Gales: Lotus SUV Under Consideration
Is it possible to apply Colin Chapman’s lightness philosophy to SUVs? Lotus believes it could, should the storied automaker enter the game.
Oregon To Be First In Nation To Implement Per-Mile Road Tax Program
With EVs and other fuel-efficient vehicles saving consumers money at the pump, Oregon will be the first to issue a per-mile road tax to refill its coffers.
Feinstein-Toomey Bill Seeks To Push Other Biofuels Over Corn Ethanol
With one attempt shot down thus far, two U.S. senators are issuing a standalone bill to reduce the use of corn-based ethanol at the pump.
Insurers, Suppliers Face Potential Disruption From Autonomous Vehicles
Work in the insurance industry? Ever wonder what life would be like insuring the owners of autonomous vehicles?
Schockmel: CLEPA Members Ready For Autonomous Opportunities
Amid the glitz and glamour of the 2015 Geneva Auto Show, European auto supplier group CLEPA proclaimed its members would have a part to play in the autonomous game.
Report: Autonomous Vehicles Radically Altering Landscape In Coming Decades
Seven years from now, commercial and industrial autonomous vehicles could set a path toward a a future where the cityscape and beyond are radically changed.
Continental AG Interested In Partnering With Apple In Car Project
Whether or not Apple is actually building a car, German tire manufacturer Continental AG wants in.
Next-Gen Jeep Wrangler To Have Diesel, 8-Speed Auto Combo
We’ve said the next Jeep Wrangler would have diesel power, as well as an eight-speed auto. Now, both will be paired with each other.
Study: Millennial Fastest-Growing Auto Lending Segment
Alleged to not be interested in cars or driving them, millennials are the fastest-growing segment of car buyers as far as lending goes, per a new study.
Manuals Comprise 20 Percent Of All New USDM Models Available For Sale
Enjoy rowing your own instead of allowing Skynet to do the shifting? If you’re in the United States, your manual transmission options are few.
Whistleblower Incentive Legislation Passes US Senate Panel
A whistleblower bill that would grant financial incentives to auto industry employees who expose safety defects won backing by a U.S. Senate panel Thursday.
T&E: First-Gen Biofuel Use In EU Face 6 Percent Cap By 2020
Much like in the U.S., biofuel is an ongoing concern in the European Union, where those opposed recently gained a victory in restricting its use.
Nissan Xterra Leaving US Market After 2015 Model Year
Looking at buying a new Nissan Xterra? Better pull the trigger soon, as the SUV will leave the U.S. market after the 2015 model year.
Tesla Pushing For Direct Sales In Texas, Dealers Wanting A Shot To Sell
As Tesla gears up to tackle Texas’ direct-sales ban during the state’s 2015 legislative session, dealers are begging for a shot to sell the automaker’s EVs.
Sweers: Diesel Power Not Coming To Toyota Tacoma
Hoping for diesel power in the new Toyota Tacoma? You can breathe now.
General Motors' Bankruptcy Protections Could Narrow Pending Ruling
Should a federal judge decide General Motors acted in the wrong during bankruptcy proceedings, the automaker may see its protections considerably narrowed.
Apple Rumored At Work On Titan EV Project
Not about to let Google or Tesla tackle the automotive space without competition, Apple is rumored to be entering the game with its own EV project.
Paris To Begin Rolling Ban On Older Vehicles This Summer
Want to continue to drive in Paris? You’ll need a new vehicle starting this summer, when the French city begins restricting older vehicles from its heart.
Lenders: Subprime Auto Lending Increase Not A New Bubble
Though subprime auto lending is growing, lenders believe a new credit bubble isn’t on the horizon as it was in the runup to the Great Recession.
Washington State Looking To Encourage EV Adoption Via Legislation
Legislators in the state of Washington have a slate of bills in mind that would encourage more EV adoption in order to help reduce air pollution.
More Consumers Turning To Technology For Vehicle Purchases
While visiting a dealership is de rigueur for most, an increasing number of consumers are turning to technology to buy their cars.
Thwaite: Save Georgia's EV Incentives From The Guillotine
Plug In America vice president Michael Thwaite is making a call-to-arms to ensure Georgia’s EV incentives do not go quietly into the night.
