All In Gear
- Nissan debuts self-cleaning paint. The end of the car wash?Nissan has debuted a new kind of paint that repels dirt, dust, and even mud, keeping cars bright and shiny without their human owners lifting a finger. But the paint is only being explored in Europe, which is good news for American car wash fans.聽
- GM recall cost wipes out profits; affected cars reach 7 millionGM recall costs sank the automaker's first-quarter profit, but CEO Mary Barra said the much-publicized recalls have yet to cut into sales. The biggest contributor to the GM recall costs was a $1.3 billion charge to cover a series of problems announced since early February.
- Fisker Automotive mulls a Karma comeback for 2015Fisker Automotive's new Chinese ownership wants to have the Karma back on the road by the middle of next year. After its embarrassing bankruptcy, can Fisker be a success the second time around?
- General Motors begins shipping replacement parts. Is the worst over?General Motors has begun shipping replacement cars for the cars involved in its massive ignition switch recall, and public opinion of the automaker is improving. Is the worst of the General Motors scandal over?
- Hybrid cars vs. electric cars: How do their drivers compare?Hybrid cars and electric cars seem like they should attract the same kinds of customers, but they actually differ in many ways, according to a new study. People who buy electric cars tend to be younger and wealthier than people who buy hybrid cars.
- Tesla sets its sights on ChinaTesla will build electric cars in China in the next three to four years, giving Tesla a foothold in an ever-growing market 鈥 and helping the automaker avoid China's hefty 25 percent import tariff.
- Alan Mulally to retire as Ford CEO, report saysAlan Mulally could be ready to take his long-rumored retirement as soon as May, and his replacement as Ford CEO will be chief operating officer Mark Fields, according to a report from Bloomberg. Alan Mulally became Ford CEO after coming from Boeing in 2006.聽
- Chevrolet tips hat to rival FordFord has built its Mustang sedan for 50 years, and automaker Chevrolet offered congratulations to its competitor in a recent advertisement.
- VW: Golf GTD may not reach American marketVolkswagen says the engine used in the diesel-powered Golf GTD has to be built in Germany, and importing it may make the car too pricey for the US.
- Fiat to expand electric car sales into OregonFiat, the Italian subsidiary of Chrysler, is expected to begin selling its battery-powered 500e in Oregon this summer, joining California as the only US states where the car is available.
- Honda takes low-key approach to anti-texting adHonda released an anti-texting video that appears to convey its message with a simulation of a texting exchange.
- Mercedes turns to navigation data to improve hybrid energy management systemMercedes Benz is developing an energy management system for its hybrid cars that is able to use navigational data to improve the vehicles' fuel efficiency.
- Ford launches Lincoln brand in ChinaLincoln is moving into the Chinese market, and says it will be selling five models there by 2016 in as many as 50 cities across the country.
- Toyota Camry for 2015 unveiled at New York Auto ShowToyota Camry has a few little improvements that will make a big difference in its 2015 model. The 2015 Toyota Camry is also available in a hybrid.聽
- 2015 Mustang debuts atop the Empire State Building2015 Mustang debut comes exactly 50聽years after the original pony car was revealed at New York World's Fair back in 1964.聽Only 1,964 examples of the 2015 mustang anniversary edition will be built by Ford.聽
- Are electric cars money savers? Depends where you live.Electric cars save on energy use, but聽incentives and other factors mean the savings can vary significantly by state.聽So which state's drivers get the quickest return on their electric-car? The answer will surprise you.聽
- Electric vehicles tapped for national parksElectric vehicles will soon be deployed at nine national parks across the country, which the government hopes will cut the usage of gasoline and the release of greenhouse gas emissions.
- US sales of Honda Accord hybrid hampered by short supplyLimited inventory and parts have slowed sales of Honda's Accord hybrid in the US -- but would-be buyers are reportedly willing to wait for a chance to take home one of the vehicles.
- GM executives for communications and HR step down amid recall crisisGeneral聽Motors聽is replacing the executives in charge of communications and human resources as it struggles with recalls that have led to congressional hearings and federal investigations.聽GM is in the midst of a crisis over safety of some of its older-model vehicles.
- A self-driving car for $4,000? College student says it can be doneMost self-driving cars are either the stuff of dreams or the stuff of dream budgets (often costing nearly a hundred thousand dollars for conversion kits). This college student says he has created a kit that can transform ordinary cars to self-driving vehicles for under $4,000.