James Martinez, Author
Articles
-
Nissan's earlier production phase out of the Infiniti QX56 and the Nissan Armada SUVs at its Mississippi plant was claimed to have been done to free up production for the Nissan NV2500 commercial...
-
Report: Nissan to flood U.S. with new utility vehicles
Nissan will be rewarding its commercial vehicle dealers with a number of vehicles that will not be available to dealers specializing solely in passenger vehicles. Apart from Nissan's new range of light commercial vehicles, such as the NV2500-inspired truck that we reported on earlier, Automotive...
James Martinez -
Pontiac to shed half its lineup in coming years
Pontiac will see half of its models dropped from its current lineup in the next few years, with speculation that the brand could end up with less than three unique middles by the middle of the next decade. Susan Docherty, vice-president of Buick-Pontiac-GMC (BPG) explained that General Motors is...
James Martinez -
Ford hoping to distance itself from Detroit rivals
The demise of the Detroit 3 is unsurprisingly tarnishing the image of American carmakers, however Ford executives are hoping to distance themselves from their neighbors, General Motors and Chrysler, by refusing government loans (for now). Chrysler and GM's current financial situation is no secret...
James Martinez -
Hurst releases full specs and pricing for modified Dodge Challenger range
The Dodge Challenger SRT8 has been a welcome arrival for many muscle-car fans. Willing to overlook its hefty weight for the old-school looks and meaty Hemi power, they've already purchased just about every car scheduled to be made for the next year. But Hurst wasn't content to leave the Challenger...
James Martinez -
Obama and Dodd tell Detroit CEOs to move on
A senior Democratic Senator has demanded that the CEOs of the Detroit 3 step down if they want their companies to be given federal aid. Senator Christopher Dodd of Connecticut singled out General Motors’ chief Rick Wagoner as someone that "has to move on". President-elect Barack Obama was not...
James Martinez -
Ford’s North American lineup will be experiencing a major overhaul over the next couple of years, with the entire lineup expected to be completely upgraded by 2010 and six new European models...
-
Cadillac Escalade ESV tops most stolen vehicle list
The Cadillac Escalade SUV is undoubtedly popular with a wide range of people, but especially so with car thieves, who made the 2007 Escalade ESV their number one choice for stealing this year. Meanwhile, the Mercedes Benz E-Class saloon was the least popular with thieves and was 15 times less...
James Martinez -
Volkswagen Golf Plus Mark VI revealed at Bologna Motor Show
While everyone is gearing up for the sales launch of the all new sixth-generation Golf hatchback later this year, the new Golf Plus, which will share the same face as the Mark VI Golf, is also due to the hit streets next year. The car was spotted testing in Germany back in May and earlier this...
James Martinez -
Corvette ZR1 buyers receive free advanced driving course valued at $3,400
General Motors may be struggling for cash at the moment but that doesn't mean it’s skimping on the customer programs for its halo sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Every customer that purchases a ZR1 will receive a trip to the Bob Bondurant Driving School in Arizona to learn the finer...
James Martinez -
Detroit 3 ready revised bailout proposals ahead of Tuesday's Congress hearing
The CEOs of the Detroit 3 will be returning to Washington this week to present new business plans to Congress, all in the hopes of garnering a $25 billion federal loan package to prevent them from collapsing under financial pressure. General Motors’ board has already met to discuss its plan...
James Martinez -
Elite Carbon works over the Maserati GranTurismo
American auto accessory firm Elite Carbon has just released a full carbon-fiber bodykit for the Maserati GranTurismo, giving the car a much more aggressive look and increased aerodynamic performance. On top of this, some power modifications will also be available to make stunning GT more capable on...
James Martinez -
Despite previous assurances made earlier this month by its CEO Rick Wagoner, General Motors is reportedly considering dropping the Saab, Saturn and Pontiac brands in order to improve its chances of...
-
Ford tops IIHS safety results, Lexus and Infiniti miss out
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) today released its annual list of vehicles that had earned the agency’s coveted 'Top Safety Pick' award, revealing that some major milestones had been achieved. According to the president of the IIHS, Adrian Lund, "Top Safety Pick winners are...
James Martinez -
Next Mercedes A and B-Class still being considered for U.S. sale
The trend towards smaller and more fuel efficient cars has caused Daimler to reconsider importing the next-generation of Mercedes-Benz A and B-class compact cars to the U.S., with the CEO of the company, Dieter Zetsche, stating earlier this year that such a move is likely given the current market...
James Martinez -
GM creates backup plan in case it doesn't get federal aid
The current financial woes of General Motors are no secret these days, with the Detroit 3 carmaker admitting recently that it will run out of cash early next year without the help of a federal loan. Despite the seriousness of the situation, as well as new polls that show the public is in favor of...
James Martinez -
Report: GM directors consider Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing
General Motors directors are reportedly considering a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and seeking court protection in an attempt to cope with the ailing carmaker’s dwindling cash reserves. According to people familiar with situation, the plans go directly against CEO Rick Wagoner’s claims...
James Martinez -
Fisker picks GM Ecotec engine for Karma plug-in hybrid
The Fisker plug-in hybrid saloon has officially been revealed. Click here for all the details and images. Fisker announced today that it will be using General Motors' engines in its upcoming Karma plug-in hybrid vehicle, which will have a 50-mile electric-only range before the internal combustion...
James Martinez -
Ford took the covers of its updated Fusion range at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show, introducing a new Sport version and a range-topping Hybrid model. The carmaker has announced pricing for...
-
2010 Mercedes Benz GLK priced from $33,900 in U.S.
After a string of concept versions and the first reveal of its new GLK in full production trim at this year’s Beijing Motor Show, Mercedes Benz has finally revealed pricing and released dates for the new compact SUV in the United States. The GLK will go on sale in January next year, with...
James Martinez -
Honda FC Sport Design Study Foresees Future Hydrogen Sports Car
Honda has revealed today at the Los Angeles Auto Show a new concept vehicle powered by an advanced hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain. Showing that alternative energy doesn’t have to be boring, the new concept vehicle has been developed as a sporty three-seater and showcases the flexibility of...
James Martinez -
Mazda appoints new CEO
Mazda has announced today that Takashi Yamanouchi will take over as its new president and CEO, replacing Hisakazu Imaki, who will stay on as chairman of the board. In other announcements, the former logistics and IT boss, Masaharu Yamaki, has been appointed as the new executive vice president. The...
James Martinez -
2010 Mercury Milan and Milan Hybrid revealed
Debuting alongside the new Ford Fusion at this week’s Los Angeles Auto Show will be its Blue Oval corporate cousin, the new 2010 Mercury Milan and the Milan Hybrid. Featuring new styling inside and out, plus a range of updated engines, the latest 2010 Milan is set to arrive in showrooms in...
James Martinez -
Ford offers employee discounts, cash rebates and 0% financing on most ’08 and ’09 models
Ford has announced that it will reduce its pricing tomorrow as part of an end of year clearance sale, with both employee pricing discounts and cash rebates being offered on most 2008 and 2009 models. Customers will also be able to choose from 0% financing on certain models that Ford is labeling as...
James Martinez