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Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne will soon deliver his fix-it strategy for Chrysler. One big piece appears to be the return of Fiat's upscale Alfa Romeo brand to the U.S.

—David Welch, The Auto Beat

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Featured Column

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GM: Still Making the Same Mistakes

Has GM learned nothing? The "introduction" of the Chevy Volt this week shows the company has no idea how car sales really work

 

VIEWPOINT: MARYANN KELLER

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Why Remaking the Auto Industry Makes No Sense

The auto industry doesn't work by the basic laws of the market—governments just won't let dead companies go

 

Auto Design

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Automakers Go on the Small-Car Offensive

Nine new small cars are rolling out in the next 18 months, six from GM and Ford. Will they sell without the incentives of high gas prices and federal subsidies?

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Hybrids

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Korean Carmaker Hyundai Goes Green

It'll take a lot to catch up with Toyota and Honda, but Hyundai has ambitious plans to be a fuel efficiency leader by 2015

 

Classic Cars

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Wartime Alfa

One of the beautiful and rare interim-bodied Alfa Romeo 6C 2500s, it was bought by a German general during WWII

 

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ECOS Harbinger: $90,000 Electric Supercar

Going on sale in early 2010 the ECOS Harbinger will be a 120mph, 150-mile per charge EV with Lambo-style looks and scissor doors to boot

Toyota Gets Stuck in a Pair of Ruts

While a strengthening yen eats up profits, the carmaker's reputation for quality is taking a hit

GM Gains, But Weaknesses Remain

Sales traction in North America will determine whether General Motors can move from progress to a profit

Fiat's 'Crazy' Chrysler Plan Just Might Succeed

Even if CEO Sergio Marchionne misses his bold sales targets, Fiat will have paid little for Chrysler's North American factories and dealer network

Subaru: Japan's Hottest Car Company

As rivals watch their U.S. sales slide, Fuji Heavy Industries' Subaru is heading for a record year

Will Sex Sell for Chrysler?

Its new ad campaign goes heavily into titillation—but it will be a tough sell

Along Comes the New Porsche Boxster Spyder

Set to debut at the LA auto show, the new Boxster Spyder offers a hair-piece destroying top speed of 166mph

Tesla Roadster Sets a Record

The Tesla Roadster has set a new distance record for a production electric vehicle by traveling 313 miles on a single charge

Fifty Ugliest Cars of the Past 50 Years

Vehicles thought to be the most unsightly

Can Fiat Cars Save Chrysler?

The new models won't materialize for two years—and the U.S. automaker could stall out in the meantime

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Bad news, doubters. GM has redesigned its Chevy Equinox compact SUV, and the result is terrific

Competition Revs Up Among Battery-Powered Sportscars

eWolf's e2 prototype is the latest entry in the race to create high-performance electric sportscars

GM Plans to Spend on New Models

Without new cars and trucks, GM will miss sales targets. But adding 7 to 10 new vehicles will cost the cash-strapped company billions

Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350

The new GLK is a classy, quality compact SUV that is priced well and drives better. The trade-off? Poor fuel economy and a lack of cargo room

Test-Driving the Tesla

The electric Tesla Roadster is no suped-up golf cart. It drives with all the acceleration and power you'd expect from a real sports car

Saturn's Sad Story Nears an End

After talks to sell the auto brand to Roger Penske collapse, GM says Saturn will go the way of Pontiac and Oldsmobile

First Drive: 2010 Acura ZDX

The new Acura ZDX may just be the best-looking new model of 2010. But its handling and performance prove it's more than a pretty face

The Cars You Won't See in the U.S.

Differences in emissions and safety standards, as well as consumer preferences, have kept some fuel-efficient superminis off U.S. shores

As the Race Slows Down, Audi Hits the Gas

The German carmaker is pouring money into marketing to expand its share of the luxury market and push diesel models in the U.S.

