Automotive News (Page 1116)

Automotive News

This section of Torque News provides the latest auto news and updates from the car manufacturers. Every day number of news stories and editorials are published here that give our readers an overview of what is happening in the automotive industry. Read this section daily to find out about new cars, vehicle reviews and car pictures. Torque News is an automotive news website by Hareyan Publishing, LLC, dedicated to covering the latest news, reviews and opinions about the car industry.

New Car Sales Up 10.5 Percent for 2010 – Fleet a Large Reason

By Keith Griffin on December 30, 2010 - 8:53AM

There’s no denying that the automotive industry is still in a bit of a sales slump when compared to historical figures, but 2010 is going to see new car sales up 10.5 percent (with fleet and rental car sales a large reason) when compared to 2009 with a similar bump predicted for 2011.

China puts squeeze on rare earth customers with export restrictions

By Frank Sherosky on December 29, 2010 - 6:21PM

China is cutting exports in 2011 by another 11% after a 40% cut in 2010. Question is, will it drastically affect electronic manufacturers and electric vehicle battery suppliers who depend on lithium?

Ford's Quick Lane retains title to fastest-growing automotive service brand

By Frank Sherosky on December 29, 2010 - 1:38PM

Ford Motor Company’s Quick Lane® vehicle maintenance business has been rated the fastest-growing service brand in the industry. Having sold a record 1 million tires in 2010, the company is on track to post record sales of more than $550 million for the year.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze hatchback patent drawings revealed

By Patrick Rall on December 29, 2010 - 1:26PM

The sporty Chevrolet Cruze hatchback made its conceptual debut at the 2011 Paris Motor Show and thanks to the folks at CarScoop, we have a look at patent renderings issued to the European patent office, giving us an idea as to what will change from concept to production.

Portugal's Prime Minister accepts 2011 Nissan Leaf

By Patrick Rall on December 29, 2010 - 12:51PM

The 2011 Nissan Leaf has reached the point where it is being delivered to customers all over the world and as the first wave of the new electric cars hit Portugal, the country’s Prime Minister became the first world leader to drive the Leaf.

Automobile Magazine Picks Best and Worst for 2010

By Keith Griffin on December 29, 2010 - 11:02AM

It’s that time of year: the Best of and Worst of lists for 2010. Automobile Magazine is out with one of the better “best of and worst of” lists for 2010 because of its depth on various automotive topics.

Auto Recall Numbers Point To Interesting Trends

By Keith Griffin on December 29, 2010 - 10:06AM

Conventional wisdom would be the number of recalls is increasing. After all, you can’t log onto a website without reading about another recall. Well, conventional wisdom could be wrong.

One in Ten Admit To Driving Drunk in Last 12 Months

By Keith Griffin on December 28, 2010 - 10:41PM

As New Year’s Eve approaches, keep two things in mind. Odds are probably one in 20 drivers will be legally drunk behind the wheel and the incidence of drunk driving fatalities is 2.5 times higher on New Year’s Day.

China increasing sales tax on small cars in 2011

By Patrick Rall on December 28, 2010 - 8:54PM

When the Chinese economy took a dive in 2009, the government cut the sales tax rate on cars with engines measuring 1.6L or smaller to just 5% but starting in 2011 the tax rate returns to 10%.

ALG checks public perception with automotive residual value ratings

By Frank Sherosky on December 28, 2010 - 8:13PM

Value ratings play a major role in automotive purchases as do automotive awards. Sometimes they even conflict with public perception. Award winners, though, are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. One stand-out is the Automotive Lease Guide.

Dodge preparing huge ad plan including Super Bowl commercial in 2011

By Patrick Rall on December 28, 2010 - 6:16PM

The Dodge lineup has remained fairly steady (for some, stagnant) for the past few years but in 2011, the automaker will roll out 6 new or heavily refreshed models and to show off those new models, Dodge will put together a massive advertising effort early in 2011 which will include an ad during Super Bowl XLV.

GM recalls 2011 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC trucks over axle risks

By Patrick Rall on December 28, 2010 - 2:40PM

General Motors has announced a recall of 1,262 2011 model year light duty trucks from Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet due to a concern over the reliability of an improperly manufactured cross pin in the rear axle assembly.

Toyota to reveal Prius Family of Vehicles at 2011 Detroit Auto Show

By Patrick Rall on December 28, 2010 - 12:43PM

Toyota’s US sales are hurting due to their seemingly endless recall issues but the Prius is still the best selling hybrid in the world, so it should come as no surprise to hear that Toyota will unveil the “Prius Family of Vehicles” next month at the Detroit Auto Show.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, Aventador already available for orders online

By Patrick Rall on December 28, 2010 - 11:11AM

The new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 isn’t due out for some time and the Sesto Elemento Concept that debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show is rumored to only be available for track use but that isn’t stopping a German high-end car dealership from offering both new Lambo’s for sale on the company website.

