Ford F-150 Lightning: EV Tipping Point?

Ford F-150 Lightning assembly

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

Will Ram Expand its Pickup Truck Line?

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

Will GM Have 30 EV Models Ready by 2025?

2022 Cadillac Lyriq grill

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

Has Ford Abandoned the Little Guy?

Ford Focus RS

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

Tiny Crossover Segment Poised to Explode

2015 Nissan Juke NISMO RS

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. One year after the Juke’s 2011 arrival, Chevrolet introduced the fleet-only … Read more

Volkswagen Amarok: The Key to Un-boring?

VW Amarok

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

Are Driverless Cars Really THAT Far-Fetched?

self driving car

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

Fisker Automotive: Stick EVs With a Fork?

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

Natural Gas Vehicles and a National Energy Policy

CNG refueling

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

Trends Indicate Compact Pickups Will Die

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

Tesla’s Retail Strategy: Flawed and Arrogant

Tesla brand

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

Turbocharged Engines and Premium Fuel

premium gas prices

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