Review: 2010 Ford Mustang GT

The 2010 Mustang offers plenty of muscle and a more refined interior, but the newly revived Chevy Camaro could replace it as the No. 1 American muscle car

Supplying the Brains for Electric Cars

A communication system from startup Better Place lets drivers know how far their batteries will take them and where to find a fresh charge

GM to deal Opel to Magna

General Motors will recommend selling a controlling stake in its German unit to Canadian parts maker Magna International, BW's David Welch reports

The Jawdropping McLaren MP4-12C

The McLaren MP4-12C's twin-turbo V8 engine goes from 0-60 in just over 3 seconds and a top speed of more than 200mph. Look for it in 2011

The Most Powerful Rolls Ever

The new $300K-plus Rolls-Royce Ghost will feature a 6.6 liter twin-turbo V12 engine that can go from 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds

Review: 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera

More horsepower, better fuel efficiency, and an astonishing new seven-speed transmission make the 911 Carrera more amazing than ever

Top 10 Pet-Safe Vehicles

A new study names America's ten best vehicles based on the criteria of which ones are best suited for safely transporting dogs

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid/Mercury Milan Hybrid

With its new Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, Ford brings to market the best gas-electric hybrid cars yet

Peugeot's Frugal RCZ Sports Cars

Peugeot's sporty new hybrid, which will debut next month at the Frankfurt Motor Show, can get up to 70 mpg

Review: 2010 Lexus HS 250h

Congratulations, Lexus—you've built arguably the most fuel-efficient and eco-friendly hybrid luxury sedan ever

How Marchionne Will Run Fiat-Chrysler

The new CEO is embracing unconventional methods, such as fostering internal competition, as he revs up the carmaker

GM: Still Making the Same Mistakes

Has GM learned nothing? The "introduction" of the Chevy Volt this week shows the company has no idea how car sales really work, Ed Wallace writes

The Coolest Concept Cars of 2009

Whether these prototypes are road-ready or ridiculous, they're a preview of what's to come

Review: 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible

The Mini Cooper S Convertible may still be one of the most fun ragtops on the road but it's no longer the bargain it once was

Electric Cars: Emission-Free, Not Problem-Free

But early adopters of cars like the Mini E are willing to put up with inconveniences to be on the cutting edge of technology

Discount Shopping for Luxury Cars

To clear space for 2010 models, many luxury carmakers are offering great deals on '09 models

Ferrari's Innovative New V8—the 458 Italia

A synthesis of style and technology, Ferrari's 458 Italia is a massive leap forward from the its previous mid-rear engined sports cars

Review: 2010 Honda Insight

We're glad that Honda brought back the Insight. The world needs more hybrids—but the Prius is still the class of the field

Daimler: The Dawning of the Age of Electric Cars

The German automaker touts the London test of a fleet of its electric Smart cars and the progress of alternative-fuel technologies under development

Britain's Most Reliable Cars

New figures show most reliable and unreliable cars, cheapest and most expensive to repair

Mercedes' Electric Gullwing

Mercedes gives a sneak peek of the electric sports car of the maybe-not-so-distant future with a design of a Gull-winged electric SLS AMG

Jaguar's All-New XJ Luxury Four-Door Flagship

Under new ownership, Jaguar unveils its new luxury flagship sedan, the XJ. Look for it in 2010

Great Cars at Goodwood

Once a year, car connoisseurs and speed freaks gather at England's Goodwood House to witness the fast, the furious and the utterly fantastic

Review: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro

As the world goes green, muscle cars may be an endangered species. If so, with the all-new Chevy Camaro, GM has saved the best for last

The 'Cash for Clunkers' Law Looks Like a Lemon

Not enough new-car buyers can take advantage of it, and the program may even put more gas guzzlers on the road

Clean Diesel Is Coming! Clean Diesel Is Coming!

