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Misers in Disguise: A Dozen Unlikely Fuel Sippers
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:35:02 -0000
Buyers may be surprised to learn that achieving greater fuel economy doesn't require driving a tiny or boring car. There are better options in nearly every category.
Collecting: The Art of the Restoration
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:35:46 -0000
To win the top prize at a prestigious car show, owners don't just take the muscle car they owned as a teenager and give it a shine.
Bugattis for Pocket Change
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:17:42 -0000
Alden Sherman has filled his garage with classic Italian cars that he bought years ago at fire-sale prices.
Freep.com - RSS - Autos
Ford's European sales dip in July
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:01:00 -0500
Ford Motor Co. said today that July sales for its European division dropped 4.7% in July along with an overall industry slump.
GM to trim lease deals for 3 of its brands
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:30:00 -0500
In another sign that the auto industry is pulling away from lease deals, General Motors Corp. is cutting back incentives on new GMC, Buick and Pontiac vehicles.
UAW blasts McCain for stand on auto loan
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:08:00 -0500
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger criticized Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Monday for opposing government loans for Detroit automakers, saying McCain "has slammed the door on any real support for the domestic auto industry."
L.A. Times - Auto Industry News
Rumbling seat: Clean diesels are here
Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:27:05 -0700
Volkswagen begins delivery today of its 50-state legal Jetta TDI, the first "clean diesel" vehicle to be sold in the U.S.
1938 Alfa Romeo wins "Best of Show" at Pebble Beach
Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:22:22 -0700
A 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Berlinetta, owned by Jon Shirley, the former Chief operating officer of Microsoft, won "Best of Show" at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Bugatti reveals Veyron 16.4 Gran Sport and a tribute to Gene Kelly
Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:57:11 -0700
Bugatti Veyron 16.4: 1,000 horses, 16 cylinders, four turbos, all-wheel drive, 12 radiators and a wing that would fly a 777.
Daily automotive news and comment - from just-auto.com
US: GM offers 'employee pricing for all'
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:48:00 -0000
General Motors today (19 August) launched an 'employee discount for everyone' incentive programme in the US.
TURKEY: Production of new Renault Symbol starts
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:24:00 -0000
Renault's three-box Symbol model (which was first derived from the Clio hatchback) has been redesigned ready for debut at the upcoming Moscow motor show next week. Series production of the Symbol (Thalia in some markets) has now begun in Bursa, Turkey.
GERMANY: Ford sales fall in July
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:16:00 -0000
Ford of Europe sales fell 6.6% year on year last month to 117,200 vehicles across what it classifies as the 'Euro 19' markets. July market share in the Euro 19 remained at 8.4% despite the fall.
Comments for AutoReport
Comment on Mergers Redux by Andrew Charles
Andrew Charles Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:24:11 -0000
In the years since I wrote this, there have been a number of changes, some minor, and others quite major. Going down the list: DaimlerChrysler de-merged into Daimler AG and Chrysler LLC, and sold its stake in Mitsubishi. Daimler AG retains its truck and bus brands (including Mitsubishi Fuso), and Mercedes-Benz and smart in the car group. A cross-licensing agreement with Jaguar covers the use of the Daimler name. Chrysler LLC retains the active Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler brands, and has re-affirmed its ownership of the defunct Willys brand. Hyundai has kept out of the merger game since acquiring Kia, but has added a new brand in the Korean domestic market with its Genesis luxury sedan (in other markets sold as a Hyundai). Fiat has ended its alliance with GM after extracting a hefty divorce settlement. The company's subsequent success makes this one of GM management's worst decisions in recent years. After dropping Autobianchi, last seen in the Italian domestic market, Fiat is said to be exploring a new low-cost brand. Maserati, formerly owned by Ferrari, is now allied with the group's main auto operation, now known as Fiat Group Automobiles. Ford has unwound several key acquisitions in the last few years, first selling Aston Martin Lagonda to an Anglo-Arab investment syndicate, and most recently Jaguar Land Rover to Indian automaker Tata Motors. Rumors persist that Ford is either interested in selling Volvo, or has been approached by other automakers seeking a luxury acquisition, but the company is far more integrated into the Ford organization, with common powertrains and platforms underlying every model. GM has also unwound several equity investments, although not on the scale of Daimler and Ford. Its minor interests in and alliances with Fiat, Isuzu and Subaru have been ended, and engine development centers in Germany and Japan previously controlled by GM returned to Isuzu. Its alliance with Suzuki remains, on a smaller scale, but its equity interest has been reduced. The company is now evaluating the future of the Hummer brand, acquired from AM General, and despite denials rumors persist that other brands are also being evaluated for sale or closure (fueled by an active and even malicious campaign by disaffected members of middle management). Phoenix Group, which acquired MG Rover, predictably imploded, with government investigations continuing at enormous expense into the reasons. Its assets have been divided among several parties, Chinese automakers SAIC Motor and NAC acquiring the main carmaking operations, and a scion of the Riley family acquiring MG Sport and Racing and the X80 project. The Rover brand, and associated trademarks, previously licensed from BMW, were then sold by the German company to Land Rover. As a result Tata Motors has acquired not only Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover, but also Daimler, Lanchester, Rover and Sterling. Having lost the chance to acquire Rover, SAIC established its own Roewe brand as an alternative, and subsequently acquired NAC and its NAC MG operations, including the Austin, MG, Wolseley and Austin-Healey brands. An alliance with HFI Automotive and the Healey family supports the possible revival of the latter marque. Peugeot SA has augmented its non-equity alliances with Ford in diesel engines and Fiat in commercial vehicles. It now produces small cars in co-operation with Toyota, 4-cylinder gasoline engines in alliance with BMW, and SUVs in alliance with Mitsubishi. The Panhard et Levassor operation has since been sold to military 4×4 specialist Auverland. Renault's most recent activity has been an alliance with Russian automaker AutoVaz, owner of the Lada brand. German automaker Volkswagen, after acquiring a number of other companies over the years, has most recently found itself the target of long-term partner Porsche, whose founder was responsible for the original Volkswagen prior to WWII.
Comment on Mazda Kazamai Concept to Premiere at Moscow International Automobile Salon 2008 by VW Informer
VW Informer Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:27:52 -0000
That's a really awesome concept; but I just don't see it going into production without a lot of alterations, especially given the practical considerations of a grill-less design. --- Working with VW to spread the word about the new Tiguan. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know.
Comment on New Ford Focus RS On Track as First Details Confirmed by Ken MacDaniel Sr
Ken MacDaniel Sr Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:24:11 -0000
Please bring it to the US. The Mustang GT and GT 500's are great but.................................
Auto news - CNNMoney.com
Cars that cut your gas bill in half
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:03:14 -0400
Attention, horsepower-hungry: Fear not the exploding array of environmentally friendly alternative vehicles. They are a hopeful signal of the potentially mind-blowing stuff to come.
6 sippin' hybrid alternatives
Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:59:48 -0400
Check out these not-too-thirsty vehicles that give you fuel economy without giving up style and value.
GM offers 'employee discount' to consumers
Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:45:28 -0400
General Motors Corp. announced Tuesday it is extending the benefits of its employee discount to customers on nearly all of its 2008 vehicles and some 2009 models beginning Wednesday and ending Sept. 2.
