdown and in near-panic mode when the subject of a government default is raised. A bit more than halfway through October,...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 16, 2013
The new Acura ILX Hybrid has charged into dealer showrooms. The question is whether anyone will notice. Aimed at entry-luxury buyers, the ILX seems to have missed out on what has generally become the fastest-growing segment in the high-line market. But with...
by Joseph Szczesny | Oct 15, 2013
In an era where everything from text messages to sliding briefcases to spilled coffee and crying babies can distract a driver, one of the biggest jobs of automotive engineers is to help find a way to to keep a motorist’s attention focused on the road. With federal...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 15, 2013
The first of BMW’s new “i” branded battery-cars won’t start rolling into European showrooms next months – U.S. sales to start next years – but initial demand is so strong that the Bavarian maker is already talking about ramping up production. Customers have already...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 15, 2013
When Ford launches its new Lincoln dealer network in China next year, the maker plans to begin stocking those showrooms by importing vehicles from the United States, rather than building them locally. While it will add significant duties to the price of models like...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 15, 2013
The folks at General Motors have to be gritting their teeth and stomping their cowboy boots this morning. Despite the general raves being heaped upon the maker’s new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups, the General’s new offerings were nudged aside by the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 14, 2013
You can be small and still think big. Just ask Mini, the British subsidiary of BMW that has, in barely a dozen years since its global re-launch gone from a small niche player with a minimal line-up of microcars to a fast-growing brand with a rapidly expanding product...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Oct 14, 2013
Battery power offers some tremendous advantages over the conventional, internal combustion engine. It’s clean, efficient and can slash an owner’s energy bills substantially. There’s just one problem: the battery itself: costly, slow to charge and limited in range....