With diesel fuel prices down and rivals' diesel programs halted, German carmaker Audi has launched a U.S. marketing push

Hyundai Offers a $1.49 Price Lock on Gas

It's the Korean carmaker's latest effort to seize share in the depressed U.S. market after earlier this year assuring buyers worried about their jobs

Cash for Clunkers: What Can $1 Billion Buy?

The government soon may be handing out vouchers for new cars. Cash giveaways have spurred trade-ins in Europe. Will they help in the U.S.?

Ford of Europe: Benefiting from Rebate Schemes

Ford is ahead thanks to stronger design and government programs that pay cash for gas guzzlers. Now, that stimulus may be about to dry up

The U.S. Auto Industry in 2012

Wonderland or wasteland? Detroit could thrive on U.S. drivers replacing their aging cars—but they'll need to hurry up

Review: 2009 Hyundai Genesis

The sporty, well-designed Genesis is a reasonably priced, stylish, entry-level luxury car—and a big step up for Hyundai

Henderson's Strategy to Fix GM

With the Obama Administration pressuring for quick results, the CEO's first job is to remake a bureaucracy notoriously resistant to change

Chrysler, Fiat Drive Off the Lot

Freed from bankruptcy court, the new Chrysler Group faces a recession-wracked economy and no new vehicles for months

Putting BMW's New Z4 Through Its Paces

It takes a little more than a touch of a button to retract the new Z4's roof, but this sexy sports car handles beautifully—and the mileage isn't bad, either

Touring Europe's Best Auto Museums

More automakers, including the likes of Volkswagen and Porsche, are turning factories into tourist attractions, and with some success

The Car That Could Save Ford

At last, Ford is bringing its stylish, well-designed, fuel-efficient, and successful Fiesta to America. It's about time

GM: Marketing in the Time of Bankruptcy

How GM plans to free itself and its four remaining brands from the taint of failure

What Now for Fiat?

After missing out on GM's European units, Fiat CEO Marchionne faces a choice of less appealing M&A targets to help the Italian automaker bulk up

GM's Hummer Goes to Chinese

Sources say Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. of China will buy the line of rugged—and gas-guzzling—SUVs

The Tough Road Ahead for GM and Chrysler

Bankruptcy would produce leaner automakers, but it would still leave lots of debt and do nothing to fix their images—or the disastrous marketplace

The Ethanol Lobby: Profits vs. Food

If the ethanol lobby really believes in the biofuel, why are there so few E85 pumps in corn-growing states?

Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

The new 2010 Toyota Prius, with more horsepower, more cargo space, and more fuel economy, is better than ever—and all at an affordable price

Kia Motors' Cheap Chic

Thanks to German design chief Peter Schreyer, the Korean carmaker is making a splash at home and plans to do the same in the U.S.

At 50, the Mini Is Going Strong

Relaunched by Germany's BMW in 2001, the quirky, iconic British car has become an international success

China: Car Capital of the World?

It will soon be the world's busiest market, and domestic carmakers are growing rapidly in size and quality

The Great Ethanol Scam

Not only is ethanol proving to be a dud as a fuel substitute but there is increasing evidence that it is destroying engines in large numbers

Review: 2009 Ford Focus

The Ford Focus is Detroit's best compact car, but it still trails the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic in quality and sales

China's Geely Eyes GM's Saab, Ford's Volvo

Geely, the second biggest Chinese automaker, is reported to be in talks with the hurting Detroit giants about taking over their Swedish units

An Alternative Auto Industry Bailout

Public money should not just go toward mending a broken system. It's time to challenge the conventional boundaries of the U.S. auto industry

Would You Buy a Car from Chrysler?

