ma section - featured

Consumers may be turning away from fullsize SUVs in most parts of the world but that doesn’t mean they’re completely turned-off by the SUV concept. Carmakers are counting on consumers who still want the taller seating position and better visibility, AWD safety and practical interiors...

The latest report from influential analytical firm Harbour Consulting-Oliver Wyman has found that Chrysler’s Supplier Park plant in Toledo, Ohio, is the most efficient vehicle assembly plant in North America. Not only that, the Harbour Report also found that Chrysler’s overall...

Declining sales of pickups and SUVs has forced both GM and Ford to announce drastic production and job cuts and has even forced industry leader Toyota to readjust its outlook and sales projections for the rest of the year. Chrysler may be next to announce a round of cuts as its profits are heavily...

Oil independence has been the holy grail of American energy policy for years, but now experts in the field believe the United States could achieve the goal as early as 2030 - if the correct policy decisions are made. Robert Greene, a fellow at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, believes that oil...

The Frankfurt Auto Show launch of the Saab Turbo X commemorated the 30th anniversary of Saab's first turbocharged car, the 99 Turbo, and the latest Turbo in Saab's line-up is finally available for purchase in the U.S. With special appearance and performance parts to distinguish it from the rest of...

Strong demand for the Ford Focus in the U.S. has led management to boost production numbers of the car by 30% for the remainder of the year. The latest announcement reaffirms the growing shift in consumer demand towards smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles and is a trend most carmakers in the...

Updated with new images. Audi has confirmed production of its A4 cabrio will come to an end later this year and will be replaced early next year by the all-new A5 Cabrio. Unlike the previous A4 version, which was built by Karmann, the new A5 drop-top will be built by Audi at its Neckarsulm plant in...

Updated with official video. At first glance the R35 Nissan GT-R is a physical paradox. The 3,800lb car's 480hp twin-turbo V6 just shouldn't be able to move it around like it does, and the base model's 20-inch Dunlop Sport tires shouldn't let it be thrown through the corners with such abandon...

Official images and details of Opel’s all-new Insignia sedan have finally been revealed and as predicted the car picks up a number of design cues from last year’s Opel GTC concept. There’s a lot of significance riding on this model because this is the car that will be sold in the...

After what seems like an eternity, Ford’s new Flex crossover has entered production at the carmaker’s Ford Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada. The Oakville plant has increased production and is adding 500 jobs in an effort to keep up with the demand for new crossover models...

Yesterday word leaked on the UK getting a shipment of right-hand drive Camaros, and it seems the company is determined to move forward with a full-scale launch of the car. Believing the platform is equally well suited to V6 and even four-cylinder engines as the more traditional V8s, General Motors...

Despite fears of a worsening economy, rising fuel prices and shifting demand for smaller cars, Ford won’t be scaling back sales targets for its latest 2009 models such as the upcoming Flex crossover and the recently launched Lincoln MKS sedan. Last month Ford announced that it would cut...

The shift to small, economical cars isn't the only thing going on in General Motors' product development pipeline, despite what all the headlines may say. The Camaro is coming, and now it's confirmed to be coming to Europe as well, with a right-hand drive conversion going to the UK. About 600 cars...

With all the industry talk lately about batteries, the plants that build them and the technologies used in their construction it's clear that much of the automotive future will center around them. It turns out that a good portion of GM's present does too, thanks to 9,000 hybrids failing due to...

While U.S. automakers are rushing to develop new small cars to take advantage of the rapidly growing market, established players like Honda is having trouble keeping up with the strong demand and is being forced to look at ways to boost production. Sales of the Honda Civic in the U.S. have...

Eleven days ago Mercedes-Benz announced the $7.3 million purchase of the defunct Chrysler Pacifica Advanced Product Design Center and now the company is detailing its plans for the studio. With three times the space of its current facility, Mercedes is looking forward to growing its design capacity...

Hyundai has confirmed it will enter the burgeoning ultra-low cost vehicle market with the announcement that it’s planning to launch a small car for the Indian and Chinese car market by 2011, or 2012. The car will have a relatively low price tag to attract customers in the two rapidly growing...

General Motors' premium Cadillac brand has made no bones about its aspirations to become one of the top brands in the luxury sector, and a new brand satisfaction survey is the latest in a list of awards confirming it's headed in the right direction. Capturing the ranking of top brand in the U.S...

Audi’s line-up is set to expand in coming years with even more diverse models as the carmaker strives to reach its stated goal of selling more than 1.5 million vehicles by 2015. We’ve already seen the introduction of all new models such as the Q5 SUV, A5 coupe and R8 super-sports car in...

Falling demand for SUVs and pickups and the compounded effects of rising fuel prices and a slowing economy are hitting American automakers hard. Already reeling from shrinking market share and tough competition from cheaper Asian rivals, America's former Big 3 have been forced to speed up their...