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Started by D Lim; Last updated May 17, 08 11:04 AM CDT by SeacoastNH | View history

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Auto Industry

So long, Model T: gasoline has turned to biofuel, Detroit to Tokyo, and the 8-cylinder to a hybrid engine. Can carmakers shift gears to keep up with the times?

Stories

Stories 41 - 60 of 241

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July 2008
- Drivers Order Big Extras for Small Cars
  
  New York Times | Jul 17, 08 2:12 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - American drivers are ditching their SUVs for smaller vehicles in droves—but they're cramming in all the extra comforts they can, reports the New York Times . Buyers are spending thousands on bonus features such as heated leather seats and top entertainment systems. The trend gives a rare glimmer of hope to Detroit, which has always struggled to make money from small cars. More »
- At $68 Per Day, London Parking Obscures Gas Prices
  
  Economist | Jul 16, 08 5:00 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Besides skyrocketing gas prices, there's another reason to ditch your car: the steep cost of parking. The Economist breaks down the cities with the most expensive spots: London—$1,167 a month, $68 a day Sydney—$774.76 a month, $54.50 a day Hong Kong—$742.40 a month, $28.20 a day New York—$585 a month, $40 a day Tokyo—$552 a month, $46 a day More »
- Eyeing US Market, VW Plans Tenn. Plant
  
  Der Spiegel | Jul 16, 08 8:42 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Volkswagen will invest around $1.6 billion to build a factory in the US—20 years after the closure of its last plant, Der Spiegel reports. VW hopes to have the plant, located in Chattanooga, Tenn., running by 2011, and operating at a rate of 150,000 cars per year. The company ambitiously hopes to increase US sales to 800,000 by 2018. More »
- Calif. Mulls Pay-as-You-Drive Insurance to Cut Costs, Miles
  
  Los Angeles Times | Jul 15, 08 1:48 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - An alliance of insurance companies and environmentalists are pushing to bring pay-as-you-drive auto-insurance, available from a handful of companies in other states, to California in a big way, the Los Angeles Times reports. The system, which charges premiums based on mileage, as recorded by a GPS tracking device, gives drivers financial incentives to conserve, and has multiple benefits on roadways and for the environment. More »
- GM Will Cut Salaried Jobs, Benefits to Survive Slump
  
  Wall Street Journal | Jul 15, 08 9:42 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - General Motors will cut salaried jobs, accelerate factory closings, and eliminate health care coverage for many salaried retirees in order to raise $15 billion to survive the industry's deep downturn, the Wall Street Journal reports. GM will also suspend dividends, sell some assets, lower capital spending, and cut production of pickup trucks and SUVs. More »
- GM to Announce New Round of Major Cuts
  
  Bloomberg | Jul 15, 08 2:37 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - General Motors is expected to announce another big round of cost-cutting measures today, Bloomberg reports. Insiders say the ailing automaker, hit hard as consumers leave gas-guzzlers standing in car lots, is likely to slash thousands of jobs and reduce production of trucks and SUVs for the second time in two months. More »
- Rental Biz Sees Small-Car Shortage
  
  Los Angeles Times | Jul 14, 08 6:43 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Rental car companies can't meet the soaring demand for more fuel-efficient small cars and are forcing irritated customers to take "upgrades" to gas-guzzlers. Rocketing gas prices are putting pressure on Hertz, Avis, and other companies to sell their luxury cars and SUVs to pay for fuel-efficient models. Bookings for economy cars at one major travel agency were up 14% while the demand for luxury cars plummeted 24%. More »
- Keep the Hummer: Save America's Soul
  
  Washington Post | Jul 12, 08 2:00 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Sure, the Hummer is more of a "cartoon" than a vehicle, a ridiculously over-the-top gas-guzzling monstrosity. But the unbridled optimism it takes to manufacture it—and to fill up the tank—is what makes it uniquely American, writes Matthew DeBord in the Washington Post . If GM axes it, or, heaven forfend, takes it hybrid, we’ll lose yet another chip off the American soul. It's just too cool to die. More »
- Against the Odds, Maserati Sales Jump
  
  Bloomberg | Jul 10, 08 5:40 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Buoyed by wealthy, middle-aged men who can afford to defy high gas prices and a plummeting economy, sales of Maserati luxury cars are up in the US this year, Bloomberg reports. Common brands like Lexus and BMW have seen sales fall, but the very rich don't skimp when they see something that will stand out, analysts say. More »
- Toyota Will Make Prius in US
  
  Wired | Jul 10, 08 5:00 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - Toyota plans to start producing its super-popular Prius hybrid in the US, Wired reports. With inventories overwhelmed by demand, the firm will move production lines to a Mississippi plant intended to produce SUVs. The factory won’t make its first Prius until 2010, but with no sign of abating gas prices, Toyota is betting hybrid demand will be even higher then. More »
- Pensions, Benefits Have GM Stalled
  
  New York Times | Jul 10, 08 9:28 AM CDT
  
  (Newser) - General Motors is suffering as oil prices surge and consumer spending wanes, Roger Lowenstein writes in the New York Times . But the biggest, and perhaps fatal, culprit of its recent troubles—with stock prices near a 50-year low—are the generous health care and pension benefits it agreed to lavish upon its workers more than 50 years ago. More »
- BMW to Zap Calif. With 500 Electric Minis
  
  Automotive News | Jul 9, 08 4:26 PM CDT
  
  (Newser) - BMW will roll out an electric model of its iconic Mini in California, which has mandated that automakers in the state must offer no-emission alternatives, reports Automotive News. The cars will be mostly assembled in BMW's England plant, but sent to Munich for electric powertrains. The initial 500 electric Minis will be leased and are the brain child of BMW's new division, Project i, which is developing low-emission city cars.