The Trouble with Toyotas: $100M saved applying “cheap” floor mat fix

By John LeBlanc Toyota President Akio Toyoda ’s appearance this week in Washington to defend his company’s actions on the unintended acceleration crisis isn’t getting off to a great start. A newly released internal Toyota document claims the Japanese automaker saved more than $100 million (U.S.) by convincing U.S. safety officials to end a 2007 investigation […]

Brand-Aid: Does Ford really need Lincoln?

By John LeBlanc Despite being the darling of the auto-world media right now (NO BANKRUPTCIES!! NO BAILOUT MONEY!! NO STICKY GAS PEDALS!!), Ford has a problem child: its name is Lincoln. Ah, yes, Lincoln. Remember? Ford’s luxury brand? Don’t feel ashamed if you’ve forgotten.

Bailout Blues: Will Fiat ever deliver on its promise of new Chryslers?

By John LeBlanc With U.S. lawmakers taking Toyota to the wood shed this week, let’s take a look at another automaker with some, ahem, challenges: Fiat-run Chrysler.

Crystal Ball: The Future is Small

By John LeBlanc Eventually, historians will write that the past decade was one of the most tumultuous and significant eras in the auto industry—the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001; the roller-coaster of fuel prices; the public’s growing environmental and road safety awareness; the rise of the Chinese automakers; the fall of the Detroit Big […]

The Trouble with Toyotas: Has the hybrid halo been tarnished?

By John LeBlanc So, let’s see, what’s on Toyota president Akio Toyoda’s agenda today? Oh. Only recalling its “halo” Prius, the best-selling car in Japan, that’s all.

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