Category: The Car Biz

AutoPacific's annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards have been announced. These awards are chosen directly by vehicle owners, with no input from the researchers.

SUVs are the most satisfying vehicles in AutoPacific's 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards

We’re Not Taking a Road Trip, Are You?
Like most of the country, we’re off on Memorial Day. Like many others, most of our vehiclevoice.com contributors will be staying close to home. With the national average at $3.87 on Friday afternoon, AAA tells us that the gas prices are causing about a 1% decline in the number of people traveling by car for the holiday. CNN even made up a new word to describe it: stay-cations. I, for one, hope that silly bit doesn’t take hold in our collective slang.

Memorial day travels…during less expensive times
AAA says the last time there was a decline in Memorial Day travel plans was in 2002, after 9/11, and this bucks a trend of increased travel. At that point, there was also some concern over fuel prices, the economy, and our future, though most [...]

Crude oil has just gone comfortably over $120 per barrel and we are well on our way to a national average price of $4 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline. What is doing this? And where is it going?

Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda is again increasing high-profile investment in historic U.S. automotive companies. This time the target is Ford Motor Company.

2008 Portugal Auto Show showcases vehicles not seen in USA.

I’ve never owned a major manufacturing corporation worth millions, never employed Union workers and I’ve never played the game of ‘Chicken’; but I’ve heard all are risky endeavors. In the case of American Axle they are dealing with all three variables concurrently. They are said to be ‘sitting on “$344 Million” (AN), employing 3,650 UAW members and American Axle CEO Richard Dauch is currently playing ‘Chicken’ with UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. Are we taking bets? I’m really trying to figure out what I would do in either position and whose side I’m really on.

What happened?
Since February 26 all 3,650 UAW member walked off the job leaving American Axle production in a lurch. In the last two months this strike has affected progress at as many as 30 GM plants. American Axle produces parts for GM’s full-size pickups and SUVs, the hot new [...]

Chrysler and Nissan announce OEM product-supply agreements that help each improve U.S. and global product lines. Chrysler will build Nissan's next-generation Titan on the Ram platform, and Nissan will build a Chrysler-designed small car on their next-generation Versa platform.

Tata Motors buys Jaguar Land Rover and sets itself up for the Turtle's slow and steady pace. Will it pay off?

Ford launches Drive One campaign.