General Motors Suspends Russian Production Amid Weak Ruble
Amid a weakening, unstable ruble, General Motors will suspend production at its St. Petersburg, Russia plant from mid-March through mid-May 2015.
Obama Budget Proposes Tax On Corporate Foreign Earnings For Roads
President Barack Obama unveiled his annual budget Monday, which includes a proposition to tax corporate foreign earnings to fund the nation’s roads.
Ford Elevating 55 To First-Tier Pay After Hitting Second-Tier Cap
Fifty-five Ford employees will be elevated to first-tier pay status after the automaker exceeded its cap on second-tier hires.
OEMs Delay Vehicle Alert Sounds For Pedestrians On EVs, Hybrids
As quiet as electric vehicles and hybrids are, plans to make them noisy for the benefit of pedestrians et al have been delayed until 2018.
Fuel Prices To Climb Above $2/Gal Beginning Mid-February
Enjoying sub-$2/gallon prices at the pump? Those fuel prices will make their slow climb back up above $2 beginning later this month.
IIHS: US Driver Fatalities Fall One-Third In Three Years
Per a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, driver fatalities in the United States have fallen by a third over the past three years.
Carter To Musk: Hydrogen Just One Basket For Toyota's Eggs
Remember when Tesla CEO Elon Musk declared that Toyota was a fool to invest in hydrogen? Twice? Toyota had a few words to say in return last week.
ACLU: Drug Enforcement Administration Tracking Plates Since 2008
It’s not just auto lenders and police who track plates: The Drug Enforcement Administration has collected 343 million records since 2008.
California University First In State Certified To Sell Hydrogen
Cal State L.A. now has the first hydrogen fueling station in California certified to sell the fuel by the kilogram.
General Motors Developing CVT In-House For Global Lineup
Not content with using CVTs from other manufacturers, General Motors is working on a CVT in-house for use in its global lineup.
Cadillac Gaining 700 Boutiques To Augment Flagship Stores
Want to go boutiquing for your next Cadillac? Brand CEO Johan de Nysschen has plans to make that a reality.
US Justice Department Bans Local, State Police From Using Federal Civil Forfeiture Program
The United States Department of Justice announced Friday that local and state law enforcement can no longer use federal programs to seize the assets of those believed to have committed a crime without conviction.
Atlanta Grows Into Role As Automotive Industry Hub
As Mercedes-Benz USA prepares for its two-year move from New Jersey to Atlanta, the question is how the city scored this win in the first place. Turns out Atlanta is pushing its own brand as that of an automotive industry hub for the Southeastern United States.
Verizon Goes Its Own Way With Verizon Vehicle Post-OnStar
With General Motors’ OnStar breaking up with Verizon after nearly 20 years to wed AT&T this year, and with about 200 million vehicles in the United States that don’t have such a system on-board, what’s a telecom to do?
Jump in the game itself, of course.
NAIAS 2015: Honda Debuts FCV Concept In North America
After making its global debut in Tokyo last year, the Honda FCV Concept bowed in Detroit for its North American unveiling.
NAIAS 2015: Mercedes Reveals 2016 C350 PHEV Sedan, Estate
Amid Dr. Z’s proclamation that 2015 would be “the Year of the SUV,” the Mercedes-Benz C350 Plug-In Hybrid was revealed prior to its official debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show [Live photos now available – CA].
Southbound And Down: Mercedes Moving To Atlanta
We first mentioned this Monday evening, and now it’s official: Mercedes-Benz USA is leaving New Jersey for the old, sweet song of Atlanta.
New South Wales Drivers 'Block' Traffic Cameras In Social Media-Backed Protest
Speed cameras are the bane of motorists, a needed safety measure for road safety advocates, and a boon to government coffers ( just ask Waldo, Fla.). Motorists in New South Wales, Australia, however, have decided to fly the two-fingered salute the only way they know how: By popping the hood.
Toyota Grants Royalty-Free Use Of Over 5K Hydrogen Patents
Last year, Tesla granted every one of its competitors full access to its myriad of patents, in the hope they would, in turn, build more EVs.
