North America
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For the first time ever, the Detroit Big Three will likely cede the North American production crown this year. A new automotive manufacturing forecast says General Motors, Ford, and Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles will build fewer cars in North America than foreign automakers (plus Tesla) on the continent. Specifically, the forecast expects the Big Three's total production figure to total 8.6 million vehicles in North America, which includes Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Foreign automakers and U.S. automaker Tesla will just inch out GM, Ford, and FCA with 8.7 million vehicles built...
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IND Distribution presents the first Dakar Yellow E92 M3 in North America
Though it's often overshadowed by the fantastic E30, the E36 M3 has become a favorite of aficionados, and no color showed off that M3's pavement prowess as well as the brilliant Dakar Yellow. Now IND Distribution has taken that familiar color and laid it over the newest M3, and it's sure to stir a...
Nelson Ireson -
Study: Toyota, Ford set to pass GM in market share, production
As General Motors peers over the brink of the abyss into a future that very likely holds a bankruptcy, the hits just keep coming. Today industry forecasters revealed that Toyota will pass GM in U.S. market share by 2010 at current rates, while Ford will push past the General in North American...
Nelson Ireson -
Honda could leapfrog Chrysler in North American production, sales
With almost all of its plants shuttered through the bankruptcy period and faith in the company at an all-time low, Chrysler is soon to be passed in both North American production and sales by Honda. The Japanese #2 carmaker has already cut the gap to Chrysler's production figures to 17,011 vehicles...
Ralph Hanson -
Report: Tata Nano to hit U.S. streets by 2011
In late March Tata finally launched its Nano in India, instantly taking the title of "world's cheapest car" with its sub-$2,000 price tag. Then word emerged that the company has its sights set not just on India and Europe, but the U.S. as well. Today a report confirming the Indian carmaker's plans...
Nelson Ireson -
Report: GM wants 30% stake in possible joint Opel-Fiat company
The landscape of the automotive industry is changing, and before things are done, the changes may be massive. Already Fiat and Chrysler are forging an alliance, and Fiat is also going after part of Opel. Now a source says General Motors wants a piece of any merged Fiat-Opel operation that might...
Ralph Hanson -
Already angling for sales in excess of 20,000 units annually, Mitsubishi took the opportunity of the New York Auto Show to announce it will be selling the i-MiEV electric car in the U.S. and other global markets. The car is already in testing in California, Oregon, Tucson and elsewhere, but the subject of U.S. sales had until now been shied away from. Now, the company is eager to talk about its plans for the i-MiEV and other electric vehicles as well. "Electric vehicles are one branch of the automotive landscape and we are dedicated to providing these technology-sourced solutions as an...
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FBI shuts down $25 million car cloning operation
Seventeen people have been arrested in five cities in the United States and Mexico today as part of the FBI's 'Operation Dual Identity', a campaign to shut down one of North America's biggest car cloning rings. Car cloning is the practice of making a stolen car appear to be legal by 'cloning'...
Ralph Hanson -
Aluminum use in cars hits all-time high
Carmakers and legislators have been duking it out for decades. As one side fights to find new ways to lighten cars up, improve handling and efficiency, the other heaps on more and more safety regulations and mandatory equipment until things eventually cancel out. But an undercurrent to the...
Ralph Hanson -
Over 40% of cars built in North America built by foreign companies
In January we brought you news of Toyota's predicted surpassing of Chrysler in North American output in 2009, and nearly two years ago we reported on the Detroit 3 slipping below 50% market share in the U.S. Now the trend continues, with the Detroit 3's North American car output slipping below 60%...
Nelson Ireson -
Toyota to build more cars in North America than Chrysler
Toyota's North American car output will surpass Chrysler's for the first time during the first quarter of 2009. The two companies' downward trajectories will soon cross, leaving Toyota as the third largest domestic producer behind Ford and General Motors. Both Chrysler and Toyota are sharply...
Ralph Hanson -
Ford launching dual-clutch transmission in U.S. in 2010
In the never-ending pursuit of efficiency, performance and smooth power delivery, the next step forward for many carmakers is the adoption of the dual-clutch transmission. Once the province of high-end performance cars, dual-clutch units have been finding their way into everyday vehicles from...
Ralph Hanson