Nelson Ireson, Senior Editor
Articles
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The downturn in vehicle sales around the world is affecting nearly every carmaker in some way or another, but not equally in each market. Volkswagen, for example, has been on a four-year downturn in... -
New report claims buyers prefer 'angry faced' carsCars are often described with adjectives like 'cute', 'sexy' or 'masculine'. But such anthropomorphic characterizations are generally the domain of savvy marketing agents, not neuro-scientists. A new study shows that's not always the case, however - and people prefer angry-looking cars. Ascribing...
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Ferrari's lineup goes green and practical in 2009The end of the 2008 production year is drawing near and the industry, carmakers and consumers alike, are looking forward to what 2009 will bring. The desolate global economic situation presents few bright spots, but Ferrari's perennially brilliant Prancing Horse will offer some new features and...
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Report: Porsche's future lies in full-line productionSports cars are two-doors, rear-wheel drive and low-slung, say the purists. A sports car company can't - shouldn't - build SUVs, claim the naysayers. But the Germans at Porsche shrugged off the purists and naysayers and built a performance SUV that has proven to be a true success. A similar feat is...
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Report: Maserati may expand lineup with new sedan and coupeThis year Maserati will step up its sport offerings with larger, more powerful engine options, adding a new dimension of speed to its grand touring sedan and coupe. Other models in the pipeline could include smaller, nimbler variants and even new convertible offerings. Both of the updated...
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Ford announces new radar-based collision-avoidance systemDriver-assist technology is developing more quickly than ever, and it's no longer the domain of extremely high-end executive sedans or one-off showpieces. As these driver aids trickle down to mainstream production cars, however, the spectre of automated cars and reduced driver responsibility begins...
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Rumors of Porsche adding a diesel powertrain to the Cayenne have been making the rounds for months, but with almost nothing in the way of official confirmation, and more than one official denial, the... -
Volvo's green future to be driven by hybrids, turbosThe flotilla of cars and concepts unleashed at the Paris Motor Show this week has largely been about vehicles that we'd seen coming for some time or design concepts that won't be seen for years, if at all. Seeking the middle ground, Volvo has taken the opportunity to reveal its plans for a...
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Federal loans could breathe new life into GM's RWD vehiclesJust this week the $25 billion federal loan package was approved for the car industry, and already insiders are hinting that the extra cash could revive plans for GM's rear-wheel drive Alpha platform. Movement toward more RWD models had been shelved on concerns over spending and efficiency...
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Playing video games could lower your auto insurance ratesVideo games get a lot of blame for social effects they may or may not deserve, but a new pilot program with insurance company Allstate hopes to prove video games can enhance reflexes and improving driving safety. Targeted at drivers aged 50-75, the program could result in reduced rates for drivers...
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EU carmakers want $55 billion loan packageAmerican carmakers recently secured a $25 billion loan guarantee from the federal government, and now their European counterparts are seeking the same sort of deal from the European Commission. Asking for a somewhat more significant $55 billion in loans, the industry has the money earmarked for...
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Ssangyong C200 crossover concept debuts in ParisSsangyong showed the first fruits of its relationship with Shanghai Automotive Industries Group (SAIC) at the Paris Motor Show today, signalling the start of a major product offensive set to take place over the next five years. The new concept vehicle is a compact crossover called the C200 and it...
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We've known for a while that Toyota is planning an update to its blockbuster Prius hybrid, but word has just leaked out today that Lexus may be getting a Prius-based 'lifestyle' wagon. The concept is... -
Citroën C4 WRC HYmotion4 Hybrid Rally Car ConceptBilled as the first WRC rally car to be equipped with a hybrid energy recovery system, the Citroen C4 WRC HYmotion4 features an advanced adaptation of the HYmotion4 AWD hybrid system found in a number of Peugeot and Citroen concepts at this year's Paris Motor Show. This particular implementation of...
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Toyota's Urban Cruiser hits the show floor in ParisAlways one to capitalize on trends within the consumer market, Toyota has revealed its latest foray into the urban vehicle scene in the form of the Urban Cruiser. Targeted at buyers that want rugged, SUV-type looks in a small and efficient package, the Urban Cruiser also packs a fair amount of...
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Peugeot debuts HYmotion4 all-wheel-drive hybrid systemThe Paris Motor Show is rife with Peugeot concept cars today, and nearly all of them feature the new HYmotion4 all-wheel-drive hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain. Designed for both performance and efficiency, the HYmotion4 system delivers on both accounts - on paper at least. Rated at 68mpg and...
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Lincoln MKS first to market with THX II Certified stereoAudio and video entertainment are becoming more and more central to the way we use our cars, and as such features gain importance, the race to build the best stereo or DVD system becomes just as important as fuel efficiency, horsepower and handling to many buyers. Lincoln's inclusion of a THX II...
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NHTSA delays new roof strength standards once againThe car industry has been dreading increases in the required roof strength of their cars for years now. The current regulations are holdovers from decades past, and safety advocates are calling for new standards that would dramatically improve safety, though the industry fears the high costs that...
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For the next week or so, the Paris Motor Show will be playing host to some of the most fuel-efficient cars in the world. While the Passat BlueMotion II may not be at the sharp end of the rankings,... -
U.S. auto industry sales follow credit availability to new lowsThere were no winners in September's sales totals, with every major manufacturer in the market down against the same month last year. The tale is as much one of the U.S. economy and the finance industry's condition as it is of the carmakers', but the effect it will have on bottom lines and future...
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Chevrolet Orlando concept makes official debutThough its U.S. production run was canceled two weeks ago, the Chevrolet Orlando crossover/family vehicle concept is still making its global debut at the Paris Motor Show this week. The car is expected to be a hit in the non-U.S. markets where it will see sales, and the fresh design makes a good...
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Audi's 60mpg A4 TDI Concept e officially unveiledLike many other manufacturers, Audi has chosen the theme of fuel efficiency for its Paris Motor Show exhibitions, and the latest addition to the group is the Audi A4 TDI Concept e. Built around a highly efficient diesel engine that's good for 58.95mpg (3.99L/100km) in mixed driving, the car is an...
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DuraCar to show all-plastic QUICC! EV at Paris Motor ShowIn a world first for a Dutch carmaker, DuraCar will feature a world premiere at the Paris Motor Show this week. Suitably, the car that's being launched is not an ordinary car: its body and chassis are made entirely of plastic, and all of its power comes from electricity. Called the QUICC! DiVa, the...
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Renault reveals Kangoo Be Bop, based on Kangoo Compact ConceptRenault's funky Kangoo line of micro-vans, or MPVs, gains a new member today as the company reveals the Be Bop, modeled closely on the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show Kangoo Compact Concept. Built around a large glass cabin and a small four-seat platform, the Be Bop is Renault's entry into the lifestyle...
Nelson Ireson