LeftLane

BMW has become the largest luxury brand in the U.S. for the first time ever.

Detroit’s automakers collectively gained share for the first time in decades, but can their momentum continue?

The NAIAS has singed a long-term deal to keep the show in Detroit’s Cobo Center.

A new study published by MIT reveals just how detrimental weight and power is to improved fuel economy.

It was a December to remember – maybe not for Lexus, but for most automakers – in the United States last month.

Luxury peer-to-peer car sharing service HiGear has been forced to shut down after a ring of thieves made off with $300,000 worth of vehicular loot.

Porsche will hire 300 new engineers in 2012.

BMW is calling for luxury sales to outpace the overall market in 2012.

Ford’s next-generation F-Series trucks will rely heavily on aluminum body parts.

Some analysts are calling for gas prices to top $5 this year.

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne told employees that 2012 will be a pivotal year in the “reconstruction of a great Chrysler.”

The Korean automakers are predicting a relatively modest combined sales gain of six percent after double digit increases in years past.

Craftsman has announced it will use the upcoming NAIAS to debut its latest lawn tractor.

The government’s decision to end its ethanol subsidy could have an immediate impact on gas prices.

Global auto sales will advance nearly 7 percent in 2012.

Bentley’s sales made a remarkable comeback in 2011.

Automakers are expected to build around 300,000 more cars during the first three months of 2012 than they did last year.

Mercedes has officially tallied its 2 millionth SUV sale.

A group of investment funds are seeking $2.6 billion in damages over Porsche’s failed 2008 takeover attempt of Volkswagen.

Ford has officially hit the 2 million unit mark in 2011.

VW says it is cleaning up its act at all of its global factories.

California’s carbon-cutting efforts were dealt a major blow today by a U.S. District Court judge.

Hyundai will boost spending as it tries to increase its European market share.

California has launched a new campaign to make drivers aware of longer maintenance intervals.

Former Mercedes exec Ernst Lieb plans to fight charges of fraud.

The UAW is quietly targeting German plants for organization.

Mitsubishi is said to be putting the finishing touches on an inexpensive light truck EV.

You can now rent Lambo’s latest super car, but it won’t be cheap.

A new report indicates Lotus could be on the auction block.

The deal should be complete in March of 2012.

The NHTSA is looking into rust-related problems with some vans from GM and Ford.

Dacia and Daimler could be hit the hardest.

A new forecast indicated electric vehicles will miss current sales forecasts.

Mercedes parent Daimler is calling for strong sales gains over the next two year.

Investment in Canadian auto plants has fallen to the lowest point in decades.

Analysts are predicting that crisis-jaded consumers will drive new-car sales up by six to seven percent in 2012.

GM will suspend production at four plants to prepare the facilities for new-generation trucks.

Chinese drivers are far more likely to use OnStar than those in North America.

Volkswagen is granting its Blackberry-wielding workers in Germany a reprieve from overnight emails.

December is on pace to be the best sales month since the ‘cash for clunkers’ program.

The government’s gaze into the future paints and ugly picture for two of Detroit’s automakers.

Nissan has announced the recall of nearly 15,000 vehicles for an oil filter issue.

China’s Youngman has worked out a deal to buy Saab’s new car platform.

Increasing its global reach, Chrysler’s Mopar parts division has opened two new warehouses in Shanghai and Dubai.

Ferrari’s president says that he isn’t planning to formally enter politics, although his statements might indicate otherwise.