China may not be able to mount a serious threat to European and American automotive manufacturers on their home turf for perhaps 10 years, but the unveiling of the new Qoros 3 at the annual Geneva car show demonstrates that when the time comes, the menace will be formidable. According to Bernstein Research analyst Max … Continue Reading →

Volkswagen of Germany will unveil its XL1 plug-in hybrid car at the Geneva Car Show next month, which it says is the most fuel-efficient and aerodynamic production car in the world, capable of up to 261 miles per U.S. gallon. The two-seater, which looks remarkably like a tidied up version of the ill-fated GM EV1 … Continue Reading →

If you’re planning on attending the Detroit auto show, something you might consider is which of the cars you see on the floor of Cobo Center could be collectables in 50 years time. The question came up over dinner with McKeel Hagerty this week and prompted a lively discussion about classic cars of yesterday and … Continue Reading →

The biggest buzz at the North American International Auto Show on the second day of press previews was the introduction of the Atlas concept for the next generation of Ford F-150 and the debut of the 2014 Cadillac ELR electric car. Acura presented the 2014 RLX luxury-performance sedan and unveiled a prototype of its 2014 … Continue Reading →

A full day of new car introductions begins at breakfast time Monday and continues until after 5 p.m. at Cobo Center in Detroit. It’s Day 1 of two Press Preview Days at the North American International Auto Show. Monday’s highlights are expected to include the unveiling of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lincoln’s MKC compact … Continue Reading →

What do the brand new Mercedes-Benz SL luxury roadster and Ford Escape entry level crossover, both on prominent display at NAIAS, have in common? Certainly not their price points, or their looks or their purposes. But they do share one very neat new convenience feature that’s worth checking out. Go to either vehicle and ‘wave’ … Continue Reading →

Best weather ever: Sunny on Monday and Tuesday, with mild temperatures and no snow or ice. Celebrity watch: Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, wearing a light-brown suit, descended from the Buick Encore stage with assorted staff.  Did the mayor know it’s said that not too long ago GM execs were admonished not to wear brown suits? … Continue Reading →

GM vice chairman Steve Girsky told an audience at the Automotive World Congress last night that his boss, GM CEO Dan Akerson is “impatient.” “His hunger for speed is rubbing off on the company and I think in a good way.” Girsky recounted an Akerson anecdote. He said that one weekend Akerson called him to … Continue Reading →

Ever since the early automakers discovered they could improve curb appeal by bending a piece of sheet metal or introducing a new color, design has served as a critical differentiator between automotive makes and models. While the old saw suggests that “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder,” some automotive designs just seem to … Continue Reading →