L.A. Times - Auto Industry News

BMW 328i raises the bar as it takes a new path

By David Undercoffler, Los Angeles Times — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PST

The 2012 328i's biggest change is its engine. It's smaller and more efficient than in the previous model, delivering better fuel economy as well as more horsepower and torque.

Imagine if Orson Wells was expected to improve on "Citizen Kane" every six years, or if Kobe Bryant's contract demanded that every time he put Nike to hardwood, he needed to score 60 points.

Car owners are waiting longer to replace their vehicles

By Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:50:00 PST

Owners are keeping their vehicles for nearly six years, a survey finds. The factors include the recession, better quality, longer warranties and autos' decline as status symbols.

So much for the long-held notion that Americans purchase a new car and flip it every three or four years.

Resurgent General Motors posts record $7.6-billion profit for 2011

By Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:42:00 PST

Just three years after its 2009 bankruptcy filing, the automaker surpasses what it earned during its heyday in the mid-1990s.

Three years after nearly collapsing into liquidation, a resurgentGeneral Motors Co.has posted its best annual profit, surpassing what it earned during its heyday in the mid-1990s.

U.S. proposes rules targeting distracted driving

Ian Duncan — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PST

The Department of Transportation's draft regulations for auto manufacturers include designing cars to prohibit the sending of messages from built-in tech devices while the vehicle is in motion.

The U.S. Department of Transportation wants to employ technology against technology in its campaign against distracted driving. Cars should be designed to refuse to send text, tweets or Facebook messages while they are moving, according to draft regulations.

Japanese brands top annual vehicle-dependability study

By Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:36:00 PST

Ford also did well in J.D. Power & Associates' rankings of 2009 model-year vehicles after three years on the road, while most other U.S. and European makers were below average.

If you are in the market for a late-model used car, look for Japanese-built vehicles, be selective of American brands, and buy European with caution.

Tesla will help develop new electric Mercedes-Benz

By Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PST

Electric car company Tesla Motors Inc. announced a deal to provide the powertrain for a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle, even as it moves closer to manufacturing its own vehicles later this year.

Attorneys general win more time to ponder Honda Civic settlement

By Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PST

Five states including California won more time to decide whether they will object to a proposed class-action settlement between Honda and owners of its Civic hybrid who contend they were misled about the car's fuel economy.

Auto registration study reveals red state, blue state leanings

By Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PST

R.L. Polk's auto registration study says domestic cars do better in red states, with Ford at No. 1. But who buys Kias or Toyotas is not so straightforward.

Republicans buy Kias and Democrats lean to Hyundais.

Probe opened into fires in Chevy Trailblazer driver's side doors

By Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PST

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating data for about 309,000 Trailblazers made in 2006 and 2007.

Federal safety investigators have announced their second probe in less than a week involving fires starting in the driver's side doors of vehicles.

Saturday Drive: The designer behind Aston Martin's V-12 Zagato

By David Undercoffler — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PST

Start off your weekend of motoring with a quick take on what's grabbed our attention recently.

The car: Aston Martin V-12 Zagato