Alex Kaufmann, Author
Articles
-
Update: The much-anticipated Opel Insignia will debut a new station wagon variant at this October’s Paris Motor Show, where it will join the previous sedan and hatchback versions of the... -
Honda considers more Japanese models for U.S.Increased demand for smaller and more fuel-efficient models in the U.S. is causing carmakers to reconsider importing vehicles usually reserved for markets where consumers are faced with much steeper fuel prices than their American counterparts. Ford has confirmed plans to bring six new models from...
Alex Kaufmann -
Preview: 2009 Mark VI Volkswagen Golf CabrioPrevious generations of the Volkswagen Golf Cabrio have always been built by Karmann at the independent vehicle manufacturer’s Osnabruck facility in Germany, however for the next-generation, previewed in these renderings, VW is expected to build the car completely in-house at its plant in...
Alex Kaufmann -
2009 Toyota RAV4 priced from $21,500 in the U.S.Toyota today announced U.S. pricing details for its 2009 RAV4, which starts from $21,500 and runs as high as $27,810 for a Limited-trim model equipped with four-wheel drive and a V6 engine. According to Toyota, the base price for the RAV4 will remain unchanged from its predecessor and "Extra Value...
Alex Kaufmann -
Local Motors to build Rally Fighter ConceptFor anyone unfamiliar with Local Motors, it’s a start-up based in Massachusetts that specializes in small-scale automotive manufacturing and design with a skew towards development of efficient vehicle technologies. Over the past year the company has run a number of design competitions for...
Alex Kaufmann -
Bipartisan group proposes $84 billion auto packageA group of 10 U.S. Senators representing both the Republican and Democrat parties have proposed an $84 billion package that aims to drastically change the current automotive landscape of America. Around $20 billion of the package would go to a project to "support the goal of transitioning 85...
Alex Kaufmann -
Ford in the UK has teamed up with car security marking and registration systems specialist, Retainagroup, and is attempting to thwart the rising epidemic of catalytic converter thefts by permanently... -
GM reports $15.5 billion net loss for Q2 2008General Motors has announced today a $15.5 billion net loss for the second quarter of the year, with declining sales of large pickups and SUVs and $9.1 billion of predominantly non-cash special items largely to blame for the poor result. The other key factors were costs associated with the American...
Alex Kaufmann -
MTM Audi RS6: when 580HP is not enoughUpdated with new images. MTM is not known for its restraint - it is, after all, the same company that fitted two engines into an Audi TT to set a speed record at Nardo. Its engineers have now taken the tuner’s brand of high-power, no-holds-barred modification to the internal workings of the...
Alex Kaufmann -
BMW introduces Competition Package for M6 CoupeAlong with the list of 2009 model year changes for the entire BMW M range is the introduction of a new ‘Competition Package’ for the M6 Coupe. The latest package includes increases the performance of the already strong car, with an updated chassis, lowered suspension, new aluminum...
Alex Kaufmann -
Microsoft expands auto business, promises to deliver more vehicle interface and electronic systemsMicrosoft today announced that it will expand its automotive business unit with a number of new interface software systems and electronic services expected to be rolled out over the next couple of years. The first of these new features will be the immediate availability of ‘Microsoft Live...
Alex Kaufmann -
Michigan congress members back billion-dollar federal aid package for U.S. auto industryThe flailing U.S. auto industry could be thrown a lifesaver if congressional plans to stage a bailout go ahead. A party led by Michigan's congressional delegation is attempting to secure funds that would give U.S. auto manufacturers up to $27 billion in federal aid over the next five years and...
Alex Kaufmann -
Updated: The European Commission has finally given permission for Porsche to acquire control of the Volkswagen Group, something the German sports carmaker previously confirmed it would do before the... -
Full turbocharged lineup for Mercedes-Benz by 2010The push by governments around the world for stricter emissions regulations for new cars has all carmakers, from mainstream makes like Toyota and General Motors all the way up to exclusive brands like Mercedes-Benz and even Ferrari, working on new methods to clean up their act. One of the easiest...
Alex Kaufmann -
No updates for Mercury past 2011 model yearSpeculation about the demise of Ford's Mercury brand has been rife for the past year, with many analysts convinced the struggling brand is in its death throes and will be axed soon. While Ford continues to deny such rumors, the Blue Oval's actions are speaking louder than its words - no new...
Alex Kaufmann -
BMW returns to ALMS with M3-based race carUpdated with official video. BMW used February's Chicago Auto Show to announce that it would return to the arena of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) next year with two new race-prepped versions of its latest E92 M3 Coupe set to join the GT2 class. The 2009 entry into the ALMS will be driven by a...
Alex Kaufmann -
Ford lays out future vehicle plans, more European models headed for U.S.With sales continuing to tumble in North America and profits sliding, Ford is looking to its successful European division for inspiration for its next-generation vehicle fleet. Ford’s current focus is to improve fuel-efficiency throughout its North American lineup and one of the easiest ways...
Alex Kaufmann -
Fiat 500 Abarth SS to debut at Paris Motor ShowThe sporty Abarth versions of the Fiat 500 may still be in the midst of their first release phase, but already an even more powerful model dubbed the '500 Abarth SS' is in the works that will lift power output to 160hp (120kW) and make the car even more aggressive than the just-released Abarth...
Alex Kaufmann -
Audi’s Le Mans-dominating R10 race cars plus a recent string of TDI concepts have shown that diesels are capable of serious speed and are not out of place in performance circles. Thankfully for... -
Report: Tata developing $5,000 EV for ChryslerOne of Chrysler’s key strategies is to take advantage of the global economy and fill gaps in its current lineup with vehicles sources from other manufacturers. We’ve already seen the Auburn Hills carmaker team up with Nissan over a model swap deal as well as China’s Chery Auto...
Alex Kaufmann -
Update: Shuanghuan CEO SUV banned from GermanyUpdate: A regional court in Munich has ruled that the Shuanghuan CEO SUV, a vehicle that shares a striking resemblance to BMW’s X5, is no longer allowed to be sold in Germany. The ruling comes just weeks after Shuanghuan importer, China Automobile Deutschland, launched the new UFO and CEO...
Alex Kaufmann -
Obama slams McCain's $300 million battery prizeDemocratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has slammed Senator John McCain's proposed $300 million prize for the creation of an advanced car battery, calling it a “gimmick” designed to grab attention but offer little aid for the fuel crisis. Despite the latest remark, Obama has...
Alex Kaufmann -
GM adjusts production at half its North American plantsGM has confirmed that production at half of its North American plants will need to be adjusted as consumer demand shifts from large pickups and SUVs to smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles. It’s not all bad news as the plants responsible for GM’s car and crossover models will see...
Alex Kaufmann -
Exxon Mobil to quit retail service-station businessRising oil prices and increasing competition from grocery stores and hypermarts serving fuel have pushed service-station profit levels so low that returns are almost non-existent. The situation has now caused Irving oil giant Exxon Mobil to leave the retail fuel business in the U.S., announcing...
Alex Kaufmann