by Paul A. Eisenstein | Sep 17, 2015
The U.S. Department has concluded a year-longer investigation into General Motors’ handling of a deadly ignition switch defect with a settlement that requires the automaker to pay a $900 million fine. The maker separately negotiated $575 million settlement to conclude...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Sep 17, 2015
To paraphrase a frequent comment about guns, “I’ll give up my car when you pry the steering wheel from my cold, dead hands.” Or so the majority of people surveyed essentially told researchers looking into the global influence of the automobile. An estimated 90 million...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Sep 17, 2015
With its sweeping lines, blacked out B pillars and floating roof, the Mazda Koeru is one of the more distinctive concept vehicles to make its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s also one of the more likely to influence future design direction. While they...
by Michael Strong | Sep 17, 2015
Lost in the hubbub surrounding the collapse of Harald Krueger, BMW’s CEO, is the fact the Bavarian brand has its next-gen luxury compact crossover, the X1, ready for the market just as sales in the segment are taking off. The compact crossover area is growing not only...
by Joseph Szczesny | Sep 17, 2015
Honda took the wraps off the 10th generation Honda Civic sedan with a clear plan in mind: attract compact luxury buyers. The new sedan will go on sale “Before Thanksgiving,” John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co. Inc., said....
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Sep 17, 2015
In an unexpected announcement, Daimler AG announced that its North American headquarters will move from New Jersey to Michigan. The news comes even as Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz USA subsidiary completes its own move from N.J. to suburban Atlanta. In terms of jobs, the...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Sep 17, 2015
General Motors may take a step closer to wrapping up one of the most troubling incidents in its long history, according to news reports, agreeing to settle a Justice Department criminal investigation into it botched handling of a deadly ignition switch defect. If...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Sep 16, 2015
Seven months after it first lifted the covers off the new Focus RS, Ford is finally revealing the hot hatch’s performance numbers. And they suggest the high-performance model could get the best of its competition. Entering a fast-growing segment filled with the likes...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Sep 16, 2015
You already know the Ferrari 488 Spider is going to be fast, but that extends to the new folding hardtop, as well, which will retract in a mere 14 seconds, the Italian automaker announced during the preview of the new cabriolet at this week’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Sep 16, 2015
Increasingly frustrated in his bid to merger with General Motors, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne might consider an alternative in his bid for better economies of scale. At a media briefing called to discuss the results of their own, six-year...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Sep 16, 2015
This year’s Frankfurt Motor Show is a bit of nirvana for those who enjoy driving al fresco. There are new ragtops covering pretty much the entire spectrum, from the little Smart ForTwo Cabriolet up to open-air supercars from both Ferrari and Lamborghini. The Lambo...
by Paul A. Eisenstein | Sep 16, 2015
Long focused on high-mileage diesels, Volkswagen and its luxury arm Audi are suddenly getting charged up about battery power. So much so, in fact, that virtually all of the vehicles sold by both the mainstream VW and high-line Audi brands will offer some form of...
