Audi Returns to Top of Consumer Reports Brand Ranking, FCA Returns to the Bottom

The automaker that can't seem to catch a break in overall quality rankings — or more comprehensive ones — doesn't get a reprieve in Consumer Reports' latest brand ranking. In its 2017 list of the best and worst brands, which combines scores for predicted reliability, road testing, safety and owner satisfaction, a familiar German brand […] The post Audi Returns to Top of Consumer Reports Brand Ranking, FCA Returns to the Bottom appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Hindustan Ambassador Only Part of PSA’s Push in India

The Hindustan Ambassador, in production from 1958 to 2014, is an iconic vehicle. Iconic enough that news of Peugeot SA's acquisition of the Ambassador brand from the C.K. Birla group's Hindustan Motors got a fair amount attention despite most of the automotive news media being focused on Peugeot parent PSA's proposed purchase of Opel and Vauxhall from General […] The post Hindustan Ambassador Only Part of PSA's Push in India appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Lawsuit Claims Ferrari Approved Odometer Rollbacks

Former Ferrari salesman Robert "Bud" Root is suing Ferrari of Palm Beach for wrongful dismissal, alleging the dealer fired him after he discovered that a Ferrari DEIS tool was being used to roll back odometers. He also claims discrimination due to his old age. Root's claim states that Ferrari's Italian headquarters has been producing and […] The post Lawsuit Claims Ferrari Approved Odometer Rollbacks appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

As Its Automotive and Robotic Programs Languish, Honda Tries to Rekindle the Spirit of Innovation

Honda wants to up its software game and encourage creative uses for ones and zeros at its new research and development center. With ASIMO — the company's adorable robot mascot — almost old enough to smoke, Honda hasn't developed a super-high-profile gizmo in nearly 17 years. Recently, the company took a distinctive back-to-basics approach to address slipping […] The post As Its Automotive and Robotic Programs Languish, Honda Tries to Rekindle the Spirit of Innovation appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

$1 Billion Apology: Takata Pleads Guilty as CFO Explains Its ‘Deeply Inappropriate’ Behavior

It's been a long road to this point, but Takata's CFO, Yoichiro Nomura, finally had the opportunity to plead guilty on behalf of the company to fraud. The company accepted a $1 billion settlement with the U.S. government yesterday as Nomura condemned Takata's actions as "deeply inappropriate." U.S. District Court Judge George Steeh confirmed the previously agreed-to settlement against […] The post $1 Billion Apology: Takata Pleads Guilty as CFO Explains Its 'Deeply Inappropriate' Behavior appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

As Trade Battle Looms, Mexico Has a Few Tricks up Its Sleeve

In the international poker game of NAFTA re-negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump should not assume his Mexican opponent will be playing with a losing hand, an auto industry expert says. "I'm going to be surprised if we see a heck of a lot changed," said John Holmes, researcher at the Automotive Policy Research Centre at […] The post As Trade Battle Looms, Mexico Has a Few Tricks up Its Sleeve appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Last Ride: Tupac Shakur’s Death Car is For Sale Right Now

In case you're a particularly macabre automotive collector, Tupac Shakur's murder car is currently available for purchase. California's chotchkie dealer, Moments in Time, is listing Death Row co-founder Suge Knight's black 1996 BMW 750iL on its website for a cool $1.5 million. That's roughly $1.49 million over the estimated private party value of an E38 Bimmer […] The post Last Ride: Tupac Shakur's Death Car is For Sale Right Now appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Peugeot Starts Its Return to the United States Market on April 1

A report released by PSA Groupe, maker of Citroën and Peugeot vehicles, details the first part of a 10-year plan to reintroduce PSA brands into the North American market, starting in the United States this week! So, how do you feel about mobility solutions? PSA has partnered with French-based insurer MAIF to bring PSA's TravelCar program to […] The post Peugeot Starts Its Return to the United States Market on April 1 appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Ready to Attract (or Repel) Compact CUV Buyers

Ahead of its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi has lifted the curtain on a new compact crossover with a familiar — but now confusing — name. Yes, the 2018 Eclipse Cross bastardizes the memory of that sporty coupe your 18-year-old co-worker once owned, but the name is the least of anyone's concerns right […] The post 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Ready to Attract (or Repel) Compact CUV Buyers appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

QOTD: Would You Buy A 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio If It’s Best-In-Class But Breaks Down?

