Auto Briefs
Brand perception up for automakers; Mopar celebrates 75 years
Brand perception up for most car makes More auto brands scored near the top of Consumer Reports' annual Car-Brand Perception Survey than in recent years. The survey measures how...
New safety technology may become standard; fuel-price outlook
An illustration of Ford's "intelligent vehicle" program, in which cars would communicate. (Ford) Car-to-car communication may become standard The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently announced it will decide next...
Concept car: Lexus LF-LC coupe hybrid embodies dramatic design
(Toyota) Lexus LF-LC This performance coupe hybrid won the Eyes on Design award at its debut at the Detroit auto show last month. A long hood, dramatic spindle grille and...
Saab classics go to auction; China's auto sales lose steam
(Saab) Up for sale: Saab's heritage collection More than 100 Saabs, from a 1947 Ursaab prototype to a 2010 9-5 sedan, are to be taken from the company's museum in...
Concept car: Latest NSX is a stunning supercar
(Honda) Acura NSX A new hybrid version of the NSX supercar debuted at the Detroit auto show to raves earlier this month. A V-6 engine mated with a pair of...
Detroit auto show a hit; Toyota electronics cleared
Show visitors play in a Mercedes-Benz E350. (The Associated Press) Detroit auto show attendance spikes It wasn't a record, but the 770,932 people who attended the North American International Auto...
Average car age hits record; More auto jobs expected in U.S.
Average car age hits record of 10.8 years The average age of a car or truck in the U.S. hit a record 10.8 years in 2011 as eco- nomic worries...
Concept car: Nissan adds Nismo sportiness to Juke
(Nissan) Nissan Juke Nismo This race-car-inspired take on the Juke debuted at the Tokyo auto show in November. It gets Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels and more aerodynamic front and rear...
Autoweek's picks for best of Detroit show
Clockwise from top left: Ford Fusion, Dodge Dart, Porsche 911 Cabriolet, Acura NSX. Autoweek's editors have named their top picks from the Detroit auto show, which wraps on Jan. 22....
Detroit auto show heavy with hybrids, electric cars
The 2013 Toyota Prius c debuted at the show. (The Associated Press) New hybrids and electric vehicles continue to roll out at the Detroit auto show, which opened to the...
Concept car: VW Cross Coupe is sign of things to come
(Volkswagen) Volkswagen Cross Coupe This four-door "coupe" debuted at the Tokyo auto show in November. It previews the look and underpinning of VW's next generation of crossover vehicle, with a...
Top-selling autos, brands and companies in US for 2011
Ford was the second-best-selling company and the top-selling brand, and had the top-selling model in 2011 with the F-Series truck. (Ford) The top companies, brands and models by sales for...
New challenger for world's cheapest car; Ford hits sales mark
(The Associated Press) New car could vie for world's cheapest In the race to make the world's cheapest car, Indian company Tata Motors might soon lose its No. 1 status...
Concept car: Mazda Takeri turns heads in Tokyo
(Mazda) This compact sedan debuted to strong praise at the Tokyo auto show in December. It continues Mazda's Kodo design language and is an indicator of the look of the...
2011 sees auto-sales rebound; Super Bowl ads plum with cars
(The Associated Press) 2011 auto-sales totals top previous years Americans bought more cars and trucks last year, inspired by easier credit, an improved economy and the desire to replace aging...
Car ads some of year's best; an auto artist dies at 84
(Volkswagen) Best 2011 auto ads led by VW, Chrysler If TV-ad quality is any indication of coming sales, Volkswagen and Chrysler have a lot to look forward to. Their ads...
Concept car: Suzuki Q EV is short, cute and quirky
(Suzuki) This cutesy electric vehicle that's a mere 98 inches long debuted at the Tokyo auto show this month. The seating can be configured to seat two adults in tandem,...
New releases slated for Detroit show; Toyota's comeback bid
(Acura) Acura, Buick set to unveil new designs Acura and Buick will debut two all-new vehicles at the Detroit auto show next month. Acura is introducing a sedan intended for...
Holiday travel is up again; safety picks reach record number
(Archive photo) Holiday travel up for third straight year U.S. travel during the Christmas and New Year's holiday weekends is expected to increase 1.4 percent from 2010 to the highest...
Concept car: Honda EV-STER is a high-tech electric coupe
(Honda) This electric rear-wheel-drive roadster, which debuted at the Tokyo auto show this month, has a range of about 100 miles and a top speed of 99 mph. The two-seater...
Big Three make gains; Americans break record for gas spending
(The Associated Press) Detroit carmakers all gain market share This year, for the first time since 1988, all three Detroit automakers have gained market share in the U.S. Through November,...
Top picks out of Tokyo; traffic deaths drop to 60-year low
Autoweek's top picks from Tokyo auto show Autoweek's editors have named their picks for the best of the Tokyo auto show, which wrapped last week. The winners: Most Fun:...
Concept car: Toyota Boshoku T-Brain is a wonder
(The Associated Press) This four-seat wagon design study grabbed attention at the Tokyo auto show, which wrapped on Dec. 11. Totoya Boshoku is a Japanese auto-parts supplier. — NWautos staff...
Car and Driver's top picks for 2012; young drivers still texting
(Ford) Car and Driver names its 10 best for 2012 Car and Driver magazine has named its top 10 cars for 2012. All cars are priced under $80,000, are all-new...
Volt is tops in customer satisfaction; Dodge Dart name returns
(General Motors) Volt owners report highest satisfaction Chevrolet Volt buyers are the most satisfied car owners in the U.S., according to the latest owner-satisfaction survey from Consumer Reports. Ninety-three percent...
Concept Car: Subaru BRZ shows automaker's sportier side
(Subaru) The STI version of the BRZ concept debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show last month. The performance car has a sporty suspension setup, Brembo brakes and carbon-fiber parts...
Auto jobs expected to increase; November's top-selling autos
Autoworkers assemble the body of a Ford F-150 at a Ford plant in Michigan. (Paul Sancya / The Associated Press) Auto jobs expected to jump in next few years Employment...
VW may be top car seller this year; Hybrid drivers safer
Volkswagen logos sit in a production line at the company's headquarters in Germany. (Fabian Bimmer / The Associated Press) VW may take world's No. 1 title this year Some forecasters...
Find parking and enter to win theater tickets at e-Park
The Seattle Department of Transportation's e-Park division is giving away theater tickets to four different downtown shows. Two tickets will be awarded per winner to The 5th Avenue Theatre's "Cinderella"...
Concept Car: Beetle gets a macho makeover with the R
(Volkswagen) The Volkswagen Beetle gets a macho makeover with the R concept. Engine specifics weren't released at its debut at the Frankfurt auto show in September, but it's likely to...
Toy Run comes to raceway; design concept scales walls
Car show to double as toy donation site On Sunday, Pacific Raceways will turn into a huge toy-collection site as car clubs and enthusiasts participate in the Northwest Toy Run...
Audi A7 wins awards; Toyota and Lexus keep resale value
(Audi) Audi picks up two awards for all-new A7 The Audi A7 has racked up two 2012 awards, being named Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year and Motor Press Guild...
Escape makeover debut; Passat Car of the Year
(The Associated Press) Escape makeover debuts at LA show Ford unveiled its redesigned Escape at the on-going Los Angeles Auto Show, transforming it from a five-passenger SUV into a sloping...
Concept Car: Citroën Tubik goes back to the future
(Citroën) This nine-person "executive shuttle" debuted at the Frankfurt auto show in September. A single gull-wing door opens the cabin, which features violet modular lounge seats and a driver's cockpit....
Ford's new front seat, luxury car event
Seat engineer Mike Kolich shows off the inner structure of Ford's new global seat. (Ford) New seats for Ford cars around the world When it goes on sale next...
MyFordTouch upgrades and Honda Civic refresh
The new MyFordTouch navigation system. (Ford) MyFordTouch system getting upgrades Ford is improving its onboard infotainment system, MyFordTouch, for the 2013 model year. Customers with earlier versions of the...
Concept Car: Kia GT rear-wheel-drive sports car
Kia This rear-wheel-drive sports car was unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show in September. It's Kia's attempt to go up-market with a V-6 engine producing 389 horsepower. Aggressive exterior styling...
Evoque nabs best of 2012 awards; first month is risky for new drivers
(Land Rover) Evoque nabs two best of 2012 awards The new Range Rover Evoque (shown) was recently named Motor Trend's 2012 Sport/Utility of the Year. The small SUV was designed...
Kick-start tailgate control and top-selling autos in October
photo credit: Ford Kick of the foot to open tailgates, trucks Ford will introduce its "gesture-based" tailgate control on the redesigned 2013 Escape SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show...
Concept Car: Land Rover DC100 Sport convertible SUV
Land Rover This convertible SUV was unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show in September. It's an open-air version of the DC100, which is likely to come out in 2015 as...
Best of 2012 short list announced, for-profit red-light cameras criticized
(Volkswagen) Best of 2012 field pared to two dozen The North American Car and Truck of the Year jury has announced its short list of 24 vehicles up for its...
Scion ranks tops for reliability; Honda and Toyota up sales incentives
(Toyota) CR reliability survey puts Scion on top Consumer Reports has issued its 2011 ranking of vehicle brands' overall reliability, based on responses from the owners of 1.3 million vehicles...
Concept Car: Mercedes-Benz F 125! Offers a glimpse of the future
(Mercedes-Benz) This look at what autos may look like in the year 2025 was unveiled at the Frankfurt auto show in September. In that year, the F125 would travel more...
GM to sell midsize pickup and facilitate owner rentals
(General Motors) Chevy to sell midsize pickup in the US General Motors will build and sell the redesigned Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup truck in the U.S., the company recently announced....
Concept Car: Volvo Concept You is a tech-savvy luxury vehicle
(Volvo) This four-door fastback, which debuted at the Frankfurt auto show last month, is already scheduled for production. It features suicide doors and a sleek exterior in a move to...
Neiman Marcus picks Ferrari for catalog; car sales growth predicted for 2012
(Neiman Marcus) Neiman Marcus picks Ferrari for catalog An exclusive edition of the 2012 Ferrari FF, which reaches top speeds of more than 200 mph, is the car featured in...
Toyota backs Camry with big ad money; Cadillac takes a 'Cue' from smartphones
(Toyota) Toyota putting big ad dollars behind Camry Toyota is spending an estimated $175 million in what it is calling its largest-ever marketing campaign to promote the 2012 version of...
1884 steam vehicle sells for $4.62 million; Brotherton dealership reopens
(The Associated Press) 1884 steam vehicle sells for $4.62 million An 1884 French-built steam runabout, billed as the world's oldest running family car, sold in Hershey, Pa., for $4.62 million...
Concept Car: Fisker Surf e-sports car/station wagon
(Fisker) This electric sports car/station wagon from the maker of the Karma all-electric vehicle debuted at the Frankfurt auto show last month. It adds extra, flexible load-carrying capability to the...
White is the new silver, Jaguar wins Autoweek's Best in Show
(Kia) White bests silver as 2011's top auto color White has passed silver as the world's most popular car color, according to an annual survey by paint maker PPG Industries....
Mercedes name on Superdome, September's top sellers, Fiat staying in Italy
(The Associated Press) Mercedes name to be on first US stadium The home of the New Orleans Saints and site of six Super Bowls will be renamed the Mercedes-Benz Superdome...
Concept Car: The Jaguar C-X16 shows the future of technology
This two-door, rear-wheel drive sports car shows the future of Jaguar design and technology. It's powered by a supercharged V-6 that produces 375 horsepower. The push of a steering-wheel...
Center air bags for GM, and used-car scam warning signs
(General Motors) GM to install center air bags in crossovers General Motors will install a center air bag on three of its models next year to better protect drivers and...
New car laws for Cuba, how to avoid flooded cars
(The Associated Press) Cuban streets may get less 'American' Cuban streets may get a new look as the country recently legalized the sale and purchase of automobiles for all citizens....
Concept Car: Bentley Mulsanne Executive Interior
(Bentley) This interior concept debuted at the Frankfurt auto show last month. The ultra-luxurious cabin includes two iPad workstations, a 15.6-inch LED television, fold-down backseat tables, multi-directional lighting, USB connectors...
