News from the Auto Industry

Happy birthday to the electric car starter

Curbside Publisher — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:22:46 +0000

With the turn of a key or push of a button, starting a car today is taken for granted. But a century ago, the electric starter that debuted in the 1912 Cadillac Touring Edition helped establish Cadillac’s reputation as a test bed of technology and innovation.

Corvette marks 60 years with special 427

Curbside Publisher — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:44:04 +0000

Chevrolet today unveiled the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition – the fastest, most capable convertible in Corvette’s history – as well as a 60th Anniversary Package that will be available on all 2013 Corvette models.

“The 2013 model year will be historic for Corvette, marking its 60th Anniversary and the final year for the current ‘C6’ generation,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Marketing and Strategy for Chevrolet. “We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate these milestones than bringing back one of the most-coveted combinations in the brand’s history – the Corvette convertible and a 427 cubic-inch engine.”

2013 Cadillac ATS challenges the status quo

Curbside Publisher — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:55:30 +0000

The entry-level luxury category is about to get much hotter as Cadillac ups the ante with their 2013 ATS. While many of us remember the company’s first foray into small cars with the Cimarron, this is the real deal and could well challenge category leaders such as BMW.

2012 Ford Fusion announced at Detroit auto show

Curbside Publisher — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:06:16 +0000

The largest portion of passenger car sales in the US is mid-size sedans so it’s no small task to play in this game. To dramatically restyle your entry is a big risk with mid-size sedan buyers being a bit, uh, traditional. But Ford has redone its popular Fusion for 2012 and given it a look that it says will carry over to the rest of its cars over time.

TrueCar goes off line in Colorado; other states may challenge site

Curbside Publisher — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:46:46 +0000

True Car Home PageTrueCar.com, an online auto shopping site, told its Colorado dealers this morning that it has suspended its service in the state. The Colorado warning was followed by concerns about the legality of the TrueCar model issued from regulators and dealer associations in several other states, including Wisconsin, Kansas and Virginia. TrueCar said in a statement that as of late December it had been contacted by regulators in six states: Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Mercedes-Benz announces diesel hybrid

Curbside Publisher — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:06:25 +0000

There is a huge divide between the way a gasoline engine prefers to run and how a diesel engine can be made happy.

Gasoline engines are sort of like men with sex - we love quick, repeated bursts of energy. Diesels are like women - difficult to get started but once you do, boy they run and run for a long time. Okay I stole that from Larry the Cable Guy.

Okay, Saab, it's time to declare a time of death...

Curbside Publisher — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:41:55 +0000

While many people won’t blink at the news of Saab’s bankruptcy, it’s a sad occasion for many others. The Swedish auto maker did have fans, after all, especially among drivers who appreciated its design and engineering innovations — and its proverbial quirkiness.

And in the absence of Citroen, Peugeot, Lancia and other eccentric brands that have left the U.S. over the years, the loss of Saab seems to mark the end of quirkiness in the car market.

High School Students create solar electric car

Curbside Publisher — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:46:49 +0000

One of the fun things at Tokyo’s annual Eco Products exhibition is a solar car – but not just any solar car. This one was built as part of an education program led by Koto Ward mayor Takaaki Yamazaki, in a bid to get children excited about scientific technology and the environment.

2012 Ford Focus Electric

Curbside Publisher — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:22:42 +0000

As government mandates start kicking in, you’re going to see more and more pure electric and electric hybrid vehicles. Here’s one of the first all-electric vehicles that doesn’t look weird - the 2012 Ford Focus Electric. This morning I got a notice from Ford that the Focus Electric is beginning to roll down the assembly line and out into the streets for you and your wallet to admire. Here’s the official word from Ford:

Cell phones may be completely banned

Curbside Publisher — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:16:33 +0000

You’ve obeyed all the laws - you’ve got your Bluetooth headset and are conversing hands-free. Your eyes are on the road, your hands on the wheel. You’re traveling within the legal limit. So why is the peace officer pulling you over? Because you’re in the darned future and the hacks in Washington still don’t think you’re doing enough to save your own keister. Yep, yapping on the telephone is illegal no matter how you do it. So what’s the darned point of a mobile phone?