As the 2010 Detroit Auto Show took off, who would have thought this would be the year of electric vehicles, hybrids, and concepts? Throw in a couple refreshed models and you have a very fuel-efficient auto show looking for a fresh start. Although many companies introduced noteworthy vehicles, here is a look at three models that have generated quite a lot of buzz. [click to continue…]
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Traditionally the small car segment has been reserved for first-time car buyers or for those that don’t want to spend the extra money for the size and the amenities of a larger vehicle. However, that trend is certainly changing and anyone wanting evidence of that can simply take a look at what’s on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Ford is clearly leading the way on the small car front. Not only did the automaker have an over the top launch for the Ford Fiesta at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, but Ford went on to Detroit to unveil the slightly larger 2012 Ford Focus. Featuring European styling and a number of all-new technologies that are unavailable with the current model, the next Focus will certainly provide more than the average small car when it arrives early next year.
Chevrolet has also been focusing on compact cars in recent months. Like Ford, Chevy used the LA Auto Show to showoff another compact, the all-new Chevy Cruze which will compete directly with the Focus. Making even bigger news in Detroit however was the Chevy Aveo RS concept. Clearly not too far off from being a production model, the Aveo RS features sporty styling and an improved interior that can best be described as being a far more interesting car than the existing Aveo. Although it’s just a concept, the Aveo RS gives consumers a sneak peak into the next generation Aveo subcompact which is due to enter production in early 2011. [click to continue…]
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Long Beach, CA, proved the place to be for New Year’s Eve. The event, located on the pier off Shoreline Drive, had some 50,000 celebrators who enjoyed our very own, West Coast style New Year’s Eve. Two different stages of live music set the mood at 7 PM, while Red Bull stunt driver Travis Pastrana prepared to set a world record by driving his Subaru Impreza STI rally car off the Pine Avenue Pier onto a floating barge located in the harbor.
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With 2009 finally coming to a close, the auto industry is no doubt looking forward to 2010. Not only are exciting new cars on the way, but new attitudes are firmly in place as well. Car buyers are interested in new technologies and body styles, and even the most unlikely automakers are introducing hot new eco-friendly small cars. Although economic and environmental concerns did fuel interest in small cars in 2009, it wasn’t until Cash for Clunkers that the demand for small cars truly spiked. Regardless, Americans were buying fewer cars his year due to the crippling economic recession. From January to November, car sales amounted to 9.4 million according to JD Power – down 24 percent from 2008. Here’s a list of what was selling in 2009. [click to continue…]
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There’s been no shortage of changing faces and changing roles at General Motors these days, and that trend has no end in sight. The latest change in management at GM is the addition of Chris Liddell as the automaker’s new Chief Financial Officer, and possible CEO candidate.
Liddell, who previously served as CFO at Microsoft, will report directly to Ed Whitacre, who is standing in as the interim CEO. Liddell will be responsible for turning around GM’s troubled financial operations. His addition to this top management position is part of Whitacre’s recent push to freshen up the executive team and create a more flexible and nimble culture. [click to continue…]
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The automotive industry is certainly capable of change, particularly after the past year and the bankruptcies, consolidations, and liquidations, that the year has brought. But there are elements that remain untouched. One such mainstay is the Ward’s Auto 10 Best Engines List, which for nearly twenty years has served as the measuring stick by which all automakers strive for.
This year, the list of the 10 Best Engines included some surprises as the Ward’s editors were focused on finding the engines that were truly the best in terms of overall performance and fuel economy. [click to continue…]
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In a town known for movies stars, it’s always nice to see the cars become the stars whenever the LA Auto Show comes to town. Although this year had plenty of exciting concepts and new models for automotive journalists to ogle over, the tone was different than in recent years, which isn’t really a big surprise. After seeing one of the worst years in the automotive industry due to a crippling recession and rapidly changing consumer buying habits, the show certainly didn’t have the noise and energy typical of past events. Even more notable, however, were the changes in the cars.
Although there were certainly high-end automakers present, it was surprising to see automakers such as Bentley, Lamborghini, and Ferrari all decide to avoid the glitz and glamour of the LA spotlight. Interestingly, these brands are not likely to be missed, as most automakers focused on highlighting more practical transportation. From the Volt hybrid that to the Fiesta, automakers were focusing on efficiency and the consumer’s bottom line. [click to continue…]
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The all-new 2010 Ford Mustang received ample praise for its styling and quality, but one area that the latest generation Mustang fell short was under the hood. Powering the 2010 Mustang are the same engines from the previous generation. This clearly was a limitation as the new Chevrolet Camaro is more powerful and more efficient.
Mustang enthusiasts have praised the new pony car, but simply craved more power. Luckily, Ford will be using the upcoming LA Auto Show to highlight the new engines that will soon be available for the Mustang, which of course promise more power and embrace innovative technology. [click to continue…]
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After a turbulent year in the auto industry, there is plenty of positive excitement brewing around the new product launches and announcements at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.
Last year the LA Auto Show was the venue of choice for several huge product announcements, and this year’s show is already shaping up to be another success. Check out selected debuts and the full schedule below and also check back to Auto in the Know for more details regarding the latest concepts, green cars, and announcements from Los Angeles beginning Wednesday, December 2. [click to continue…]
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A team of graduate students from Stanford University have built a robotic Audi TTS that will take on the Pike’s Peak race course – without a driver. Equipped with a bevy of electronic gadgetry and a $100,000 GPS system, the driver-less Audi will tackle this 2.4-mile, 156-turn course that ascends over 14,000 feet entirely with the help of software designed to mimic the driving techniques of a real racecar driver.
Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive system is a feature designed for such an extreme race course according to Madison Audi, but navigating such treacherous terrain at high speed could typically only be accomplished with the skill of a seasoned driver.
The goal of this initiative is to create the foundation for an autonomous driving system that will one day be integrated into all vehicles as a safety measure. Regardless of whether these systems become mainstream, we’re certain most TTS drivers would like to remain in control. [click to continue…]
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