Although there are plans in the works, we have not yet tested the new 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia. Not in base, Ti, or Quadrifoglio guise. But in a four-car comparison test recently conducted by Car And Driver, the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio finished on top, besting the 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 S (yes, it's a Mercedes-AMG, apparently […] The post QOTD: Would You Buy A 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio If It's Best-In-Class But Breaks Down? appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

2017 Volkswagen Passat V6 Review – Lower Saxony’s Tennessee Sedan Volunteers For Family Sedan Duty

Time flies. 2017 is the sixth model year for the Chattanooga, Tennessee-built Volkswagen Passat, the Americanized family sedan that aimed for the heart of the market so routinely missed by its forerunners. The other Passat, the Passat designed more for Europe's tastes than yours, has since launched in new, eighth-generation form. Yet having lost all of the momentum […] The post 2017 Volkswagen Passat V6 Review – Lower Saxony's Tennessee Sedan Volunteers For Family Sedan Duty appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Piston Slap: New York State and the 5-Digit Odometer’s Death?

Edward writes: Here's something I've been wondering: Why did odometers typically read only to 100,000 miles until fairly recently? Was that the maximum cars could possibly last when the practice began? Was it marketing — "100,000 miles, need a new car"? Is it something else? Durability expectations were certainly raised when Volvo added another digit, […] The post Piston Slap: New York State and the 5-Digit Odometer's Death? appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Mexican Economy Minister Will Say ‘Bye-Bye’ to NAFTA Talks if Tariffs are Imposed

Ildefonso Guajardo, Mexico's senior trade negotiator, reaffirmed his position to break off talks to reconfigure NAFTA, saying his country will completely abandon talks if the United States continues threatening levies and caps on products coming in from its southern border. He said Mexico will refuse to even consider the kind of tariffs President Trump has discussed and revert back […] The post Mexican Economy Minister Will Say 'Bye-Bye' to NAFTA Talks if Tariffs are Imposed appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Should Satisfy Z/28 Holdouts

Chevrolet's Camaro ZL1 is already renowned for its ability to put down massive amounts of power in the corners and the straights. When General Motors switched over to the Alpha platform, it made sure that the ZL1 was a serious contender on the track, drag strip, highway, or any other evenly paved road. For 2018, the ZL1 […] The post The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE Should Satisfy Z/28 Holdouts appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

New Transportation Secretary Has Obama’s Self-driving Guidelines Under a Microscope

Last September, the Obama administration released a list of 15 guidelines to all automakers looking to develop and market a self-driving vehicle. Companies were asked to voluntarily follow the rules and report back to the federal government with useful information. It was a somewhat confusing exercise and raised a flurry of questions and concerns. At […] The post New Transportation Secretary Has Obama's Self-driving Guidelines Under a Microscope appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Rare Rides: Ferrari-inspired Chevrolet Turbo-diesel will Ignite Your Custom Passions

Some automotive generalities are undeniable: Americans like their pickup trucks, and Italians like the style and flair of a Ferrari. It's not often these two interests align, but today's Rare Rides must have been written somewhere in the stars, because it's just so right. Via Craigslist, behold the stunning Ferrar-olet. Last week got the custom party […] The post Rare Rides: Ferrari-inspired Chevrolet Turbo-diesel will Ignite Your Custom Passions appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA

Union Vaccine: Elon Musk Promises Free Frozen Yogurt and Roller Coasters to Employees

With his employees showing a growing interest in unionization, Tesla CEO Elon Musk shot off a lengthy email to staff urging them to forgo joining the United Auto Workers. While the UAW has romanced Tesla's growing workforce for years, a recent — and highly publicized — blog post written by an employee expressed renewed concern […] The post Union Vaccine: Elon Musk Promises Free Frozen Yogurt and Roller Coasters to Employees appeared first on The Truth About Cars. from The Truth About Cars http://ift.tt/Jh8LjA