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Autos

News, Reviews & Design

 

 BW'S PICKS FROM AP NEWS >>

• Ford, Volvo plan $1B hybrid investment

• Ford says it won't meet 2010 hybrid goal

• Oil prices settle above $73 a barrel

• VW to employ 3,500 at new Russia plant

• Volvo Cars to start sales in India

• Honda reportedly picks Indiana for plant

• GM predicts slower U.S. sales

MORE BREAKING NEWS FROM AP >

  NEWS

GM's Board Holds the Cards

While many General Motors executives, analysts, and even the French government question the proposed alliance with Renault, it all comes down to the board's decision

The Best Used Cars

Certified pre-owned programs offer as-good-as-new cars for less. No wonder they now account for 41% of all used-car sales
Plus: Slide Show

Can Nissan's Ghosn Change GM's Route?

A stake in the biggest U.S. auto maker might stretch the Nissan/Renault CEO too thin, but investor Kerkorian has floated the idea

New Hyundai Santa Fe Sets Class Standards

Hyundai�fs simple, straight and sensible design elements have catapulted the Santa Fe to popularity in the U.S.

Kirk Makes His Move on GM

Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda approaches GM about allying itself with Renault-Nissan in a move that could dramatically shake up the auto industry

Another Ratings Downshift for Ford

S&P;'s credit analyst looks for "a more difficult year" for the auto maker than previously thought

World's Fastest Sedan

German performance vehicle manufacturer Brabus clocks 225 mph with its $437,575 Rocket, a vehicle based on the new Mercedes CLS series

DaimlerChrysler's Smart Move

Smart is coming to the U.S. and Roger Penske�fs United Auto Group will be exclusive distributor

All-New LR2

Land Rover unveils its 2007 compact-SUV in the hopes it does better than disappointing Freelander

Incentives Mean More Pain for Auto Makers

Full throttle price wars and low financing rates will end up squeezing margins and profits for auto makers, says S&P;

Daimler's Pedal-to-the-Metal Plan

New CEO Dieter Zetsche aims to beat Lexus in quality, make the Smart division profitable, and lift Chrysler's productivity -- and all by 2008

Wagoner's Big Wins at GM

Not only could the success of its early buyout plan save as much as $8 billion, it could also avoid a strike at Delphi

Toyota's Minivan Tease

The Toyota Estima hybrid minivan went on sale last week in Japan. When will the company introduce a hybrid minivan to the U.S.?

Chrysler Rolls Out New Sebring

Chrysler is trying to bridge the success of the 300 and Caliber in order to take on the Toyota Camry

Nissan's Long Haul To Nashville

The carmaker has challenges to spare. Add to them a costly cross-country move

For Ford, 2008 is Suddenly a Lot Closer

Ford Motor is countering rumors that it will fail to return to profitability in 2008—but what if the rumors are right?

Mini's Major

A Q&A; with Mini's North American chief Jim McDowell on what makes his company stand apart from parent BMW

China Carmakers' Global Talent Hunt

Former GM exec Philip Murtaugh has been hired by Shanghai-based SAIC Motor—just part of a countrywide trend to hire international talent

IIHS's Top Side-Crash Test Winners

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety�fs annual ratings of the cars and minivans that performed best in side-crash tests
Slide Show: Safest Cars 2006

Wimpiest Cars of 2006

Cars may be getting more powerful, but there are still some tortoises among the hares
Slide Show: Wimpiest Cars

One Car That Runs On Five Fuels

Volvo unveils a concept that can run on five different fuel types; hythane (10% hydrogen and 90% methane), biomethane, natural gas, bioethanol E85 and petrol.

Detroit's Midsize SUV Problem

It's not just the mammoth SUVs that are suffering. The once-powerful midsize segment is also dwindling as gas prices rise and boomers age

Renault's Latest Research on Fuel Cells

Renault studying technology that can produce hydrogen on demand and on board the vehicle, solving the problem of very high-pressure or cryogenic storage

'The Auto Industry in 2011'

Auto researchers, industry analysts, consultants, journalists and marketers take a stab at predicting future of U.S. auto industry

'Ford's Brit Packer'

A Q&A; with Mike O�fDriscoll, president of Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin in North America, on new models, marketing and the challenges of running British marques in the U.S.

Best Cars For the Best Roads

Some American roads are so revered they�fve acquired national treasure status. We pick the best cars for some of the greatest drives in the country
Plus: Slide Show

How Do You Turn On The #@!&% Air?

