Auto News 5

Fisker Automotive Inc. has begun making the $88,000 Karma plug-in car, aiming to get its first production vehicles to U.S. and European dealers by next month.

Fisker has begun making the Karma plug-in hybrid, aiming to get its first production vehicles to U.S. and European dealers by next month.

New look XF ready to take on mainstream premium rivals in Europe with downsized diesel engine.

Continuing nuclear contamination fears are prompting Japanese automakers to "take all measures required," although nothing concrete has yet been established.

Japan's nuclear crisis appeared far from over as Reuters reported rising temperatures around the core of one of the reactors at Japan's quake-crippled Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima prefecture had sparked new concern on Tuesday and more water was needed to cool it down, suggesting the battle to avert a disastrous meltdown and stop the spread of radiation was far from won. Meanwhile, Toyota and Honda again postponed vehicle production restarts to Sunday (27 March), Mitsubishi is uncertain beyond Friday (25 March) and consultants Frost & Sullivan described the effect on the global auto industry as "profound".

Japan's nuclear crisis appeared far from over as Reuters reported that smoke and steam rose from two of the most threatening reactors at the 'quake-crippled nuclear Daiichi plant in Fukushima prefecture on Tuesday (21 March 2011), suggesting the battle to avert a disastrous meltdown and stop the spread of radiation was far from won. Meanwhile, Toyota and Honda again postponed vehicle production restarts to Sunday (27 March), Mitsubishi is uncertain beyond Friday (25 March) and consultants Frost & Sullivan described the effect on the global auto industry as "profound".

Japan's nuclear crisis appeared far from over as news agencies reported that smoke and steam rose from two of the most threatening reactors at the 'quake-crippled nuclear Daiichi plant in Fukushima prefecture on Tuesday (21 March 2011), suggesting the battle to avert a disastrous meltdown and stop the spread of radiation was far from won. Meanwhile, Toyota and Honda again postponed vehicle production restarts to Sunday (27 March) and consultants Frost & Sullivan described the effect on the global auto industry as "profound".

New vehicle sales in Malaysia amounted to 40,387 units in February, largely unchanged from the 40,654 units sold a year earlier, according to data released by the Malaysia Automotive Association (MAA).

Lifan is now building its complete lineup of sedans at its assembly plant in Russia after adding output of the Lifan 320 small car earlier this month. The Lifan 320 is a hatchback that resembles the BMW Mini.

Toyota Motor Corp. has delayed the Japan launch of its new wagon-style Prius wagon in the wake of the parts shortage triggered by this month's earthquake.

There was further evidence of what might turn out to be a major strategic shift in the way some automakers do business earlier this week when a top BMW executive said the carmaker "is no longer just an auto company."

Porsche has started taking orders for its 918 Spyder hybrid sports car, its most expensive model ever, which will will sell in Europe for 768,062 euros.

Lewis Hamilton has poured cold water on speculation he is courting a move to Red Bull in the near future.

After temporarily halting activities at its Shreveport, Lousiana, plant last week, General Motors has been forced to shut down the Tonawanda, New York, facilities as well. Spokesperson Kim Carpenter has confirmed that on top of neutralizing production of the Colorado and Canyon engines, GM has laid off 59 of the plant's 623 employees.

Chevrolet today revealed the Colorado Show Truck in advance of the Bangkok International Auto Show, where it is making its global public debut. The concept gives a pretty good idea of what the next-generation Colorado midsize pickup truck will look like.

According to several economists and auto industry experts, prices for Japanese-built vehicles will likely rise in the coming weeks. That's because earthquake-related plant shutdowns are reducing supply while demand remains steady.

Remember that Lexus LS 400 ad from 1989, where the automaker was trying to demonstrate how little the car's engine vibrated by piling 15 champagne flutes on the hood and revving the motor until they fell off?

No, it's not a joke. After several postponements, Fisker spokesperson Roger Ormisher has announced that production of the Karma was finally launched today at Valmet Automotive's Finnish plant.

Canadien driver Robert Wickens set the best performance in the first day of preseason test at circuit Paul Ricard.

The Kang Show Company, a Chinese shoe manufacturer, has come up with a rather original way to promote its products, creating a fleet of 40 EVs - shaped like shoes.