Industry

UPDATE: It turns out GM may not have edged Toyota out at all - in fact, GM may be the No. 2 auto maker in the world for the first time in 76 years if the most recent reports on sales numbers prove accurate. According to Automotive News the American company's earlier totals of 9.369 million vehicles...

Unlike its American counterpart, Ford's European arm is basking in the glow of black ink at its bottom line. Increased sales, better profitability and cut costs are at the core of the $997 million profit - almost double its $455 million profit in 2006. The unfortunate news: over half of that profit...

Carmakers are always looking at new ways to get their products into the hearts and minds of the new car buying public, and Wal-Mart seems intent on selling everything under the sun, so it doesn’t come as a complete surprise to hear that the retail giant is considering selling a hybrid car...

Volkswagen has made no secret of its plans to build a new car plant in the U.S. but latest reports claim it could follow this up with an engine and transmission facility as well. The German giant is expected to announce within months the location of its new car plant, which most are expecting to be...

Hard times are coming for the U.S. auto industry, and there’s just no way around it. Already the leading car makers are announcing their plans to help deal with the expected low demand. Ford’s plan involves, in part, shortening its product cycle in an attempt to keep designs fresh while...

Chrysler could be adding another foreign carmaker to its growing list of global partners if reports coming out of India prove to be true. The reports claim Indian carmaker Tata has signed a deal with Chrysler to develop an electric version of its current Ace, a mini truck sold exclusively in India...

Oft maligned for its highly derivative design style, the Chinese auto industry has at times seemed offended by accusations of copying, and at others simply indifferent – as if it were perfectly natural and acceptable. The latter theory is likely to be put to the test even more hotly than it...

In an announcement that seemingly runs contrary to a previous decision to hold quality and brand recognition above sales, especially in Europe, Infiniti says it will push for global expansion, expecting ‘double digit sales increases well into the future.’ Specifically, Infiniti seeks to...

The search for more environmentally friendly fuel alternatives is in full effect, and while a few promising candidates have been found, the full results are not yet in. Biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel are the leaders among the new crop of ‘green’ fuels, but people are beginning...

The continuing story of America's devaluing dollar difficulties is one of ups and downs. While it's certainly disturbing for Americans to see their money worth less and less on the global scene, increasingly affordable American labor is drawing the eyes of many car makers. Already Mercedes-Benz...

Despite the downturn in the U.S. economy, luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz continue to see sales growth in the world's biggest car market. The falling dollar has made it even more profitable to build cars in America - and Mercedes already builds M-, R- and GL-class vehicles in its Alabama plant. It...

The war for ever-faster, more powerful cars may be drawing to a close. Fuel economy regulations and simple practicality are beginning to make the push for more horsepower unrealistic. Chevrolet's Corvette is a perfect example - the 2009 ZR-1 revealed at the Detroit auto show makes 650hp and tops...

General Motors is one of the most diverse carmakers in the business, commanding up to eight brands in the U.S. alone. Officials now hope to harmonize all of these brands under the one roof by creating new superstores in metro areas, allowing customers to cross-shop all of GM’s brands in a...

German car manufacturer Borgward, which went bankrupt back in 1961, is set to make a revival according to latest reports from Dutch media. Leading the company’s return is Christian Borgward, the grandson of Carl Borgward who was the original founder. Borgward, with the help of several...

Canada’s economy and automotive industry may be closely linked with the U.S. but its government is adamant on establishing its own ‘made-in-Canada’ fuel economy standards rather than follow the U.S. legislation. Officials were quick to point out, however, that Canada’s new...

As the sale of Ford’s Jaguar and Land Rover to India’s Tata Motors comes closer to fruition, sources close to the negotiations say that engines and engine technology have become the hot issues on the table. According to a report in the Detroit News, engine logistics and technology are...

Vehicle sales in the U.S. may be slowing but all around the world countries are experiencing record sales levels and there seems to be no end to the rise despite concerns about the economy, environment and rising oil prices. German research firm R. L. Polk is now predicting there will be close to...

In a rather bizarre study released today Strategic Vision claims that minorities (full results for Caucasians were not released) have a 'vehicle DNA' that is composed of a 'driver's desires, needs and attribute priorities.' Why they decided to phrase 'vehicle preference' in such a Social Darwinian...

Those of us that grew up with the Back to the Future series of movies generally feel a little short-changed when it comes to the innovations promised and not delivered. But GM's doing its best to remedy that by teaming up with Coskata, Inc., a company that has found a way to turn garbage into...

Whether you're a global warming disciple or a naysayer, the fact that humans generate a great deal of carbon-based pollution is undeniable. Likewise, people all over the world are working to help solve the problem. A group of Spanish researchers at the University of Granada have developed a...