Jim Motavalli Blog

The new General Motors: A mighty fall from '47
GM has a huge climb ahead, and it owes taxpayers like you and me $50 billion. What a contrast with 1947, when pent up consumer demand sent profits -- and company optimism -- soaring.
MNN vs. Slate, round two: Selling cars in 2015
MNN's Jim Motavalli and Slate's Matt DeBord toss around the auto industry's future. We disagree on tomorrow's big players, but we both think Chinese carmakers will emerge as global contenders.
Plugging in, taking off: Eight electric vehicle startups to watch
Don't be surprised if at least one of these companies becomes as big as (or bigger than) General Motors.
Deep freeze: Iceland's hydrogen push cools off
The economy is in free fall, but this tiny country is still very energy conscious. For now, its fuel-cell dreams are on hold, but will electric cars run on the elf-haunted roads instead?
Will Tweet for food (and Fiestas)
Ford recruited 100 young and restless bloggers and YouTube posters to spread the word about its new subcompact. And it seems to be working.
Parking garages are going green
New Haven's Neon Garage offers free EV charging and, while you wait, colorful neon sculpture from Katharine Hepburn's nephew.
Despite D.C.'s fatal crash, light rail is safe transit
This week's Washington, D.C., train accident was horrific, but it's not a reason to stay away from light-rail trains. Cars cause a lot more carnage.
Shooting off sparks: Tesla's Elon Musk responds to co-founder's lawsuit
Tesla has delivered 500 cars, welcomed an investment from Daimler, and is even poised to make a profit. But there's still that nasty lawsuit from a company cofounder. This week, CEO Elon Musk responds to Martin Eberhard's charges.
Sampling supercars: A timeshare for 150-mph
Ever wondered what it was like to drive a Lamborghini, Ferrari or Aston-Martin? Me too.
Warning signs: Dire federal climate report says we need EVs now
The White House is behind a blunt global warming report predicting rapid sea-level rise, lost glaciers, more intense hurricanes and a drier Southwest unless we take fast action. And that includes getting clean cars on the road.

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