Persuading buyers to take a chance on the bankrupt automaker might turn out to be tougher than working Chrysler out of court

Why Indians Are So Thrilled by Tata's Nano

Car ownership in India brings feelings of pride and freedom, which is why 350,000 people have entered a lottery to buy a Tata Nano

GM: The Vultures Circle

Bondholders, dealers, the UAW, and Treasury are all jockeying for a piece of a restructured General Motors, Chapter 11 or not

GM's Been on the Brink Before—Many Times

This isn't GM's first brush with death. Since 1910 the company has nearly disappeared three times—and come back stronger every time

Chrysler's Looming Tag Sale

If the carmaker is forced to sell assets, as bondholders claim they want, what would Chrysler's Jeep, minivan, and Dodge truck lines go for?

German Luxury Carmakers Press on Despite Slump

While most automakers are thinking about gas mileage and sticker price, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, and Daimler are expanding their luxury fleets

The Newest Supercar

The limited edition Novitec TuLesto has a V8 engine with dual superchargers and a rated power output of 777 hp

Time Is Running Out for GM and Chrysler

The two struggling automakers have got to cut deals and prove their viability, or face bankruptcy. They need to speed things up

As Old Auto Brands Fade, New Ones Appear

Even as Detroit reels, Chinese and Indian brands like Geely, Chery, and Tata are looking to launch in the U.S.

2009 Cadillac CTS-V

Cadillac's awesome new CTS-V is faster from zero to 60 than Mercedes' E63 AMG and BMW's M5. It also costs many thousands less

The Picks & Pans of the 2009 N.Y. Auto Show

This year's auto shows take on an extra urgency as the success or failure of the models could determine the industry's course

Cars Gone Wireless

Automakers and tech companies are adding a growing array of information and entertainment extras such as Web access in vehicles

Nissan's Cube Aims Young

Nissan introduces the Cube, a $14,000 rolling box to compete with Toyota's oddly successful Scion xB

Carmakers Go for Broke at Thailand's Auto Show

Despite falling vehicle sales in Thailand, the Bangkok International Motor Show, with its high-heeled "pretties," was a big draw this year

GM: Who's In Charge Here?

It will be tough for he new boss to manuever with other hands on the wheel

2009 Acura TL

Sales might be sluggish for the redesigned Acura TL, but if the economy were better this sporty, entry-level luxury car would be a winner

What Can Tata's Nano Teach Detroit?

As the commercial model of India's microcar is unveiled, U.S. carmakers would do well to learn from the innovations that brought it about

Buick Earns Highest Dependability Marks

But Toyota dominates J.D. Power's dependability ranking, with five of its models scoring in the top 10. Volkswagen and Suzuki place last

Billions for Auto Suppliers' Bailout

Beleaguered parts makers could get as much as $5 billion in government funding "no matter what happens" to the car companies

2009 VW Tiguan

If you're in the market for a compact SUV and appreciate German engineering, consider the VW Tiguan

Revealed: The New Lamborghini Murcielago LP 650-4 Roadster

The special edition Roadster version will offer a 6.5 litre V12 engine producing 650 hp and will zoom from 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds

BMW's Push into Electric Cars

The company is developing an all-new electric vehicle under its "Project i." But will battery prices fall enough to make the car a success?

Chrysler's New Reality: How Real Is It?

The struggling automaker is talking up a rebound. But even if it partners with Fiat, a high debt load and brutal cuts could leave it flat

The World's Most Powerful Hybrid Car

At Geneva, Nissan debuted the Infiniti Essence concept, a hybrid with 600 hp from the combined output of a V6 twin turbo and electric motor

GM's Big Assumptions

GM is banking on a return to years of 16 million sales, but those numbers were as inflated as the housing bubble

Geneva Motor Show 2009

From low-cost, fuel-efficient Volkswagens to top-of-the-line luxury cars, the 2009 Geneva auto show features a wide range of new cars

Europe's Chevy Volt

Opel unveils its Ampera hybrid electric car at the Geneva Motor Show

2009 Ford F-150

America's favorite pickup has been redesigned, with a smoother ride, more power, and better gas mileage

