Auto News 5

Daimler has set up a Mercedes-Benz Research and Development Centre in Tel Aviv focusing on digital vehicle and mobility services.

Launched in 2008 for those looking to make a funky and bold statement, the Kia Soul is certainly out of the ordinary. Competing models include the likes of the Vauxhall Mokka X and Nissan Juke. Like the Juke, opinions are divided on its distinctive looks and hamster TV commercials.  But that hasn't stopped the Soul from becoming a market leader in the US and China.  Continuing just-auto/QUBE's review of interior design and technology trends, we take a closer look inside the Soul.

The UK's finance plan this week could include measures that will see fully self-driving cars to be on British roads in as little as three years.

The UK's finance plan this week could include measures that will see fully self-driving cars to be on British roads in as little as three years.

Volvo has signed a deal to sell Uber up to 24,000 cars that will become part of the ride-sharing giant's first robotaxi fleet. Volvo will supply XC90s with autonomous driving technologies that Uber needs to add its own self-driving features.

Volvo's deal to supply ride-hailing company Uber with XC90 SUVs that can be become fully autonomous gives the automaker an early leader in the robotaxi sector. It will benefit Volvo on many levels, CEO Hakan Samuelsson says.

Dealer Jim Gramm did what few are able to do: Go from sales to ownership. Now, as he grows his group, he wants to help other GMs do what he did.

Of the six publicly traded new-vehicle dealership groups, Lithia Motors Inc. #8212; which prioritized U.S. acquisitions over share buybacks #8212; has drawn the most applause from Wall Street.

After a century of failed efforts to make vehicles that can soar above gridlocked traffic, the idea that such contraptions are "just around the corner" might not be so far-fetched.

Tougher fuel economy and emissions regulations will require new engine designs, and more work for the company.

The ambitious forecasts suggest that GM has surmounted some of the cost hurdles that make electric vehicles difficult to sell at prices that are affordable to consumers and profitable to the manufacturer. But other big challenges remain.

Salespeople would be sad to see the federal tax credit on plug-in electric vehicles disappear. But they're not so sure it's necessary to keep customers interested in EVs.

Where do vanishing new-vehicle profits, a slumping U.S. market and an uncertain auto retail future leave AutoNation? CEO Mike Jackson says he's been preparing for years and likes the company's odds to succeed.

While PSA Group works on fine-tuning its mobility services in the United States, it is learning from at least one failed operation launched in Europe.

Nissan engineers have succeeded in commercializing variable compression engine technology for the new Infiniti QX50.

Subaru Superstore of Chandler has found a way for its customers to willingly come back to the store in droves.

In contrast to new-vehicle sales, U.S. used-vehicle sales will rise in 2018, even as prices soften, on rising volumes of off-lease vehicles, economists forecast.

As automakers look for advanced technologies, their unfamiliar suppliers are bringing new ideas to old purchasing departments.

Few companies can propose to take on both Freightliner and Ferrari in one night. But the dollars-and-sense business of automaking remains a deep and daily challenge for Tesla.

The business community may have some options in trying to save the North American Free Trade Agreement from potential termination at the hands of President Donald Trump. But they are neither clear nor easy.