Nelson Ireson, Senior Editor
Articles
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No one at this point doubts the country's, or the world's, economic woes, most especially those within the car industry. So the passage today of a Senate bill allowing the deduction of sales tax and... -
Audi of America president says U.S. not ready for A1 subcompactDepending who you're talking to, Americans are either SUV-loving small-car haters or clamoring for more Euro-hatches to be brought to U.S. streets. Audi of America president Johan de Nysschen thinks most Americans fall into the former camp, saying that the country's car-buying populace just isn't...
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AutoMoto three-wheeler promises efficient 'all-weather' commutingThree-wheeled vehicles, especially scooter-like vehicles, have become rather popular in recent years, with a plethora of companies turning out examples, including Piaggio, Brudeli and Peugeot. Now AutoMoto has tossed its hat into the ring with a unique twist: a three-wheeler that leans. Not the...
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Italian red-light camera maker charged with fraudRed-light cameras and 'smart' traffic lights have been criticized as nothing more than cash cows for the cities that use them to ensnare unwary drivers. Now an investigation unfolding in Italy may be shining a light on even darker practices. More than merely catching out drivers that push the...
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Over 40% of cars built in North America built by foreign companiesIn 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%...
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FLIR PathFindIR offers in-car nightvision to the aftermarketInfrared nightvision displays have up to now only been available as an option on the highest-end luxury vehicles, police helicopters and military devices. Now it's available for installation on any car or motorcycle thanks to FLIR's PathFindIR. Though the PathFindIR system may not be as cleverly...
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Three famous Italian automotive firms have joined forces to bring a new “Cyber Tire” to the market. While tire pressure monitoring systems have become commonplace on all but the most... -
Boeing demonstrates first successful Humvee-mounted laser gunTesting last month at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico confirmed that a prototype weapons system consisting of a laser mounted on the back of an Avenger ground combat vehicle is capable of shooting down UAVs. The first-ever successful demonstration of such a mobile laser weapon, which is...
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Next-gen Buick small sedan could be built by OpelA next-generation Buick small sedan, headed for sale in the U.S. and China, could be built around the FWD Delta II platform in Opel's Russelsheim, Germany plant, according to sources inside Opel. The move would displace some Saab production, but the next-generation 9-3 is already expected to be...
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AM General layoffs could spell end for Hummer H2General Motors yesterday announced it would be laying off 2,000 workers and reducing production at 10 North American plants over the coming months. At the same time, AM General, producer of the Hummer H2, laid off 200 workers from its Mishawaka, Indiana plant. Now GM's extended production halts...
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G-Power modified BMW M3 cranks out 635hpA high-revving, sweet-sounding V8 is a marvelous thing, and BMW's 4.0L V8 in the M3 is a capital example. The tuners at G-Power weren't satisfied with the factory-supplied 414hp (309kW), and decided to strap on a supercharger and boost output to a tire-vaporizing 635hp (473kW). About what you'd...
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2010 Lexus RX first drive reviewLaunching a new vehicle - especially a luxury vehicle - is a difficult thing to do at any time. Doing it during the worst economic downturn of the past several decades is all the more challenging. And when that ill-timed luxury vehicle happens to be a de facto member of the much-hyped but...
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Despite a plunging global economy and tough economic times for the car industry as a whole, there are small bright spots where innovation and development are still burning brightly. Luso Motors... -
Honda officially cancels S2000Earlier this month word of Honda's decision to cancel its Honda/Acura V8 program, the CR-Z convertible and the next-generation S2000 emerged, but today Honda has officially announced that the 2009 S2000 will be the last. Produced for a full decade, from 1999 (as a 2000 model year car) through 2009...
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GM Announces New Production, Job cuts; Cadillac XLR CanceledThe ongoing economic recession continues to impact the car industry and General Motors Company [NYSE:GM] with reduced revenue and the need to cut production. Reducing production means cutting back on labor, resulting in today's announcement of 2,000 jobs to be cut. Along with the lost jobs, GM will...
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Porsche offers new sport exhaust system for 911Sometimes a growling, heady exhaust note is just what the doctor ordered - and sometimes it's just annoying. Porsche has both situations covered with its new sport exhaust system, which allows the driver to choose the exhaust's tone with a single button press. The new exhaust features a set of...
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GM delays CTS Coupe launch until mid-2010General Motors' Cadillac brand has long aspired to be 'The Standard of the World,' and for a period, it was. Over the last four decades, however, innovation, consistency and quality haven't been hallmarks of the brand. Now, as the auto industry faces some of its bleakest times ever, Cadillac is...
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Michigan representatives ask for $25B in new loans for auto industryThe first $13.4 billion in auto industry loan funds have been disbursed to General Motors and Chrysler, but already Michigan's congressional representatives are seeking another $25 billion in industry loans. The funds would be targeted at suppliers and carmakers, with some funds set aside to help...
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Today’s news of Fiat's decision to acquire up to 35% of Chrysler has taken the automotive world by storm. What might such an alliance portend for Chrysler? What could Fiat possibly derive from... -
BMW, Renault and Williams launch 2009 F1 carsPerpetual front-runners Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes have already revealed their contenders for the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship, and as the weeks remaining until the kickoff of the new season in Melbourne tick away, more and more teams follow suit. This week the new debuts include the BMW...
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Leaked brochure confirms EcoBoost for 2010 Ford TaurusIt's amazing what a few lines of text can do, and while a few leaked details on the powertrain of the 2010 Ford Taurus is not in a league with the Declaration of Independence, both serve to illustrate the power of words. In this case, it's the power of an acronym - 3.5L GTDI - that conveys a hint...
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Audi's A4 outsells all other premium sedans in GermanyThough overall sales figures have slumped through the end of 2008 and start of 2009, there are occasional bright patches of news as carmakers grab market share from long-time competitors or reach individual sales records. Audi has done just that, beating BMW's 3-series and Mercedes-Benz's C-Class...
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Next-gen Ford Focus could feature EcoBoost powerplant, 43mpgAlthough Lincoln's C Concept may have struck few chords with show-goers, its theoretical internals could live on in a future Ford Focus. The latest reports indicate Ford is considering a 1.6L 180hp (134kW) four-cylinder EcoBoost engine for its next Focus, capable of pushing highway fuel economy as...
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VW Bluesport could go to production if approved by Audi, PorscheMoving forward with production of even the most interesting designs is difficult work in today's economic climate. Volkswagen's Bluesport roadster, for instance, was well-received at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, but it won't see production unless both Audi and Porsche agree to build versions of the...
Nelson Ireson