Auto Sales: Worst February in 40 Years

GM is the biggest loser, with new-car sales down 53%. And carmakers are finding that even lavish incentives aren't stopping consumers from buying used cars

SuperVeloce: Lamborghini's New King of the Bulls

The more extreme top-of-the-range Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is more powerful, lighter, and faster than the Murcielago LP 640

Mitsubishi and Citroen to Develop Electric Vehicle

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and PSA Peugeot Citroen will collaborate on electric vehicles based on a Mitsubishi's i MiEV

Bankers Slow Down on Buying Fast Cars

Luxury car sales languished in January as the financial crisis deprived investment bankers and other highfliers of their fat bonuses

GM's Fourth-Quarter Loss: $9.6 Billion

Perhaps more important: General Motors' $5.3 billion cash burn for the quarter. Without government loans, it would already be in bankruptcy

Why Saturn Fell to Earth

GM's 'Different Kind of Car Company' was a great marketing idea, but low margins and confused branding doomed the experiment

GM's Dicey Recovery Plan

Its best projection—a return to profitability by 2011—hinges on a massive, unlikely sales rebound

General Motors' High-Wire Bankruptcy Act

It's Wall Street against Big Labor as GM and Chrysler hint at Chapter 11 filings to frighten creditors and workers into discounting debt

Winning Over Bondholders: Key to GM's Survival

GM bondholders fear that even with a bailout, the carmaker may not avoid bankruptcy. They want their money now

Is Hyundai's Black Ink a Trend?

The weak won is helping the Korean automaker post big sales and market heavily. But that could eventually backfire by eroding profits

GM's Crash Diet: Thousands Cut

To get viable fast, GM is slashing 10,000 more workers from global payrolls, and dramatically trimming its lineup and production

BMW Design Chief Bangle Resigns

The infamous designer of the "Bangle butt" was both respected and reviled. His successor, Adrian van Hooydonk, has a tough act to follow

Ford First with Electric Vehicle

In 2010 the Ford Transit will hit the market, making it the first pure battery electric-powered light commercial vehicle in North America

Consumers Snub Troubled Brands

When car buyers know names such as Volvo and Hummer are on the block, they steer clear of the showroom

U.S. Auto Sales Hit 27-Year Low

With the exception of Subaru, Hyundai, and Kia, sales plummeted in January. Could the stimulus plan stabilize the market by yearend?

Detroit Should Get Cracking on its Googlemobile

Carmakers need to let go of their musty business models and start thinking like 21st century companies—like Google

Extreme Bentley

Will the new Extreme Bentley be the fastest, most powerful production car ever? That's what Bentley says

How California Could Affect Car Choices

A directive from the Obama Administration on fuel efficiency is creating alarm among automakers

How GM Lost Its Sales Crown to Toyota

It started with management decisions in the 1960s, '70s, and '80s. High gas prices and the current recession only made matters worse

Is Tesla a Good Bet for Taxpayer Dollars?

The bold, upstart electric-car maker fits in with the green priorities, but there's reason to doubt the little company can go the distance

Picks & Pans of the Detroit Auto Show 2009

This year's NAIAS is the most important in years because Detroit needs to show it is still relevant. Does it succeed?

China's Long March Toward U.S. Garages

Instead of buying American auto companies to ease their entrance into the U.S. market, Chinese carmakers are building from scratch

Luxury Car Sales Keep Skidding

Sales of luxury cars in North America are likely to fall under 1 million units for the first time in more than a decade

The Best Car at the Detroit Auto Show?

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro packs a 525 hp 5.2 liter V10 engine and looks gorgeous

Chrysler Goes Electric—Finally

Chrysler announces it will produce at least one of electric vehicle for North American markets in 2010

Hyundai's Halo: Car of the Year Award

The South Korean carmaker expects the prize-winning Genesis to help it encroach on Japanese and Western rivals when the auto industry recovers

GM's Garage Sale

GM to raise cash by auctioning off 250 show cars and one-offs from its Heritage Collection. Want a slightly used Popemobile?

