Directory
|
Kia will replace its best-selling Spectra this summer with the Forte, a slightly bigger and more powerful sedan. A coupe version of the Forte — Kia's first coupe — will follow in the fall. No hatchback version will be offered in the United States to replace the Spectra hatchback.
|
|
Wandering around the Frankfurt auto show, you might think the electric era of the automobile is at hand. Virtually every automaker is displaying an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid. But behind the enthusiasm for green vehicles lies a sharp split in executives' views of the potential of EVs. Some say EVs will be high-volume second cars for busy families. Others say they will be pricey niche players with limited utility.
|
|
Ford Motor Co. is counting on the launch of the redesigned Fiesta to round out its lineup and boost sales in China, where Ford is playing catch-up. Ford sold 160,000 cars in China last year, down 6.5 percent in a market that grew 6.9 percent overall.
|
Cadillac will unveil the sleek 2011 CTS coupe next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. General Motors says the car was designed to become the centerpiece of Cadillac's revised lineup. The car arrives in dealer showrooms in spring 2010, packing a standard 3.6-liter V-6 and a six-speed manual transmission.
|
Here is a look at some world debuts this month at the New York International Auto Show.
|
PSA/Peugeot-Citroen could delay the introduction of plug-in diesel-electric hybrid cars as it seeks to cut costs during the economic downturn.
|
|
|
The 2011 Cadillac CTS coupe coming to L.A.
Cadillac will unveil the sleek 2011 CTS coupe next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. General Motors says the car was designed to become the centerpiece of Cadillac's revised lineup. The car arrives in dealer showrooms in spring 2010, packing a standard 3.6-liter V-6 and a six-speed manual transmission. 12:15 am U.S. ET | Nov. 23
Mazda will enter America's rapidly expanding small-car segment when it launches the Mazda2 here in fall 2010. The five-door hatchback, which is smaller than the Mazda3, is based on the same platform as the Ford Fiesta, which debuts in the United States next summer. The Mazda2 will compete with the Fiesta as well as such vehicles as the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and Chevrolet Aveo. 2:30 pm U.S. ET | Sept. 17
Nissan's Ghosn converts to fan from skeptic on electric vehicles
Just a few years ago, Carlos Ghosn was an avowed electric-vehicle skeptic. Now the CEO of both Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA is one of its boldest promoters. Ghosn wants 10 percent of the world's annual vehicle sales to be electric cars by 2020. Not hybrid electrics like the Toyota Prius or Chevrolet Volt, but vehicles that are entirely battery-driven. What's more, he wants that electric-vehicle percentage to grow to half of all annual sales by 2030. 11:58 am U.S. ET | Nov. 20, 2008
Honda's FC Sport: Green plus go
It's little, low and wide. Oh, and hexagonal. The Honda FC Sport debuted today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The fuel cell-powered sports car is “something to think about and to hope for” in the future, says Dan Bonawitz, vice president of corporate planning and logistics at American Honda Motor Co. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 20, 2008
Porsche debuts second-generation roadsters
Porsche presented the second generation of its Boxster and Cayman mid-engine sports cars in the U.S., its No. 1 market. Sales of the cars start in Europe in February 2009. Nov. 20, 2008 14:09 CET
Infiniti G37 convertible's hard top retracts in 30 seconds
The 2009 Infiniti G37 convertible debuted today at the Los Angeles auto show, featuring a three-piece hard-top roof that retracts in 30 seconds. The convertible is based on the G37 coupe, which debuted in April 2007. To accommodate the convertible's retractable roof, Infiniti stretched the coupe, replacing the sheet metal from the end of the doors rearward. Other body changes include rear fenders that flare out to add 1.1 inches in width, a wider rear track and taillights that have what the carmaker calls an inner “circle of light.” 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 20, 2008
Hyundai plans new crossover, turbo engine
Hyundai will add a crossover and a turbocharged engine to its U.S. lineup. The new vehicle will be based partly on the HED-5 i-Mode concept that debuted for North America today at the Los Angeles auto show. The HED-5 is a three-row, six-passenger crossover that uses a variety of lightweight materials. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 20, 2008
Lexus redesigns best-selling series
Lexus Division today rolled out a redesign of its top-selling RX series at the Los Angeles auto show. But consumers may have a hard time telling the RX 350 and RX 450h crossovers from their predecessors. The 2010 RX 350 gains an inch in wheelbase and 1.6 inches in length and width. It is slightly taller. The RX 350 is powered by a 275 hp 3.5-liter V-6, up 5 hp from the current model. 4:15 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 19, 2008
