A report from Just-Auto suggests that the next Mazda2 will “use [a] downsized CX-5 platform”. While this is technically true, the headline is a bit misleading.
Even as Canada’s manufacturing sector continues to dwindle, Ford is set to invest even further in its Canadian operations, putting together a new investment package for its Oakville assembly plant – provided the federal and Ontario governments can come up with the scratch.
As one of the big dissenters from the battery-powered EV lovetrain, Hyundai is about to put its money on Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology. Starting in 2015, it intends to assemble up to 10,000 units of a fuel cell-powered version of the Tucson crossover at its plant in Ulsan, South Korea.
By the end of 2009, China was the world’s largest auto market – something we saw coming nearly a year in advance. When the torrid double digit growth got stuck two years later, a lot of people called a bubble. However, the bubble did not burst. Now, analysts predict a return of the double digit growth.
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B456 Systems, the lithium-ion battery maker formerly known as A123 Systems, won court approval for its bankruptcy plan. It gives unsecured creditors of the company about 65 cents for each dollar owed, Reuters says. Read More >
During better times:Kristina Geers and Victor Muller
Key members of the board of bankrupt carmaker Saab were arrested yesterday on suspicions of tax evasion. Former Saab General Counsel Kristina Geers, former CFO Karl-Gustav Lindstrom, and former CEO Jan Åke Jonsson spent the night in jail. After a serious grilling, the three were released today. At the same time, the offices of Spyker in Zeewolde, Netherlands, were searched by police at the request of Swedish authorities, Z24.NL reports.
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During the launch of the Ford Fiesta 1.0L Ecoboost, multiple outlets ran articles parroting Ford’s PR line about the lack of an automatic transmission. Apparently, Ford declined to offer an automatic or Powershift dual-clutch gearbox on the 3-cylinder Fiesta since a two-pedal option would run counter to the 1.0L’s stated mission of being both fun to drive and good on gas.
Loans from the Department of Energy seemed to be a great idea at the time, now they are a millstone one wants to get rid of. Read More >
Mitsubishi has taken the wraps of the sedan version of the new Mirage, dubbed the Attrage. Just-Auto reports that the Thai-based sedan will launch in July, and will be exported shortly thereafter. Powertrains will carry over from the Mirage, but hopefully the name will change when it comes to our shores.
Honda’s jet was supposed to be commercially available in 2012, and then in 2013, but it will be another wait of another year. The FAA certification of Honda’s small business jet is delayed until late next year, “due to a minor issue in the certification procedure, which has since been resolved,” says Reuters. Read More >
With 4-cylinder engines increasing their market share from 40 percent to 53 market share in just 5 years, Ford is forecasting even more growth for these engines in the years to come. The Blue Oval is betting that by 2020, 66 percent of cars will come with a 4-banger.
Detroit area teens looking for a summer job can now get a paid internship with GM, and will recieve education, training and service projects to carry out over the summer. Sure beats my prior summer jobs as a carnival barker (I’m not kidding).
I recently wrote an article entitled “Lincoln Can and Will Come Back,” in which I insisted that Lincoln would, someday soon, rise from the ashes and return to its rightful place as a top luxury brand for people who can’t afford an Infiniti. Many of you thought I was crazy, largely because Lincoln’s lineup consists of five re-skinned Fords, all of which share the same name.
But as a patriotic American, I am certain that Lincoln will come back. In fact, I believe its resurgence has already begun, as I will illustrate with a comparison between the Town Car and the MKT. I know what you’re thinking: Why are you comparing the Town Car with a … wait, what the hell is an MKT? Is that a sedan? The answer is: because that’s what Lincoln is doing. You see, Lincoln is telling current Town Car drivers – in other words, airport limo services and Jack Baruth – that the MKT is the Town Car’s rightful replacement. Also, the MKT is not a sedan, but rather a medium-sized hearse that Lincoln calls a crossover.
So let’s see how it stacks up in a comparison.
Nissan Dayz or Mitsubishi eK Wagon?
TTAC finally found the holy grail of the auto-blogosphere: We busted a stringent embargo that won’t lift for more than two weeks. We did that on cars that are unobtainable for most. We blew the tarps not off one, but two makes. We didn’t find a dealer brochure, we caught the cars while they were made.
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As the 1-Series prepares to move to a front-drive platform, BMW is also working on something to keep rear-drive fans happy.
Recent Comments
mike978 - Good news, glad Toyota is leveraging Mazda’s superior driving dynamics expertise.
danio3834 - Corporate begging at it’s finest. As Ted pointed out above, Ontario is flat broke. As the Ontario Government should have learned with Ford and...
Gentle Ted - As a Canadian, am opposed to the Governments of both Ontario and Ottawa being involved, Ontario is very “Broke” right now, but do know...
mkirk - I didn’t know it had a civilian offspring. They did kind of let the Marine Corps figure out the particulars…it didn’t end well for several Marines.
mkirk - I knew a guy with a twin turbo LT-1 in a 4th gen Camaro. Have your cake and eat it too! You have to get the tuning right. I had a Mazdaspeed Miata with a...
sirwired - I’ve never understood Hydrogen vehicles at all. They combine the worst parts of both electrical and gasoline vehicles in one...
mkirk - Nuclear subs have a bunch of pumps which do make noise…some more than others. Ours are quiet though. Back in my Navy days it was said...
mkirk - Definitely the most advanced diesel-electric (can one still call this a pig boat?) out there. I like it as an attack boat but the 3 weeks...
mkirk - Good info…thanks.
Defender90 - Yes indeed. It’s a “bitsa” and now has station wagon body with windows in the back – yay modular body work! Over time I’ve had...