A J.D. Power study finds luxury cars like Mercedes and BMW overloaded with complexity

Ford's Blurred Focus

How the automaker mishandled its serviceable subcompact car

It's Not Perfect, but It's a Lamborghini

The more driver-friendly Gallardo has a roomier cabin and a smarter dash
Slide Show: 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder

Power Authority

Porsche and Hyundai came up big winners in J.D. Power Quality Ranking. But one study does not a quality story make

Chrysler Imperial Concept

Bling, Bling, Baby: Chrysler�fs Imperial concept makes you feel like a king
Plus: Slide Show

Halo Cars That Shine

Car makers use cutting-edge "halo" cars to draw consumers to showrooms and illuminate the rest of their lineups
Plus: Slide Show

Nissan Potholes Ahead

Can a revamped Sentra renew Nissan's fortunes?

China's Drive for Latest Cars

Striking out on their own, auto makers are planning to bring Chinese nameplates to car lots in the U.S. and Europe

Europe's Most Reliable Cars

The Accord scores highest but other top contenders, such as the Carisma and Micra, are new to Americans

Honda's Bold Bet On Hybrids

Its new Midwest plant may be used to supply hybrids to an increasingly fuel-conscious America

Take Control of Rising Gas Prices: Don't Let Your Money Evaporate

You can't control the cost of fuel, but you can squeeze more miles out of every gallon. Check out these tips

Fill 'Er Up -- But With What?

An alternative to gasoline is inevitable, but it won't come anytime soon. Here's why
Slide Show: Easing Oil Dependence

Best Summer Cars 2006

It�fs summer. A beautiful day. The road is dry. You�fre going fast. Which car would you like to see yourself driving?
Slide Show: Best Summer Cars

Ethanol Cars You Can Buy Now

Ethanol-powered cars are a hot topic these days, but not only do they cost more, they are also hard to find
Slide Show: Ethanol Cars You Can Buy Now

E85 Hybrids: The Next Big Step

Now that the novelty has worn off, in order for hybrids to succeed they have to be cheaper. It's all about total cost of ownership

German Throwdown: BMW vs. Mercedes-Benz

They make some of the world�fs best cars but in a head-to-head comparison which models should you buy?
Plus: Slide Show

Let the Ethanol Flow

New plants that produce the fuel are part of a boom, but signs also point to a possible glut in the near future

  AUTO SHOWS

Slide Show: Picks & Pans of the 2006 New York Auto Show

This was one of the best NY auto shows in years. See which cars we think were winners and which ones will be goats

Light, Sexy And Fun To Drive

The Loremo has the economy of a compact car with the handling and feelings of a sports car

  CONCEPT CARS

Fulda Maybach Exelero

The custom 700-hp V-12 biturbo two-seater Maybach Exelero high-performance show car is a remarkable car with an even more remarkable story behind it

The Mille Miglia Approaches

Named for a famous race, this BMW evokes the feel of its circa-1940 ancestor but has modern design elements such as carbon fiber bodywork

  TECHNOLOGY & CARS

For Cars of the Future, Will Batteries Be Required?

MIT professor Joel Schindall is developing ultra capacitors that could one day make battery-powered electric cars cheap, viable and fun to drive

Six-wheeled Supercar

Italian sportscar maker Covini updates the famous six-wheeled 1976 Gran Prix winner, the P34 Tyrell, with a 4.2 Liter Audi V8, and better braking and handling
Plus: Slide Show

The World�fs Smallest Hydrogen Car

Get kids thinking about fuel economy early. Buy them the H-Racer, which comes with it very own hydrogen refueling station

Run-Flat Tires Go Mainstream

Once used only by sports car enthusiasts and potential kidnap victims, run-flat tires are now available on a wide range of cars

Meet the 200-mph Electric Car

Lithium ion batteries and solar panels are the secret ingredients in Hybrid's LiX-75 pricey eco-sports-car

  MOTOR SPORTS

Honda's CBR1000RR Hits the Mark

Is the new 2006 Honda CBR1000RR redesigned to be the fastest bike for the ultimate rider or as a fast bike for the widest range of riders?

NASCAR For Newbies

Fans can now sit in luxury boxes and eat sushi. But for a new convert, the thrill is on the track
Plus: Slide Show

Making History

Audi's new diesel-powered R10 dominates Le Mans

  AFTERMARKET

Potholes Ahead for Global Tire Makers

Rising materials costs and heavy benefit burdens are giving the rubber barons a bumpy ride

Salvaging for Auto Parts Investment Bargains

S&P; expects the subindustry to remain lackluster, though some improvement may be just around the bend