- US: Musk sets out ambitious Tesla growth vision – Just-auto: Elon Musk is known for his ambitious projects and visions, but even he has raised a few eyebrows this week with remarks suggesting that Tesla Motors can become as big as Apple.
- U.S. auto sales could top forecasts – Detroit News: In January, U.S. auto sales were up almost 14 percent — and sales are strong in February
- UK: Dissenters question premium brands’ range expansion – Just-auto: A growing number of voices, including those within the automakers, are questioning whether the constant range expansion by premium brands such as BMW and Audi, will continue to reap rewards or whether some kind of consolidation is required, IHS Automotive principal analyst, Tim Urquhart, said in a research note.
- As Recalls Hit 64 Million, Car Sales Soar – 247wallst:
- Garage shortage hits insurers and drivers – FT: More than 1,500 repair shops have closed in 10 years
- Annual driving appraisals aren’t compulsory – but they should be – Autoexpress: Opinion 13 Feb, 2015 Mike Rutherford thinks a compulsory driving appraisal every year could be one of the best investments a motorist can make
- Mercedes-Benz to unveil new Pullman ‘dictator ship’ in Geneva – Reuters: Daimler will unveil a new version of the Mercedes-Benz Pullman at next month’s Geneva auto show, a six-seater stretch …
- Audi Prologue Avant concept set for Geneva debut – Autocar: The Prologue Avant is an evolution of last year’s Prologue concept Prologue Avant concept lays out design cues for future Audi estates and could also point towards a future range-topping A9 variant
- Sex and the self-driving car – Globe and Mail: There are only two types of drivers: those who’ve had sex in their cars and those who … Let’s begin by examining the automobile’s four carnal pillars.
- US: BorgWarner unveils Q4 net earnings fractionally down to US$140m – Just-auto: BorgWarner has posted fourth quarter net earnings dipping slightly from US$141m to US$141m, while full-year net sales were a record US$8.3bn, up 12%.
- Japan exports seen up for fifth straight month in January – Reuters: … is recovering from a recession last year, a Reuters poll showed. The auto and semiconductor sectors’ exports appear to have benefited from a weak.
- U.S auto sales could top forecasts – Detroit News: In January, U.S. auto sales were up almost 14 percent — and sales are strong in February
- Did Electric Vehicles Charge Into the Wrong Market? – Bloomberg: The electric car market may have been looking at the wrong country. China is the big prize, … Bloomberg’s Craig Trudell reports on Asia Edge. …
- Acura unveils refreshed RDX at Chicago Auto Show – Detroit News: The updated vehicle will hit dealer lots this spring
- GM faces investor demand for slice of $25 billion cash hoard – Automotive News: An investor group demand that General Motors give back more of its $25 billion cash hoard confronts CEO Mary Barra with a challenge to her plans for building the company and rewarding shareholders.
- House panel advances bill banning smoking, vaping in car with kids – Lcsun-news: “An automobile is an extension of a man’s home,” said Rep. … with permits for concealed firearms from carrying a gun in a car with children in it.
- It’s Time to Retire the Old Mail Truck – WSJ: U.S. Postal Service seeks 180,000 ‘next generation’ vehicles with better than 10 MPG fuel efficiency. General Motors Co., which supplied the chassis for the current truck, is interested in winning the contract.
- Exclusive: Brazil wants to renew Mexico auto quotas, avoid free trade – Reuters: Auto trade between the two was then supposed to be fully liberalized, but … A source familiar with the situation earlier told Reuters Brazil wanted to …
- Stealth Reveal: 2016 Kia Rio Sedan and Hatchback Slink into Chicago – Car and Driver: While the Kia Trail’ster concept was busy hogging all the attention at the automaker’s Chicago auto show press conference, the updated 2016 Kia Rio sedan and hatchback were waiting in the wings for a spotlight moment that never came. They were mentioned only as an aside during the closing remarks, leaving us to ask: Wait, []
- [$$] The Tesla Paradox – WSJ:
- This Driverless Car Can Beat a Race Car Driver (Sometimes) – NBC News: Driverless cars are all well and good, but surely they can’t outdrive … to get additional insights into how expert automobile operators process …
- 2016 Kia Rio Sedan and Hatchback: They’re Still Here – Official Photos and Info – Car and Driver:
- INSIGHT-GM faces investor demand for slice of $25 billion cash hoard – Reuters: An investor group demand that General Motors Co give back more of its $25 billion cash hoard confronts Chief Executive Mary Barra with a challenge to her plans for building the company and rewarding shareholders.
- 2014: year of the recalls – CNN:
- Porsche plans 911 GT3 RS, supercar, turbo 911 range and new 918 – Autocar: The new 911 GT3 RS’s launch date has been delayed, this Autocar image shows how it could look Porsche to refocus on its sports car roots as a 918 successor, a new V8-engined supercar and more mainstream turbo models are in the works to follow on from the upcoming GT3 RS
- GM Builds ‘Bolt’ Electric Car – Is It A Tesla Topper? – Investors:
- Brazil’s Petrobras says will publish audited results by late May – Reuters: Brazilian state-run oil producer Petroleo Brasileiro SA plans to publish audited results for 2014 by the end of May as it recalculates losses stemming from a corruption scandal, the company said on Thursday in a securities filing.
- Record number of vehicles recalled in U.S. last year: regulator – Reuters: A record 63.9 million vehicles were recalled in the United States last year, the U.S. auto safety regulator said on Thursday, led by high-profile recalls of General Motors Co ignition switches and Takata Corp air bags.
- MINI Coupe and MINI Roadster production comes to end – Bmwblog: The latest evidence of the popularity of the MINI Coupe is its class victory in the Best Cars 2015″ reader’s vote held by the automobile magazine …
- Cramer’s Tesla warning: Musk is a total disaster – CNBC:
- 2016 Cadillac ATS-V Full Pricing and Complete Options List Hits the Internet – Car and Driver: Cadillac just revealed the price of the M3-hunting ATS-V a mere two days ago-$61,460 gets you into the sedan, $63,660 if you prefer two doors-and now a forum post on ATS-V.org purports to have the full pricing information for every available option.
- Puff, the Dangerous Driver: Is Doping and Driving Safe? [C/D Archives] – Car and Driver: As marijuana becomes more common in our society, so does driving under its influence, and although there is little if any statistical proof that marijuana use is now a driving-safety problem, there is a strong suspicion.
- Road Testing Lotus Evora: What To Expect At The Geneva Auto Show – Forbes: Driving a Lotus always resets measurables for steering precision, suspension design and calibration, and renews belief in the rare Jedi Knight level of communication that can occur between a tiny aluminum sports car and its happy pilot.
- Record number of vehicles recalled in U.S. last year -regulator – Yahoo: A record 63.9 million vehicles were recalled in the United States last year, the U.S. auto safety regulator said on Thursday, led by high-profile recalls of General Motors Co ignition switches and Takata Corp air bags. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said more than twice as many vehicles were recalled in 2014 than the previous record of 30.8 million in 2004. GM’s recall of 2.6 million cars beginning in February 2014 to replace faulty ignition switches put the company under a h