by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 28, 2010
Vehicle weights have been going up for years as consumers demand more features, the government pushes stricter safety regulations and designers seek stiffer vehicle structures. So for this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge, organizers asked design studios...
by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 22, 2010
Nobody’s ever going to mistake one of these big rigs for a sports car, but it would be nice if changing lanes in one didn’t make you have visions of driving a semi truck. People who buy heavy-duty trucks like this GMC Sierra Heavy Duty don’t have any expectations...
by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 18, 2010
Ford still says that we won’t see it in North America, but the automaker has officially introduced the new Ranger small pickup truck that will be sold almost everywhere else. Replacing the oldest mainline vehicle design currently for sale in the U.S., Ford will build...
by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 15, 2010
The idea seemed preposterous: Three people, one medium-sized dog, two sets of golf clubs (minus one of the bags), three duffel bags and all the usual paraphernalia – including 10 pairs of shoes(?) – required for a long weekend at the lake. But how to stuff...
by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 13, 2010
During the automotive age, countless numbers of forward thinkers have contributed to the car as we know it today. These pioneers all envisioned a new type of device or a new way to make or sell it, despite naysayers, critics and doubters telling them that it couldn’t...
by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 8, 2010
General Motors and supplier of home charging systems will offer a 240-volt home charging unit for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle for $490. But GM said installation of the system is estimated to cost $1,475 — so to actually have a working...
by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 7, 2010
While the Chevrolet Volt, due to hit dealerships in limited numbers later this year, is critical to General Motors’ resurgence, expanding use of the technology to other types of vehicles will be important for the automaker’s future. But concepts using what GM calls...
by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 6, 2010
Call it the automotive equivalent of playing the race card. Talk to potential car buyers – especially in a crowd such in the lunchroom at the office – and the subject of buying American often comes up. It can be a touchy subject, especially in Michigan, where the...
by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 5, 2010
Smaller automakers such as Mitsubishi face a challenge competing with the big boys such as Toyota, Honda, Ford and GM. Do they go after them straight up? Is it smart to try to out Toyota Toyota? The better tact might be to try something a little bit different. Give an...
by Bryan Laviolette | Oct 1, 2010
Just as the auto industry is at a crossroads, so is one its major think tanks, the Center for Automotive Research. Now, CAR will move forward with a new leader. CAR President and CEO Jay Baron will take on the the role of chairman, replacing the organization’s...
by Bryan Laviolette | Sep 29, 2010
Is this a car show, or is it really a reason to examine ladies in the latest fashions and munch on exquisite food in the world center for fashion and food? Certainly, there will be some significant and beautiful cars unveiled at the Paris Motor Show – to name a...
by Bryan Laviolette | Sep 24, 2010
She came to me and said “So you write about cars? Can you give me some advice on what kind of car I should buy?” Hey, I’m always up for a little car talk. So she asked if a Jeep Comander really is rated at just 20 mpg. Well, yes, if you opt for the V-6. If you want...
