PALO ALTO, Calif., and TOKYO — Telsa Motors and Toyota Motor Corp. officially signed an agreement late last week stemming from a May announcement. That's when they revealed collaboration toward development of an electric version of the Toyota RAV4. Tesla's Elon Musk and Toyota's Akio Toyoda are aiming for their companies to bring an electric version […] [Read More]

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. —The Big 3 enjoyed some good news on Thursday, as it was revealed that their brands earned a stronger average vehicle appeal score from J.D. Power and Associates than their import counterparts. This is something that hasn't happened since 1997. Specifically, the average score for domestics in J.D. Power's 2010 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout […] [Read More]

DEARBORN, Mich. — Among several senior leadership shifts announced Thursday, Ford said that the role of Jim Farley, who serves as the automaker's group vice president of global marketing and Canada, Mexico and South America operations, will be significantly more comprehensive and far-reaching starting next month. On Aug. 1, Farley will become what Ford called its "global […] [Read More]

DETROIT — Dealers with a customer who is an extreme Chevrolet Corvette enthusiast and knows how to get around a garage might have the perfect buying option. For purchasers who want to be personally involved in creating their Corvette, Chevrolet's new Corvette Engine Build Experience can allow them to enjoy what the program name indicates. General […] [Read More]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Because the one-year anniversary of General Motors' emergence from bankruptcy arrived last Saturday, Edmunds.com analysts are pondering the automaker's strategy behind a push toward an initial public offering for its new stock. The site recognizes the progress GM has been made but questions the rush to have an IPO. "This is certainly not […] [Read More]

BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Mirroring what automakers hand out for powertrain warranties on conventional models, General Motors shared specifics Wednesday about what it guarantees for the battery of the Chevrolet Volt electric vehicle. The warranty associated with the Volt's advanced, lithium-ion battery will be a standard, eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. GM believes it's the industry's longest, most comprehensive […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — In a hands-on approach to promote and generate interest in its vehicles, Jeep is hosting a "Jeep Rocks & Road Tour" across the U.S. where consumers can take any vehicle in the brand's lineup for a spin, including the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Jeep Wrangler. The tour will visit air […] [Read More]

TOYOTA CITY, Japan — Toyota officials this week arrived at several recommendations generated by a panel of independent experts to improve quality assurance and related communications activities. The automaker asserted all of the discussion stems from the quality issues that came to light late in 2009 and earlier this year. It's well known how those issues […] [Read More]

PALO ALTO, Calif.  — Tesla Motors unveiled its new website that allows visitors to not only make a reservation to purchase a vehicle, but also read about Roadster innovations, view photographs and learn about Tesla's technology, among other features. There are also customer testimonials designed to emphasize what Tesla believes to be the benefits of electric […] [Read More]

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — After several dealers won reinstatement via arbitration and announced their intention to sue Chrysler over the Letters of Intent they received, Chrysler issued a response. Basically, the Letter of Intent lays out certain requirements that must be met or agreed upon before reinstatement officially takes place. In essence, Chrysler claims it is […] [Read More]