Archive for the ‘2011’ Category

General Motors’ new global small car, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, already has the weight of the company's hopes on its shoulders, but news that GM is planning to delay the North American launch of the car threatens to weaken anticipation for the highly-efficient small sedan before it even hits the streets.

According to a new report, GM has delayed the launch of the Cruze by three months until the third quarter of 2010. Rising development costs are creating serious liquidity problems at GM but the automaker insists the delay is to ensure a perfect launch.

One benefit is that the extra three months will allow GM to produce all variations...

If you're anxious already about the growing influence of China in America, brace yourselves for the next decade of cars.

The Wall Street Journal points out this afternoon how China's role in the development, manufacturing and marketing of cars is deeper and wider than ever. According to the paper, consumer trends now are beginning in the Middle Kingdom and making their way to North America and western Europe, in a reversal of history that shows no sign of abating.

The Journal cites examples from Volkswagen to GM, particularly the deep relationship General Motors has with Chinese consumers and American shoppers under the Buick brand. For a...

Is it 1973 all over again? Volkswagen is amping up for a fuel-economy battle with Honda and Ford, right here in America, with a new hatchback. Only this time, some of the names have changed, and so have the rules. Come 2011 or so, it's the VW Polo readying for a fight with the Honda Fit and Ford Fiesta. The fuel economy sea-changes and financial crises? Those things are reassuringly chillingly familiar.

Now, the Polo you see here--the one we drove in Germany recently--isn't the car you'll see in the U.S. in about two years' time. This Polo's a mid-lifecycle freshening of the current car, with the added spin of a three-door hatchback joining...