Marc Carter
Ford Transit to Be Built in the U.S. in 2012
The current Ford Transit is built in Turkey on a version of the Euro Focus platform. By mid-2012 production of the Transit is expected to move to one of Ford's plants in the U.S. The next-gen Transit will be built on the new Focus platform that we are expected to get here as well. Production of the Focus and other...
Ford Mustang AV-X10 Dearborn Doll Headed to the EAA Gathering of Eagles Festival
Last year Ford built custom Mustang AV8R the for the annual Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Gathering of Eagles festival. The car was auctioned off for the charity for $500,000. This year Ford has produced another Mustang with the same aviation theme, dubbed the AV-X10 Dearborn Doll. It is based off the 2010 Mustang and features 19" wheels, a rear spoiler,...
U.S. House Passes Bill That Could Force GM and Chrysler to Reopen Closed Dealers
The U.S. House approved a plan that will force GM and Chrysler to renew agreements with the dealers that were unexpectedly closed during their bankruptcy proceedings. The bill that is opposed by Barack Obama passed 219 to 208 yesterday and would require the automakers to restore franchise agreements with the dealers in order to get future government aid. U.S....
Lutz Now Claims That the G8 Won't Become the Chevy Caprice
Earlier this week, the newly unretired Bob Lutz stated that the soon to be dead Pontiac G8 was going to live on under the Chevy brand as the Caprice in the US. This statement contradicted statements from GM CEO Fritz Henderson who stated that the G8 would not be rebranded for one of GM's remaining brands. Well now it looks...
Ford Poised to Gain Market Share and Overtake GM
According to a recent Merrill Lynch report Ford is expected to gain market share in the next few years, while its domestic competitors, GM and Chrysler are expected to see declines. The annual "Car Wars" study from Merrill Lynch claims that Ford's market share could surpass GM's. Over the next three years Ford's share could go up three points to...
Toyota and Mazda in Talks to Supply Mazda With Hybrid Technology
Now that Ford no longer holds a significant stake in Mazda, Mazda is needs to have a new source for its upcoming hybrid vehicles. Currently the only Mazda hybrid is the Tribute that borrows its hybrid powertrain from the Ford Escape. Inside sources are now claiming that Mazda is seeking a new partner and is reportedly in talks with...
Porsche Once Again Leads in 2009 J.D. Power APEAL Study
J.D. Power and Associates has released the results of the 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) Study. For the fifth straight consecutive year Porsche tops the list as the industry's most appealing brand in the U.S. The top three brands this year were Porsche, Jaguar, and Cadillac. "Most automakers are on track in terms of designing new models that...
Jaguar Kills the X-Type and Cuts 300 Jobs
Jaguar has announced plans today to kill the slow selling X-Type and to lay off 300 workers at its Halewood plant in the north of England. "Our industry has been especially badly hit by the recession and the premium sector more than others. Jaguar Land Rover's retail sales fell by 28 percent in the past 10 months," Chief Executive...
Honda S2000 Replacement to Get FWD and Hybrid Powertrain? Let's hope not!
The current Honda S2000 is officially going to end production at the end of 2009. Honda has been rumored to be working on a replacement for the past few years, but Honda has yet to release any details about the S2000's successor. Now according to 7tune there are rumors that the successor will feature FWD and a 2nd-generation hybrid driveline...
Upcoming MINI Crossover to be Dubbed the Countryman?
Spy photos of MINI's upcoming crossover, which is based on the also new BMW X1 have been all over the place lately. Although the crossover has been confirmed and is expected to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, we have yet to learn what the crossover is going to be named...until now. It looks like BMW...
