Europe

We’ve already seen a number of variants spun of Ford’s global C-segment platform, aptly named the C-platform and underpinning cars like the new 2012 Ford Focus hatchback and sedan, as well as the U.S. bound C-Max MPV. And at next month’s 2011 Detroit Auto Show we’ll see yet...

Autonomous or ‘self-driving’ cars have been around for a while, at least in prototype form. In fact, just this week we reported on Audi’s autonomous TTS, which successfully charted the grueling 12.42 mile Pikes Peak run. However, about a year ago we reported on a government-backed...

Say what you will about General Motors' past decade or two of planning, its products have come a long, long way in the past several years. Unfortunately, few in the industry were able to predict the economic slump that so negatively affected almost all major automakers last year, both locally and...

Flash mobs have been around for decades (back in the day, they were called outlaw parties), but they've only recently been co-opted for marketing campaigns. Today's example: the surprise arrival of a dozen bikini-clad dancers and a DIY samba band on a chilly square in Amsterdam to shill the Fiat...

As you might've guessed from the photo at left, Spanish automaker SEAT is underwriting Shakira's next European tour. Moreover, SEAT is planning "to enter into close collaboration with the Barefoot Foundation", which was founded by Shakira to provide education to children living in poverty. Exactly...

Under the deal GM would sell a 55% stake in a restructured Opel to the Magna International And Sberbank partnership.

Toyota has some bold plans for its hybrid lineup in Europe. The auto giant will reportedly launch a new entry-level, dedicated hybrid Lexus hatchback in Europe next year and now it’s claimed Toyota will also start production of another hybrid model in France. While the Lexus version will be...

Small, economical cars may be all the buzz in Europe right now but that doesn’t mean automakers are neglecting the big cube performance market. One of America’s heavy hitters will soon be tearing up the tarmac across the pond according to information revealed by Chevrolet’s...

Toyota has already confirmed it will release a plug-in hybrid vehicle powered by next-generation lithium-ion batteries in Japan, the U.S. and Europe sometime next year but production of these will be limited and only commercial and government fleets are expected to receive the cars. Mass production...

Last week we brought you news of Alfa Romeo's plans for the U.S. and the support and enthusiasm that's growing over Alfa's attractive designs. This week there's news of cars going the other way across the Atlantic, this time Dodges to be re-branded as Alfa Romeos for Europe. It's not the only...

The U.S. resurgence of diesel may finally be shifting into high gear, but some of the world's best diesels still aren't even offered here. In Europe, however, carmakers such as BMW are introducing new models to meet ever-stricter emissions requirements, and the latest volley is the BMW 316d ES...

If you're an AMG fan or just a fan of driving fast cars fast, you're probably aware of the Mercedes AMG Driving Academy. Unfortunately, those of us in the U.S. had to travel to Europe to take advantage of it - until now. Mercedes is bringing the AMG Driving Academy program, including Stage I, Stage...

With Opel’s new Astra now out in the open, attention can turn to variants other than the regular five-door Hatchback that’s been plastered all over the web in recent months. While a new Wagon and sporty Coupe are almost certain, latest reports indicate that a stylish Cabrio model will...

After months of previews, teasers and small official photos, the 2010 Opel (Vauxhall) Astra has finally been let out of the bag. The hatch has been revealed in high-res photos and for the first time we get a look at the upcoming car’s stylish new interior. The new Astra is crucial for Opel as...

Reports are starting to fly that Ford may be working on a dramatic new segment-starter in the form of a three-door Kuga Coupe. Laying the groundwork for yet another segment of car design might not make sense in the current industry, however. A Kuga Coupe would take the coupe-profiled...

Volkswagen and its subsidiaries, including Audi, have been in hot pursuit of an industry-topping sales rank for the past several years, but the widespread economic downturn is shaping up to put those plans on hold. It may take Audi a full year longer than expected to reach its sales goal of 1.5...

It's important to have a broad perspective in the auto business - tunnel-vision has been one of the biggest criticism of the American automakers. But seeing beyond the trees of economic meltdown to view the forest of the future industry is easier said than done. Toyota, however, is demonstrating...

Unveiled during this year's New York Auto Show sporting the new look of the E-Class but with unprecedented levels of power and performance, Mercedes Benz and AMG fans are eagerly awaiting the start of sales of the new E 63 AMG. Pricing information for the U.S. has yet to emerge, but a report today...

Organizing an exclusive event for one of the most inclusive sports cars ever made - the Mazda MX-5 Miata - may seem paradoxical, but that's exactly what Mazda France is doing this June at the Le Mans 24 Hours race. A maximum of 200 MX-5s and their owners will gather for a show and shine celebration...

Fiat and Magna are still working with the German government on the takeover of Opel from General Motors' European operations, but Fiat is already being forced to quell concerns that it might shut down European Fiat plants if it does acquire Opel. Today Italian Industry Minister Claudio Scajola made...