Yesterday, we spent a little time looking back at 2010, so it's only fair that we now turn 180 degrees and look at what the future holds for America's automakers. Thankfully, the folks at KPMG LLP are one step ahead of us: they've already distributed their annual questionnaire about tomorrow's auto...Read More»
The 2011 Detroit Auto Show is just around the corner, and this time around, event organizers have made it even easier for attendees to keep up on the action. Gone are the days of schlepping around guides and maps; for owners of smartphones and tablets, Detroit has launched a mobile site that...Read More»
Chevy Volt, Ford Fusion Hybrid and Jeep Grand Cherokee: America's automakers may have won back their place in the consideration queue. [New York Times] Electric cars might be the hot topic this week, but automakers still have low expectations for sales. [CNet] Ecotality and Coulomb Technologies say...Read More»
We've written a lot about the dangers of distracted driving, particularly texting and driving. Say what you will about Oprah Winfrey, but she's right when she insists that no one can safely text and drive. However, there are a couple of instances where texting and driving make for a good...Read More»
One year ago, America's automakers were facing one of the worst sales slumps to ever hit the industry, the effects of which even caused two of them to file for bankruptcy. In response, the government attempted to bailout struggling firms in the auto industry by providing them with cheap loans...Read More»
One year ago, America's auto industry was going through very tough times. Caught in the quagmire of recession, two of Detroit's Big Three had filed for bankruptcy, and they'd brought a few of their pals along for the ride. Americans were mixed about the federal government's bailout of the sector...Read More»
Over the weekend, China did something fairly extraordinary: the country's central bank allowed China's currency, the yuan, to increase in value against the U.S. dollar. That could open some important doors for Detroit automakers, who've all been working overtime to grab a slice of China's robust...Read More»
There's no denying that Detroit automakers have had a rough couple of years. It was about this time in 2008 that gas prices began climbing toward $4 a gallon, which brought about a dramatic change in vehicle demand and explains why there are so many hybrids and compacts in the pipeline these days...Read More»
Where do people spend the least on their cars, gasoline, and getting around? Surprisingly, among major cities, it's Detroit. Those in the Motor City know how to keep automotive costs down; Detroit residents spent a total of $2,124 on average in vehicle-related costs, including gas, topping even...Read More»
In recent months and years, U.S. automakers have rallied that American cars are now on equal or better footing than Japanese (and Korean) cars in terms of quality, reliability, and durability. The campaigns, along with sea-change improvements in some of the products coming from Detroit, as observed...Read More»
You're probably familiar with the new-vehicle ride-and-drive events that automakers sometimes stage in shopping centers or other public places, targeting a certain type of customer. In this case, it was Sunday drivers—at church. According to the Detroit Free Press, Hartford Memorial Baptist...Read More»
The philosopher George Santayana once said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". Frankly, we're feeling a little déja vû. Twenty-one years ago, America was edging toward an economic downturn -- one that eventually spelled ruin for George H. W. Bush. Also: the Cold War...Read More»
Many artists have drawn inspiration from Detroit -- most recently from ruined remembrances of the city's grander times. But filmmaker and archivist Rick Prelinger is taking a different approach in his upcoming show at the Motor City's Museum of Contemporary Art. Entitled "Lost Landscapes of...Read More»
There's been a lot of excitement about the Fiat 500, which is expected to arrive in the U.S. later this year or in early 2011. While the convertible and the sporty Abarth version have gotten the lion's share of press, there's also an all-electric concept version, which is set to debut next week at...Read More»
Chrysler is in a tough spot these days: not only is the company still recovering from bankruptcy and adjusting to the habits of its new lifepartner, Fiat, but Chrysler is also struggling to bring its product development arm up to speed after sitting idle for months. To keep consumers interested...Read More»
The BBC's Top Gear television show is an endless source of entertainment, debate, and amusement for car fans all over the world. As is its tall, acerbic, and frequently profane host, Jeremy Clarkson. Just a brief browse through his columns will prove the point. It's important to remember that Top...Read More»
As congress planned the controversial Cash-for-Clunkers program over the spring and summer of this year, there was some discussion of limiting new car subsidies to American brands; that provision was dropped, however, following outcries from other countries and from thousands of employees who work...Read More»
A couple of weeks ago, Nelson Ireson reported on Consumer Reports' latest Reliability Survey, which put Ford and Lincoln at the head of the reliability pack. Now Consumer Reports has more good news for Big Three automakers thanks to its new Auto Survey, which places several American autos on the...Read More»
Halloween is done and Thanksgiving is looming, so that can only mean one thing: just two more months until the 2010 Detroit auto show! This year's gathering will see a new display area for up to 20 electric vehicles -- many of which come from smaller companies like San Jose's Green Vehicles that...Read More»
