Archives: November 2007

The Politics of Fuel Economy

Posted by: David Welch on November 30, Categories: Cars and Politics

With Congress getting ready to head off for an unearned break, it looks like a compromise on fuel economy regs is near. Sure, all the car companies will have...

Toyota's Plan to Conquer Europe

Posted by: Gail Edmondson on November 30, Categories: Euro Wheels

As Volkswagen revs to challenge Toyota in the US, Toyota continues its cruise-control growth in the European market. The Japanese giant sold 800,000 Toyota and Lexus cars in the...

VW's Plan to Reconquer America

Posted by: Gail Edmondson on November 28, Categories: Euro Wheels

Let's say you've never owned a Volkswagen before. Would you at least take a trip to a VW showroom and compare models with Toyota or Honda, if VW's were...

New CAFE Rules Need Social Pressure Behind Them

Posted by: David Kiley on November 28, Categories: Cars and Politics

The Congress is close to getting together on legislation to bring the fuel economy standards for cars and trucks to 35 mpg by 2020. We are still waiting for the...

New Wheels For Car Boy--Update

Posted by: David Kiley on November 26, Categories: Ravings

I thhought I had decided what to buy. After weeks of deliberation, I thought I would get the Saturn Astra. But not any more. First, the availability is now sometime...

New Beetle Design for 2012

Posted by: David Kiley on November 26, Categories: Design

I was a little surprised when new VW of America chief Stefan Jacoby told me in September that he was pushing for a new design of the New Beetle....

Peugeot is Europe's Green Champion

Posted by: Gail Edmondson on November 23, Categories: Euro Wheels

French automaker PSA Peugeot-Citroen builds the cleanest cars in Europe, according to an environmental group called Transport and Environment (T&E;). Italy's Fiat is No. 2, followed by Renault, Toyota...

Ford Ranger's and Mazda Pickup's Demise Could Boost Mahindra

Posted by: David Kiley on November 20, Categories: Transitions

Ford Motor Co. will stop making the Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series pickup in 2009 when it closes its Twin Cities plant where the venerable Ranger is built. So...

Hummer Bummer

Posted by: David Kiley on November 19, Categories:

As seen in my local Whole Foods. That can't be good for business....

Toyota Sequoia Not So Good For The Trees

Posted by: David Kiley on November 15, Categories:

Let me just say before I go into this that Toyota, because of its emphasis on quality and “green” technology, the company has a target on its back when it...

Toyota's Moving Target

Posted by: David Welch on November 14, Categories: Rankings and Spankings

Yes, we all know how wonderful Toyota is. Record profits, surging sales and a bulletproof reputation for quality all are proof that the company is on top of its game....

Resale Important For My Next Car Purchase

Posted by: David Kiley on November 14, Categories: Cars and Economics

As I continue to shop for my next car, I am enticed by the fact that Volkswagens are not only terrific cars to drive, but they hold their resale value...

Want to See What Automakers can Do To save The Planet and our Wallets? Go to Europe.

Posted by: David Kiley on November 12, Categories:

A recent week driving around the U.K. underscored the education I already have about the foolishness of the American consumer economy when it comes to driving. As I drove...

Indian automakers close in on Jag and Land Rover

Posted by: Gail Edmondson on November 08, Categories: Euro Wheels

Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Motors and Anand Mahindra, vice chairman of the Mahindra Group Anyone who didn't consider India's Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra serious bidders for...

Toyota's projected op earnings bigger than GM's market cap

Posted by: Ian Rowley on November 07, Categories: Finance

Wednesdays's contrasting results announcements once again highlighted the huge earnings gulf between Toyota and GM. For the six months through September, Toyota's operating earnings rose 16.3% to $11.2 billion, while...

BMW's Margin Squeeze

Posted by: Gail Edmondson on November 06, Categories: Finance

BMW third-quarter results, released Nov. 6, provoked fury among analysts and investors. Its battered shares were down nearly 5% by the end of the day. No one can understand...

Chrysler Crossfire Caught in Nardelli's Crossfire

Posted by: Gail Edmondson on November 05, Categories: Euro Wheels

Will anyone miss the Chrysler Crossfire? Chrysler has announced the 3-year-old German-American sportscar which starts at $30,000, is being cut, along with three other Chrysler models (Pacifica, Dodge Magnum...

Prius sales yet to catch fire in China

Posted by: Ian Rowley on November 05, Categories: Environmental alternatives

Car sales, if not profit margins, in China are flying this year and Toyota, which is on track to smash an annual target of 430,000 units, is among the biggest...

Ford Adds Responsibility To Farley Before Day-One

Posted by: David Kiley on November 02, Categories: Car Guys

Ford Motor Co.'s new global chief marketing officer James farley hasn't officially started yet. But already he's getting more responsibility. Ford said today that Farley will be in charge of...

Toyota set to top 50% market share in Japan

Posted by: Ian Rowley on November 01, Categories: Markets and Management

It's been a long time coming but auto sales in Japan have, at least temporarily, stopped falling. Auto sales, excluding mini vehicles, rose 2% to 269,221 in October, the first...