The nation's power grid is sorely in need of being updated. In many areas it's pushed to the limit, especially during high use times like the summer months. Remember a few years ago when there were rolling brownouts in California?   Read More

It may be the number one question I get from people when they ask about the struggling U.S. automakers: Who would want these guys if they ever go belly up or get sold?    Read More

Over the last three weeks, I have heard the same thing over and over, often from those who think I'm partial to Toyota. It goes something like this: "You never say when things go wrong for Toyota." Well, for all of you, Toyota Phil has a news flash: Toyota says it will be falling short of its sales goal for the U.S.   Read More

It's a major achievement Chrysler should rightfully be proud of. But it also highlights the next challenge for them, as well as GM and Ford: closing the "perception gap." First, here's the good news for the Big 3 on assembly plant efficiency.    Read More

It's not often that an e-mail makes me stop and say "Hmmmmm. Do a lot of people feel the same way?" But, this one from Nathan did just that.   Read More

It's MINI that may be best positioned right now. WIth sales up 29.9% this year, The MINI Cooper and Clubman are compact cars with the unique combination of style and fuel efficiency in a tight little package.    Read More

In hybrids, Honda has announced that early next year it will roll out a lighter, more affordable 5 door hatchback that will look similar to the hydrogen fuel cell FCX Clarity model. The plan: annual sales 200,000 worldwide, including a 100,000 here in the U.S.   Read More

The future of mass market quantities of electric cars is getting a big push today from one on the more "electric" leaders in the auto industry. Nissan/Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn is expected to announce his company plans to sell its first electric cars in the U.S. by 2010--according to the New York Times.   Read More

This auto-parts company is slashing costs but the Street isn't paying attention. That doesn't mean you have to miss it.   Read More

There's an old adage in the car business that even in tough times, good cars will still sell. That might explain why certain models continue to fly off dealer lots and even sell at a higher price, even though the overall auto market is down. Perhaps the most interesting example is the new Chevy Malibu.    Read More