Plugged In

by Jim Motavalli - August 10, 2011

BMW faces a federal safety investigation into 7-Series cars that fail to shift into park. Ford and Toyota have been through related inquiries, and they know the fallout can continue even after the...

by Jim Motavalli - August 9, 2011

Automakers say they don't want governments to pick winners, but in fact they do -- as long as the winners are their own. There's a lot of hypocrisy in that stance.

by Jim Motavalli - August 8, 2011

VW and Mercedes are using green arguments to lobby the feds for CAFE diesel and fuel-cell technology credits. They claim that the 2025 law favors trucks, which is true -- but it was the price for...

by Jim Motavalli - August 5, 2011

Companies are capitalizing on parents' fears and selling apps that allow parents to track teens' driving. But these apps really are a waste of money.

by Jim Motavalli - August 5, 2011

Walgreens announced with much fanfare that it's setting up electric car charging stations. But it left out a detail: The price could be exorbitant.

by Jim Motavalli - August 3, 2011

BMW has import bragging rights in the U.S. luxury/performance market, but Audi plans to catch up by building brand awareness and cachet with zoomy RS models.

by Jim Motavalli - August 2, 2011

The Civic always was Consumer Reports' Top Pick, but the mag says the 2012 model feels cheap and is no fun to drive.

by Jim Motavalli - August 2, 2011

The optimistic predictions were wrong, and the overall outlook is souring for all but a few automakers.

by Jim Motavalli - August 2, 2011

General Motors' invests in Sunlogics and more automakers add car-mounted solar panels. What does this really mean?

by Jim Motavalli - August 1, 2011

NASCAR is determined to go green and just needs to figure out how to overcome two last hurdles.

by Jim Motavalli - July 29, 2011

GM built its tiny pod-like EN-V as a concept car, but now it says its science-fiction creation will actually go into production as a world-market city car -- in 2020 for $10,000.

by Jim Motavalli - July 28, 2011

A deal appears near on a 54.5 mpg federal fuel economy standard for 2025. Nobody got everything they wanted, but despite some truck concessions there are no game stoppers.

by Jim Motavalli - July 27, 2011

A diesel version of Chevy's Cruze is headed for the U.S. in 2013, and its stellar fuel economy and affordable price could give hybrids (including the mighty Prius) a run for their money.

by Jim Motavalli - July 26, 2011

BMW is now tops in the American luxury market, but to meet tough fleet fuel economy regulations it needs to switch gears with cars that combine performance with economy.

by Jim Motavalli - July 22, 2011

Automakers who said they couldn't sell small cars profitably are now raking it in with lucrative upgrade packages and pages of available options.

by Jim Motavalli - July 22, 2011

The spare tire is vanishing from the American car trunk, as manufacturers jettison non-essentials to save weight and space. But the spare offered great peace of mind, and the alternatives are...

by Jim Motavalli - July 21, 2011

In a major upset, Hyundai is now the nameplate other automakers worry about. In a new survey, it's the top dog in brand loyalty. The bottom line: Hyundais keep getting better, and other...

by Jim Motavalli - July 20, 2011

Automakers and the Obama administration are likely close to an agreement on new fuel-economy rules, which is why the automakers' lobbying group pulled a hard-hitting radio campaign.

by Jim Motavalli - July 20, 2011

The polycarbonate car window isn't new technology, but its time has come as automakers try every trick to reduce weight -- and increase fuel economy -- on their vehicles.

by Jim Motavalli - July 18, 2011

Honda has eliminated factory waste at 10 North American factories, but it's after savings, not just environmental good citizen awards. Other automakers are taking the same zero waste approach,...