Ford: Fusion, Milan hybrids beat Camry hybrid in mpg
Ford Motor Co. expects its Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid sedans to get better fuel economy than the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The restyled, re-engineered Fusion and Milan will be company's first sedans with a two-mode hybrid powertrain. Ford now offers a hybrid powertrain only in the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner crossovers. The hybrid sedans were set to debut today at the Los Angeles auto show. Sales begin in the first quarter of 2009. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 19, 2008
With entry-level Cube, Nissan thinks inside and outside the box
The 2009 Nissan Cube, which goes on sale in North America next spring, is Nissan Motor Co.'s latest entry in the entry-level segment. The Cube -- the third generation of what was formerly a Japan market-only city car -- is as boxy as its name implies. Styling touches include an asymmetrical, wraparound side/rear window, which aids rear visibility. 12:23 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 19, 2008
Mazda3 gets new look, powertrains
Mazda today unveiled the redesigned 2010 Mazda3 sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The compact, Mazda's U.S. best seller, sports a new look and big powertrain changes. Its size is about the same, and it still will be offered in two versions: the i and s. 12:00 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 19, 2008
Ford quickens the restyling of Fusion, Milan
The cars are barely 3 years old, but the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan already have undergone a restyling and re-engineering. “Normally, your third year into a product cycle, you do the front and rear six inches, limiting changes to such areas as the grille and fascias,” said J.D. Shanahan, chief engineer for the vehicles. “This is no normal program by that regard.” 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 19, 2008
Electric Mini lease pricing announced in U.S.
The 500 motorists selected to be part of BMW's electric Mini test program in the U.S. will pay a monthly leasing rate of $850 (about 675 euros). Nov. 19, 2008 12:15 CET
Restyled Mustang: More refinement, horsepower
The 2010 Mustang has been re-engineered and restyled -- the pony car's first major change since the 2005 model. “This car is a modern interpretation of the Mustang heritage,” said Doug Gaffka, Mustang chief designer here. “That is what we want to get across to everyone.” 9:57 am U.S. ET | Nov. 18, 2008
Want an Infiniti convertible? Kick the tires in catalog
A long awaited Infiniti convertible will go public at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on Nov. 19 -- but Bloomingdale's customers will get the chance to buy it before then. A limited edition Infiniti G convertible, featuring red interior, 19-inch wheels and a special front grille, will be sold through Bloomingdale's annual holiday mail order catalog on Nov. 6. 9:13 am U.S. ET | Oct. 31, 2008
GM to delay unveiling of Buick LaCrosse model
Citing cost considerations, General Motors is delaying the world debuts it had scheduled for the 2010 Cadillac CTS coupe and the redesigned Buick LaCrosse sedan. Both cars had been scheduled for next month's Los Angeles auto show. The LaCrosse now will be unveiled at January's Detroit auto show, said Scott Fosgard, a GM spokesman. A date has not been determined for the CTS coupe. 2:00 pm U.S. ET | Oct. 24, 2008 | UPDATED: 10/23/08 4:25 p.m. EDT
Toyota plans to show hybrid Camry powered by natural gas
Toyota Motor Corp. plans to show a compressed-natural-gas Camry Hybrid concept at the Los Angeles auto show in November. “This is meant to be a signal that there are way more upsides than downsides to natural gas right now,” spokesman John Hanson said. “We are now including CNG into our advanced r&d program.” 3:10 pm U.S. ET | Sept. 25, 2008 | UPDATED: 9/25/08 3:36 p.m. EDT
The 2011 Cadillac CTS coupe coming to L.A.
Cadillac will unveil the sleek 2011 CTS coupe next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show. General Motors says the car was designed to become the centerpiece of Cadillac's revised lineup. The car arrives in dealer showrooms in spring 2010, packing a standard 3. 12:15 am U.S. ET | Nov. 23
Honda's FC Sport mixes green and go
It's little, low and wide. Oh, and hexagonal. The Honda FC Sport debuted at the Los Angeles show. The fuel cell-powered sports car is "something to think about and to hope for" in the future, says Dan Bonawitz, Honda Motor Co. vice president of corporate planning and logistics. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Redesign of Lexus RX series hard to see
Lexus division rolled out a redesign of its top-selling RX series at the Los Angeles show, but consumers may have trouble telling the RX 350 and RX 450h crossovers from their predecessors. The 2010 RX 350 gains an inch in wheelbase and 1.6 inches in length and width. It is slightly taller. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
BMW: Diesel 7 series could come to U.S.
