Archive for November, 2009

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Not-so-shocking admission: Zap kills Xebra, slows development of Alias

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Filed under: Budget, Specialty, Electric

Our sleuthing colleagues over at The Truth About Cars have dissected electric car maker Zap’s latest 10-Q filing, and they unearthed the following little tidbit: “The decrease of $1.5 million (in revenue) is primarily due to the phase out of our three wheeled Xebra vehicle with reduced selling prices.”
We can’t say [...]

REPORT: Audi intent on keeping upcoming A1 premium

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Filed under: Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

Audi A1 Sportback concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

After watching from the sidelines for years as arch-rival BMW found success with the Mini brand, Audi is finally gearing up to jump into the scrum with the new A1. But unlike the Mini One (which slots below the Cooper in [...]

2011 Ford Fiesta gets another early reveal

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

2011 Ford Fiesta Hatchback - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Fiesta Movement, Ford’s campaign to introduce the little global Fiesta car to the U.S. market, kicked off at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year and will end this week during the LA Auto Show with, [...]

Serbian team reportedly in talks to take over Toyota F1

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

Reports of Toyota F1’s demise may prove to have been exaggerated as the latest rumors from the racing world suggest that the Japanese automaker is in discussions with a Serbian outfit about taking over the Cologne-based racing team.
Stefan Grand Prix is backed by Serbian engineering firm AMCO and headed by one Zoran [...]

REPORT: Ratan Tata again confirms hybrid Tata Nano

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Hatchback, India, Tata

Tata Nano - Click above for high-res image gallery

Once again, Tata chairman Ratan Tata has confirmed via the South Korean Maeil Business Newspaper that his company intends to launch a hybrid version of the Nano. While it’s impossible to know for sure, we’d imagine that starting off with [...]

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Filed under: Technology, Autoline on Autoblog
A RADICALLY NEW TYPE OF ENGINE
When oil prices shot over $100 a barrel a year ago, I was inundated with press releases from inventors claiming they had an engine that would solve the energy crisis. In most cases, I simply deleted each release and went on with my work. You [...]

Saab, Swedish gov’t in Detroit to discuss brand’s future

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Filed under: Government/Legal, Saab
Don’t write off Saab just yet. While last week’s announcement that Koenigsegg Automotive AB had pulled its offer for the homeless brand was a painful kick to the gut, it seems there are still a few companies interested in taking the automaker under its wings. With that in mind, and interested in [...]

Flight of the Alcador: Franco Sbarro unveils Ferrari Testarossa-based Lista Office in Essen

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari

Sbarro Lista Office - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you thought that last remaining piece of lasagna at the food court looked iffy, remember that’s not even the most suspicious concoction to bear the Sbarro banner. Franco Sbarro rivals even his fellow [...]

Cambodian reportedly develops ‘telepathic’ new car

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Filed under: Etc.

Cambodia is known for a few things - such as the amazing ancient ruins in Angkor Wat and an over-abundance of scooters and three-wheeled Tuk Tuks - but a real-life automobile industry is most definitely not one of them. Not yet, at least. While current transportation choices are mostly imported from Vietnam and [...]

REPORT: Renault and Russia come to agreement on AvtoVAZ

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Filed under: Earnings/Financials, Renault, Russia

Renault has found a way to appease Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin that didn’t involve writing a check for $850 million. The French company took a 25% stake in Russian carmaker Avtovaz, and when Avtovaz started having a hard time of it earlier this year Renault looked content to see how [...]

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