All In Gear
Auto sales: Plug-in electric sales nearly double in 2013More plug-in electric cars were sold in the US than ever before in their third year of sales. The 2013 total of roughly 90,000 electric vehicles didn't quite double the 2012 total of about 53,000, but the numbers seem likely to grow again this year.
Fiat takes full ownership of Chrysler, avoids IPOFiat, the majority owner Chrysler, will purchase the remainder of the automaker for $3.65 billion, and a previously planned IPO looks to be off for now.
GT4 Stinger: Kia builds concept racing car to turn headsGT4 Stinger from Kia will debut at the Detroit auto show. The GT4 Stinger boasts a turbocharged 315 horsepower four-cylinder engine with a carbon-fiber front splitter.
Self-driving car tests approved in MichiganMichigan has approved self-driving car research on its highways, making it the fourth state to do so. Florida, California, and Nevada have also allowed testing of self-driving cars.
Toyota Prius: best new-car value, Consumer Reports saysToyota Prius's best-value win is its second in a row. Cost of ownership of a Toyota Prius is just 47 cents per mile.
Lamborghini Huracan to debut at 2014 Geneva Motor ShowLamborghini Huracan will make its global debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show next March, Ireson writes, but in the meantime, the company is planning over 130 private previews of the Lamborghini Huracan in 60 cities around the world.
BMW i8 Spyder convertible may be on the wayBMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car is one of next year's most anticipated cars, and now it appears a convertible version is also on the cards. The BMW i8 coupe will be introduced in 2015, and the convertible model could arrive two years after that.
Are biofuels best suited to air travel?We pay a lot of attention to biofuels' potential in the auto industry, but the aviation industry could be their ideal market.
BMW to open up plant in BrazilPrompted by strong luxury vehicle sales in South America, BMW has announced it has started construction of its own Brazilian plant, which is expected to come online by the fall of 2014.
Michelin tires recall affects 1.2 million truck tiresMichelin tires recall affects 1.2 million tires sold in the US experiencing tread loss or rapid air loss. Pickup trucks, heavy-duty vans, small RVs and commercial light trucks were the main users of the tires at the center of the Michelin tires recall.
EPA: Cars getting lighter, more fuel-efficientAccording to EPA statistics, 2012 model year cars and trucks which have now hit a record 23.6 mpg on average. Vehicles are also dropping in weight and horsepower, but performance has not suffered.
Ford, GM pull out of Australia. The end of an auto industry?General Motors and Ford have announced plans to stop manufacturing in Australia. Toyota may follow.
Blackout? No problem for Nissan Leaf-powered buildings.Japanese automakers are exploring electric vehicle-to-building systems that could provide backup power in the case of outages. Electric car power could also help large companies reduce energy costs.
Top states for electric cars. Where does yours rank?Drivers in California are sure to see plenty of electric cars – from the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid up to the Tesla Motors Model S – but in other parts of the country, you may go months without seeing a single plug-in car. A new ranking lists the top states for electric cars.
Ford considers diesel, hybrid and electric versions of new MustangAt the unveiling of the 2015 Ford Mustang, powertrain chief Bob Fascetti said the company is considering green versions of the model including diesel, hybrid and even electric versions. Could Ford transform the muscle-car industry forever?
First Tesla bought with Bitcoin. The future is here.A Tesla Model S has been purchased directly with Bitcoin, the electronic currency. The Tesla was purchased from a Lamborghini dealer in Longbeach, Calif.
How the US is helping China curb carbon emissionsDuring a recent trip, Joe Biden announced that the US would offer Chinese officials technical assistance in drafting new emissions guidelines.The partnership also allows China and the US. to work together on reducing the use of hydrofluorocarbons and scaling back subsidies for fossil fuels.
Pricing carbon emissions? Bring it on, some large companies sayLarge companies may be willing to pay for their emissions. Major companies including Walmart, American Electric Power and the five major oil companies have all incorporated carbon emission costs into their financial plans, according to a report by environmental data company CDP.
2015 Corvette to be unveiled at Detroit Auto Show2015 Corvette Z06 could come equipped with a 600-horsepower V-8. Chevy is using the announcement of the 2015 Corvette to steal away some limelight from the 2015 Ford Mustang.
2015 Ford Mustang gets first 4-cylinder engine since 19932015 Ford Mustang is sleeker, crisper, and more modern than the outgoing model, Voelcker writes. The 2015 Ford Mustang will also get its first four-cylinder engine since a 105-horsepower 2.3-liter four was dropped after the 1993 model year.
