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Norway Thinks Global With New U.S.—Based Electric Car, Think City

Think Global, a Norwegian automaker, has plance to sell an electric car in the United States by the end of 2009 that goes 110 miles without recharing and costs less than $25,000. According to the Associated Press, two venture capital firms are funding the U.S. operation, likely be based Southern California. The car will be named Think City, is a two-seater with a top speed of about 65 mph. It will operate on sodium batteries and is 95 percent recyclable. “It’s a mass-market vehicle,” Ray Lane of venture capital firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers to the AP. “Our desire

The Weekly Driver On The Road: GM getaway features Pontiac G8, Vibe, Lucerne

In addition to the well-established national and international auto shows, auto manufacturers often invite the media to smaller, regional gatherings to introduce vehicles. In early April, I joined more than 40 other journalists and photographers at a General Motors’ media launch and two-day getaway at The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, California.

Electric Sports Car, Tesla, Makes Los Angeles Debut

The Tesla Roadster, the long-awaited electric sports car powered by a lithium-ion battery and possessing a more than $100,000 price tag, is now available for the first time in a Westwood, Calif., dealership.

Toyota Sequoia, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

Jeff Weidel Many reasons exist to literally steer away from purchasing a large sport utility vehicle. Lack of gas mileage is one negative. Every time I drive a behemoth SUV, it seems like one eye watching the gas gauge dip as another $70 fill-up looms.

The Weekly Driver On The Road: Nothing Like The Waffle House

There’s nothing like the Waffle House. You want a stick-to-your-ribs breakfast at anytime of day or night? This is the place. Anyone who lives in the South can easily take ‘em for granted. Perhaps it’s not too dissimilar from other parts of the country where Denny’s or Starbucks rule highway exits and small and large cities. But in the South, Waffle House is where it’s going on.

The Weekly Driver On The Road: Cheap Gas Prices In Georgia, Not!

Five days into the Tour de Georgia, I’ve finally driven the roads that remind me why I appreciate bicycle racing. The route for stage 5 took the field from Suwanee to Dahlonega, and at 133 miles, it was the longest day of the weeklong race. The alternate route from Lake Lanier Island (where the entourage stayed after stage 4) to the finish was much shorter — only a 90-minute drive.

Toyota, Tata Motors Named Among World's Most Innovative Companies

The automotive industry has plenty of global problems. But innovation is not one of the issues — at least according to BusinessWeek magazine. In its list of the world’s 50 most innovated companies, Toyota and Tata Motors of India are both in the top-10 list. Apple, which debuted the iPhone and the MacBook Air in the past year, was named the world’s most innovative company. Here’s the top-10: 1. Apple; 2;.Google; 3. Toyota; 4. General Electric; 5. Microsoft; 6. Tata Motors; 7. Nintendo; 8. Proctor & Gamble; 9. Sony; 10. Nokia.

The Weekly Driver On The Road: Small Roads, Big Sights On The Way To Monterey

One of my favorite car review testing routes is the estimated 200-mile drive from Sacramento to the Monterey Peninsula. I’ve mentioned the high-speed trek along the congested city stretches, open agricultural farmlands and rolling fields along Interstate 5 . And I’ve written about how in Gilroy, the road changes for a short stretch onto highway 101 and then onto two mall connecting 152 and 156 routes as the peninsula and Pacific Ocean appear on the horizon. It’s these secondary roads I enjoy most. Form the hectic nature of Interstate 5, the road abruptly changes onto an oddly cambered route past

Hybrid Sales Continue To Climb In United States

The popularity of hybrid vehicles in the United States continues to rise. According to a report by the Green Car Congress in Washington, D.C., sales of hybrids in the U.S. rose 10 percent in March 2008 compared to 2007 sales in the same month.

Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Now ending its first decade in production, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is a strong contender in the compact sport utility vehicle category. Its value pricing, strong warranty, good cabin and cargo space and satisfactory overall driving have prompted more potential buyers to give it appropriate consideration.

OnStar, MapQuest Union: Nirvana For Marriages And Directionally Challenged?

Maybe it’ll finally mean marital driving bliss? Or a new confidence boost for the directionally challenged? General Motor’s OnStar division has signed a deal with online company MapQuest.

Consumer Reports Selects Most Overlooked Cars For 2008

Consumer Reports is well-known for its lists. And in the automotive world that includes standard best and worst lists and more niche areas like best used cars, best sport utility vehicles and best family cars.

Acura RL, 2008: Weidel on Wheels

Like many people, I’ve always been a fan of the Honda Accord. Second on the list of top-selling cars in the United States, the Accord always looks and feels like a more expensive vehicle.

Safety Institute Determines 2007 Buick Rendezvous Most Dangerous Car In Crashes

For the 2007 model year, the minivan-based Buick Rendezvous, the Sport Utility Vehicle promoted by golfer Tiger Woods, was ranked as the most dangerous car to be in during a crash by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Tata Motors Of India Buys Jaguar, Land Rover From Ford Motor Co.

Tata Motors, Ltd., the Indian manufacturer which two months ago debuted the world’s least expensive car, has shifted automotive gears and acquired two storied luxury brands, Jaguar and Land Rover. The deal involves Ford Motor Co. selling Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors for about $1.7 billion.

Consumer Reports Selects Its Worst-10 Vehicles For 2008

Consumer Reports recently announced the results of its annual car tests. Manufacturers relish being on the top-10 list and, of course, don’t appreciate being on the 10-worst list. Consumer Reports tests more than 50 vehicles each year in a program that includes 45 individual tests — emergency handling to acceleration, fuel economy to bumper impact.