Trucks and the irrelevance of hybrid and electric cars

Hybrid cars and electric cars are a great development in automotive technology, but pickup trucks are America's biggest fuel economy problem. Isn't it time to address the real problem?

The most important vehicle in America?In February, Ford sold almost 33,000 Ford F Series trucks, making it the top selling vehicle in America, by far. Of the top 3 selling vehicles, 2 were trucks. Inevitably, day after day, month after month, year after year, and decade after decade, large trucks dominate the top of US [...]

If feds mandate brake override, GM, Honda have most work to do

[...]

Toyota Dealers Say GM Incentives Misuse Taxpayer Money

If you're a current Toyota owner, GM would like to offer you some cash to switch brands. Not surprisingly, some people have a problem with that. The U.K.'s Financial Times reports, "Toyota's US dealers launched a broadside against General Motors on Tuesday, accusing the Detroit carmaker of using taxpayers' money to counter generous incentives that [...]

Heavy Duty Pickup Wars Intensify

Just yesterday we gave you a rundown of reviewer impressions of the 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup trucks. With a giant diesel engine that makes 390 horsepower and 735 pound feet of torque, it looked like Ford was going to stay on top of the heavy duty pickup heap. At least, it looked that way [...]

Despite Whitacre at GM Helm, AT&T Buys Ford Transit Connect Electric Vehicles

2011 Ford Transit Connect Electric - 270.JPG

AT&T has agreed to buy two of the first electric-powered Ford Transit Connects, despite the fact that the company's former CEO, Ed Whitacre, is now CEO of Ford-competitor General Motors and, it was revealed this week, still flies AT&T corporate planes as his retirement perk.
GM, where insiders have criticized the Transit [...]

GM’s Lutz Plans Busy Retirement

GM Bob Lutz in Gruyeres Switzerland.JPG

So what will the 78-year-old Bob Lutz, who has spent nearly half a century in the auto business, do in what he quips is his "early" retirement?
He's got a long to-do list: write, talk, fly, advocate and entertain other options put before him. 
Last week's Geneva motor show was [...]

Despite woes of ‘09, GM was busy at patent office

[...]

VW Touareg hybrid a “home run”?

MotorTrend calls the VW Touareg hybrid a home run, but I'll wait until we find out the price before making such a call on the first of several hybrid cars coming from VW.

But what about the price?The Volkswagen Touareg hybrid, VW’s first hybrid vehicle, is a “home run” and “its technology a considerable advancement for hybrids in general” according to MotorTrend. But why?Is it the diesel hybrid technology that most impresses MT? The 375 horsepower or the 425 feet of torque? Maybe it’s the 7700 pounds of [...]