Volkswagen brass lobby hard for North American SUV

Story by John LeBlanc

As it pushes to become a full-line automaker in North America, one gaping hole in the Volkswagen brand’s product portfolio is a three-row SUV. But if Volkswagen Group of America executives get their way, a new VW crossover will not only be sold in America but also built there. Read more

2013 Frankfurt: Volkswagen goes electric

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

FRANKFURT – In what will eventually become a fleet of as many as 40 electric or hybrid vehicles, Germany’s Volkswagen is making a big bet on the electrification of the automobile. Read more

2013 Frankfurt: Ford’s new Vignale is a Lincoln for Europe

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

After shedding Volvo, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover, Ford has been without an upmarket brand in Europe for years. But here in Frankfurt, the American automaker debuted its new, exclusive Vignale sub-brand. Read more

2013 Frankfurt: Porsche’s all-new supercar debuts alongside its 50-year-old sibling

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

FRANKFURT – You probably already know a fair bit about Porsche’s big news at this year’s Frankfurt auto show, its 700-horsepower 918 Spyder mid-engine gas-electric hybrid supercar. But did you know that it is now officially the fastest street-legal car around Germany’s famed Nürburgring race track? Read more

2013 Frankfurt: Toyota and Lexus debuts far from conservative

Story and photos by John LeBlanc

FRANKFURT – Trying to garner some attention in a European market where it’s a relatively small player, Japan’s Toyota debuted two outlandish concepts here in Frankfurt. Read more

« go back — keep looking »