Industry
-
Calling new Californian electric car company Faraday Future's plans ambitious might be a bit of an understatement. Details come from Motor Trend, though at this point, we have more questions than answers about the freestanding automotive skunkworks. Currently, there's no prototype and no factory. The company hasn't even disclosed its CEO. But that hasn't stopped it from announcing that consumers will be able to buy its car by 2017, or about a year and a half from now. CHECK OUT: 5,000-HP, 348-MPH Devel Sixteen Spotted In The Wild: Video Apparently, talent won't be a problem. Among the 200-odd...
-
Even Honda’s CEO Is Waiting To Buy A Civic Type RWhen Takahiro Hachigo moved back to Japan in March to be the new CEO of Honda, after the previous CEO Takanobu Ito stepped down amid slowing sales and the ongoing Takata airbag fiasco, he was without a car. Rather than pick up a car straight away, however, Hachigo decided to wait so that he could...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Volvo Buys Polestar, Confirms High-Performance HybridsVolvo hasn't been shy about its performance intentions, and now it’s made a significant move by buying Polestar, the Swedish motorsports and engineering firm that in recent years has developed go-fast versions of select Volvo road cars. In the future, the Polestar name will signify the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Aluminum-Carbon Hybrid A More Affordable Alternative To Pure Carbon WheelsOnly yesterday we brought you news that the Ford Motor Company’s [NYSE:F] upcoming Mustang Shelby GT350R will be fitted as standard with light yet sturdy carbon fiber wheels, a technology previously the domain of the aftermarket and exotic supercars. While companies like Ford are helping to...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Despite Listing On NYSE, Ferrari To Remain An Italian Company And Tax ResidentFiat Chrysler Automobiles [NYSE:FCAU] is set to spin off Ferrari, with plans to list it on the New York Stock Exchange later this year, but the legendary brand will remain an Italian company regardless of how the sale goes, FCA says. While most shares will remain with current FCA shareholders...
Stephen Edelstein -
Google's Waze enters ride-sharing game: Is Uber doomed?Here's some news that isn't likely to sit well with the Uber brass: Google is getting into the ridesharing game. Details come from The Car Connection, which writes that Waze—the traffic app Google acquired in 2013—is currently testing a service called Ridewith on its home turf in...
John Coyle -
Last October, we received the shock news that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles [NYSE:FCAU] was planning to spin off Ferrari, which this week FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne said he thought was worth “at least” $11 billion as a standalone firm. Most of the new shares in Ferrari will end up in the hands of existing FCA shareholders, namely the Agnelli family-controlled Exor, with Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari’s son Piero to retain his own 10 percent stake and the remainder, about 10 percent, sold to the public via an initial public offering. CHECK OUT: This Mysterious Truck Has Ferrari's...
-
Sergio Marchionne: Ferrari IPO Worth 'At Least' $11BSince late last year, we've known parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles [NYSE: FCAU] is planning to take Ferrari public on the New York Stock Exchange. WATCH: Yes, The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Is Coming; No, This Isn't It But just like the storied Italian supercars the company is famous for...
John Coyle -
Tesla Finishes Last In New Study, Numbers Don't Tell Whole StoryTesla Motors [NSDQ:TSLA] has received loads of glowing praise, but new research indicates its efforts to disrupt traditional dealer networks could hurt it in the eyes of some prospective buyers. WATCH: Yes, The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Is Coming; No, This Isn't It Details come from The Car...
John Coyle -
Fourth Of July Study Sheds Light On Muscle Car RevivalWhere cars are concerned, our favorite figures involve horsepower, torque, and 0-60 times. That said, there's plenty of interesting info in the latest study from research firm Experian Automotive, which looked at the numbers behind the unlikely resurgence of the muscle car. While it includes the...
John Coyle -
Giugiaro Quits Giugiaro: Automotive Design Icon Exits CompanyGiorgetto Giugiaro, the Italian master behind iconic designs like Alfa Romeo's Giulia Sprint GTV, the DeLorean DMC-12 and the Lotus Esprit has resigned from Italdesign Giugiaro, Automotive News (subscription required) is reporting. The quiet departure closes the door on one of the most celebrated...
John Coyle -
Austrian Deal Continues Jaguar Land Rover's Manufacturing ExpansionA just-announced partnership with contract automobile assembler Magna Steyr means Jaguar Land Rover will soon begin building vehicles in Austria. The company also has factories in China and Brazil, and the move is not expected to impact its core U.K. operations, where design and engineering will...
