The Chinese company that owns Volvo called Geely has just acquired the startup behind the world's most promising flying car. Known for the impressive vertical takeoff and landing vehicle called the "Transition," Terrafugia is the company that's come the closest to making flying cars a reality. Now, thanks to Geely's deep pockets, it looks like we could soon be seeing winged Volvos soaring over the freeway. While there are other companies out there experimenting with futuristic hybrid vehicles, Terrafugia is arguably the first to make a truly convincing prototyp...
Analysts say that U.S. auto sales in June will likely fall 2 percent from a year earlier despite large discounts for consumers, presenting a fresh sign that automakers are heading into a downturn. June U.S. new vehicle sales will be about 1.48 million units, a drop of 2 percent from 1.51 million units a year earlier. The forecast was based on the first 15 selling days of the month. Automakers will release June U.S. sales results on July 3. The seasonally adjusted annualized rate for the month will be 16.5 million vehicles, down nearly 2 percent from 16.8 million units in the same mo...
Mike Rocco served for more than two years as regional vice president of Nissan North America's mid-Atlantic region. He became regional vice president of Nissan's Central U.S. region just last month. He has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive business, both on the dealership and corporate level. Bentley Motors is tapping a seasoned automotive executive from Nissan to become vice president of sales and operations – a new role – for the British car brand's Americas division. Mike Rocco will start June 19 and be charged with managing Bentley's recent U.S....
Audi's U.S. chief expects the brand to post another U.S. sales record in 2017. It's an ambitious goal, given that U.S. sales this year are expected to be flat, especially in the luxury car market. Scott Keogh, president of Audi of America, said he's convinced Audi can do it — without resorting to excessive incentives — based on the strength of its lineup. Keogh says they broke through 210,000 units last year. He thinks it's worth pointing out that if we look at Audi America in general, it took them 40 years to sell 100,000 cars for the very first time. Th...
Although Panasonic Corp. is an electronics company, it's becoming quite the rev head. The Japanese brand that's indelibly associated with televisions, audio equipment and microwave ovens now makes more money from auto parts than home appliances. In presentations to investors, the company divides its product portfolio into three business characteristics: high-growth, low-growth and low-profitable. At the top of that tree is automotive batteries, car cockpits and advanced driver assistance systems. The only non-vehicle segment enjoying management's high-growth optimism is air conditi...
