It seems like even compact cars aren’t safe in this economic downturn. BMW announced today that it has laid of 850 workers and has cut back production at its Cowley factory that builds Mini Cooper models. BMW said the move was made due to weaker demand for the compact hatchbacks. The Cowley factory, which employs [...]
If its proposed partnership with Chrysler LLC is complete, Fiat will speed up the export of some European-built cars to the United States in an attempt to set the stage for a possible U.S. production around mid-2011. “We are currently working on a plan to begin shipping the Fiat 500 minicar and the Alfa Romeo [...]
President Barack Obama’s administration has dropped the idea of appointing a “car czar” to oversee the automotive industry’s restructuring. Instead, Treasurey Secretary Timothy Giethner and Lawrence Summers, head of the National Economic Council, will together oversee the task force that will deal with the issue. Geithner will be responsible for overseeing the $17.5 billion in [...]
Bob Lutz, who recently announced that he will retire by year end, said that GM’s struggling Saturn brand probably won’t survive. He said his personal favorite would be to see Saturn survive and prosper but believes that the ”reality is that that is probably not going to be the outcome.” In an interview with Automotive News, [...]
Audi has unveiled the all new 2010 A4 allroad quattro prior to its Geneva Motor Show debut next month. The all-wheel-drive A4 allroad quattro with increased ground clearance (180 millimeters or 7.09 inches) goes on sale later this summer with prices starting at 37,100 euros ($47,357 USD). The 2010 Audi A4 allroad quattro will be [...]
According to Derrick Kuzak, FoMoCo’s vice president of global product development, the company intends on doubling 4-cylinder engine volume and will offer a 4-cylinder option on each car and crossover by 2013. “We’re all about the smaller displacement as a way to drive significant fuel economy without sacrificing performance,” said Kuzak in an interview with [...]
Fiat will take the wraps off of the new Fiat 500C (Fiat 500 Convertible) at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show next month. The mini convertible will go on sale throughout Europe later this spring. Size wise, the electric-softtop Fiat 500C measures the same as the Fiat 500 hatchback and comes with the same three powetrain options: the [...]
Over the weekend, The Wall Street Journal reported that General Motors is considering Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing as an option that would create a new company. Sources familiar with the matter said that GM plans to outline the option on Tuesday when it presents its viability plan to the U.S. government. “One plan includes a [...]
Just three days ago, we launched eGMCarTech v2.0. It is now the end of the week and that means it’s time for our first “Week in Photos” post with our new design. Check out photos of the new 2010 Ford Transit Connect, 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150, 2010 Chevrolet Spark, 2009 Mini John Cooper Works Convertible, 2009 [...]
The Fisker Karma Concept made its original debut at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show on January 14th, 2008. A year later, Fisker Automotive revealed the production version of its first plug-in hybrid vehicle at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Deliveries of the first Karmas are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2009 through the Fisker [...]