NADAguides ' top buys, new Infiniti's Mercedes-Benz base
(General Motors) NADAguides names top new-model buys NADAguides has announced its Top Recommended Current Buys for the quarter, based on depreciation value, current incentives and rebates, warranty, assistance services and...
Most-stolen motorcycles and wheelchair-ready vehicle
(Honda) Honda tops list of most-stolen motorcycles Motorcycle thefts dropped by 24 percent from 2007 to 2010, the National Insurance Crime Bureau recently reported. There were 65,678 motorcycles reported stolen...
Concept Car: Ultra-light Audi Urban Concept
(Audi) This ultra-light concept debuted at the Frankfurt auto show this month. The two-seater combines elements of a race car and an urban car, and is intended to be fun...
Fiat Doblo coming to America, new 911 Carrera, trucker cellphone ban
(Fiat) Fiat bringing Doblo small van to US Fiat plans to sell its Doblo small van in the U.S. and Canada starting in 2013. The Italian automaker says the Doblo...
Record fuel spending, Lamborghini supercars and Alfa Romeo's return delay
(The Associated Press) US drivers facing record fuel spending U.S. motorists are on pace to spend $491 billion for gasoline this year, the most ever. The average high for the...
Concept Car: Ford Evos reveals a glimpse of Ford's future
(Ford) This concept reveals the new face and future look for the Ford brand. The sleek, edgy plug-in hybrid debuted at the Frankfurt auto show last week. The four gullwing...
More affordable GM luxury car, increasing car sales, and gas prices
(General Motors) GM sets price for new luxury car on low end General Motors will price its newest luxury compact, the Buick Verano, on the low end of its class,...
Compact cars improve, Fiat may move production to US and GM's Lutz is back
(Honda) Civic, Elantra top Kelley compact test Compact cars available in the U.S. are all significantly better, more fuel-efficient and more pleasant to drive than they were five years ago,...
Concept Car: BMW i8 and i3 electric cars are coming in 2013
(BMW) Although labeled concepts, the i8 and i3 are already slated for production in 2013. The i8 (shown, top) is a plug-in hybrid sport coupe that will carry a six-figure...
End of the line for Ford cop car; car auctions set world record
(Ford) Last of Ford's iconic cop cars rolls off line The last Crown Victoria -- the no-nonsense police car that has made motorists straighten up and drive attentively for more...
Maserati SUV to be made in Detroit; August's top auto sellers
(Maserati) Maserati SUV to be made in Detroit Fiat's Maserati is betting that Italian luxury can also be a made-in-Detroit SUV. The elite car brand, based in Italy, plans to...
Concept Car: The Infiniti JX seven-seat luxury crossover
(Infiniti) This three-row luxury crossover debuted at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August. The seven-seater features a second row that slides five and a half inches for easier access....
Thieves love Escalades, US drivers stay home, auto dealerships see gain
(General Motors) Escalade tops list of vehicles thieves love The Cadillac Escalade luxury SUV is the vehicle most likely to be targeted by thieves, according to the Highway Loss Data...
More Camry for less, seven-seat VW SUV and GM support of King memorial
Akio Toyoda, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, unveils the 2012 Camry at the Toyota plant in Kentucky, Aug. 23. (David Perry / The Associated Press) New Camry adds...
Concept Car: Scion FR-S rear-wheel drive sports coupe
(The Associated Press) This rear-wheel-drive sports car was unveiled at the New York auto show in April. Part of the joint venture between Toyota and Subaru, the FR-S was inspired...
Vista roofs soar, Portland gets 'Electric Avenue' and Focus gets game
(Ford) Drivers want sun, but not convertibles Auto buyers are trading the open air for high-tech glass. Ford says sales of vehicles with "vista" or "panoramic" roofs are soaring. The...
Toyota satisfies, Honda leads Web, and Fiat joins Gucci for high-fashion 500
(The Associated Press) Toyota brands lead in satisfaction survey Improved customer satisfaction with Japanese automakers helped boost the auto industry's overall score by 1.2 percent in the American Customer Satisfaction...
Concept Car: Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class is all class
(Mercedes-Benz) This three-door hatchback debuted at the Shanghai and New York auto shows in April is expected to go into production worldwide. It features an elaborate pinwork grille, elongated headlights...
Seniors buy domestic, OnStar adds tracking and the Ram goes Wild West
(General Motors) Older Americans still favor domestic brands Americans age 65 and older tend to chose vehicles from brands they grew up with, according to a new study by TrueCar.com,...
Solar option for Electric Focus, increase in value for used cars
(SunPower) Electric Focus buyers can add solar option Ford is teaming with solar provider SunPower to sell a discounted solar energy system in conjunction with the Focus Electric sedan that...
Concept Car: Saab PhoeniX hybrid sports coupe is the future of design
(The Associated Press) This hybrid sports coupe debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The turbocharged all-wheel-drive sports car is the Saab design debut of former Ferrari design head...
Hondas are most-stolen cars, Cadillac to get two new models
(Honda) Hondas lead list of most-stolen cars Thieves are stealing more American vehicles than foreign cars for the first time since 2002, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The...
Free car insurance, Chevy top-sellers and the return of the auto industry
(General Motors) GM testing insurance giveaway in state General Motors is test-marketing a free year of auto insurance as an incentive to buyers in the Northwest, according to the industry...
Concept Car: Bertone B99 Jaguar is a small, classic luxury
(Bertone) The B99, produced by Bertone for the Geneva Motor Show in March, is a proposal for a small, luxury Jaguar that returns to a more classic look. Jaguar did...
Ford scores big in satisfaction; L.A.'s post-red-light-camera cleanup
(The Associated Press) Ford ranks highly in satisfaction survey Porsche topped this year's J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction survey, with Jaguar and BMW coming in second and third. Ford...
Formula One racing returns, Fiat 500 gets Mopar treatment
(Wheelbase Communications) Formula One to return to the US in 2012 The Austin city council has voted overwhelmingly to endorse the return of Formula One racing to America, clearing the...
Concept Car Mazda Minagi
(Mazda) This compact crossover SUV debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and continues Mazda's "Kodo" design language. The style emphasizes sharp details and an aggressive look. The interior...
Volvo 'City Safety' crash system, Fiat majority owner of Chrysler
(Volvo) Study: Volvo crash system successful The "City Safety" automatic braking systems sold in some Volvos could slice the number of low-speed crashes that happen by one-quarter if widely adopted,...
Leaf leads sales, OnStar now available for non-GM cars
(Nissan) Leaf leading Volt in sales; will raise price Nissan is charging ahead in electric vehicle sales, selling 4,134 of its battery-powered Leafs so far this year. Chevrolet, by comparison,...
Concept Car: Nissan Esflow is a fast electric sports car
(Nissan) This electric sports car debuted at the Geneva Auto Show in March. It's powered by an electric motor on each rear wheel, taking it from zero to 60 mph...
Ford's live phone operators, Prince Albert's custom Lexus
(Ford) Ford testing operator support for Sync Ford is taking a page from General Motors' OnStar system by testing live phone operators to help customers looking for directions to a...
Ford supports phone ban, VW sales up, local Ford dealership on TV
(NWautos archive) Ford endorses ban on phone use in cars Ford has come out in support of congressional legislation that would institute a nationwide ban on motorists using hand-held cellphones...
Concept Car: GMC Sierra All Terrain HD is built for off-roading
(GMC) This large, lifestyle truck may be a precursor to the next generation 1500 Sierra. It's built for off-roading -- with knobby 35-inch tires and a swing-down exit step --...
Gen Y prefers foreign cars, auto jobs on the rise
(Toyota) Foreign brands most popular for Gen Y Millennials showed a distinct preference for Asian autos in 2009 and 2010, according to a new study by TrueCar.com, an auto data...
Highest parking rates, June's top sellers and local Chevy show
(Thinkstock) NYC, London parkers fork out top rates It's not just Manhattan apartments that are expensive -- so are the parking spaces. An annual survey of parking rates finds that...
Concept Car: Mini Paceman crossover is not so mini
(Mini) This not-so-mini Mini was unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January. The crossover coupe is expected to go into production, although not until after the coupe and roadster...
Camry is 'most-American' car, Land Rover revamp starts with new SUV
(Toyota) Camry remains atop 'most-American' list The Toyota Camry (shown) took the top spot for the third-consecutive year in Cars.com's American Made Index. The list is based on percentage of...
Concept Car: The Prius C is the most fuel-efficient non-plug-in hybrid
(The Associated Press) The Prius C, unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January, is Toyota's small, urban hybrid option. It's expected to come to market in 2012, affordably priced...
Jaguar and Fiat 500 win honors, Nevada gets Google's driverless cars
(Jaguar) Jaguar supercar nabs top concept awards The high-performance Jaguar C-X75 received top honors at the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards, winning Concept Car of the Year...
Foreign cars lead in quality rankings; Ford plans new Lincoln models
(Toyota) Foreign cars head up quality rankings New cars and trucks made by foreign-based automakers dominated the J.D. Power and Associates quality rankings. The survey asked drivers about problem with...
Ford boosts fonts and adds new seat belts, Kia scores Blake Griffin
Ford's inflatable seat belts have an air bag sewn in. They are an option in the Explorer. (Ford) Ford to boost fonts, expand new seat belts Ford plans to use...
Concept Car: Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec is all decked out
(The Associated Press) Chevy put all of its favorite factory and after-market accessories on this Sonic variation for the Detroit auto show in January. It features a rear spoiler, 18-inch...
Cars in demand, GM Sonic pricing and Gran Turismo racer
(Ford) Top selling cars that are hardest to find NADAguides has complied a list of the most in-demand vehicles -- cars that have had high sales but have limited availability...
Concept Car: Kia KV7 is an 'activity van'
(The Associated Press) Kia's boxy design sensibility continues with this "activity van," which debuted at the Detroit auto show in January. The SUV-like minivan features a passenger-side gullwing door for...
Consumer Reports' fuel efficiency picks, free Ford music event
(Volkswagen) Consumer Reports' picks for fuel sippers Consumer Reports recently conducted real-world testing to determine the best new cars for fuel efficiency. The recommended models also had to meet the...
SUV safety surge and Cadillac makeovers
(The Associated Press) Report: Safety surges for SUV drivers Drivers of SUVs are among the least likely to die in a crash thanks mainly to the addition of electronic stability...
New Ford C-Max, Royal Rolls-Royce, 2012 VW Beetle and 'Transformers'
(Ford) New Ford C-Max van will be hybrid only Ford will sell a hybrid-only minivan in the U.S. next year in a bid to challenge Toyota's hybrid dominance. The five-passenger...
Concept Car: Hyundai Curb is a high-tech crossover
(Hyundai) This compact crossover is aimed at young urban drivers and features a rugged exterior that includes a pop-up roof rack and pull-out bike rack. The high-tech interior features touch...
Chrysler small pickup and classic cars that won't break the bank
(Chrysler) New Chrysler small pickup is in the works Chrysler is making progress toward a new "lifestyle" pickup for the Ram brand to replace the soon-to-be-retired Dodge Dakota. The Dakota,...
Concept car: Porsche 918 RSR is a Spyder racecar
(The Associated Press) This racecar version of the company's 918 Spyder Concept debuted at the Detroit auto show in January. It will have 767 horsepower that comes from a 6.2-liter...
Top fuel-efficient vehicles, May's best sellers and Mazda production
(Mitsubishi) Most fuel-efficient vehicles NADAguides has compiled the most fuel-efficient 2011 vehicles in each segment based on combined mpg ratings. The top models: Crossover: Kia Sorento two-wheel-drive four-door I4 LX...
Small car safety, fuel economy labels and NYC taxi horns
The Nissan Leaf was named a Top Safety Pick after its crash test. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Small cars make big strides in safety tests Small cars are getting...
Save on car maintenance
Some online deals to save on car maintenance According to AAA, it will cost drivers in an urban area $6,758 to $11,239 to own and operate their vehicles in...
Concept Car: Ford Vertrek has an EcoBoost engine
(Ford) This compact crossover, set to replace the Escape, debuted at the Detroit auto show in January. It is scheduled for production in 2012, complete with a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine...
