Yugo Bites the Dust - AgainDate posted: 11-21-2008
After nearly three decades, Serbian automaker Zastava pulls the plug on the primitive hatchback.
December 2 Is D-Day for U.S. AutomakersDate posted: 11-21-2008
The heads of the Detroit Big 3 went home empty-handed this week from Washington, but they will return to Capitol Hill on December 2 to present their restructuring plans to Congress in what may be the final bid for financial help.
Chang'an Wants To Build Cars in MexicoDate posted: 11-21-2008
Chang'an Auto, the Chinese partner of Ford and Suzuki, says it will build cars in Mexico and eventually sell them in the U.S.
Honda Cuts Production in U.S. and U.K.Date posted: 11-21-2008
Honda has announced that it's cutting North American production by 18,000 units. The company also says it will idle its Swindon, U.K., plant for two months in early 2009.
Oregon, Nissan and Bay Area Cities Announce Major Electric-Vehicle InitiativesDate posted: 11-21-2008
Renault/Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn says "pure electric" vehicles from Nissan will be on U.S. roads by 2010, while San Francisco Bay Area mayors announce an ambitious plan to make northern California the capital of EV transportation.
Porsche Says Cayenne Diesel Is on the WayDate posted: 11-20-2008
The new Cayenne diesel is bound for Europe only at first, but the German automaker hints that "preparations for market introduction in other countries are underway."
GM Executive Likens Detroit's Crisis to Hip Replacement SurgeryDate posted: 11-20-2008
In one of the stranger analogies of the week, GM's vice president of North American vehicle sales, service and marketing blogs that the current Detroit meltdown may be likened to hip replacement surgery. But the bigger question is, why is GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz silent?
Michael Moore: "GM Still Kept Building the Wrong Cars"Date posted: 11-20-2008
Call it Rick & Me. The filmmaker who targeted GM CEO Roger Smith in the 1989 movie Roger & Me weighs in on Detroit's auto crisis, saying it was "hilarious" watching the testimony of the Big Three chiefs, including GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, in Washington this week.
Detroit Chiefs Get Stiffed by Washington as Auto Stocks TumbleDate posted: 11-20-2008
The heads of Detroit's Big Three left Washington empty-handed late Wednesday after two days of begging for financial help from the federal government. Auto stocks plummeted in response.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Jaguar Tops List in J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction StudyDate posted: 11-19-2008
Jaguar, Hummer and Lexus occupy the top spots in the new customer satisfaction rankings by J.D. Power and Associates. Jeep, Nissan and Mitsubishi are at the bottom of the heap.
Tuner Special: Edo Porsche CayenneDate posted: 11-18-2008
Edo Competition gives the Porsche Cayenne GTS 45 extra horses and a variety of performance goodies.
Tesla Motors Set To Tackle "Range Anxiety"Date posted: 11-18-2008
The electric-car startup has some intriguing high-tech ideas that may see the light of day on the Model S sedan.
Pontiac Announces Pricing for 2009 G3Date posted: 11-18-2008
No bargain-basement pricing for Pontiac's new compact hatchback. The G3 starts at $14,995, which makes it more expensive than the base 2009 Kia Rio5 LX, the 2009 Toyota Yaris and even its corporate sibling, the 2009 Chevrolet Aveo.
Tuner Special: AC Schnitzer X6 FalconDate posted: 11-17-2008
BMW's X6 receives big wheels, shiny exhaust pipes and a horsepower bump from AC Schnitzer.
Chevy Volt Visits Inside LineDate posted: 11-17-2008
New details of GM's poster car emerge as the Volt stops by the IL office.
NASCAR: Jimmie Johnson Wins Third Straight Cup, Tying Cale YarboroughDate posted: 11-17-2008
Jimmie Johnson, with a 15th-place finish in the Ford 400 Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, joined Cale Yarborough in the NASCAR record books as only the second driver to win three straight Cup Series championship titles.
General Motors Sells Suzuki Stake To Raise CashDate posted: 11-17-2008
Frantic for cash, General Motors dumps its 3 percent stake in Suzuki for about $230 million but says it will continue collaborating on hybrid vehicles and fuel cells.
China May Be Next Site To Drop off Formula 1's CalendarDate posted: 11-14-2008
Officials are telling media they are concerned about slow ticket sales at the event in Shanghai, which has only been holding races since 2004.
Sporty and Economical: Seat Leon Linea RDate posted: 11-13-2008
Seat has unveiled its Linea R version of the Leon that features a sporty exterior and three engine choices.
Teaser Video: Nissan CubeDate posted: 11-13-2008
Lots of attitude, little information from the video issued out of Japan today.
It Had To Happen: Brabus-Tuned Tesla RoadsterDate posted: 11-13-2008
From the company that knows absolute power is a basic necessity, now comes the first tuner version of the electric-powered Tesla Roadster.
