Small cars leave U.S.: Ford to build next Focus in Mexico (Model E too)

2016 Ford FocusThey may be known as the "Detroit Three," but the biggest U.S. automakers are exporting production of small cars elsewhere. Ford confirmed yesterday that it will move small-car production to Mexico, joining Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in eliminating small passenger cars from its U.S. factories. Two years hence, only General Motors will still...

IIHS names 2017 Chevrolet Volt a Top Safety Pick+

2017 Chevrolet VoltIn the most recent round of crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the 2017 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid performed quite well. The institute designated this year's Volt a "Top Safety Pick+"—the highest rating available. The current, second-generation Volt debuted as a 2016 model. DON'T MISS: Why I leased...

Chevy Bolt EV electric car shows GM can do Silicon Valley, exec says

2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, road test, California coastline, Aug 2016Over the last five years, much has been written about autonomous-car efforts from Apple and Google. Could these two massively successful Silicon Valley startups overturn the established order in the global auto industry? The answer remains to be seen, but this month brought news that both companies are restructuring their efforts. DON'T MISS: 2017...

CAFE rules should stay as they are, auto-industry suppliers agree

Gas pumpThe lobbyists for automakers have made their views on Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards through 2025 quite clear. The majority of carmakers would prefer to see those standards relaxed, delayed or altered. Today, they call for a fleet average of 54.5 mpg (or about 38 mpg on window stickers) for vehicles sold in the U.S. by 2025. DON'T...

VA to deny Tesla a store license; dealers say they want to sell Teslas

Tesla Store Los Angeles [photo: Misha Bruk / MBH Architects]Tesla Motors recently had another setback in its fight with Virginia's franchised car dealers over direct sales of its luxury electric cars. Over the past several months, Tesla has battled dealers and their lobbyists in the state over plans to open a second company-owned store. Now, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is recommending against...

Best deals on hybrid, electric, fuel-efficient cars for September 2016

2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In HybridIt's once again time to survey the best deals on hybrid, electric, diesel, and fuel-efficient gasoline cars. With 2017 models arriving in larger numbers, carmakers and dealers are eager to move inventory of leftover 2016 vehicles. We have several 2016 models this month that are about to be displaced, and are consequently heavily incentivized...