BMW AG is considering U.S. sales of a diesel version of its redesigned 7 series, the company's top U.S. executive says. "It wasn't in our plans, but we'll look at it," Jim O'Donnell, president of BMW of North America LLC, said last week. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Infiniti G37's hard top retracts in 30 seconds
The 2009 Infiniti G37 convertible debuted at the Los Angeles show, featuring a three-piece hard-top roof that retracts in 30 seconds. The convertible is based on the G37 coupe, which debuted in April 2007. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
After only 3 years, Ford revamps Fusion
The cars are barely 3 years old, but the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan already have undergone a restyling and re-engineering. "Normally, your third year into a product cycle, you do the front and rear six inches, limiting changes to such areas as the grille and fascias," said J.D. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Restyled Mustang: More refinement, horsepower
The 2010 Mustang has been re-engineered and restyled -- the pony car's first major change since the 2005 model. "This car is a modern interpretation of the Mustang heritage," Doug Gaffka, the Mustang's chief designer, said at a press briefing this month in Dearborn, Mich. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Ford hybrid sedans aim at Camry
Ford Motor Co. expects its Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrid sedans to get better fuel economy than the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The restyled, re-engineered Fusion and Milan will be company's first sedans with a two-mode hybrid powertrain. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Hyundai plans new crossover, turbo engine
Hyundai will add a crossover and a turbocharged engine to its U.S. lineup. The new vehicle will be based partly on the HED-5 i-Mode concept that debuted for North America at the Los Angeles auto show. The HED-5 is a three-row, six-passenger crossover that uses a variety of lightweight materials. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Nissan Cube joins the box brigade
Scion did it first. Then Honda followed with the Element and Kia with the Soul. Now Nissan is adding to the barrage of box-shaped vehicles. The Cube goes on sale in North America next spring as an entry-level combatant. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
'09 Nissan Z delivers more of what fans like
Even with a sleeker body, new interior and more powerful engine, it could be tough going for Nissan's redesigned 370Z sports car, due in January. Nissan pulled the wraps off the Z last week at the Los Angeles auto show. But the market for small sports cars has cooled dramatically. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Mazda3 gets new look, powertrains
Mazda unveiled the redesigned 2010 Mazda3 sedan last week at the Los Angeles auto show. The compact, Mazda's best-seller in the United States, sports a new look and big powertrain changes. Its size is about the same, and the car still will be offered in two versions: i and s. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Honda: Don't count on CR-Z gasoline variant
Honda Motor Co. plans to launch a hybrid CR-Z sporty sedan for the 2011 model year. Dealers have asked Honda to produce a gasoline-powered version as well. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
2010 GLK priced below rival
Mercedes-Benz has priced its 2010 GLK compact SUV well below its chief rival, the BMW X3. The GLK 350 with two-wheel drive will start at $34,750, and the all-wheel-drive version, at $36,750. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Porsche won't stall Panamera
Unlike BMW AG, which canceled its range-topping CS coupe sports car because of the economic slump, Porsche will go ahead with the 2009 launch of its Panamera four-door, four-seater. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Lincoln MKZ gets a makeover
Lincoln has made midcycle changes to the 2010 MKZ sedan, which arrives in the spring priced in the mid-$30,000 range. Most noticeable: a redesigned front fascia and hood. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Infiniti upgrades powertrains
Infiniti has added power and improved transmissions on the 2009 G and M model lines. The G37 sedan gets a new 3.7-liter V-6 with 328 hp, up from 306 hp. An optional seven-speed automatic has Drive Sport mode, downshift rev matching and paddle shifters. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 24, 2008
Cars grab L.A. spotlight in struggling industry
It's crunch time in the auto industry. But, as they say in L.A., the show must go on. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 17, 2008
Toyota will show hybrid vehicle fueled by CNG
Toyota will reveal a Camry hybrid concept at the Los Angeles auto show with an engine that uses compressed natural gas. The concept signals that Toyota's hybrid technology will be used with engines that operate on a variety of fuels. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 17, 2008
VW switches roadster debut to Detroit show
Volkswagen has switched the unveiling of its new mid-engine roadster from Los Angeles to Detroit. A VW spokesman said the company expects more interest for the concept in Detroit. Nov. 10, 2008 06:01 CET
VW will unveil roadster at Detroit auto show
Volkswagen has switched the unveiling of its midengine roadster from Los Angeles to Detroit. VW had planned to debut a concept for the two-seater at the Los Angeles auto show Nov. 19. Instead, the concept will premier at the Detroit show in January. 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 10, 2008
