Just a day after ranking the most reliable new car manufacturers and individual models, the researchers at Consumer Reports have gone to the bottom of the barrel.Â

Today, they announced the 10 least-reliable new cars, at least according to their reliability studies and surveys.

Not surprisingly, several of the worst-performing cars are produced by automakers that landed near the bottom of the group’s overall manufacturer survey. MINI came in last place overall, with Lincoln and Ford taking home the next worst places, respectively. Notably, more than half of the vehicles on the list were new or refreshed models during the survey period. Brand new or heavily revised models tend to have more problems than cars that have been on the market for a few years.

Consumer Reports says that the rankings are based on survey results covering 17 “potential trouble spots” and that they should be used as a forecast of how the latest 2014 models will hold up.

The 10 Least-Reliable New Cars

1. Ford C-Max Energi Plug-In Hybrid
2. Ford Escape (1.6-liter EcoBoost model)
3. MINI Cooper Countryman
4. Ford C-Max Hybrid
5. Nissan Pathfinder
6. Volkswagen Beetle
7. Cadillac XTS
8. Ford Explorer (V6 4WD model)
9. Hyundai Genesis Coupe
10. Ford Taurus (3.5-liter EcoBoost model)

 

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They say that timing is everything, and that was certainly the case with our latest BMW M3 spy shots.

One of our spy photographers was simply out for a pleasure cruise on their motorcycle over the weekend when their hemlemt-mounted video camera captured something completely unexpected — an undisguised 2015 BMW M3 in the middle of a filming session.

Although somewhat grainy, the car seen here is easily identifiable as the  next-generation M3 thanks to its agressive front fascia, beefy wheels and tires and quad-exhaust outlets out back.  The M3 also looks to be sporting a hood bulge and a carbon fiber roof.

Overall, the 2014 M3 is expected to weigh about 220 pounds less than its predecessor.

Under hood, the new M3 will trade in its 4.0L V8 for a twin-turbocharged 3.0L inline-six.  Although power figures have yet to be confirmed, previous reports have suggested the M3 will arrive with 450 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque.  That power will be routed to the M3′s rear-wheels through a new limited-slip M Division rear differential.

A dual-clutch transmission will certainly be on offer, but it remains to be seen if BMW will offer the M3 with a third pedal.

Look for the 2014 BMW M3 to make its official debut at January’s Detroit auto show. <![CDATA[
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Booming auto demand will push North American light vehicle production to a 14-year high during the fourth quarter, a new forecast predicts.

Many automakers are still struggling with capacity constraints, but a new forecasts from Wards Auto projects North American auto output will hit 4.02 million units during the October-December period. If true, that would be the highest fourth quarter tally since 4.28 million vehicles were built during the period in 1999.

According to Wards‘ estimates, Honda, Nissan and Toyota will all break North American production record for the period. The domestics are also projected to have a banner quarter, with Ford, Chrysler and GM expected to have their best production figures in over six years.

Light vehicle production for the year will likely total 16.1 million vehicles, good enough for an 11-year high. However, NA production remains well off from the 17.16 million unit high recorded in 2000.

Wards predicts North American auto production will continue to grow for at least the next two years as an improving economy spurs the new vehicle market. North American output could come close to a record high with 17 million vehicles in 2015.

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The United States Treasury department now expects to lose about $9.7 billion on its $49.5 billion bailout of General Motors.

The government has been slowly selling off the 912 million GM shares, or 60.8 percent of the company, it received for the 2009 bailout, but at current stock prices U.S. taxpayers stand to lose $9.7 billion on the deal. The Treasury currently holds 101 million GM shares, or roughly 7.3 percent of the company, which would net $3.6 billion at today’s stock prices.

In order to break even on the bailout, the Treasury would need GM’s stock prices to rise from its current $36 to $140.

Although a significant hit, most government officials and auto analysts view the GM bailout as a success.

“General Motors is rapidly becoming the company that everyone hoped when the government rescued the auto industry,” a GM spokeswoman said in a statement to Automotive News, adding that GM is “producing cars that win in the marketplace under sound, smart management.”

The government has vowed to sell off its remain stake in GM no later than March.

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