Chrysler Group LLC's senior vice president in charge of quality told The Detroit News on Wednesday that changing the company's culture to collectively attack quality problems has been as difficult -- and essential-- as making better cars.
When the official auto show season kicks off next month in Los Angeles, the Volt will play a starring role. This week, at Athens Coney Island, a group of Volt engineers talked about the car and how its development is progressing.
Washington -- Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on Wednesday didn't back off his contention that Chrysler Group LLC won't survive but acknowledged that some unobjective people might not share his view.
The House Financial Services Committee approved an amendment sponsored by Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Twp., on Wednesday that would allow Ford Motor Co. to pursue its application for an industrial loan corporation, or ILC, for its credit unit -- a move that would make it easier to raise funds.
At 101-years-old, Virgil Coffman has a pretty simple philosophy about buying a new car. He has owned nearly 40 cars in his lifetime and recently bought a 400-horsepower, bright yellow Transformers edition Camaro. And yes, he drives it -- and not just to church on Sundays.
Racine, Wis. -- Before the Ford Pinto, AMC Pacer and Chevy Chevette, there was the Edsel. It was a vision of Detroit at its mid-20th century worst, an overhyped, overpriced automotive monstrosity produced by the Ford Motor Co. But in this country, there are many people who love the unloved, especially when the object of their desire packs eight cylinders under the hood.
The Labor Department reported Wednesday that consumer prices for new cars rose 1.6 percent, the largest monthly increase since May 1981. Used cars also saw a price hike of 3.4 percent in October -- their largest increase since September 1980.
The problem with Mercury isn't the brand. Its collective group of vehicles is sedate, understated and pretty nice. The newest member of the lineup, the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid, has high mileage and a quiet ride. It's a fine machine that mixes premium features, quality craftsmanship and user-friendly technology.
Winter weather is around the corner and our roads soon will be wet, icy and potentially hazardous. With that in mind, it's worth considering automotive safety -- how far it has come in recent years, where it is going and how its progress can affect you.
