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Recall Woes Continue For Sweden's Volvo

For the fourth time in four months, Volvo has announced a recall. The current potential problem is potential corrosion in fuel pump electronic modules in S40 and V50 models from 200-2006. A Volvo spokesperson the issue is could occur 82,000 cars worldwide. The modules can be exposed to water (from rain) and sale (from snow) which can cause corrosion. The recall is in “corrosive markets,” where inclement weather is more prevalent, including the United States, Sweden, Germany, Japan, Canada, Netherlands, Russia, China and France. Last November, Volvo, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Co., recalled 56,000 cars due to two separate

Pontiac, Citroen Get Dubious Honors In Top-10 All-Ugly Car List

Car lists are subjective. There are best sports cars, best luxury car lists and even an extreme list like the Top-10 Ugly Cars. And since everyone is entitled to an opinion, the “All-Ugly” list is a lot of fun.

Ho-Hum, It's Another Hummer (Truck?)

With Hummer, it’s all or none. You’re a fan or not. There’s no middle ground. I’m in the latter category. I don’t understand the popularity of the extreme vehicles. But the unique vehicles have a loyal following, and that following will soon expand.

GM, Toyota Battle For No. 1 Over A Half-Million Cars

What’s a few hundred thousand cars between close friends? According the manufacturers’ respective tallies, General Motors and Toyota ended 2007 nearly tied for honors as the world’s biggest automaker. General Motors announced this week it sold 9,369,524 cars in 2007. Toyota also reported this week that it sold 9.366 million cars last year, about 3,000 fewer vehicles than GM. Toyota has steadily expanded its U.S. demand for small cars, particularly the hybrid market. Its Prius is the best-selling hybrid in the country. Toyota has also done well in the pick-up truck market, where the Tundra was named Truck of the

CarMax Makes Fortune Magazine's Top-100 List, But Only Employees Really Know

There’s a television commercial from a few years ago, a recruiting spot for the U.S. Army. It features a young soldier in training, jumping into a fox hole with a smile on his face and all the exuberance of the proverbial “kid in a candy store.”

California Fuel Cell Partnership: Worthy Of A Good Look Or Visit

The Sacramento Auto Show was largely underwhelming this year. Electrical difficulties prompted the shut down of two display building at Cal Expo. And manufacturers’ presentations were uninspired – like the reps were going through the motions of presenting new vehicles for the umpteenth time — which they were. There were a few exceptions, including the display and energy of the presentation at the California Fuel Cell Partnership booth. The California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) is a collaboration of 34 organizations that believe fuel cell vehicles powered by hydrogen have the potential to change the future of transportation. The CaFCP web

Total Recall: 2007's Surprising Most Recalled Car List

The auto industry had a lot changes in 2007. Many great vehicles continued to infiltrate the market. But according to a report on America Online, the total number of recalls nearly equaled the number of vehicles produced, mostly due to massive Ford and Volkswagen recalls. Last August, for example, Ford Motor Co., announced it was recalling 3.6 million vehicles, mostly trucks from the 1990s, to fix a speed control deactivation switch. And last spring, Volkswagen began recalling 1 million new Beetles from the model years 2001 to 2007 to repair a brake light problem. “Now almost any time you pick

Cadillac CTS, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

A mid-size entry level luxury car, the Cadillac CTS was introduced in 2003 as a replacement for the Catera. Five years, later it’s become the manufacturer’s first success story in recent market campaign to sell vehicles to younger buyers. The CTS, in fact, is credited with rekindling the popularity of the Cadillac, whose sales dipped heavily in the 1990s in favor or Lexus, BMW and Mercedes.

Nissan recalls mass quatities of Altimas, Sentras

Nearly 700,000 Nissan vehicles manufactured since 2002 are being recalled because of a potential engine-stalling problem. The Nissan Altima and Sentra models manufactured in 2002 and in 2005- 2006 have a sensor that could overheat and prompt an interruption of the sensor’s signal. If the problem occurs, the engine could stop running without warning when the car is driven at low speeds. Jeannine Ginivan, a Nissan Motor Co. spokeswoman, said Monday there have been no reports of crashes or injuries corresponding to the issue. More than 650,000 of the recalled vehicles are in the United States, with the remainder in

Volkswagen Convertible, 2007: Weidel on Wheels

This is the ultimate cute car, which is why there aren’t many men tooling around in a Volkswagen Beetle convertible. While most women feel perfectly at home in this adorable vehicle, the majority of men liken it to driving a mini-van.

Saturn Vue, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

As the oldest and best-selling vehicle in the Saturn stable, the Vue has found a solid, well-deserved niche in the compact Sport Utility Market. But Saturn couldn’t leave well enough alone.

Honda Element, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Since its debut in 2003, the Honda Element has frequently been described with two succinct comments: “It’s ugly” and “It’s a box with four wheels.” There’s no disputing the Element has among the most conspicuous appearances on the road. But good looks (or lack of good looks) are subjective.

Ford Debuts Mustang (Again) To Honor Steve McQueen's Driving Legend

Approaching three decades since his death, Steve McQueen remains the “King of Cool,” most notably when it involves cars, motorcycles and high speeds. The latest homage to McQueen will occur Nov. 16-25 when Ford Motor Company introduces a special edition Mustang to honor the 1968 vehicle McQueen drove in the movie Bullitt.

Mercury Mariner, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The Mercury Mariner and its nearly identical siblings, the Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute, are grouped in the popular and competitive small sport utility vehicle class. The Honda Element and CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Saturn Vue and Subaru Forester are in the same category, and all have attractive attributes.

Did Roberto Clemente Drive A Chevy?

Did Roberto Clemente drive a Chevy? When the World Series between the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox begins tonight, advertisers will have spent considerable time and money to be part of baseball’s finest week.

Skoda Extends Tour de France Official Car Deal Through 2011

The daily procession of automobiles, trucks, motorhomes and bicycles in the Tour de France has reached its saturation point. Hundreds of officials’ cars, team vehicles, media cars and photographers’ motorcycles depart each stage of the race in a grand and often frantic ceremony more elaborate than the departure of the cyclists.