Ferrari hatchback and in-car health apps for Ford
(New York Times News Service) A new Ferrari that's fit for a baby seat Ferrari is looking to get a bit practical with -- brace yourself -- a hatchback. Mind...
Concept Car: Toyota RAV4 EV is a second-generation e-car
(Toyota) The second generation of the electric RAV4 is a collaboration between Toyota and Tesla Motors. It gets about 100 miles on a charge and is expected to go on...
New car sales on the rebound; less holiday travel by car
Dealerships, like this Ford showroom in Vermont, can expect more customers in the next two years. (Toby Talbot / The Associated Press) Study: new car sales to jump by 2013...
Best buys for 2011 and Google's driverless cars
(Kia) NADAguides names Best Buys for 2011 NADAguides, an online provider of vehicle pricing and information, has named its Best Car Buys for 2011. Vehicles were scored on price, first...
Seattle's first Airstream dealership; Toyota rebound
(Airstream) Seattle gets first Airstream dealership Seattleites interested in one of Airstream's iconic silver trailers no longer have to travel to Spokane or Portland to find a dealer. The Seattle...
Concept Car: Cub Cadet Volunteer VTX utility concept is a transformer
(Cub Cadet) Cub Cadet, a maker of outdoor power equipment, debuted its utility vehicle concept at the SEMA show in November. Designed for use in areas such as municipal work,...
Small car supply dwindling; vote to choose which charity wins a Toyota
Ford has just 31 days worth of the Fiesta, the most popular subcompact last month. (Ford) Small cars hot, but getting hard to find Shoppers looking for small cars may...
Minivan taxicabs for NYC; overhaul for Ford Taurus
The Nissan NV200 was selected to be the new fleet taxi for New York City. (Nissan) Next NYC taxis will be Nissan minivans A boxy minivan made by Nissan will...
Concept Car: Nissan New Mobility is a mini e-car
(Nissan) This electric two-seater has a range of 62 miles on a charge, and a maximum speed of 47 mph. The EV system was developed by alliance partner Renault, and...
Sunscreen while driving; Ford F-Series leads sales
(Thinkstock) Think SPF on those sunny driving days If you spend long hours driving, especially during daylight hours, sunscreen may be a good idea. Most car manufacturers install laminated windshields...
GM expands military discount; laser spark plugs in the future
GM Military Discount expanded this month Chevrolet will honor National Military Appreciation Month by expanding the GM Military Discount to military spouses and retirees this month. The discount is...
Concept Car: Subaru Impreza is a four-door coupe
(Subaru) This design concept, which debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, hints at future styling trends for Subaru vehicles. The "four-door coupe" style is intended to be...
Seattle among top 10 for worst traffic; stars for cars at auto show
(Linda Hughes) Traffic woes earn Seattle spot in top 10 Seattle ranked among the 10 most traffic congested in the U.S. in 2010, according to INRIX, a provider of traffic...
Concept Car: Honda Fit EV has an electric motor and its own remote
Using the same five-passenger layout of the Fit hatchback, this EV concept adds the electric motor from the FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle. It comes with a remote that drivers...
Dr. Dre in Chrysler ads; Corvette's Centennial Edition
Dr. Dre among celebs in Chrysler campaign After making a splash with its Super Bowl ad showcasing rapper Eminem, Chrysler plans to keep its urban music theme going with...
Yao Ming backs BMW e-car; Jeep Grand Cherokee is a NW favorite
(Andy Wong / The Associated Press) Yao Ming backs BMW at show in Shanghai BMW got a little help from Chinese basketball star Yao Ming (pictured at right) to launch...
Chrysler credit card offers discounts; Ford leads in loyalty
(Chrysler) Chrysler credit card can bring discounts Chrysler Group has teamed up with a Nebraska bank to offer a credit card that earns points that can bring cash discounts on...
Concept car: Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept
(The Associated Press) Cadillac unveiled its compact design study at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The aim was to create a luxury auto for urbanites while still seating...
Olympia driver named Highway Hero; e-car safety for emergency crews
(Goodyear) Olympia truck driver named Highway Hero Olympia truck driver Tilden Curl -- who helped save the lives of two people in a car that had come to a stop...
Concept car: Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, the first convertible crossover
(Nissan) Billed as the world's first convertible crossover, this all-wheel-drive vehicle is slated for sale as early as this year. It has a soft top, two doors and four seats....
Area Volkswagen tech up for world title; pickups top sales
From left, Dan Planz, head of technical training for Volkswagen of America, congratulates technician Scott Roberts. (Byron Sprague) Area Volkswagen tech to vie for world title Scott Roberts, a master...
Tesla with 300-mile range; Nissans with luxurious details
The Tesla will be able to travel 300 miles on a single charge. (Tesla) Tesla to release electric car with 300-mile range Electric-car maker Tesla Motors Inc. plans to offer...
Concept Car: The tiny Kia POP electric is big on style
Inspired by lightweight, aerodynamic items such as gliders and high-tech bicycles, this tiny three-seater made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. It can...
Diagnostic kit gives your car a checkup; Volvo slims its lineup
(Wheelbase Communications) Give your car a checkup It used to be that only trained automotive technicians could determine the cause of the "check engine" light. Now you can diagnose just...
Lincoln is tops in dependability, electric cars go slow in Hawaii
The 2011 Lincoln MKS is among the Lincoln offerings that rank No. 1 in a dependability study. (Ford) Lincoln ranks No. 1 in dependability study Lincoln took the top spot...
Porsche's Spyder hybrid to sell for $845K; Gary Busey's voice on your GPS
(Porsche) Porsche prices limited-edition Spyder hybrid at $845K Porsche will sell the 918 Spyder hybrid sports car, its most expensive model ever, for $845,000 in North America and limit...
Concept Car: Mazda Shinari has a bold new look
(Mazda) This four-door, four-seat concept coupe features Mazda's new global design language, KODO, or "Soul of Motion." The design is intended to be graceful and carefree yet powerful, and signals...
Mapping safest highway routes online; gas-saving gadget for idling cars
Find sites for fatal crashes on saferoadmaps.org. (saferoadmaps.org) Road trip? Plotting safe routes online Savvy trip planners may soon be able to add another feature to their itinerary: the safest...
Fiesta is a top safety pick; first street-legal Pagani coming to US
(Ford) Fiesta earns top crash-test safety ratings worldwide Ford says its Fiesta is the first car in the subcompact segment to earn top crash-test ratings in each of the world's...
Concept Car: Saab's first electric vehicle, the ePower Concept
(Saab) Saab's first electric vehicle debuted at the Paris Auto Show in October. The wagon is projected to get 124 miles on a charge via high-density lithium-ion batteries. The car...
Bremerton Motorsports Park move; Chevrolet Suburban top family car
The current park must move to make way for a Port of Bremerton road project. (Ken Todd Photos) Bremerton Motorsports Park may grow to 250 acres A lease agreement between...
Concept Car: Nissan Ellure has stylish allure
Nissan unveiled this hybrid sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Although it is unlikely to see production, it could show the styling direction for Nissan's future...
Hot rides of 1986 now considered antiques; plus, February's top-sellers
The 1986 Ford Taurus is now considered an antique. (Ford) Hot rides of 1986 now considered antiques If anything reminds us of the passage of time, it is the latest...
Poll on jaywalking tickets; Ford and Sollers to partner in Russia
(Thinkstock) Pemco poll: Jaywalkers deserve to be ticketed Seventy percent of Washington drivers polled by Pemco Insurance agree that pedestrians who jaywalk should be ticketed. While a significant majority of...
AAA names safety and efficiency picks; no more car cassette decks
(Ford) AAA names its safety, efficiency favorites Every two years, AAA offers its pick of innovative technologies designed to improve safety, increase performance and reduce the environmental impact of new...
Concept Car: Opel GTC Paris is an 'achievable dream car'
(Opel) This sports hatchback debuted at the Paris Auto Show in October as an "achievable dream car." The three-door with room for five runs on a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine...
GM scholarships and Quest minivan as mom-mobile
(Millennial Media) GM's $4.5 million scholarship program to help 1,100 students General Motors is helping students, particularly disadvantaged ones, through a $4.5 million scholarship program. Buick Achievers Scholarships offer $2,000...
Ford moves into start-stop technology; a Bentley for Bond in new book
(Wheelbase Communications) Ford about to move into start-stop technology Engine shutoff technology has been big in Europe for years but Ford will soon be offering it in the U.S. Start-stop...
Concept Car: Audi e-tron Spyder is a powerful plug-in
This convertible sports car debuted at the Paris Auto Show in October, and is believed to be a preview of a forthcoming production model. Using Audi's plug-in hybrid technology,...
Car-care seminars for women, US a hub for BMW SUV exports
(ACDelco) Car-care seminars, booklet aids women "Knowledge is Power," a new ACDelco program for women, helps readers ask the right questions about vehicle maintenance. A free booklet can be downloaded...
Concept Car: BMW 6 Series is wider, lower
(BMW) BMW unveiled the direction of its next-generation 6 Series at the Paris Motor Show in October. The coupe has a wider, lower, sculpted body and is said to be...
Everett dealer a finalist for award and Italian supercar coming to U.S.
Buzz Rodland (Toyota-Scion) Everett dealer a finalist for Time Dealer of the Year award Buzz Rodland, president and general manager of Rodland Toyota-Scion in Everett, accepted his award for regional...
Latest Camaro ups horsepower race; more emotional ads for Chrysler
(The Associated Press) Latest Camaro ups the horsepower race The pony race continues to heat up as Chevrolet unveiled its Camaro ZL1, equipped with a supercharged V-8 engine, last week...
Concept Car: The tiny Lotus City Car is designed to be electric
(Lotus) Lotus unveiled several concepts at the Paris Motor Show in October, most of which were the sportscars the brand is known for. This tiny three-door hatchback is a departure,...
Fiat 500 pricing, 'Motorweek' picks and lowrider legend
(Fiat) Fiat 500 will feature no-haggle pricing Chrysler wants dealers to avoid haggling with shoppers over the price of the Fiat 500 when reintroducing the brand to America, betting that...
Carpool rates declining; VW may bring back Phaeton and Scirocco
(Thinkstock) Census: carpool rates decline over decades The percentage of workers who carpool has dropped by almost half since 1980, the first time the Census Bureau started systematically tracking the...
Red light cameras save lives and January sales are strong
(Sean O'Connor / Special to NWautos) Study finds red light cameras cut fatalities Red light cameras reduced the rate of fatal crashes by 24 percent in 14 large cities that...
Concept Car: Visteon C-Beyond features a carful of technology
(Visteon) Visteon, an automotive supplier of climate, interior, electronic and lighting products, created this concept for October's Paris Auto Show. It features more than 40 of the company's technologies, including...
Toyota and GM sales, Nissan's new NV van and Detroit Auto Show crowds
(The Associated Press) Toyota, GM battle for tops in global sales Toyota sold 8.42 million vehicles globally in 2010, narrowly remaining the world's top automaker ahead of General Motors. GM...
Concept Car: Infiniti IPL G Convertible packs power and style
(Infiniti) This aerodynamic convertible debuted at the Paris Auto Show in October. It features a V6 engine, a three-piece retractable hardtop and a dramatic red leather interior. It adds to...
Super Bowl commercials, low auto loan rates and Toyota quality offices
A still from Chevy's Super Bowl ad. (General Motors) Car ads will be racing through Super Bowl The automotive industry is expected to buy the most commercial time of any...
Distracted driving, Chevy sales, first female GM product development head
(Archive) Distracted driving agenda will continue Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he will keep distracted driving at the top of his agenda despite critics who say the department should focus...
Concept Car: Audi Quattro named best concept
(Audi) Named best concept at the Paris Motor Show by AutoWeek, this 408 horsepower compact coupe was recently green lighted for limited production. It was built to celebrate 30 years...
New airbag requirements, Ford Touch training, Gen Y wants high-tech cars
(General Motors) Stronger side air bags required by 2018 New cars and trucks will need to have larger and stronger side air bags to prevent motorists from being tossed out...
