Latest from Michael Specht
Honda said it will cut some production next week at all U.S. and Canadian plants, and suspend output at plants in Mexico from March 18. Toyota said some lines, shifts or potentially entire plants are expected to be temporarily halted for several days in Kentucky, West Virginia and Mexico. Honda said it will cut some production next week at all U.S. and Canadian plants, and suspend output at plants in Mexico from March 18. Toyota said some lines, shifts or potentially entire plants are expected to be temporarily halted for several days in Kentucky, West Virginia and Mexico. Honda said it will cut some production next week at all U.S. and Canadian plants, and suspend output at plants in Mexico from March 18. Toyota said some lines, shifts or potentially entire plants are expected to be temporarily halted for several days in Kentucky, West Virginia and Mexico.
Alfa Romeo is betting on the Stelvio and its fun-to-drive characteristics to boost the appeal of what is expected to become the brand's best-seller. The Stelvio is the first SUV from the Fiat Chrysler brand.
Honda's latest Civic benefited from the largest development program for a single model in the company's history. The five-door hatchback is the sportiest Civic to date with significant upgrades to its driving dynamics, interior quality, safety and fuel efficiency, according to the automaker.
Smart has improved its EV technology for the battery-powered versions of its ForTwo and ForFour with help from Renault. At 160 km, the Daimler subsidiary's electric drivetrain has a 10 percent longer range under the European testing regime than the previous powertrain.
Maserati is embracing the boom in luxury SUV sales with the launch of its Levante crossover, which the brand expects to become its No. 1 seller.
Volkswagen has made its new Tiguan lighter, roomier and added more technology as standard equipment in a bid to keep the car among Europe's top-selling compact SUVs. Last year the Tiguan ranked second in the segment behind the Nissan Qashqai.
Jaguar engineers have focused on the ride and handling of the new XE sedan in a bid to outclass rivals such as the BMW 3 series. Jaguar claims the XE is the “best driver's car” in its class.
Kia is selling its new Sorento in Europe with a diesel engine only due to low demand in the region for gasoline-powered SUVs, which account for less than 5 percent of midsize SUV sales in Western Europe.
Mercedes has upgraded its flagship sedan by giving it a more spacious rear cabin and features such as voice amplification, extra lining to reduce wind noise and reclining rear seats to create the Mercedes-Maybach S class.
Land Rover expects the Discovery Sport to join the Range Rover Evoque coupe-styled compact SUV in attracting new customers to the brand. It will also become one of the company's top-selling models, executives predict.
