Facing An Uncertain Future, Mazda Looks For Partners

In the fiscal year that ends on March 31, Mazda Motor Corporation estimates it will lose some $1.29 billion due to declining sales and a strong Japanese yen. That makes 2011 Mazda’s worst year in over a decade, since its $2 billion loss at the end of the 2000 fiscal year. On its own, that would be bad news; however, this year marks the fourth in a row that Mazda has lost money. Read more

Fisker Lays Off Workers, Attempts To Renegotiate DoE Loans

Extended-range-electric-luxury-sedan builder Fisker appears to have hit a speed bump on the road to success. Faced with back-to-back recalls on its Karma sedan and running short of funding, the start-up automaker was forced to lay off employees and contractors in both California and Delaware. Fisker would also like to renegotiate the terms of loans from the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), in order to access additional funding previously committed. Read more

Honda Loses Civic Hybrid Lawsuit

If you side with plaintiff and 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid owner Heather Peters, the automaker misled buyers in its claims that the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid could return up to 50 mpg fuel economy. If you side with Honda, the automaker claims that actual fuel economy delivered (by any car) is largely determined by driving style and maintenance performed. Read more

California To ‘Require’ Sales Of Electric And Plug-In-Hybrid Vehicles

Just when you thought that legislators in the Golden State had come to their senses, something happens to reaffirm our opinion that California may be the least-car-enthusiast-friendly state in the country. After showing some degree of sanity by agreeing to adopt the proposed EPA mileage standard of 54.5 mpg by 2025, California has announced that, by 2025, a minimum of 15.4 percent of sales must be of electric, plug-in-hybrid or hydrogen powered vehicles. Read more

Video: Canada Cracks Down On Street Racing… Taxis?

It’s a well known fact that our neighbors north of the border have very little sense of humor when it comes to street racing. In fact, those of us in the country to the south would have concerns about even passing another car on a Canadian highway, lest we be stopped for racing, or worse, “stunt driving.” Read more

Saab’s Ghost To Haunt The Beijing Motor Show

Just when you thought that the sad ending of Saab was finally done, it looks like some of the brand’s GM-influenced models will be reborn under the Beijing Automotive Industry brand. Three models, including one based on the former Saab 9-5 and two based on the former 9-3, are expected to be exhibited at next April’s Beijing Motor Show. Read more

With Maybach Winding Down, Bentley Pursues Its Customers

After years of losing money with its flagship Maybach brand, Daimler has decided to shutter its ultra-premium car line. Instead, Mercedes-Benz will step up its game with a higher-end series of S-Class models, including a range-topping Pullman variant. By Daimler’s reasoning, existing Maybach customers will be happy with an upscale S-Class, as long as it’s content-rich (and expensive). Read more

Sale Of Parent Company Puts Lotus’ Future In Question

If politics makes for strange bedfellows, so does the automotive business. Volvo is owned by Chinese automaker Geely, while Jaguar / Land Rover is owned by the Indian company Tata. Upscale British brands Bentley and Rolls Royce are both owned by the Germans, with Bentley under VW’s brand and Rolls under BMW’s. Read more

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