Charging stations on Highway 2, OnStar expansion and high Rolls sales
(The Associated Press) Charging stations planned for Hwy. 2 Washington state plans to install charging stations along U.S. 2 across the Cascades to allow electric vehicles to travel between western...
Concept Car: Electric Nissan Townpod is quite a concept
(Nissan) Nissan continued its electric car initiative with this multi-use vehicle that it debuted at the Paris Motor Show in October. Designed for small-business owners, it has several interior configurations,...
Honda leads quality survey, seat belt use is up and Porsche is a winner
(Honda) Honda, Ford lead in auto quality survey Honda and Ford took the top spots in the quality category of Consumer Reports' 2011 Car Brand Perception Survey, a look at...
Volt is Car of the Year; locals on reality show; execs' expectations
(General Motors) Volt, Explorer snag top industry awards The Chevrolet Volt (shown at right) was named The North American Car of the Year, beating out two other finalists, the Hyundai...
Concept Car: MINI Scooter is big on style
(MINI) MINI showed three versions of its electric scooter at the Paris Motor Show in October. The three scooters are mechanically identical, but show the individual style owners can impart...
Chevy Camaro outsells Ford Mustang, plus more of 2010's top-sellers
(General Motors) Chevy Camaro takes 2010 muscle car title Ford's Mustang muscle car has lost the sports-car crown it held for 23 years to the Chevrolet Camaro (shown at right)....
Auto sales rise in 2010; companies look to continue improvement
U.S. auto sales picked in the final months of 2010 and car companies expect them to keep climbing this year as the economy recovers and buyers grow more confident.
Rental-cars profits are up; Ford to offer radio limits for teens
(Thinkstock) As biz travel revs up, so do rental-car firms Business travel is coming back, and the airline and hotel industries are reaping the benefits. But a less obvious beneficiary...
Concept Car: Renault DeZir electric sportscar is red-hot
(Renault) (Renault) This ultra-flashy electric sportscar debuted at the Paris Motor Show in October. It has a low, wide body, complete with aluminum sideblades and reverse-hinged butterfly doors. Its French...
Auto complaints accelerate; Allstate rewards safe drivers
(Thinkstock) Auto complaints accelerated last year Driver complaints to federal highway safety regulators soared in 2010, spurred by a slew of Toyota Motor Corp. recalls. The National Highway Traffic Safety...
Ford and Honda inspire loyalty; car sales to increase in 2011
(Ford) Ford, Honda lead in customer loyalty Ford's renaissance won some significant validation recently as it tied with Honda as the top brand for consumer loyalty in the 2010 J.D....
Concept Car: Jaguar C-X75 electric supercar reaches 205 mph
(Jaguar) This electric supercar debuted at the Paris motor show in October and points to the future of Jaguar design. Four electric motors provide 68 miles of pure-electric driving, while...
Insurance Institute safety picks; minivans from Ford and Nissan
(Volkswagen) Insurance Institute safety picks named The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recognized 66 vehicles as winners of their top safety pick award for the 2011 model year. The award...
Chevy's second Motor Trend award; China's BYD electric cars in US
(General Motors) Chevy earns second Motor Trend award The Chevrolet Silverado Heavy-Duty was named the 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, completing a rare same-year sweep of the prestigious...
Holiday travel by car increases, Truck of the Year finalists announced
(Photo archive) Bump in travelers hitting holiday road AAA projects 92.3 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the year-end holidays, an increase of 3.1 percent...
Concept Car: Lotus offers glimpse of the future with five concepts
Clockwise from top: The Elan, Esprit, Eterne, Elise and Elite. (Lotus) Lotus made a stir at the Paris Motor Show in October with five sportscar concepts meant to showcase the...
Rising gas prices and future collector cars
(The Associated Press) Gas prices rising, and end may not be near Despite weak demand in the U.S. and Europe, oil prices climbed last week to near $90 a barrel,...
Concept Car: Pininfarina Nido EV is 80th anniversary car
(Pininfarina) This electric city car is a restyling of the 2004 Nido and a celebration vehicle for the company's 80th anniversary. It has a range of 87 miles and a...
Leaf is European Car of the Year, Chrysler launches new sedans
(Nissan) Europeans name Leaf as Car of the Year The all-electric Nissan Lead was recently named 2011 European Car of the Year, the first time an electric vehicle has won...
Oprah loves the new Beetle; Car and Driver names top picks
Oprah Winfrey revealed the silhouette of the new VW Beetle on her show recently. (Volkswagen) New Beetle an Oprah 'Favorite Thing' Oprah did it again, recently giving away a new...
Concept Car: Citroen Metropolis is a plug-in hybrid luxury sedan
(Citroen) Citroen debuted this large luxury sedan at the Shanghai World Fair in May. Designed in the company's Shanghai design studio, it's intended for a Chinese audience. It runs on...
Bid on the first Chevy Volt; Trucks lead sales
(General Motors) Bidders vying to be first Chevy Volt owner Want to own the first Chevrolet Volt? Bidding for the first one off the line started last week and ends...
Volt wins again; Kia on eBay
(The Associated Press) Volt snags two more best of 2011 awards The Chevrolet Volt has picked up two more major awards: Motor Trend's 2011 Car of the Year and Automobile...
Buick Regal is Car of Year; Subaru tops Kelley Blue Book resale list
(General Motors) NADA names Buick Regal Car of Year NADAguides, a leading provider of vehicle pricing and information, awarded the 2011 Buick Regal its Car of the Year award at...
Concept Car: Volkswagen Milano Taxi is battery-powered
(Volkswagen) VW presented this battery-powered taxi concept at a trade show in Germany in April. Its large curb-side door slides forward and the front passenger seat was removed in favor...
Toyota's electric plans; more IndyCar engines
Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid was shown in Tokyo last week. (Koji Sasahara / The Associated Press) Toyota has big plans for electric vehicles Toyota announced last week it's planning to...
Concept Car: Seat IBE is an electric sports coupe
(Seat) This electric coupe debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The Spanish company gave it a sporty look that is short, low and wide with unusual LED headlights...
Thanksgiving travel up; new Ford Model A museum
(Thinkstock) Thanksgiving travel up sharply this year Auto club AAA and the economic analysis firm IHS Global Insight are projecting that about 42.2 million Americans are traveling at least 50...
Fiat 500 pricing and dealers; the return of the Barracuda
The U.S. version of the Fiat 500 debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week. (The Associated Press) Fiat 500 pricing, dealers announced Fiat announced this week that its...
AAA checklist for winter driving prep
(Thinkstock) AAA recommends the following checks that car owners should do before winter-driving season. Can do at home: __ Check the condition and connections of the battery cables and terminals....
Concept Car: The "Rinspeed UC?" is unique, no question
(Rinspeed) This electric subcompact is an Urban Commuter. You see? Aside from the conceptual name, the UC? is practical -- measuring just 2.6 meters and intended to fit onto European...
End-of-year bargains on car lots, and goodbye Mr. Goodwrench
(The Associated Press) End of year deals expected on car lots Car buyers looking for a bargain may be rewarded this month and next. Automakers are more likely to offer...
Truck sales a good sign for economy; Top October sellers
The Ford F-150 was a top-seller last month. (Ford) Truck sales a good sign for economy Trucks outsold cars by the highest margin in nearly five years in October, a...
Concept Car: Protoscar Lampo2 sportscar has two electric motors
(Protoscar) This electric sports car debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March. It features two electric motors creating the equivalent of 350 horsepower. It has a range of more...
SEMA gives out first 'hottest' vehicle awards; James Bond's Aston Martin sold
(Chevrolet) SEMA gives out first 'hottest' awards The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) gave out its new awards for the Hottest Car, Hottest Truck and Hottest 4X4/SUV at last week's...
Concept Car: 5 By Peugeot is a large luxury hybrid
(Peugeot) This concept, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March, is Peugeot's entry into the large luxury vehicle market. The hybrid system can run on electricity alone for...
Porsche Cayenne is SUV of the year; Consumer Reports picks and driverless vans
(Porsche) Porsche Cayenne nabs SUV of the year Motor Trend has named the Porsche Cayenne its 2011 Sport/Utility of the Year. The magazine uses six criteria to evaluate its contenders:...
Tesla sells electric sportscar in Japan; Fatalities involving teens drop
(The Associated Press) Tesla selling electric sportscar in Japan Tesla, the U.S. maker of electric sportscars, opened its first Asian showroom last week in a fashionable Tokyo neighborhood, hoping to...
Cars to get you in the Halloween mood
1974 Gremlin In honor of Halloween, a Top 10 list of the scariest cars ever, according to TrueCar.com. Too scary to look at Cars that make you scream with fright:...
Concept Car: Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta next-generation spider stretches its legs
(Pininfarina) This concept by Italian design house Pininfarina debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March. It's the company's vision for how the next-generation Alfa spider should look. The two-seater...
Emissions standards for trucks; Porsche Cayman racer
(Thinkstock) Emissions standards for trucks planned Future longhaul trucks, school buses and large pickup trucks will be required to cut fuel consumption and emissions by 10 to 20 percent under...
Ford's online reality show casting coming to Seattle Oct. 27
Ford and the creators of "The Amazing Race" are teaming up to create an online reality show, with five weekly episodes to be streamed on Hulu. Taping for the show...
Christmas Camaros gone in three minutes; NASCAR switches to 'green' gas
(The Associated Press) Christmas Camaros gone in three minutes In just three minutes Tuesday, customers bought all 100 of the special-edition 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertibles offered in the Neiman Marcus...
Concept Car: Citroen DS High Rider hybrid is high-class
(Citroen) This premium three-door crossover debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March as a harbinger of Citroen's DS4 line, which is intended to appeal to luxury car buyers. The...
Prius wagon and plug-in on the way; teen drivers need diverse practice
Toyota plans to release a plug-in Prius, like this one at the Frankfurt Auto Show. (Frank Augstein / The Associated Press) Prius wagon, plug-in expected next year Toyota plans to...
Four-door Smart car to be sold only in US; Buick plans new fuel-efficient compact
(Smart USA) Four-door Smart car will be U.S. exclusive Nissan has partnered with car dealership chain Penske Automotive Group to build a new four-door version of the Smart car. The...
Ford casting for reality show; trucks lead September sales
(Ford) Ford casting for online reality show Ford and the creators of "The Amazing Race" are teaming up to create an online reality show, with five weekly episodes to be...
Concept Car: Chrysler design study offers a glimpse into the future
(Chrysler) This concept pairs the styling of a Lanci Delta with Chrysler badging. Chrysler's new parent company, Fiat, has plans to merge the brands and this may be a first...
Cellphone anti-texting warnings and Jaguar concept car
Anti-texting warning labels coming soon? Coming to your cellphone: a cigarette-style warning label about the dangers of distracted driving? Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood offered the off-the-cuff suggestion last week,...
Concept Car: Peugeot RCZ HYbrid4 pairs an electric motor with a diesel engine
(Peugeot) An electric motor pairs with a diesel engine in this sports car to achieve 64 mpg. The "4" in HYbrid refers to the car's four-wheel drive. A non-hybrid version...
Car of the Year finalists; Sabbs with BMW engines
(Kia) Journalists name Car of the Year finalists General Motors and Nissan cars lead the list of 14 vehicles being considered for the 2011 North American Car of the Year....
Washington buckles up; Chrysler dealers want Fiats
(Thinkstock) Nearly all drivers in the state buckle up An observational survey by the Washington State Patrol last week found that 97.6 percent of state motorists wear their seat belts...
NUMMI plant is now a Tesla factory; Fewer children killed on US highways
(Tesla) NUMMI plant reopens as a Tesla factory The former NUMMI auto plant -- a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota that closed in April -- comes back to...
Concept Car: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Cargo is bigger and better
(Mitsubishi) Based on the same i-MiEV powertrain that's running the production minicar, this concept adds expanded cargo space suitable for a small business or recreational equipment. The electric vehicle has...
New respect for GM from filmmaker; More hybrid sharing possible for Toyota
Chris Paine on set of his documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?" (The Associated Press) New respect for GM from filmmaker Chris Paine, director of the influential documentary "Who Killed...
Favorite car colors by city, free Toyota decals and top picks by cost of ownership
Seattle's color palette according to Ford data. Ford releases favorite car colors by city Last week, Ford released its data on regional preferences for cars. Here are various colors and...
