The F-150 Lightning launches what may prove a pivotal moment in consumer acceptance of EVs. Embracing full electrification is a process that has taken time. In the late 2000s, Tesla introduced its all-electric Roadster followed a few years later by its wider-production Model S sedan. Nissan gave us a volume … Read more
The Ram brand is in transition, even if it does not seem that way. Ever since the parent Fiat Chrysler merged with Peugeot Citroen to form Stellantis, it was identified as one of the most important and profitable of the 14 brands. But Ram’s identity has been skewed since its … Read more
GM prepares for an EV future. But will they overtake Tesla? GM has bold plans in its quest to become the top producer of electric vehicles as soon as 2025. That’s the year when the automaker says it will have 30 pure electric vehicles available, including through its Cadillac, Buick, … Read more
Once again, Ford is dropping a model. This time it is the EcoSport, which is its smallest and most cost-effective utility vehicle. Yesterday, we enumerated the reasons why that is happening, particularly with Ford shutting down its Indian manufacturing base. Ford also builds the EcoSport in Romania for the European … Read more
A blockbuster merger of automotive manufacturers may produce the world’s largest automaker, especially if two outside automakers are also brought in. Fiat Chrysler, itself the result of a 2014 merger between European and North American manufacturers may soon tie in with Renault, the French automaker. Renault is currently reviewing an … Read more
If Fiat Chrysler is looking for a partner, it may do well to look outside of the auto industry. If Fiat Chrysler is looking for a partner, it may do well to look outside of the auto industry. CEO Sergio Marchionne’s overtures to GM and Ford have been rebuffed. Other … Read more
GM will have at least a year advantage to make a case for the Chevrolet Bolt. Will it be enough to convince EV fans? The big automotive news since the beginning of this month has been all about the Tesla Model 3, the next vehicle coming from America’s electric car … Read more
Five ways Volkswagen might salvage its US operation. Volkswagen is in a world of hurt, but that pain is entirely of the company’s own doing. While some have been making pronouncements that the automaker as we know it is finished, others believe that something can be salvaged. I, for one, stand … Read more
It wasn’t all that long ago when Nissan introduced its Juke crossover, what had some analysts scratching their heads in wonder. Sure, the styling itself was polarizing, but the segment the diminutive Nissan occupied was virtually nonexistent. Until now. Nissan got the subcompact SUV segment growing, but now it needs … Read more
Volkswagen has a crisis on its hands. No, that crisis does not involve recalling millions of its vehicles as Toyota and now GM are doing. Rather, it is a lack of interest in its cars, particularly here in the United States. Sales Auto Trends Through May 2014, year-to-date Volkswagen sales … Read more
The U.S. auto industry is performing swimmingly, on pace to sell about 16 million cars this year. Its a number some thought we wouldn’t see again for many more years, but after bottoming out in 2009 the industry has now recovered. The US auto industry is a far different place … Read more
In 1939, American theatrical designer Normal Bel Geddes put together his vision of the future at the New York World’s Fair. The showcase was called ‘Futurama’ and allowed Bel Geddes to highlight his vision of New York in 1959; featuring city roads filled with fully autonomous electric vehicles. His vision … Read more
The Ford Motor Company has long operated as an also-ran to Toyota’s dominance of the hybrid electric vehicle market. Ford entered the hybrid market in 2006 with its Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids, the first hybrid SUVs from a domestic manufacturer. Ford Hybrids Ford later expanded its hybrid offerings to … Read more
Late last month Chevrolet announced pricing for the 2014 Corvette Stingray, the seventh generation (C7) edition of America’s only true sports car. Okay, the SRT Viper qualifies as the “other” American sports car, but given its comparably short lifespan (20 years) it doesn’t quite enjoy the same level of prestige … Read more
Fisker Automotive, builder of the Fisker Karma luxury sedan has been in the news lately, but certainly not for good reasons. The struggling plug-in hybrid electric vehicle producer appears headed for bankruptcy, making news again last week when it laid off more than three-quarters of its workers at its Anaheim, … Read more
GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson spoke at the IHS CERAWeek 2013 energy conference this month, where he called upon President Obama to establish a new national energy policy driven in large part by consumer demand for more fuel efficient vehicles. Akerson reiterated the auto industry’s key role in that … Read more
Did you catch the LaFerrari model unveiled at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show this month? LaFerrari is a cant miss it model, the most powerful Ferrari ever built and the first gas-electric hybrid from the prancing horse brand. This vehicle is already sold out, with just 499 copies to … Read more
Small trucks have never really found lasting success in the American market. It certainly hasn’t been from lack of trying – major automakers as diverse as Volkswagen, Toyota and even domestic players like Ford and Chevrolet have all tried their hand at selling U.S. drivers on the idea of a true compact pickup, … Read more
Based on an article from the July 26th edition of Automotive News, it seems that start-up automaker Tesla plans is to sell cars the same way that Apple sells iPods. Tesla won’t have dealer showrooms – they’ll have manufacturer-owned “galleries.” Tesla won’t have service departments – they have field technicians called … Read more
Hyundai continues to challenge the market. The medium size sedan market, or D-segment, is a crowded field. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are the two biggest sellers, but both Ford and Chevrolet have enjoyed success in recent years with their Fusion and Malibu models respectively. Every automaker fields at … Read more
Many of today’s automotive engines are complex, as they incorporate sophisticated technologies such as direct injection and turbochargers to squeeze more power and deliver better fuel efficiency from a smaller engine. Your engine may “prefer” premium fuel in order to run efficiently, but in some cases, premium fuel may be … Read more
I am not one for seeing the federal government create endless taxpayer assistance programs, believing that the consumer is the best party to determine what he or she should buy. However, I’ve resigned myself to seeing Congress and the Obama administration spend money like no administration before it, supposedly in … Read more