Nelson Ireson, Senior Editor
Articles
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Taking inspiration from an old design and applying it to a new chassis is nothing new in the automotive world - one need only look to the new Camaro, Challenger and even the Mustang for prime... -
Traffic deaths in U.S. reach 10-year lowHigh oil prices are causing people to drive less, and many are quick to point out the emissions saved as a result, but the latest traffic figures reported by the NHTSA indicate another savings may be taking place as well - 1,600 fewer road deaths occurred in 2007 than in 2006. Whether it's the...
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Industry supports EcoDriving to improve efficiencyFinding inexpensive ways to reduce fuel use is a burgeoning business, and U.S. carmakers have joined forces to promote a program that aims to re-train the way drivers approach their cars. By focusing on maintenance and driving style, the EcoDriving website, launched by the Alliance of Automobile...
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ABF builds world's fastest Mini Cooper SWhen it comes to drag racers, most enthusiasts don't think front-wheel drive, and even if they do, they certainly don't think Mini Cooper S. But the tuners at ABF Performance didn't let that stop them from taking the car to some truly extreme performance levels. With a 10.48 second quarter-mile...
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Fiat plans to boost 500 output to 200,000 units annuallyStrong demand for the reincarnated Fiat 500 has been the story of its brief life. Since its debut in 2007, when it sold out its entire year's production run in just three weeks. Originally planned for a run of just 58,000 cars, output has since been increased to 120,000, then 140,000 and now the...
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Mahindra, Changfeng both turn down chance to buy HummerGeneral Motors' Hummer brand has seen sales fall to barely one-third of last year's figures, and the company has reportedly been shopping the nameplate around for some time. Today word of failed talks with China's Changfeng and a statement of disinterest by India's Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) have...
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There are far more small custom sports car manufacturers out there than most people realize. Touring the Woodward Cruise this year, the Heldo sports car from Advanced Automotive has drawn a lot of... -
Infiniti G37 Sedan added to U.S. lineupNissan’s updated 3.7L VQ-series engine has already found its way into the Infiniti G37 Coupe and will soon appear in the all-new Convertible, but Nissan has also added the silky smooth V6 to its 2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan in the North American market. The 3.7L DOHC V6 is rated at 328hp (245kW)...
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2010 Ford Mustang countdown mini-site launchedNinety-five days and counting until the 2010 Ford Mustang is revealed, and 95 days to visit the newly revealed mini-site in anticipation of the last of the new generation of muscle cars to arrive. Following on the heels of the Challenger and Camaro, the Mustang is leaving its debut somewhat late in...
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Report: Fiat building hybrid 500Global demand for the Fiat 500 has been so high that its sales have been backlogged for months, and now the company is reportedly adding a hybrid powertrain to the modern classic to make it even more attractive. Based around an upcoming efficient two-cylinder petrol engine and a bespoke battery...
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Toyota: sales down but market share upEven as Ford, Chrysler and GM all reported significant losses through the first half of 2008, Toyota managed to increase market share to 16.8% and post a $3.8 billion profit for the second quarter. But that's not enough to keep the company from predicting it will see total sales volume decline...
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Ford to sell $500 million in new stock to finance plansTight finances in Detroit and the rest of the automotive world are nothing new, as consumer demand weakens on high fuel costs, a weak U.S. economy and a low dollar, but the car companies, including Ford, aren't ready to give up yet. The Blue Oval is planning to sell new shares to help raise funds...
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Audi's RS6 sedan was finally officially released this week, but the German racers and tuners at Abt Sportsline have just unveiled their take on the RS6 Avant. Not content with 580hp (426kW) and... -
Update: pricing revealed for Chrysler's mobile InternetUpdate: After nearly six months of teasing out the details of its upcoming mobile wireless in-car Internet system, Chrysler has finally revealed pricing for the base unit and the monthly access charges. With an initial buy-in of $499 and ongoing fees of $29 per month, plus sundry other one-time...
Nelson Ireson -
Carroll Shelby's first race car to hit the auction blockBarrett-Jackson's series of collector and classic car auctions is unparalleled in its prolific purveyance of prized automobilia. Long-time fans of Carroll Shelby's particular brand of motoring, the event's organizers have announced that they will be offering Shelby's first-ever race car, an MG TC...
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Update: McCain refuses to support bailout scheme for Detroit 3Update: Senator and Republican presidential candidate John McCain has reiterated his tough stance against supporting a bailout for the Detroit 3 by refusing to lend his backing to proposals that entail federal government guarantees for loans taken out by America’s carmakers. While the...
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China plans to tax the air cleanTaxing vehicles based on size, the newest anti-pollution measure in China goes after the source of much of the country's street-level emissions, the automobile. While China's air quality woes have been greatly popularized thanks to the Summer Olympics in Beijing, the rest of the nation's rapidly...
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New Honda hybrid to arrive in April 2009, cost less than PriusAiming squarely for the jugular of the world's leading purveyor of hybrid vehicles is a daring move, but few companies are better suited to the task than Honda. With its new dedicated hybrid model, the company hopes to undercut the current market-leading Prius on price while offering superior...
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A German automotive supply company has announced a system that applies basic principles of sonic tuning to produce an exhaust system capable of rendering nearly any sound desired. The problem of... -
BMW issues airbag recall for 200,000 carsA recall for 200,000 North American BMW vehicles with potentially malfunctioning airbags was revealed today in a bulletin by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The bulletin states the affected vehicles include: 2004 and 2005 5-series sedans, 2004-2006 X3 SUVs and a portion...
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Chrysler plant expansion will generate 400 jobs, $1.8B investmentSaving jobs and investing new money in plant expansion is a story that runs against the current of the industry's present outlook, but Chrysler today announced it will be doing exactly that. By building a new body shop and upgrading its paint operations at the Jefferson North plant in Detroit...
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Ford sticks to product plans despite falling fuel priceA drop in the price at the pump won't deter Ford from its plan to revamp its North American lineup, a company official said today. This year's first-half fuel price rises prompted the entire industry to change its tactics even as they face dismal sales on product lines better suited to fuel prices...
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2008 U.S. fuel efficiency sets new industry recordA report released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that the vehicles produced during the first half of 2008 have set the record for the most fuel efficient to date. Including both cars and light trucks (meaning both pickups and SUVs), the national average...
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Industry executive blasts U.S. over hybrid, electric policyMary Ann Wright, head of the hybrid-battery joint venture for Johnson Controls and Saft has made a strong statement about the need for new thought and organization for the government officials and agencies that deal with the advanced vehicle industry. Criticizing the U.S. Council for Automotive...
Nelson Ireson