Sources indicate that Nissan is preparing its own hybrid technology for a 4WD hybrid. The hybrid will use an engine and electric motor combination for the front wheels and an electric motor to provide 4WD to the back wheels, but it does seem that this arrangement could be reversed. It is unclear what type of vehicle will have the 4WD hybrid powetrain, but it may be some type of crossover vehicle. Indications are that such a hybrid vehicle will appear in the US. Perhaps the next generation

These are some very good pictures of what could be the next hit for Volvo. The C70 convertible has been captured on the scene of a photo shoot with its hardtop down. The next C70 will use a folding hardtop like those found on many luxury convertibles today. The look is pure Volvo, but the rear evolves some, still using the bump-up trunk. From these shots, the Swedish brand keeps on shedding its boxy stigma. Thanks to Nick for the heads up!

Ford has named Marek Reichman as Aston Martin's new director of design.

In the mist of a huge slump, Mexico is trying to lure more automakers to set up shop in the country. Within the last five years, exports of vehicles from Mexico have dropped 31% because of a dwindling demand of Ford, GM and VW vehicles in the U.S. Ford's Hermosillo plant in Mexico is getting ready for production to begin on the new Fusion, Milan and Zephyr triplets hoping that the new mid-size vehicles will bring fortune once again to the Mexican industry. Mexico is also courting the Euro

According to a lengthy breakdown of the Chinese car trends in the Economist, China is currently the third-largest country for cars and boasts the most highway miles outside of the US. It's amazing hunger for cars is projected to grow to 10-20% every year for several years, making it potentially a rival market in size to the US. The Economist credits a centralized economic strategy for guiding investments and building huge amounts of infrastructure such as factories, roads and a new F1 rac

Pioneer's

BMW's 507hp high-revving V10 engine took the cake as 2005's

Father's Day is coming up and I'm debating on what to get dear old Dad. The last couple of

GM announced officially to its dealers on Thursday that they should expect to see even more consolidation of its GMC, Buick and Pontiac dealerships. Dealers don't seems to mind the new strategy as they expect to benefit from a stronger GM, but are waiting to see what the future holds for them. GM is expected to boost Chevy's portfolio possibly up to 26 models and Cadillac to 11, making them the backbone of GM's recovery strategy. Buick will be pared down to 4 or 5 models, but GM was still

For the first time Toyota has taken the top spot in the Harbour Report, a study that measures the auto industry's most efficient North American manufacturing plants. Toyota has passed the perennial leader Nissan in the study by increasing productivity by 5.5 percent last year. Chrysler gained 4.2 percent, bringing the time to produce a vehicle to an average of 35.85 hours. GM has made the biggest gains in North America over the past five years.