Facebook Hate Speech Protest: A Primer on Lobbying Businesses
In forcing Facebook to face its hate speech problem, women's rights activists drew a blueprint for effectively making companies listen. The key: Go after their advertisers.
Nissan
Along the Road to a Greener America, an Awful Lot of Roadkill
The global financial crisis helped slam the brakes on clean-tech dreams from electric cars to solar panels, but the roots of green energy's mid-life crisis run far deeper.
Japanese Automakers Recall 2 Million Cars For Defective Airbags
Four Japananese automakers recall more than 2 million vehicles worldwide for a problem with air bags that may burst, sending plastic pieces flying.
Bill Gates Was Right: Green Energy Wasn't Ready for Prime Time
Two years ago, Bill Gates famously dismissed green energy as too inefficient and expensive to make a dent in global warming. Today, investors are beginning to agree.
Lexus Tops Consumer Reports' Brand Report Card
Lexus topped the rankings in Consumer Reports's 2013 automotive brand report card. Detroit automakers didn't fare very well -- Cadillac's 14th place tie was the best for U.S. brand -- while Japanese automakers again dominated, taking eight of the top 10 spots.
Is GM's Rebound the Real Deal?
Detroit's revival is nearly complete: Chrysler recently made its first profit in five years, Ford has posted its best results since 1998, and GM is poised to retake the crown as the world's biggest automaker. But to hold onto that position, GM will have to adjust to a rapidly shifting auto market.
Three Late-Model Used Cars That Are Better Than New
For many Americans, buying a new car right now just isn't an option. But for those who need a new set of wheels, there's a way around that problem: Buy one of the right used vehicles, and you'll be in a better position, both financially and from a car value standpoint. Which vehicles? Read on ...
Can You Profit from Obama's New Energy Policy?
Last week, President Obama outlined a new energy policy that aims to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. How can patient investors capitalize on his vision?
Asian Oil Stocks Head North on Cnooc's Heady Earnings
Cnooc, China's most visible offshore oil producer, announced record-high net profits for 2010, helping to send Asian oil shares higher.
Japan's Nikkei Pares Losses as Factories Reopen
Japan's markets got a slight reprieve today as the yen slipped a bit after hitting a record high yesterday. While the lower value helped exporters recover from severe losses earlier in the trading session, the country has a long way to go before confidence in its economy's resilience is restored.
Toyota to Keep Japanese Plants Idle Into Next Week
The Japanese automaker has extended its halt on vehicle production at its plants in Japan through March 22, as the country continues to reel from the devastation of last week's massive 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami.
Earthquake's Effects Rattle Japan's Carmakers
Toyota, Nissan and Honda, among other companies, have shut down plants temporarily in Japan in the wake of Friday's earthquake and tsunami. While many of their factories were undamaged, crippled nuclear plants are causing power shortages, and there has been damage to parts makers and transportation infrastructure.
February's Sales Put Carmakers in the Fast Lane
It was a good month for auto sales despite inclement weather across much of the country and surging oil prices. Cars sold near an annual pace of 13 million vehicles. That would make February the best on record since the "cash for clunkers" rebate program in 2009.
February Auto Sales Likely Kept Zipping Along
Major automakers are set to release February sales figures on Tuesday, and analysts expect the reports will show sales improved 20% compared to a year ago. Consumers continued to warm to the slowly improving economy -- so far, despite surging oil prices.
Can Obama's Proposed $7,500 Rebate Accelerate Electric-Car Sales?
In the State of the Union address in January, President Barack Obama set a goal of getting 1 million electric cars on the road by 2015. Now he's proposed $7,500 rebates, instead of tax credits, to reach that goal. Will that be enough to make it doable?
Egyptian Unrest Sends Oil Prices and Asian Markets Higher
Asian markets rose today with investors piling into oil companies as the price of oil passed the $100 a barrel mark. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index inched up 0.2%, the Shanghai Composite Index added 0.3%, and Japan's Nikkei 225 Index edged up 0.4%.
January Auto Sales Should Build on 2010's Momentum
A slowly brightening economy combined with low financing rates and generally stable fuel prices have put consumers in a buying mood. New models, particularly from Ford and GM, are also helping to keep U.S. auto sales on a positive trajectory as 2011 starts.
Asian Markets Suffer as Egypt Crisis Worries Investors
Continuing unrest in Egypt sent shock waves through stock markets as far away as Japan, where the Nikkei 225 Index fell 1.2%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index also dropped 0.7%. In China the Shanghai Composite Index climbed 1.4%.
Shares Surge in China as Investors Snap up Commodities
In Asia Thursday the Shanghai Composite Index climbed 1.5% to 2,749 and the Hang Seng Index fell 0.3% to 23,780. In Japan the Nikkei 225 Index advanced 0.7% to end the day at 10,479.
Beyond Recalls: A Year Later, Toyota's Woes Continue
Last year's massive recalls -- and the resulting legal fallout -- have given Toyota's reputation a beating, cutting into its sales. But the company can't blame all of its problems on the recalls. Analysts also point to another issue: A lack of compelling new models.
Threat of Worsening Inflation Drags Shares Lower in China
Asian shares were mixed Monday. In China the Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.7% and in Hong Kong the Hang Seng Index edged down 0.3% as investors worried that inflation could rise further in the lead-up to Chinese New Year. However, Japan's Nikkei 225 Index climbed 0.7%.
Upbeat Consumers Push Auto Sales Higher
The nation's automakers ended 2010 strong, with most reporting higher sales for December. Consumers seemed to put concerns about the U.S. economy on hold and more than offset reduced demand by fleet customers, such as corporations and rental-car companies.
December Auto Sales: Set to End 2010 in High Gear
The economy may be less robust than most Americans would like, but that didn't stop many of them from hitting the showrooms in December. That likely propelled auto sales in the final month of 2010 to 1.13 million units, the year's highest levels.
Nissan, Mitsubishi Team Up to Build New Mini Vehicles
Nissan and Mitsubishi plan to work together to bring some new vehicles to market. The Japanese automakers will establish a joint venture to produce a minicar for the home market by 2012, while Nissan will produce a small van for Mitsubishi, which in turn will make an SUV for Nissan.