Tuner Special: MTM Scirocco RDate posted: 11-12-2008
This VW sport coupe lays down 380 horsepower thanks to a chip tune and a few performance modifications.
Honda Gets Ready To Test New Walking DeviceDate posted: 11-12-2008
The Japanese automaker continues to tinker with mobility far beyond cars and trucks with its second experimental walking assist device.
Feds Offer Free Vehicle Recall AlertsDate posted: 11-11-2008
If you're having trouble keeping track of the 600-odd vehicle recalls a year in the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a new free automated alert system that should help.
Ferrari Boss Smashes TV in Rage at Title LossDate posted: 11-11-2008
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has admitted that he smashed in television in frustration after Lewis Hamilton snatched the Formula 1 driving championship in the final seconds of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Dodge Recalls 2006-'09 Charger and Magnum Cop CarsDate posted: 11-10-2008
Chrysler is recalling 20,283 of its 2006-'09 Dodge Charger and Magnum vehicles with the police package because the gearshift cable could become disengaged from the steering column mounting bracket.
GM Recalls 2009 Cadillac CTSDate posted: 11-07-2008
GM is recalling 12,662 2009 Cadillac CTS vehicles for a software problem with the front passenger-side airbag.
Chevy Cruze, Volt Safe From Budget CutsDate posted: 11-07-2008
General Motors announced it lost $4.2 billion and it would be nearly out of cash by year-end, but despite its cost-cutting it has put the Chevrolet Cruze back on track while maintaining the Chevrolet Volt as its sacred cow.
GM Says It's Running Out of MoneyDate posted: 11-07-2008
Giant automaker posts third-quarter operating loss of $4.2 billion, as cash stockpile dwindles to dangerously low levels.
Feds Listen to Litany of Detroit's Woes but Make No PromisesDate posted: 11-07-2008
Talks between the leaders of Detroit's Big Three, the head of the United Auto Workers and Congressional leaders are described as "constructive." But no details were offered on if and when help is coming.
Ford Losses Mount in Third QuarterDate posted: 11-07-2008
One-time gain offsets larger-than-expected operating loss of $2.9 billion as the automaker burns through another $7.7 billion in cash during the quarter.
Hyundai Ticks Off Details on New R-Engine DieselDate posted: 11-06-2008
The Korean automaker's new diesel is expected to power the next-generation Santa Fe and Sonata but is not likely to be available in the U.S.
Toyota Wields the Budget AxeDate posted: 11-06-2008
Toyota's plunging profits could lead to delays in new model introductions, incentives on vehicles besides Tundras and an acceleration of hybrids.
Japan: Honda's New LifeDate posted: 11-06-2008
Minicar gets a full redesign for the first time since 2003.
Tesla Confirms Electric Roadster's Quarter-Mile TimeDate posted: 11-05-2008
The Tesla Roadster takes a 12.7-second sprint down the quarter-mile track at California's Infineon Raceway, putting it in the company of such towering vehicles as the 2009 Ford Shelby GT500.
Tuner Special: Novitec Ferrari 599 GTB FioranoDate posted: 11-05-2008
Novitec's twin compressor conversion ups output to 808 horsepower and brings the 599's top speed to more than 211 mph.
Obama Win Seen as Lifeline for Embattled Motor CityDate posted: 11-05-2008
The struggling domestic auto industry has a friend in the White House, thanks to Barack Obama's victory in the presidential race on Tuesday. But whether the cavalry will ride into the Motor City in the nick of time is still uncertain.
BMW Says No to Production Version of Concept CSDate posted: 11-04-2008
The production version of the four-door coupe concept that was designed to propel BMW upmarket with a competitor to the Aston Martin Rapide, the Porsche Panamera and upper-end versions of the Mercedes-Benz CLS gets the ax, thanks to the bad economy.
$5,000 Rebate Available on 2008 Tesla RoadsterDate posted: 11-04-2008
The ousted co-founder of Tesla Motors gets approved for a big rebate check from California's Air Resources Board and warns it's a perk that "Tesla does not mention to its customers."
2008 Johannesburg Auto Show Goes for World-Class StatusDate posted: 11-04-2008
Africa's biggest auto show looks to join the elite class of the world's salons with a wide range of cars, from Koenigsegg to Kia, on display.
Lewis Hamilton Is Youngest-Ever Formula 1 Champion at Age 23Date posted: 11-03-2008
In a dramatic finish on Sunday, the British phenom snatches victory — and the drivers' championship — in the last 500 feet of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
2009 Toyota Venza Starts at $26,695Date posted: 11-02-2008
Toyota announces pricing on the 2009 Toyota Venza, a new five-passenger crossover that goes on sale in December 2008. The four-cylinder Venza start at $26,695, while the V6 model comes in at $28,520.