by Henny Hemmes | Feb 26, 2009
Despite its long absence, there are legions of American fans desperate for the return of the Alfa-Romeo brand. The Italian maker, a subsidiary of Fiat S.p.A., staged a sort-of comeback, last year, with the launch of the high-performance 8C, but volumes are so low, few...
by Henny Hemmes | Feb 14, 2009
It was in with the new car and out with the old designer. Unveiling the Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo was the last ‘performance’ of BMW’s design chief Chris Bangle. The 52-year-old Bangle announced he’ll be leaving his employer of 17 years at the end of this month,...
by Henny Hemmes | Feb 5, 2009
Have you ever been involved in a collision when driving in the city? If not, you undoubtedly know someone who was. The surveys suggest more than 75 percent of all accidents occur at speeds below 18 mph, usually on city streets. No wonder Volvo got a lot of attention...
by Henny Hemmes | Jan 30, 2009
You think it’s cold back in the U.S.? Try Kärnten, one of the most beautiful parts of the south of Austria. And at this altitude, this time of year, well, you’d think we might have enough common sense to keep the top closed on the new Mini Convertible. Think again. We...
by Henny Hemmes | Jan 29, 2009
“It is hard to forecast sales for 2009, but we want to sell the same number as in 2008…. plus one,” said Dr.Wolfgang Armbrecht, senior vice-president brand management Mini, BMW AG. During the past year, Mini has done very well, up 4.3 per cent to total sales of...
by Henny Hemmes | Jan 26, 2009
Toyota might have toppled GM as the global sales king, but the Japanese are not in the mood for celebrating. According to the Japanese newspaper Nikkei, Toyota will probably lay off more than 1,000 employees in Great Britain and North America, as sales continue to...
by Henny Hemmes | Jan 23, 2009
It’s not even on sale yet, but some folks are worrying about what they’ll get on a trade-in for the all-new Mercedes E-Class. Let’s face it, buying a new car is exciting, but reselling it can be a big disappointment. That is why many people take into account the...
by Henny Hemmes | Jan 22, 2009
The sky is falling, the sky is falling. How do you say that in Italian? The folks at Chrysler might want to learn, and fast, considering the news out of Turin, this evening. Chrysler is betting a lot, perhaps its entire future, on the global alliance it announced,...
by Henny Hemmes | Jan 19, 2009
Over the past year, we’ve seen the theme of fuel efficiency becoming more and more important to the auto shows in Europe. Detroit took this theme to a much more defined mode. ‘Electrifying’, ‘An electric future’, ‘GM plans could charge up the state’, were the major...
by Henny Hemmes | Jan 16, 2009
Is this the ultimate City Car? The perfect, clean, fun-to-drive alternative for the urban motorist tired of big, cumbersome, gas-guzzling SUVs? Visitors at the North American International Auto Show will now see the electric car at the Mini exhibit in Cobo Hall. But...