This year? Toyota is doing the same with its hydrogen fuel-cell patents to help spur on further FCV development.
Marijuana Legalization Prompting Examination Of Impaired-Driving Laws
How much marijuana is too much before getting the wheel? No one seems to know for sure despite the overwhelming support for related impaired-driving laws.
Mitsubishi Debuting Lancer Evo 'Final Concept' At 2015 Tokyo Auto Salon
Above is what the final Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X will likely resemble when it hits showrooms in the coming year.
EIA: US Average Fuel Savings Climb To $550 In 2015
With fuel prices still falling as of this writing, the U.S. Energy Information Administration issued a report forecasting an average of $550 in savings at the pump for a typical family in 2015.
Tesla Opens Battery Swap Pilot Program In California
It’s official: As of this week, select Tesla Model S owners will be able to swap battery packs in a pilot program along the route between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Ally Leaves Government Ownership, US Treasury Exits Auto Industry
With its GMAC Financial leather jacket burning in the closet while a supermodel lip-syncs in the tub, Ally Financial is at last free from government ownership.
Fuel Prices Fall Further, Auto Sales Soar Higher In December
Remember when we thought $2.55 for a gallon of regular was going to make for a good Christmas? Turns out the new average is $2.47, the lowest average price reported in five years.
Also: That’s a photo shot by one of my relatives back in Louisville, Ky., where some stations are pumping gas for as low as $1.96/gallon.
100 Fatality, Injury Claims Approved For GM Compensation Fund Payments
It’s been a while since the TTAC Zaibatsu checked in on the victim compensation fund created by General Motors and overseen by the office of attorney Kenneth Feinberg. How have things gone since the last time?
One hundred fatality and injury claims have been approved.
US Army Makes $744K In First-Ever Public Humvee Auction
Forget Panthers: Humvees are the new hotness, as so demonstrated when the United States Army held its first-ever public auction for a surplus of the iconic military vehicle.
Chrysler Group Now FCA US LLC
Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s Chrysler Group is dead; long live FCA US LLC.
Jaguar Land Rover Enhances Driving With Ghost Cars, Pillars
Worried about checking those corners with those thick pillars in the way? Always wanted to bring the Forza experience into the real world? Jaguar Land Rover’s got you covered.
Richardville: Michigan Doesn't Allow 'Predatory Lending'
Michigan Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville of Monroe, the senator behind the bill that would allow auto title loan companies to do an end-run around the state’s title loan ban by posing as pawnbrokers, proclaimed the 276-percent interest loans the title companies would provide consumers weren’t predatory.
Iowa DOT Introducing Driver's License App In 2015
Live and drive in Iowa? The state’s DOT will soon have an app that will act as your license.
Ferrari May Follow FCA Out Of Italy For Fiscal Reasons
Just as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles left Italy to escape the tax man, Ferrari is considering the same as it moves closer to leaving the nest by next October.
Portland Sues Uber Over Lack Of Proper Permits
The dream of the Nineties may live on in Portland, Ore., but for Uber, it’s a nightmare that’s just beginning.
Sandia Labs: Underground Geologic Formations Hold Future Of Hydrogen Storage
Part of hydrogen becoming a viable energy option in the United States is infrastructure, which isn’t much at present. Should business pick up, however, hydrogen would need to be stored as cheaply as possible to facilitate greater adoption.
Chinese Internet Company Sets Sights On Tesla In Chinese EV Market
Google may be off pursuing autonomous commuter pods, but another Internet-related company in China as decided to take on Tesla directly in the EV game.
Takata Lost Value Suits On Hold Pending Judicial Panel
Consumers looking to file a lawsuit against Takata over its defective airbags may be waiting a little while longer to do so.
UAW Proposing Works Council At VW Tennessee Plant 'Soon'
Now that the United Auto Workers have won full access to Volkswagen’s Chattanooga, Tenn. factory under VW’s community engagement policy, what will it do with its newfound power? Propose a works council, of course.
Nair: Ford Considering CVTs For Future Applications
Ford is considering giving the B&B’s least favorite transmission type another go for future applications.
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