Even in Turmoil, Automakers Cannot Afford to Ignore Environmental Concerns So Rick Wagoner’s gone – or will be as soon as an official announcement of his widely reported resignation as GM’s chairman can be cobbled together. Rick Wagoner is expected to resign as GM chairman at White House’s behest. He took one for the team [...]

Black is back in the Golden State – whether it’s cool or not. The Los Angeles Times’ Up To Speed blog reported on March 27 that the California Air Resources Board has no plans “at this time” to regulate car paint as part of its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CARB spokesman Stanley Young [...]

Dutch electric drive systems developer Detroit Electric and Malaysian automaker Proton have announced a strategic partnership to build and sell battery-electric vehicles in Asia, Europe and the U.S. The deal, announced today but initially reported Friday (in case this sounds a bit deja vu-ish) calls for Detroit Electric to provide the electric drive system, including [...]

File this one under “think global and act local” – with a duplicate copy under “is this really necessary?” On March 26, the California Air Resources Board voted to require the state’s 40,000 automotive services suppliers to check the tire pressure of every vehicle serviced. CARB’s rationale for the new rule that will take effect [...]

The 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited FWD is the automotive equivalent of eating reduced-fat ice cream. You get the pleasure of enjoying something that may be a little better for your health and diet — or in the case of the Escape Hybrid, driving an SUV that may be better for the health of the [...]

With a name like 2010 Cayenne GTS Porsche® Design Edition 3, how can you resist this $89,000 SUV? Set for export to the U.S. in limited quantities, this gussied up Cayenne GTS features special paint, standard 21-inch SportPlus wheels and sport stripes. The interior gets black leather with contrasting red stitching and Alcantara inserts. In [...]

Rabbit fans, you are too few. At least, that’s how Volkswagen is feeling these days according to Automotive News. The redesigned Golf which is already on sale in Europe, will come to America under the same name this fall, a reversal of the reversal instituted just a few years ago. No particular reason was given [...]

We already gave you the full low down on the 2010 Toyota Prius, now see how it fares in the face of its new rival, the 2010 Honda Insight. Neither car gets much for style points, but in this matchup it’s all about fuel economy and clean emissions right? Senior Editor Erin Riches gets to [...]