Hyundai moving beyond 'value' brand reputation

Hyundai's U.S. boss says the brand is changing from a "value" brand into a "valuable" brand. John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, said the brand is quickly shedding its roots as a purveyor of new cars for used-car prices and becoming a major player in the global industry.

The Name Game: Why the next Buick will be called the Verano

Verano means “summer” in Spanish, though it could easily be a type of coffee or even a brand of crystal. But the idea behind the latest Buick was to snare an upscale, forward-sounding name to lure to new customers. Buick could have gone with an alpha-numeric designation, or even dipped into its heritage for a storied moniker from the past.

In NYC's cab contest, vans aim to be seen

Nissan North America Inc., Ford Motor Co. and a little-known Turkish vehicle manufacturer are in a three-way competition to supply the next generation of taxis to New York City. The winner will snare a large fleet deal: more than 13,000 vehicles delivered over the next three to five years, with a 10-year exclusive agreement from the city.