What Big Three? Ford Motor Adopts a Scrappy Image

In declining a federal bailout, CEO Alan Mulally gambled that cash—and new models such as the Fusion Hybrid—can help Ford outlast its rivals

For Car Companies, It Was a Year to Forget

A dismal December caps off the auto industry's worst year since 1992. Cars outsold trucks and SUVs for the first time since 2000

China's First Plug-In Hybrid Car Rolls Out

The infrastructure for running electric cars is not quite in place in China, but BYD Auto's plug-in has a lot to offer

Recession-Proof Cars

Sure, Detroit is drowning and the rest of the auto world isn't doing so hot, but the world still needs to drive—and here are the cars we'd pick

Ford's Green Plan to Drive Sales

Promising a slew of new green vehicles, the troubled Detroit automaker is turning to top design firms to make those cars innovative and appealing

Cars We Want to Drive in 2009

Automakers may be stumbling, but that doesn't mean they aren't making cars and SUVs we can't wait to drive in 2009

All New Lotus

The first new Lotus since the Elise debuted in 1995, the 2 + 2 Evora has a more luxurious interior—and a celebrity waiting list

Congress to Detroit: What's Your Plan?

If the Big Three automakers can't come up with a radical plan that will satisfy Congress, they can kiss the $25 billion bailout goodbye

The Man Who Could Run GM

Fritz Henderson, groomed to replace CEO Wagoner, has a strong track record—and a way with unions

The 500 hp Bentley Azure T

If you like thunderous performance and absolute luxury, then the Bentley Azure T is for you

Greener Luxury Cars, and Not Just Hybrids

Mercedes and Lexus hybrids each have impressive qualities, but the BMW 7 Series—to which Americans' access will be limited—edges them out

The Best New Cars of 2009

Between high fuel costs, credit woes, and overall economic gloom, it's a lousy time to buy a car. Too bad, because some of the '09 models are great

Swapping MPH for MPG

Stung by high gas prices, many Americans are trading in their gas guzzlers and finding it's a pretty smart move

Squeezing Out the Extra Miles Per Gallon

There are plenty of futuristic fuel-saving technologies on the blackboard. What are automakers offering drivers today?

The 65 mpg Ford the U.S. Can't Have

Ford's Fiesta ECOnetic gets an astonishing 65 mpg, but the carmaker can't afford to sell it in the U.S.

Drive an Expensive Import? You Probably Lease It

Leases are falling out of favor, which is bad for import brands. They depend on leases to put people in cars they otherwise couldn't afford

Which Cars Have the Best Gas Mileage?

Only 15 cars for sale in the U.S. get combined gas mileage of 30 mpg or better. We tell you what they are

Technology & Cars

Lotus to Develop Bio-fuel Engine

Sky-High Concept Car

Mercedes to Driver: Wake Up!

Classic Cars

1996 Ferrari 456 GT Coupe

Auto Shows

The Best Car at the Detroit Auto Show?

VW BlueSport's Detroit Debut

Chrysler Goes Electric—Finally

Hyundai's Halo: Car of the Year Award

Concept Cars

Mercedes' BlueZERO Hydrogen Concept

A New Model T for the Modern Era

BMW X1 Concept

China's Electric Car Concept

Saab Reinvents the Convertible with the 9-X Air Concept

Peugeot's 888 Concept Car

BMW Goes Soft

What Will We Be Driving in 2057?

After Market

The World's Fastest, Ultra-luxury Sedan

The World's Fastest Limo?

Topless Supercar

Build Your Dream Car

IN YOUR FACE: PURSUE YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL DREAM

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Reader Bobbie Goheen Writes:

"Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? Evaluate and adjust your assumptions monthly until your business is up and out of the red."

Tell Us: Best Advice for a Startup in Today's Economy?

 

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GM Dealership on Industry Troubles

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