Concept Car: The Mercedes-Benz Brabus Viano Lounge has the techie comforts of home
(Brabus) Brabus interior designers tricked out a Mercedes-Benz van with a huge array of technological gear, such as a 32-inch LCD screen, a laptop and an espresso maker. The company...
OnStar texts and Facebook, Porsche four-door, Japan trip contest, Concours winner
The OnStar Command Center in Detroit. (General Motors) OnStar soon to get texts, Facebook General Motors' OnStar communications unit will begin offering in-car access to Facebook and text messages later...
Tim Allen's voice introduces new Cruze; Car booster seats ranked on safe fit
(General Motors) Familiar voice to introduce new Cruze Buzz Lightyear to the rescue. After more than a year of searching for a new marketing theme, Chevrolet says it has landed...
Concept Car: The Citroen GQ is made for the discerning gentleman
(Citroen) This collaboration between Citroen and men's magazine GQ was intended to create the "ultimate gentleman's drive." The car has classic lines and an interior by a Savile Row tailor....
Pick fuel economy sticker; Mexico on one tank; driving with dogs is distracting
One sticker option, left, uses a grading system, while the other relies on sliding scales. (The Associated Press) Help pick the next fuel economy sticker The Environmental Protection Agency and...
Luxury car sales on the rise; Ford and Chevy trucks lead August sales
The Ferrari 458 Italia costs about $300,000. (Ferrari) Luxury car sales rise in first half of year With the economy improving -- albeit slowly -- the well-heeled are splurging on...
Concept Car: Porsche TechArt Concept One adds a body kit to the Panamera
(TechArt) German tuner company TechArt displayed this design study based on the Porsche Panamera at the Geneva Motor Show in March. It adds a full body kit to the car,...
Refinancing isn't just for home loans; Nissan and Hyundai vie for US sales
(Thinkstock) Refinancing isn't just for home loans It's easy to overlook auto loans with mortgage rates grabbing all the attention. But car buyers who didn't get the best loan terms...
WSU beats UW in license plate registration; crowded roads on Labor Day
(WSU Alumni Association) Based on plates, WSU fans are strongest The Huskies and Cougars start their runs for football domination tomorrow, but Washington State University has already won the race...
Concept Car: Opel Flextreme brings Volt electric drivetrain to a larger vehicle
(Opel) Opel Flextreme GT/E This General Motors line debuted the Flextreme at the Geneva Motor Show in March as an example of how the Volt's electric drivetrain could be used...
Texan donates cars worth $3.5 million; Volkswagen brings back Phaeton
Tony Buzbee is giving away several of his sports cars, including his Mercedes McLaren SLR, worth $525,000. (Jennifer Reynolds / The Associated Press) Texan donates exotic cars worth millions Tony...
Volvo going upscale, says CEO; Concours classics auction appears recession-proof
Stefan Jacoby discusses Volvo's future at a press conference last week. (Bjorn Larsson Rosvall / The Associated Press) Volvo CEO says car line will go upscale Volvo Chief Executive Officer...
Concept Car: Honda Skydeck puts you under the glass ceiling, in a good way
(Honda) This sleek hybrid minivan debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. It features front doors that hinge up and an all-glass roof. Inside, the center-mounted floating seats can...
Search for the oldest Porsche; Bright Idea hybrid commercial vehicle
(Porsche) Porsche celebrates 60 with two contests To celebrate its 60th anniversary in the U.S., Porsche is searching for the oldest Porsche in the country, as well as the oldest...
Lincoln aces test of dealerships; Audi safety technology puts camera on drivers
(Ford) Lincoln aces test of car dealerships A host of mystery shoppers sent to critique dealerships across the country last month gave luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Lexus high...
Concept Car: Lotus Evora Carbon is made with lightweight carbon fiber
(Lotus) This version of the Evora, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March, goes lightweight with its body panels, roof, front splitter and rear diffuser replaced with carbon...
Possible GM lineup additions; Free horsepower upgrades for Ford trucks
(General Motors) Sources: GM considering line-up additions General Motors is studying several possible additions to its vehicle lineup, including a new midsize pickup and a stretched version of its European...
$30-million Bugati goes on display; Trucks lead July sales
(The Associated Press) $30-million Bugatti goes on display If you're dying to see the record-breaking Bugatti that sold in May, now you have a chance. The 1936 beauty that recently...
Most -- and least -- likely vehicles to be stolen; U.S. Honda output tops Japan
(General Motors) Most, least likely vehicles to be stolen The Highway Loss Data Institute, an insurance industry group, has calculated theft claim rates for vehicles from the 2007-2009 model years....
Concept Car: Tesla Eye is easy on the eyes
(Tesla) This concept was designed by students in the Master of Arts in Transportation Design program at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Italy in collaboration with Tesla. The design,...
GM boosts production for Volt; Spokane's Tango out of X Prize running
President Barack Obama looks over the new Chevy Volt last week during a tour of the GM plant in Hamtramck, Mich. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / The Associated Press) GM hikes...
New Ford Explorer tour coming to Seattle, VW head wants more local parts in cars
(The Associated Press) New Explorer tour coming to Seattle Ford's revealed its new Explorer for the first time last week, promising a SUV with seating for seven that has similar...
Ford says aftermarket parts are often inferior; GM expects sales spike in Brazil
(Ford) Ford: Aftermarket parts often inferior A comparison of aftermarket replacement parts for critical safety components such as bumpers and vehicle supports found they often are inferior to parts made...
Concept Car: Hyundai i-Flow diesel hybrid is edgy, with curves
(Hyundai) This concept is said to preview an edgier design aesthetic for the Korean brand, with more dramatic, flowing lines. The diesel-electric hybrid has solar panels on the roof and...
Corvette buyers can build their own engines, U.S. cars lead APEAL study
(The Associated Press) Corvette buyers can build their own engines Corvette owners could soon be revving up an engine they built with their own hands. General Motors recently announced that...
Crash-test dummies join the Smithsonian, Ford Edge uses Mustang engine
(NHTSA) Vince and Larry crash the Smithsonian The crash-test dummies who promoted auto safety for 25 years in public service TV ads are headed to the Smithsonian's National Museum of...
Concept Car: Emas subcompacts are good things in small packages
(Italdesign) Three variations on the subcompact were developed for a Malaysian manufacturer with the aim of optimizing interior space. The Emas is a hatchback with rear seats that are the...
Ford adds curve control to Explorer; Chrysler offers big-money sales incentives
(Thinkstock) Ford adds curve control to Explorer Ford is upgrading the electronic stability control system on its 2011 Ford Explorer to help the SUV perform better if a driver takes...
Adults texting as much as teens; trucks selling well in June
(Thinkstock) Study: Adults texting as much as teens It's not just teenagers. A study recently released by the Pew Center's Internet & American Life Project found that adults are just...
Concept Car: IDEA Institute Sofia pays homage to Sofia Loren
(IDEA Institute) This sedan/sports car was inspired by actress Sofia Loren (and the female form in general), as well as classic Italian sports cars. The concept, which debuted at the...
BMW electric city car; Older drivers crashing less; Flying car in 2011
(BMW) BMW debuts sketch of its electric city car BMW offered a glimpse last week of its Mega City Vehicle, or MCV, an urban electric car that is set to...
WWU team makes final round for X Prize; Last PT Cruiser rolls off the line
(Progressive Automotive X Prize) WWU team another step closer to X Prize The team of students from Western Washington University has made it through to the final rounds of the...
Concept Car: Electric Honda EV-N has a solar roof
(Honda) This super-cute, retro-styled, all-electric city car features swappable seat fabrics, a solar roof and storage for the UX-3 personal scooter in the passenger door. There are no plans to...
Camry is 'most American,' Beetle is most popular with women
(Toyota) Camry tops 'most American' list again For the second year in a row, the Toyota Camry tops the list of the cars deemed "most American" by the editors at...
Survey says gadgets are key to family road trips; German luxury car sales up
(Thinkstock) Survey: Gadgets key to road trips with kids The longest summer drive on average this year will be about 8.5 hours each way, according to a recent survey. The...
Concept Car: Citroen Survolt is a sleek, sexy electric performance vehicle
(Citroen) This neon-laden sportscar shows another side of the company's development of all-electric vehicles. The Revolte concept was an urban vehicle, while the Survolt is a performance car, though details...
South Tacoma Mazda enters the rap game
Just got off the phone with Brian Kuzmer, professional South Tacoma Mazda salesman and amateur rapper. He made a hiphop song dedicated to the Mazda 3.
Auto poll finds growing interest in voice-activated technology
The results of an annual survey that studies advanced automotive technologies were released this month, and show American drivers are growing more likely to adopt voice-activated technologies to use in...
Luxury brands and Ford top quality survey; four-door Fiat 500 is coming
The Ford Focus topped the compact car segment. (Ford) Luxury brands, Ford top quality survey Ford jumped up to a top spot in J.D. Power and Associates' annual survey of...
Oil prices on the way up, Volkswagen Jetta prices on the way down
(The Associated Press) Expect to see holiday hike at the gas pump Oil and gasoline prices both edged up last week as the driving season picked up speed and more...
Concept Car: Mercedes-Benz F800 Style previews the CLS-class redesign
(Mercedes-Benz) This plug-in hybrid debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and gives a preview of the CLS-class redesign. The "four-door coupe" has a V6 mated to its electric...
LeMay sponsors Chicago microcar exhibition
A BMW Isetta 250 at the BMW Museum. (BMW) LeMay -- America's Car Museum, in Tacoma, may be known for its extensive collection of rare and classic autos. But July...
SUVs boost sales at GM and Ford; Auto worker labor shortage possible
The Ford Edge (Ford) The Chevrolet Equinox (General Motors) SUVs drive sales boost at GM, Ford General Motors and Ford posted U.S. sales increases in May that topped analysts' estimates...
All-new Explorer to launch on Facebook first; GM offers low APR on used models
(Ford) All-new Explorer will break the debut norm Ford is taking a unique marketing approach for the all-new Ford Explorer: It's launching it on Facebook instead of at an auto...
Concept Car: Bertone Pandion study has doors that open straight up
(The Associated Press) Italian design firm Bertone debuted this over-the-top design study at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The grill and rear are made up of thousands of interlaced...
Mercury's heyday will be remembered; America's Car Museum breaks ground in Tacoma
(The Associated Press) Remembering the glory days of Mercury Mercurys accounted for just 0.9 percent of U.S. new vehicle sales this year, but the brand -- which Ford recently announced...
'World's most famous car' up for auction, Ford keeps lead in May sales
(RM Auctions) 'World's most famous car' going up for auction The Aston Martin driven by Sean Connery in the James Bond movies is going on sale at London's RM Auctions...
Concept Car: Gazal 1 SUV built by students at Saudi Arabia's King Saud University
(The Associated Press) The Gazal, which means gazelle in Arabic, comes from Saudi Arabia's King Saud University. It debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Students built the off-road...
Le Mans race will show its artistic side
The Jeff Koons-designed BMW Art Car is displayed before the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans race. (BMW) The 24 Hours of Le Mans race -- which starts June 12...
Love soccer? You could star in a Volkswagen ad
Volkswagen is calling on soccer fans to express their passion for the game and possibly win an appearance in a national TV spot during the World Cup. Fans can...
Distracted driving law, dropping gas prices and Shoreline auto center opening
Distracted driving law takes effect Thursday Starting Thursday, talking or sending text messages while holding a wireless device becomes a primary traffic offense, carrying a $124 fine. Drivers with instruction...
Tax credits for electric cars; Washington ranks among best in seat belt use
(The Associated Press) Bill: More tax credits for e-car buyers The federal government would provide grants to help cities build electric vehicle infrastructure and offer new tax credits for buyers...
Concept Car: BMW Gran Coupé is a cross between a Gran Turismo and a sports car
(BMW) This four-door with a low coupe-style roofline is a mingling of the Gran Turismo and a sports car. It was unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show in April without...
Tesla and Toyota team up on e-cars; Chrysler rolls out new Cherokee
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, left, shakes hands with Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda during a news conference last week. (Paul Sakuma / The Associated Press) Tesla and Toyota team up on...
