Archive for March, 2012
Mark Phelan: Flashy little cars amid economic storm clouds
Flashy new models will vie for attention with boardroom drama and economic dread at the Geneva auto show this week.
Inside autos
California lawmakers are starting to get ready for a new automotive era, during which the first self-driving cars will hit the roads. California state Sen. Alex Padilla has introduced SB1298, which would establish guidelines for such “autonomous vehicl…
Fiesta ST, Kuga SUV to launch
Ford will launch the Fiesta ST and a new Kuga SUV Monday at the Geneva Motor Show. The Kuga will be identical to the 2013 Ford Escape, with the exception of three engines available on the Escape, but not on the European model. The Fiesta ST was shown a…
Revved up: What’s hot and what’s not in autos
Revved: Former Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda taking over as Fisker CEO. Canadian native heading California electric carmaker. Revved: Chrysler sales jump 40% in February over a year ago. Good news on one front …
Obama: Detroit’s fuel-efficient cars an answer to high gas prices
In his weekly radio and online address today, President Barack Obama said Detroit automakers are on track to build cars that average nearly 55 miles per gallon by 2025, doubling current mileage standards.
Ford expects to boost m.p.g. of U.S. vehicles 20% by 2020
Ford will increase the fuel economy of its U.S. vehicles at least 20% by 2020 — a goal aided by the launch of a Focus rated at 105 m.p.g., the company’s top vehicle-development executives said Friday in Dearborn.
Battery firm A123 Systems expects loss after Fisker cut orders
A123 Systems, the manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries with operations in Livonia and Romulus, said it expects to report an $85-million loss for the fourth quarter of 2011 because a large customer, Fisker Automotive, reduced orders and sales forecasts…
GM to pull plug on Volt production for 5 weeks
Even with gas prices climbing past $4 a gallon, General Motors plans to halt production of the Chevrolet Volt for another five weeks to keep inventories from swelling, the second extended shutdown since late December.