After more than a decade in the market, the Kia brand remains to be known as ‘cheap and cheerful’. With the launch of the sporty sedan ‘Optima’ and the hiring of a former Audi design guru, Kia hopes to change its image, but the question remain to ‘what’ exactly? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38956147/ns/business-autos The ‘Optima’ is a good [...]

After having to suffer with dinosaur brands from GM and Ford for an unbearable number of years, the American consumer is finally being wowed by a 21st century car company and brand called the Tesla. Chief Executive Elon Musk (what a name) shows off a new Tesla sports electric vehicle after ringing the opening bell [...]

Toyota has let its quality slide through relentless pursuit of global auto market dominance, zealous efficiency and cost cutting. Will recalls, halting sales and production of models affected by the accelerator problem in the US salvage Toyota’s long held quality and reliability reputation? Toyota already makes the dullest vehicles of any auto maker. What else [...]

Saab, a quirky little car with lots of personality, has not been able to find a Chinese or Indian savior for its brand or the company (unlike its bigger Swedish rival Volvo).  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704779704574555703312066522.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us Have you seen anyone one driving a new Saab lately? Most friends I know who own Saabs bought theirs in the 1990s.  There [...]