What are you driving to Sasquatch?
2010 Subaru Outback. (Subaru) If you're driving a 2010 Subaru Outback to the Sasquatch! Music Festival then you're right in line with Kelley Blue Book's editors. It's their suggestion for...
Local Cars & Coffee cruise-in; Ford invests in 'green' cars
(Courtesy of Cars & Coffee) Saturdays -- now with more coffee and cars Cars & Coffee, a Saturday morning cruise-in held at the Central Market in Shoreline, has started up...
Concept Car: Sbarro Coupe Autobau has 12-cylinder engine and 500 horsepower
(The Associated Press) This super-sleek sports car from Swiss automaker Sbarro debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Inspired by Swiss race car driver Fredy Lienhard, it puts out...
Mitsubishi has the largest number of young buyers; large truck sales climb
The Mitsubishi Lancer has the highest percentage of young buyers in the company's lineup, according to a new study. (Mitsubishi) Mitsubishi tops list of 'youngest' brands Mitsubishi has the highest...
Leaf pre-orders exceed capacity; GM commercial boosts brand image
(The Associated Press) Leaf pre-orders rise above capacity Nissan says the automaker has received more than 13,000 orders in the U.S. and Japan for its new electric car, the Leaf,...
Concept Car: Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break previews new CLS sedan
(Mercedes-Benz) This wagon, which debuted at the Beijing auto show in April, is said to closely preview the new CLS sedan Mercedes plans to unveil this summer. The shooting brake...
Big financing offers continue until June; Ford starts Fiesta sales training early
A buyer checks out 2010 Chrysler PT Cruisers at a dealership in Colorado. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press) Big financing offers continue until June Chrysler is offering zero-percent financing on...
Seattle Art Car Blowout adds car documentary; Ford, Chevy trucks lead April sales
(Courtesy of Harrod Blank) Art Car Blowout adds film screenings The annual Seattle Art Car Blowout, held in conjunction with the Fremont Fair, is adding three screenings of the art...
Concept Car: Small-scale Ford Start is designed to be affordable
(Ford) Ford's take on the affordable urban car debuted at the Beijing auto show last month. It uses an aluminum and steel frame to cut weight, and its body panels...
Volvo headquarters, factory may move to China; Dodge marks end of Viper generation
Geely Chairman Li Shufu speaks after signing a binding deal to buy Volvo in March. (Wu Wei / Associated Press) Volvo: Soon to be made in China? Chinese automaker Geely...
Driver's Edge free young driver's training program comes to Seattle-area May 15-16
Driver's Edge, a free young driver's training program, will be in the Seattle-area May 15-16.
Spyker gears up Saab production; GM moves to boost engine fuel efficiency
(Saab) Spyker gears up Saab production Spyker, the new owner of Saab, recently announced it has been producing Saab cars at the rate of 1,000 per week since resuming production...
Concept Car: Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid achieves 78 mpg
(Associated Press) This hybrid sports car, which debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March, combines a V8-engine with an electric motor to achieve 78 mpg with 500 horsepower. Porsche...
Auto site's most exciting car picks of 2011; fleet sales surge in U.S.
(Jeep) Auto site's five 2011 models to watch for The New York auto show recently wrapped after two weeks of sneak peaks at the 2011 models. Here are NADAguides.com's picks...
Auto site's most exciting car picks of 2011; fleet sales surge in U.S.
(Jeep) Auto site's five 2011 models to watch for The New York auto show recently wrapped after two weeks of sneak peaks at the 2011 models. Here are NADAguides.com's picks...
Concept Car: Valmet Automotive's Eva goes up to 100 miles on one battery charge
(Valmet Automotive) Valmet Automotive, the Finnish company producing the Fisker Karma, presented its own electric vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Eva is a four-seat, urban vehicle built...
Emerging markets boost U.S. carmakers; motorcycle thefts down in 2009
A man walks outside a General Motor Chevrolet dealership in Beijing, China, last month. (Alexander F. Yuan / Associated Press) Emerging markets boost U.S. carmakers Strong growth in China and...
Awards honor car and truck interiors; new Explorer gets traction-control dial
(Subaru) Awards honor car and truck interiors Chevrolet picked up two 2010 Ward's Auto Interior of the Year awards last week. Ward's editors evaluated 40 vehicles that have either all-new...
WWU up for Auto X-Prize; Chrysler, NASA to share technology
WWU's Viking 45 hybrid vehicle. (Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize) Auto X-Prize still a possibility for WWU Western Washington University in Bellingham is one of only two universities in the...
Concept Car: The Peugeot SR1 convertible has a turbo-diesel hybrid engine
(Peugeot) This plastic-roofed convertible debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in March complete with a turbo-diesel hybrid engine that makes 313 horsepower while getting 48 mpg. Its long hood and...
Small car alliance; antilock brakes help motorcyclists; end to Hummer sales
(Associated Press) Daimler, Nissan, Renault forge deal Renault and Nissan have agreed to a parts-sharing and research alliance with German automaker Daimler. The companies signed an agreement to jointly develop...
GM, others add brake overrides to new cars; Indian Chief bikes rolling once more
(iStock) GM, others add brake overrides to new cars General Motors says it will install a new brake safety measure that can prevent unintended acceleration on all its new vehicles...
Concept Car: The Suzuki Makai beach-mobile is a vacation on wheels
(Associated Press) This beach-mobile was shown at this month's New York auto show, complete with bright orange paint and surfboards mounted to the top. The seats are made of leather...
Hyundai luxury car comes with an iPad; Leaf announcement sparks price cuts
(Hyundai) Hyundai luxury car comes with a bonus Can't get your hands on an iPad? Just buy a new Equus. Hyundai is including an iPad -- loaded with a digital...
Volkswagen takes two World Car awards; Camry back to No. 2 in sales for March
(Volkswagen) Volkswagen takes two World Car awards The Volkswagen Polo (shown) was named the 2010 World Car of the Year at the New York auto show last week, beating out...
Concept Car: The General Motors Electric Networked-Vehicle is a tiny two-wheeler
(Associated Press) General Motors and its Chinese partner SAIC debuted the "Electric Networked-Vehicle" last month at the Shanghai Expo. The tiny urban vehicle, designed for the Chinese market, has two...
AAA picks top commuter vehicles; GM exec says profit possible this year
(Mazda) AAA picks top commuter vehicles The type of vehicle you drive can ease both the expense and pain of a long commute, AAA says. And after evaluating hundreds of...
Mercedes exterior air bags, Honda and Toyota leasing offers
(Mercedes-Benz) Mercedes experiment: exterior air bags To make driving safer, Mercedes-Benz is experimenting with air bags -- on the outside of the car. The bag inflates below the car as...
Concept Car: The Ferrari HY-KERS couples an electric motor with a V12
(Associated Press) The first hybrid concept by Ferrari was unveiled at the Geneva auto show last month. It couples an electric motor with a V12 to maintain performance, and employs...
Gas prices unlikely to surge much more; local app is aimed at used car buyers
U.S. gas prices won't go much higher than $3 a gallon, experts predict. (Associated Press) Gas prices unlikely to surge much more Gasoline prices almost always rise in the spring,...
Concept Car: The new Honda Odyssey minivan is wider with improved fuel efficiency
(Honda) Unveiled at the Chicago auto show last month, this concept hints at the look of the next-generation Odyssey -- the nation's top-selling minivan. The stance is lower and wider...
Porsche and Cadillac tops in dependability study; Ford debuts new police car
An employee wipes off a Porsche Cayman S. (Andy Wong / Associated Press) Porsche, Cadillac tops in reliability study Porsche shot to the top of a closely watched study...
Pasco port selling vintage Aston Martin, Jaguar; bids accepted until March 31
The Port of Pasco is taking sealed bids on two vintage cars -- a 1974 Aston Martin and a 1972 Jaguar E V12 Coupe. No, they weren't port work vehicles,...
Seattle auto repair ranks below average; stimulus money for highway projects
(Jupiter Images) Seattle below par in fair auto repair survey AutoMD.com, an auto repair resource owned by US Auto Parts Network, has rated the 50 most-populated U.S. cities from best...
NADAguides.com's best car buys for 2010; a Ford Mustang packed with Kentucky pride
(Volkswagen) Auto guide group reveals 2010 car picks NADAguides.com has announced its "Best Car Buys" for 2010 based on fuel efficiency, warranty coverage, safety and depreciation. The following are the...
Concept Car: The Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid has a lightweight, aerodynamic design
(Kia) A hit at the Chicago auto show, where it debuted last month, the Ray was designed to show how Kia would implement hybrid technology. The four-seat compact sedan has...
Local Volvo appears on 'The Daily Show'
Go to 7:15 in the clip to see Stewart with the classic Volvo. (Courtesy of thedailyshow.com) Nayak Polissar hoped to see his 1979 Volvo 245 DL station wagon in...
Finalists for World Car awards announced; Cadillac begins new European initiative
(Citroën) Finalists for World Car awards unveiled The finalists for the World Car of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year awards...
GM stops work on the Cadillac Converj; Ford F-series is February's top seller
(Associated Press) GM shelves Converj; will focus on hybrids General Motors has stopped work on the Cadillac Converj, an electric-drive coupe similar to the Chevrolet Volt, to focus on cheaper...
Concept Car: The Hyundai Blue-Will plug-in hybrid can go 40 miles on one charge
(Hyundai) The Blue-Will, which made its U.S. debut at the Detroit auto show in January, is the company's first plug-in hybrid. It has a 152-horsepower engine and a 100-kilowatt electric...
Mercedes and Aston Martin honored for design; Hyundai swaps stars for Oscar ads
(Aston Martin) Design competition honors luxury cars Three Mercedes-Benz vehicles and the Aston Martin One-77 Sports Car (pictured at right) were awarded 2009 Good Design awards in the transportation category...
Picks from the Chicago Auto Show; Prius is Consumer Reports' top eco-friendly car
(Ford) Chicago auto fans pick best of show Visitors to last month's Chicago Auto Show voted on their favorite vehicles in five categories. The winners: Best All-New Production Vehicle: Ford...
Concept Car: Volkswagen Compact Coupe hybrid gets 45 mpg in full-electric mode
(Associated Press) This Jetta-sized coupe debuted at the Detroit auto show in January. The lithium ion-powered battery gets the car 45 mpg, and the car can be driven in full-electric...
Nissan starts reservations for the electric Leaf; Ford amps up the Shelby GT500
(Associated Press) Nissan to start Leaf reservations in April Nissan has announced that it will start signing up customers in April who want to buy its new Leaf electric car,...
Concept Car: Chevy Aveo RS's exterior styling won praise at the Detroit auto show
(General Motors) This diminutive hatchback previews what may be to come in the next-generation Aveo that is scheduled to debut next year. The exterior styling, which won praise at its...
Kelley Blue Book's favorite family cars; a Port Angeles VW dealer is honored
(General Motors) KBB names its 2010 favorite family cars Kelley Blue Book has named its top 10 family cars for 2010. Judging was based on factors such as resale value,...
Super Bowl spots give cars a Web boost; Ford plans changes between major redesigns
(Hyundai) Super Bowl ads give cars an online bump Kelley Blue Book saw a big surge in new-car Web traffic for the heavily advertised Hyundai Sonata (shown above) during Super...
VW debuts performance vehicles; Mercedes-Benz supplies trucks to Iraqi government
A Passat CC with an R-Line equipment package. (Volkswagen) VW pushes for more performance vehicles Volkswagen is entering more boldly into the performance arena as the brand debuts a number...
Concept Car: Buick Regal GS sports sedan packs a 255-horsepower turbocharged punch
(General Motors) The Regal GS, which debuted at last month's Detroit auto show, increases the performance of the Regal that General Motors showed at the L.A. auto show in December....
Volkswagen vies to be the world's top seller; car sales in China remain strong
An employee cleans a Buick in the showroom of a GM dealership in Beijing, China. (Alexander F. Yuan / Associated Press) Automakers still successful in China Sales reports from major...
Nano's price won't be tiny in the U.S.; Chevy and Honda sales rise in January
Associated Press Nano's price won't be so small in U.S. The world's cheapest car is being readied for sale in the U.S., but by the time India's Tata Nano is...