John Coyle -
Miata fans, rejoice! The time is drawing nigh where you'll start seeing the ND MX-5 out on the road and in dealer lots. If you're a soon-to-be-owner, get even happier because we've got some great news for you. The transport ship Phoenix Leader has arrived at its port with a fresh batch of 2016 MX-5 examples. These care are here, and they're ready to make drivers happy ALSO SEE: Woman Reunited With C3 Corvette After 43 Years: Video. Don't start calling your dealer just yet though, as it takes a bit of time to go from the port to your driveway. There are procedures that have to be followed on...
-
Lotus Announces New Headquarters And Expanded Dealer Network For United StatesFor the past several years, Lotus has relied on a skeleton crew to run its operations in the United States, the world’s biggest market for sports cars, as the company dealt with developing a solid business plan in the face of crippling cash shortages. A plausible plan has been devised under...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Hyundai Replaces GM As NFL's Official Automotive SponsorThe last few years haven't been great for the National Football League. Along with domestic violence and child abuse scandals, the debilitating injuries faced by its players have resulted in reams of negative press. CHECK OUT: Mustang Pulls Ahead Of Camaro In The Sales Race For First Time In Six...
John Coyle -
Porsche planning lawsuit over Chinese Macan clone?The Chinese automotive landscape is one that is still in the early evolution stages, but it's growing strongly. Still, it's plagued a bit by a major problem that pops up albeit with less frequency than in years past. We're talking about design plagiarism, where a Chinese automaker simply copies an...
Jeff Glucker -
2016 North American Car And Truck Of The Year Nominees AnnouncedIt may only be June but preparations for the 2016 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards are already well underway. This week the final list of nominees was confirmed. There are 19 vehicles in the Car category and 21 for the Truck category. In the coming months, the judges will prune the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
NASCAR's France Family Negotiating For Control Of Laguna Seca: VideoHere's news that may make racing enthusiasts nervous: NASCAR's first family is interested in taking operational control of California's historic Laguna Seca circuit. If the deal is successful, the France family's International Speedway Corporation would take over track management from the current...
John Coyle -
There's no shortage of entertainment options in Las Vegas, from world-class dining and shows, to good old-fashioned drinking and gambling. And yes, there's also Las Vegas Motor Speedway. But the recently approved Speedvegas facility is certain to be a destination enthusiasts will want to check out. The 100-acre facility will be just off the famous Strip, and give customers the chance to drive exotics offerings from Ferrari and Lamborghini—along with high-performance options from Audi, Ford and Chevrolet—on an F1-inspired circuit complete with sweeping corners and elevation...
-
House Safety-Exemption Bill Would Be Boon For Replica Makers: VideoThey're from the government, and they're here to help. For real. Earlier this month, U.S. Reps. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Gene Green (D-TX) introduced a bill covering enthusiast vehicles, but in a rare twist, the legislation would actually make things better for car lovers. Essentially, the Low...
John Coyle -
Porsche Ranks Highest In J.D. Power Initial Quality Study For Third Year In A RowInfluential market research firm J.D. Power has released the results of its latest Initial Quality Study, and it’s Porsche that once again ranks highest, with 2015 being the third year in a row the German sports car marque has been on top. What’s surprising is the drop in quality of...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
The new Fisker plans to start Karma production in CaliforniaSince buying up the remains of bankrupt automaker Fisker Automotive in early 2014, China's Wanxiang has been adamant it will be able to relaunch Fisker’s Karma extended-range electric sedan as well as move production from the previous plant in Finland to a new site located in the U.S. The new...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Ex-Bentley design chief joins Hyundai-KiaBelgian designer Luc Donckerwolke is headed to Korea to replace Peter Schreyer, who is currently in charge of design at Hyundai and Kia. It was announced earlier this month that Donckerwolke would be leaving the top post at Bentley design after only joining the brand in 2012. No reason was given...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
BMW i8 Powertrain Voted 2015 International Engine Of The YearThe sophisticated plug-in hybrid powertrain of the BMW i8 sports car has been rated the top engine in this year’s International Engine of the Year Awards, the official award of British publication Engine Technology International. The i8’s powertrain consists of a turbocharged 1.5-liter...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran