NEEDED: 'THICK SKIN'

GM designer knows crucial launches produce a love-hate response

12:01 am U.S. ET | May 20, 2013
Chevrolet designer Tom Peters describes the blocky, chiseled front end of the 2014 Silverado pickup as a "fist in the wind." The metaphor also could describe the resolve Peters needs to weather his critics as the lead designer for two of the most closely scrutinized vehicles on the planet: the Silverado and Corvette.... Read More »

 

DOUGLAS A. BOLDUC

Is the S in the new Mercedes S class for Shanghai?

12:01 am U.S. ET | May 15, 2013
The new Mercedes-Benz S class made its world premiere today in Hamburg, Germany, but Shanghai might have been more appropriate. Why? China accounted for nearly half of all S-class sales from 2010-2012.... Read More »

 

Revamped Mercedes S class strives to set new luxury mark

2:00 pm U.S. ET | May 15, 2013
Mercedes-Benz is heralding the redesigned 2014 S class as a flagship that will set new benchmarks for luxury sedans with its packaging of technology, safety gear and opulence.... Read More »

 

Survey: Consumers are ready for new tech ideas in cars

10:29 am U.S. ET | May 15, 2013
A new survey about what vehicle consumers want and don't want suggests that the auto industry is lagging consumers when it comes to technology ideas.... Read More »

 

Honda to convert Ohio seat plant for Acura NSX output

11:00 am U.S. ET | May 14, 2013
Honda said today it will invest $70 million to convert a former seat plant here to assemble the next-generation Acura NSX. The plant will be staffed with about 100 specially trained production workers and equipped with robots to build the gasoline-electric hybrid sports car, Honda said.... Read More »

 

Infiniti to add new halo car, more crossovers

May 14, 2013 13:11 CET
Nissan's premium Infiniti marque plans to add a new top-tier halo nameplate above its Q70 flagship sedan and expand its crossover offerings to build the brand and fuel sales, President Johan de Nysschen said.... Read More »

 

Infiniti to add new halo car, more crossovers

7:11 am U.S. ET | May 14, 2013
Nissan's premium Infiniti marque plans to add a new top-tier halo nameplate above its Q70 flagship sedan and expand its crossover offerings to build the brand and fuel sales, President Johan de Nysschen said.... Read More »

 

CARS & CONCEPTS

Next Corolla gets CVT, 2 engine choices

12:01 am U.S. ET | May 13, 2013
The redesigned 2014 Toyota Corolla that debuts here on June 6 will have a continuously variable transmission and will be offered with a choice of two engines, company officials have told dealers.... Read More »

 

Tesla Model S wins high praise from Consumer Reports

6:00 am U.S. ET | May 9, 2013
The all-electric Tesla Model S sports car received the highest score in Consumer Reports' ratings -- a 99 out of 100 -- along with widespread plaudits from the magazine's automotive testing staff.... Read More »

 

MIKE COLIAS

Silverado hand-wringers should relax -- for now

12:15 pm U.S. ET | May 9, 2013
There was hand-wringing, even some flat out panic, when General Motors unwrapped its next-generation Chevrolet Silverado in December. Many dealers, enthusiasts and writers questioned whether the pickup's design went far enough. Did GM whiff on its most critical vehicle launch since its 2009 bankruptcy? No.... Read More »

 

LARRY P. VELLEQUETTE

Ram photo shoot goes horribly, horribly wrong

12:00 pm U.S. ET | May 7, 2013
I love puns, so when photos arrived of the big blue Pacific crashing against a floundering Ram heavy-duty pickup during a beach-photo-shoot-gone-wrong, my mind just raced.... Read More »

 

CARS & CONCEPTS

Reuss wants a volume rwd Chevy

12:01 am U.S. ET | May 6, 2013
Atop Mark Reuss' wish list for Chevrolet's lineup is a modestly priced, rear-wheel-drive sporty car to appeal to young drivers.... Read More »

 

GABE NELSON

For VW, new turbo brings more power, fuel economy for key models

8:00 am U.S. ET | May 3, 2013
A new crop of turbocharged Volkswagen Jettas and Beetles will start to show up in U.S. dealerships this month.... Read More »

 

Lexus prices base 2014 IS at $36,845, up $885

12:10 pm U.S. ET | May 1, 2013
Lexus has set the base price of the 2014 IS compact sport sedan at $36,845, including shipping, an increase of $885 from its predecessor, Lexus said.... Read More »

 

Nissan pushes chargers to boost sales of Leaf EV

12:01 am U.S. ET | April 29, 2013
To attract a bigger audience to electric cars, Nissan officials say they must get more public EV chargers in place -- particularly the more powerful and expensive fast-charging stations. Nissan has assigned a five-person "infrastructure" team to spur charger-station installations.... Read More »

 

New Vette's base price set at $51,995, up 3%

12:30 pm U.S. ET | April 26, 2013
GM set the base price of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe at $51,995, including destination charges, $1,400 more than the outgoing model.... Read More »

 

MIKE COLIAS

Why the Stingray's $52K sticker should come with an asterisk

1:55 pm U.S. ET | April 26, 2013
GM resisted the urge to jack up the price on the 2014 Corvette Stingray, despite major enhancements on the seventh-generation sports car. The $51,995* sticker for the coupe is just 1,400 bucks more than the current model, even with its more powerful engine, better fuel economy and vastly improved interior. So why the asterisk?... Read More »

 

Chevy Spark EV rated at 119 mpg with 82-mile range

12:06 pm U.S. ET | April 24, 2013
General Motors says its Chevrolet Spark EV will get the equivalent of 119 mpg in combined city and highway driving, the best efficiency of any car sold to retail buyers in the United States. The 2014 Spark EV, which will be launched this summer in California and Oregon, will have an EPA-rated range of 82 miles when fully charged, GM said.... Read More »

 

2013 SHANGHAI AUTO SHOW

GM-VW China rivalry heats up as both see 3 million auto sales

April 21, 2013 14:23 CET
GM and Volkswagen, the largest foreign carmakers in China, both forecast sales will climb to 3 million vehicles in the country this year as the rivalry heats up for a second year.... Read More »

 

2013 SHANGHAI AUTO SHOW

Toyota re-styles no-frills models to drive China fightback

8:51 am U.S. ET | April 21, 2013
Toyota is giving its Vios and Yaris models a major makeover for China as part of the Japanese group's make-or-break move into the no-frills entry-level segment of the world's biggest autos market.... Read More »

 

2013 SHANGHAI AUTO SHOW

GM-VW China rivalry heats up as both see 3 million auto sales

8:23 am U.S. ET | April 21, 2013
GM and Volkswagen, the largest foreign carmakers in China, both forecast sales will climb to 3 million vehicles in the country this year as the rivalry heats up for a second year.... Read More »

 

Kia prices Cadenza large sedan at $35,900

4:19 pm U.S. ET | April 19, 2013
Kia has set the starting price of its new range-topping Cadenza sedan at $35,900, including shipping, to target the high-end of the large sedan segment.... Read More »

 

LUCA CIFERRI

Looking for a Chinese car in Shanghai

12:01 am U.S. ET | April 19, 2013
If I were an executive at a Chinese domestic automaker, I would be very worried. Why? Because it is difficult to find a Chinese-brand car on the streets of Shanghai.... Read More »

 

2013 SHANGHAI AUTO SHOW

Riviera concept shows Buick design direction

12:15 pm U.S. ET | April 19, 2013
General Motors unveiled a gull wing, two-door Buick Riviera concept car today at an event here prior to the Shanghai auto show, which opens on Saturday.... Read More »

 

GM: Chevy Cruze diesel to deliver 46 mpg on highway

12:01 am U.S. ET | April 18, 2013
GM said the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel will deliver an estimated 46 miles per gallon on the highway, besting the company's initial target by four mpg.... Read More »