Concept Car: Cadillac XTS Platinum is a hybrid luxury sedan with smart suspension
General Motors The XTS, which can run on a rechargeable battery-powered electric motor or a 350-horsepower V-6 engine, debuted at the Detroit auto show last month. The luxury car has...
Fatal crashes are down in Washington, and a national used-car database goes online
Associated Press Study: Fatal crashes down in Washington Last year Washington's roads were the scene of the fewest fatal crashes since 1955. According to preliminary statistics compiled by the Washington...
Carmakers return to Super Bowl advertising; more details concerning GM's Saab sale
Associated Press Automakers edge back into Super Bowl Chrysler is advertising during Sunday's Super Bowl for the first time since 2004, making it the first U.S. automaker in the world's...
Seattle ranks among U.S. cities with worst traffic; Smart launches lease program
Jupiter Images Seattle route makes inglorious top 10 list With the help of traffic-tracking firm INRIX, online magazine The Daily Beast has ranked the U.S. cities with the worst rush-hour...
Chevy Spark to make U.S. debut in 2012; Hummer reaches end of the road
General Motors Chevy Spark will get a shot in the U.S. The Chevrolet Spark minicar, already on sale in Europe, is coming to the U.S. in 2012. General Motors showed...
Audi E-tron and others take top honors at North American International Auto Show
Audi E-tron The best of the Detroit auto show The 2010 AutoWeek Editors' Choice Award winners for the Best of the North American International Auto Show, taking place in Detroit:...
Honda, Toyota earn top loyalty honors; Ford CEO makes a splash at auto show
Associated Press Customers most loyal to Toyota and Honda Toyota and Honda took top honors in R. L. Polk & Co.'s 14th annual Automotive Loyalty Awards. Toyota ranked No. 1...
Alfa Romeo to remain under Fiat's wing; Ford F-series is December's top seller
Fiat Fiat CEO says Alfa Romeo not for sale Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit Monday that he has no...
Group names future classics from the '00s; Volvo sale to China's Geely draws near
Acura Group picks future classics from the '00s Hagerty, the leading insurer of collector cars, has picked 10 vehicles from the last decade that have the highest probability of becoming...
Henry Ford Museum puts films online; seized car collection goes to auction
Henry Ford Museum Henry Ford Museum putting films online Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., is making its film collections more widely accessible by running a "Historic Video of the...
Tool helps senior drivers assess their abilities; GM welcomes jeans to the office
Jupiter Images A tool to test abilities of older drivers Older drivers can assess their ability to drive safely in a convenient and private manner with AAA's free online version...
Nissan has designs on youth market; Ford Mustang cranks up horsepower for 2011
Nissan Nissan wins youth car design challenge The team from Nissan's San Diego design studio took first place in the annual automotive design challenge at the L.A. Auto Show last...
Ford researches crash impact on pregnant women and Lamborghini launches a boutique
Ford Model shows crash impact on pregnant women Ford, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest are teaming to create a computer-aided model of a pregnant woman for virtual crash test simulations....
More people traveling farther; VW, Suzuki form alliance
(iStock) AAA predicts rise in car travel for holidays AAA is projecting 87.7 million Americans will be traveling 50 miles or more away from home during the year-end holidays. This...
Redesigned Ram truck wins raves and government proposes stronger side air bags
Chrysler Motor Trend names Ram as top truck The burly 2010 Ram Heavy Duty pickup was named Motor Trend's Truck of the Year last week. The Ram, previously known as...
VW's Final Edition Beetle rolls into showrooms and a Chrysler ad gets political
Volkswagen Final Edition Beetle models debut Volkswagen Beetle fans have one last chance to snag a current-generation model when the Final Edition line rolls into showrooms this spring. The Final...
Residual values rise for Chrysler and GM; Ford Fiesta subcompact comes to America
Associated Press Residual values up for Chrysler, GM General Motors and Chrysler both saw slight upticks in the projected residual values of their vehicles after five years despite the companies'...
More top picks for 2010 announced; Ford F-150 remains a best seller in November
Volvo 2010 awards season lauds array of autos Awards season continues with Car and Driver magazine announcing its 2010 "10Best" cars sold in America. The winners (in alphabetical order): Audi...
Enterprise leads in rental car satisfaction; housing boom may help truck sales
Enterprise Enterprise leads in rental car satisfaction Overall customer satisfaction with renting cars at airports has stabilized in 2009 after two years of declines, according to the recently released J.D....
Camaro gains on Mustang in muscle car sales and auto leasing makes a comeback
General Motors Camaro gaining in muscle car battle The new Chevrolet Camaro (right) is fast approaching its longtime rival, the Ford Mustang, as Detroit's muscle car sales leader. Through October,...
Wheelchair-ready vehicle gets green light; Ford to replace familiar police cruiser
The Vehicle Production Group Wheelchair-ready MV-1 gets green light The first factory-built and assembled wheelchair-accessible vehicle, the MV-1, will begin volume production in October 2010, its maker, The Vehicle Production...
Fusion and GTI pick up top honors for 2010; holiday travelers take to the roads
Volkswagen Fusion, GTI pick up top honors for 2010 Car of the Year awards for the 2010 models are rolling out, starting with Automobile Magazine bestowing the honor on the...
Museum exhibition examines parking structures; Land Rover to rerelease a classic
National Building Museum Parking structures as works of art Think a parking garage is just a utilitarian space? Think again. The National Building Museum in Washington D.C. last month opened...
Larger Prius to go on sale next year and Subaru has Motor Trend's top SUV pick
Paper: Bigger Prius set for sale next year Toyota is planning a larger version of its popular Prius hybrid, which will be powered by a lithium-ion battery, a Japanese...
Ford introduces seat belt air bags; Barbie gets her own rental car
Associated Press Front, side and now seat belt air bags Ford plans to introduce seat belt-mounted air bags in the back seat of the 2011 Ford Explorer SUV, which will...
Chrysler's plan for new lineup unveiled and childhood racer gets top toy honor
Carlos Osorio / Associated Press Chrysler's plan for new line-up unveiled Chrysler unveiled details of its five-year plan last week to boost sales and return to profitability with a "soulful"...
Ford F-150 keeps top seller spot in October and Volvo may go to Chinese automaker
Associated Press Ford F-150 keeps top seller spot in October The top-selling vehicles and the total number sold last month, with September's rank in parentheses: 1. Ford F-series, 39,496 (1)...
Electric bike named 'Most Fun' at Tokyo Motor Show and carmakers extend guarantees
Yamaha The best of the Tokyo Motor Show The 2009 AutoWeek Editors' Choice Award winners for the best of the Tokyo Motor Show, which closed Nov. 4, are the Honda...
Seattle Auto Show tickets go on sale and limited-edition Jaguar is a holiday hit
Fisker Seattle Auto Show tickets now on sale The Seattle Auto Show, one of the most popular automotive events in the Puget Sound region, will feature 250 all-new 2010 vehicles,...
Get spooked by the scariest-looking cars and help name a Chevy Volt exterior color
Ford Get spooked by the scariest-looking cars In honor of Halloween, the editors of Kelley Blue Book chose the 10 new cars with the most sinister-looking faces. Among those listed...
Hybrids dominate new EPA ratings and Fiat mulls a sporty model for the U.S. market
Ford Hybrids dominate EPA ratings for 2010 Nine of the top 10 vehicles in the government's fuel economy rankings for the 2010 model year are hybrids, coming from six different...
A pioneering woman driving champ dies and buzz grows around Nissan's electric Leaf
Associated Press Driving champion Donna Mae Mims dies Donna Mae Mims, the first woman to win a Sports Car Club of America national championship in 1963, died Nov. 11. She...
Tesla mechanics to make house calls and the Michelin Man returns in a super new ad
Tesla Tesla mechanics to make house calls Tesla Motors is launching a maintenance plan where mechanics travel to owners' homes or offices to perform repairs and tune-ups. Tesla, which makes...
VW steers away from iconic Beetle and Ford bests Toyota in September sales
Volkswagen VW wants to look beyond the Beetle Volkswagen is considering a bold change: steering the brand away from the iconic Beetle and cars aimed at young, trendy buyers toward...
Honda takes a cue from Segway and General Motors may extend its return program
Shizuo Kambayashi / AP Honda unveils small 'mobility' device Look out, Segway. Honda recently unveiled a new "personal mobility" device that looks like a unicycle, but all you need to...
Competition to buy Volvo heats up and Dodge Journey is named a top safety pick
Ford Volvo has another possible buyer The race to buy Volvo from Ford is heating up. Swedish and American investors are discussing a joint bid for the line, according Swedish...
Chrysler rejoins the leasing game and Toyota prepares a billion-dollar ad blitz
AP Chrysler brings back leasing after year off Chrysler is getting back into the leasing business after a year of virtually none. All 2010 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models will...
China's BYD aims to overtake Toyota and Lamborghini sees profit in its future
Eugene Hoshiko / AP Chinese automaker aims for global lead Fast-growing Chinese battery and automaker BYD aims to overtake Toyota to become the global auto leader in under two decades,...
Ferrari, Porsche make AutoWeek's list of favorites from the Frankfurt Auto Show
Ferrari 458 Italia. (Ferrari) The best of the Frankfurt Auto Show The 2009 AutoWeek Editors' Choice Award winners for the Best of Frankfurt: Best in show Ferrari 458 Italia (other...
Ford expands C-Max line in Europe and General Motors launches new ad strategy
Ford Ford announces two new C-Max models Ford plans to offer two new versions of its C-Max vehicle that contain its most advanced EcoBoost engine, starting with 2010 European releases....
Biopics to bring DeLorean back to the future and Japan addresses hybrids' silence
DeLorean Motor Company Moviemakers vie for DeLorean biopic Hollywood is eyeing an epic pileup over three separate projects featuring the renegade automotive entrepreneur John Z. DeLorean (right), who died in...
Car buyers warm to U.S. makes and local Zipcars get fitted for the great outdoors
Paul Sancya / Associated Press Survey: Car buyers open to U.S. brands An overwhelming percentage of new-car buyers said they would consider a vehicle made by Detroit's Big Three, according...
With the Solstice, the sun sets on Pontiac and Toyota boasts August's top sellers
General Motors Pontiac's final model wraps up production The Pontiac Solstice coupe is assured a place in automotive history as Pontiac's last new model, and the stylish roadster could become...
Tom Cruise narrates a NASCAR documentary and Ford's new commercial van takes off
Hendrick Motorsports Tom Cruise to lend voice to documentary Tom Cruise will narrate an upcoming documentary about the history of Hendrick Motorsports, the New York Yankees of NASCAR. "TOGETHER: The...
General Motors will phase out logo on vehicles and Hondas are hot with car thieves
General Motors GM vehicles will lose the company logo General Motors Co. will begin removing its "Mark of Excellence" logo from its products, leaving just the GMC, Chevrolet, Cadillac or...
Americans hit the road for Labor Day and Smart cars earn props for roof strength
iStock Millions head out for one last road trip Cheaper gasoline and an abundance of special holiday deals promises to make it a busy Labor Day weekend at airports and...
Driver satisfaction with U.S. cars jumps and a classic ride sets an auction record
Cadillacs, such as the STS, were top-ranked in a customer satisfaction survey. (General Motors) Satisfaction up with American auto brands General Motors, Ford and Chrysler all posted significant gains in...
The top choices of 'clunker' traders and the European union of two popular brands
A "Cash for Clunkers" sign is displayed in front of a dealership in Portland. (Rick Bowmer / AP) Top vehicles bought after trading clunkers Two weeks before the program's end,...
U.S. auto plants step up production and Lexus places first in buyer satisfaction
Workers assemble Ford Focuses in May 2008 in Wayne, Mich. (Gary Malerba / Associated Press) Automakers begin boosting production After the best month for auto sales in almost a year...
Toyota plans an affordable sports car and GM gets government green for its Volt
Toyota Toyota injects a sports car into lineup Toyota recently announced it will introduce an affordable sports car in the U.S. Toyota executives say the vehicle will be built in...
