Archives

The Car Czar We Hardly Knew


By Matthew DeBord
Posted Monday, July 13, 2009 - 7:10pm

Steven Rattner, the former investment banker who (probably) got passed over to run the Treasury but who was later tapped to be the Car Czar in all but title, is stepping down. After the accelerated Chrysler and General Motors (GMGMQ) bankruptcies, Rattner figures he has done his duty and can return to defending his financial reputation.

  • Matthew DeBord has written about the auto industry for the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, and Car Design News.

Global Auto Rundown: Porsche, VW, Opel


By Matthew DeBord
Posted Monday, July 13, 2009 - 3:45pm

The never-ending saga of the Porsche-Volkswagen reverse takeover has entered a new phase. Remember that Porsche first tried to take over much larger VW but was thwarted and now due to a mountain of debt, is currently fighting for its own independence.

  • Matthew DeBord has written about the auto industry for the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, and Car Design News.

Daimler Shares Tesla with Abu Dhabi


By Matthew DeBord
Posted Monday, July 13, 2009 - 11:50am

Just a few months after Daimler bought a 10 percent stake in Silicon Valley startup electric carmaker Tesla Motors, the Germans have sold 4 percent to an investment firm in Abu Dhabi. The important thing to note here is that this deal actually means that Tesla might have a more diverse future than anyone currently imagines.

  • Matthew DeBord has written about the auto industry for the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the Huffington Post, and Car Design News.