'Cash for clunkers' program draws buyers and small repairs mean long-term savings
Customers view the cars for sale at Commonwealth Motors in Lawrence, Mass., in July. (Charles Krupa / AP) Dealers get 'clunkers' sales jump in July The government's "cash for clunkers"...
Nissan turns over a zero-emission Leaf and Ford's F-150 remains the top seller
The Nissan Leaf. (Itsuo Inouye / AP) Nissan's electric car takes center stage Nissan debuted the zero-emission electric car it will bring to the U.S. next year at its headquarters...
Harley-Davidson reveals a new lineup in 2010 and drivers fear texters on the go
Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson revamps for 2010 Harley-Davidson will release nine new or retooled motorcycle models for 2010 across six model platforms. The most expansive new-product introduction in the history of the...
A crime-fighter's ride gets revamped and buyers consider cars from China and India
Sony Pictures 'Green Hornet' car gets updates for film Seth Rogen dropped by Comic Con in San Diego last month to debut the Black Beauty, a modified 1965 Chrysler Crown...
Ford Focus is named a safe ride and a Wash. teen designs his 'truck of the future'
Ford Ford Focus is named Top Safety Pick The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently tested four 2009 coupes -- the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Scion tC...
Chrysler competes with 'clunkers' and a truck dealer launches a bold promotion
David Zalubowski / AP Chrysler to match 'clunkers' incentive Chrysler recently announced it's offering $4,500 in cash toward the purchase of a new vehicle as it seeks to match a...
Porsche nabs top spot in satisfaction survey
J.D. Power and Associates' survey of how gratifying a new vehicle is to own and drive found that average ratings for all models in 2009 improved considerably from 2008,...
Toyota and Ford top the 'most American' list and your clunker may be worth cash
Photo by Toyota Camry, F-150 named 'most American' The Toyota Camry and Ford F-150 are the "most American" vehicles according to the Cars.com annual American-Made Index, which ranks vehicles based...
Drunk driving fatalities down and Kirkland dealership honored by Ford
Drunk driving, overall fatalities drop in 2008 The U.S. Department of Transportation announced this month that the number of overall traffic fatalities reported in 2008 hit their lowest level...
GM stays true-blue to its logo and Ford comes out on top in June auto sales
Photo by Carlos Osorio / Associated Press CEO says GM logo will stay the same CEO Fritz Henderson denied reports last week that the company was considering changing the background...
Buy a Hyundai and fill up for $1.49 a gallon -- half the threshold for car buyers
Hyundai Hyundai offers $1.49 gas guarantee Hyundai has announced that customers who buy or lease its vehicles by Aug. 31 will receive a gas card that lets them buy fuel...
Fiat's retro hatchback comes to America and India makes inroads with pickups
Fiat 500 coming to America next year Fiat has officially announced its retro-styled 500 hatchback will be coming to North America in about 18 months. The car will be...
Lexus named best in quality and AAA launches iPhone application for discounts
The study found that the Lexus LX has the fewest quality problems in the industry. (Toyota) Quality study lauds Lexus, Porsche Lexus, Toyota Motor Corp.'s luxury line, was the top...
Independence Day loses some road warriors and Kent opens an outdoor karting track
July 4th travel cools despite cheaper gas AAA says it expects 37.1 million travelers -- 12 percent of the U.S. population -- to take a trip of 50 miles...
Riversimple unveils a hydrogen-powered car and F-150 is May's top-selling auto
Associated Press British firm debuts hydrogen power car Britain-based Riversimple, a company founded by former race car driver Hugo Spowers and backed by Porsche scion Sebastian Piech, last week unveiled...
Honda marks 50 years in the U.S. and the Hughes Speedster auction is a slam dunk
Honda At 50, Honda is still fuel-efficiency leader Honda is celebrating its 50th anniversary in the U.S. this month, as the industry turns toward the small cars it's been selling...
Motorcycles star in summer movies and state auto dealers group gets new president
Kirk and his Buell in "Star Trek." (Industrial Light & Magic/Paramount) Hot summer movie trend: motorcycles The summer movie season is here, in all its action-packed and, increasingly, motorcycle-enhanced glory....
Buyers reconsider U.S. cars and Team Seattle pulls a McDreamy finish at Le Mans
Would you consider a 2010 Cadillac CTS? (Photo by GM) Buy a GM? More say maybe, survey finds Kelley Blue Book recently announced the results of its survey of in-market...
Little Tykes 'car' inducted into auto museum and street sweeper helps fight cancer
Little Tykes Best selling "car" makes auto museum In 2008, it outsold every other car in America with more than 457,000 units sold. Now, the Little Tykes Cozy Coupe has...
Hughes car goes on the block and Porsche earns a hearty recommendation from owners
hughes36.com Hughes car expected to set auction record Howard Hughes' Aero-Mobile -- recently on display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Ore., -- is expected to a...
Study finds support for red-light cameras and Infiniti G37 named top upscale sedan
Admit it: You support red-light cameras A recent national survey found that 69 percent of Americans support the use of red-light cameras at the most dangerous intersections in their...
Beware of invincible texting teens and get set for rising rental car prices
Young drivers know the risk, text anyway A recent survey of 16- to 20-year-old drivers found that even thought they know it's risky, 83 percent talk on a cell...
Costs to own a car level with last year
Despite lower fuel prices, AAA reports that the costs to own and operate a vehicle have remained constant due to increases in areas such as insurance premiums, depreciation, finance...
Keep pets safe from hot cars in summer and see how far a day's drive can take you
As temps heat up, watch for pets in cars Even with Seattle's mild summers, pet owners should be aware of leaving pets in the car as temperatures rise. To...
Memorial Day weekend: More are expected on the roads and Indy's track turns 100
More expected on the roads this weekend An estimated 32.4 million Americans are expected to travel this Memorial Day weekend -- a 1.5-percent increase over last year -- with...
Honda pioneers robotic research, and Porsche and Volkswagen get cozy
Honda's non-invasive headgear that reads electric currents and blood flow. (Koji Sasahara / AP) Another space-age driving development Honda Motor Co. has developed a way to read patterns of electric...
India flips for bargain-priced Tata Nano and Zipcar goes to college
Customers book a Nano in Mumbai, India. (Rajanish Kakade / Associated Press) Tata's supercheap Nano a hit in India More than 203,000 people bought the ultracheap Nano car in India...
Los Angeles makes hailing a cab easier and the three-point seatbelt turns 50
Los Angeles attempts to boost its cab culture The next time you go to Los Angeles you may have an easier time hailing a cab. Unlike most other big...
Los Angeles tunnel is a media star; aggressive drivers are closer than they appear
And best supporting tunnel goes to ... Sure, Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx are the stars of "The Soloist," which opened last week. But those attending the movie...
Consumer Reports names RAV4 its top small SUV and we celebrate five cool Pontiacs
RAV4 takes top seat in small SUV rankings The freshened four-cylinder Toyota RAV4 was named top small SUV in April tests by Consumer Reports. The RAV4 was praised for...
MyKey sets limits, student-built racers go off-road and I-90 lane closures begin
MyKey system lets you set speed limits Ford's MyKey -- a system that allows owners to program their cars to limit the speed and music volume -- has been...
Get to know the Chinese automakers
The Shanghai Auto Show was once a venue for the West to show off its cars to a country still relying on bicycles. This year, last week's event was a...
Ward's Auto World recognizes best interiors and Keanu Reeves speeds to victory
Kia Awards say it's what's inside that matters Exteriors get the most buzz, but Ward's AutoWorld recently announced its Interior of the Year awards, naming 11 winners. Included were the...
Acura ZDX, Volkswagen GTI among the hit debuts at the New York auto show
Top debuts at the New York auto show The New York International Auto Show closes its doors tonight after two weeks. Here are four of the most-lauded debuts from the...
Oregon plans an electric-car charging network and the Element goes to the dogs
Rick Bowmer/Associated Press Need a charge? Head to Oregon Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (shown above, test driving a Nissan electric vehicle) announced in early April that Nissan and the state...
World Car of the Year winners named
2009 World Car: VW Golf VI. (Photo: AP) World Car of the Year awards were given in three categories last week at the start of the New York International Auto...
A free motorsports documentary and a 12-day concert to support the auto industry
NFL Films Racing film "Truth in 24" free on iTunes The motorsports documentary "Truth in 24," which chronicles the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in France, was...
A racecar legend cooks up a new hobby and popular hybrids heat up their rivalry
Can Shelby lap Newman in the food business? (Ford) Shelby Cobra, Shelby Mustang, Shelby salsa Former racecar driver and automotive legend Carroll Shelby plans to walk in the footsteps of...
Flying car takes off on a wing and a prayer; World groups set fuel-efficiency goal
The Transition's wings fold up for driving. (Terrafugia) "Flying car" makes successful air debut Aiming to make an airplane that can be driven to and from a runway and parked...
BMW's art cars tour Mexico and Mercedes-Benz USA honors a Lynnwood dealer
PR Newswire BMW Art Cars take to the road once again Four of BMW's famous Art Cars, used as canvases by the artists Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella and...
German grocery sells cars online and Israeli scientists link fast music to speeding
German grocery selling cars online Could Costco and Wal-Mart be next? A German discount supermarket known for low-priced groceries and household goods has begun selling cars on its Web...
Software ensures teens hang up and drive; Honda tops list of most-stolen cars
Products shut down moving cell phones Parents looking for a way to prevent their teenagers from using cell phones while driving have some new options. WebSafety's $10-a-month software can...
Europe's big auto show picks its favorites, from best in show to most fun
AutoWeek picks best of Geneva auto show Europe's big auto show wrapped up on Sunday after a week of world debuts. AutoWeek's editors picked their favorites in four categories. Infiniti...
India releases the world's cheapest car and the Fiesta enjoys global popularity
Associated Press India's super-cheap car finally released The Nano, billed as the world's cheapest car, will launch Monday after months of building excitement, says its manufacturer, India's Tata Motors. The...
Hybrids join San Francisco's Zipcar fleet; green technology resurrects Ford plant
Zipcar San Fran Zipcar fleet gets a little greener Zipcar has added a plug-in hybrid vehicle -- a converted Toyota Prius with a Hymotion L5 PCM battery -- to its...
Obama license plates, green measures for yellow taxis and VW's roadster
Those Obama plates aren't just for Illinois Illinois residents have just over a month left to display their temporary commemorative Barak Obama license plates. The plates sell for $50,...
Buses move America; Financing tips and tools can help when you're ready to buy new
Buses provide most passenger trips in U.S. More than planes or trains, Americans take commercial buses for their intercity travel, according to a recent census by the American Bus...
Honda tops Consumer Reports' annual rankings; NASCAR star pulls into daytime TV
The Honda Accord was named top family sedan, and Honda the top automaker. (Photo by Honda) Consumer Reports honors Honda again Honda Motor Co. was named top automaker for the...
Germany's next top models, Gen Y buyer expectations and Cadillac's Converj
Model Julia Stegner poses with the SL 63 AMG Edition IWC. (Photo by Newscom) Fashion models meet new Benz models Last week's New York Fashion Week wasn't all about clothes....
Mustang gets a spring makeover; Vespa leads the scooter renaissance
Updated Mustang gets back in the race Ford's response to the Dodge Challenger and upcoming Chevrolet Camaro is to update its Mustang for spring of 2009. Although the physical...
Ford Sync technology tricks out your ride; aficionados flock to Detroit's Auto Show
Ford lures tech fans with Sync upgrades Ford executives say that starting this spring the Ford Sync -- a voice-activated in-car entertainment and communication service -- will use GPS...
The benefits of diesel, a local dealer's historic honor and Audi's new concept car
Weigh the benefits of buying a diesel To buy a diesel or not to buy a diesel; that's the question these days. The modern diesel is durable, quiet and...
Chrysler's new concept, wiper wisdom and corn cobs for fuel
Concept car: Chrysler 200C EV The torpedo-shaped 200C EV concept car is lovely inside and out. But its top feature is an electronic instrument panel controlled by touch, like...
Peek in the presidential limo; predicting auto sales growth for China
Take a peek inside the presidential limo Wondering about the features in President Obama's Cadillac Presidential Limousine? Cadillac touts the executive compartment filled with mobile office gear and the...