Green Car Journal Finalists for Vision Award

By Keith Griffin on December 28, 2010 - 8:23AM

A lot of automotive awards are criticized for honoring vehicles not yet available to the public. Green Car Journal gets around that with its Green Car Vision Award that honors a future vehicle coming to market. The five finalists have been announced.

New Year's Day Most Popular Holiday for Stolen Cars

By Keith Griffin on December 28, 2010 - 7:52AM

Here's a New Year’s resolution most people can get behind: lock your car doors, especially on New Year’s Day. That’s the most popular holiday for stolen cars in the United States.

Volkswagen providing Dakar Rally mobile app for iPhones and iPods

By Frank Sherosky on December 28, 2010 - 12:17AM

It wasn’t that long ago that GM announced how apps would be used by owners to communicate directly with their cars. Now, similar app technology will be used by VW to provide a social media connection to the sponsored cars in the 2011 race in South America.

Super Ford F-150 EcoBoost To Get Public Teardown at Detroit

By Keith Griffin on December 27, 2010 - 9:41PM

The Ford F-150 EcoBoost Engine that has seen some unbelievable abuse in its six short months of duty will get a public teardown on Jan. 15 at the Detroit Auto Show. The public is invited to attend.

Win a new car at the 2011 Indianapolis Auto Show

By Patrick Rall on December 27, 2010 - 7:16PM

The 2011 Indianapolis Auto Show opened yesterday at the Indiana Convention Center, offering people from around the Hoosier state a look at the best and brightest new cars from around the American automotive industry and this year, attendees will also have a chance to win a new car.

Electric Car Maker Tesla Sees Big One-Day Drop in Stock Price

By Keith Griffin on December 27, 2010 - 6:38PM

The price of Tesla stock finished significantly lower amid fears it may not be competitive in the electric vehicle market because of its size. Further depressing the stock price was the 180-day lockup period that enabled stocks to be sold after its initial public offering six months ago.

Air hybrid technology key to 2016 and 2025 truck fuel economy

By Frank Sherosky on December 27, 2010 - 6:12PM

Cars may have an easier time of meeting fuel economy mandates with weight reductions than trucks; the reason why many SUVs switched over to body-integral designs over body-on-frame designs. Enter air-hybrid engine technology to help meet those mandates.

Porsche to broadcast Detroit Auto Show unveiling online

By Patrick Rall on December 27, 2010 - 6:01PM

Earlier this month, we learned that when Porsche returns to the Detroit Auto Show in January 2011, they will be bringing out a “spectacular” new supercar and today the automaker announced that they will broadcast the unveiling of that new model on their website.

Ford adding start-stop technology to non-hybrids in 2012

By Patrick Rall on December 27, 2010 - 12:54PM

Ford’s start-stop technology, which allows the engine to shut off and quickly start back up when sitting at a stop light or in heavy traffic has helped Ford’s hybrids to yield better fuel economy in starting in 2012, non-hybrids models from Ford Motor Company will also offer start-stop technology.

Hyundai-Kia Wants To Be Number Four in the World

By Keith Griffin on December 27, 2010 - 11:50AM

The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group is expected to hit worldwide sales of 5.7 million vehicles for 2010, which puts it firmly in fifth place. For 2011, though, it is aiming to pick off the Renault-Alliance manufacturing alliance to become number four in the world.

GM attempts social media lead with Big Fuel agency

By Frank Sherosky on December 26, 2010 - 9:16PM

As far as rivals go, Ford grabbed the social-media lead from GM some time ago. So, in an unprecedented move at GM, marketing chief Joel Ewanick brought on Big Fuel this past summer to handle social media for all four of GM's U.S. brands.

Buick Makes 2011 Regal CXL Turbo Driving System Interactive

By Frank Sherosky on December 26, 2010 - 4:56PM

Nobody is in the same mood every single day; so, neither should your car. The 2011 Buick Regal CXL Turbo, arriving at dealerships now, responds to that need by offering not one, not two, but three unique driving experiences, each selectable by a push of a button.

Ford C-MAX EcoBoost I-4 engine enabled by three technologies

By Frank Sherosky on December 26, 2010 - 1:06AM

The public has been concerned that the drive toward high gas mileage and low emissions with small engines would have to come at the expense of power. Enter the new Ford 1.6-liter I-4 engine with EcoBoost™ technology as a complement to its bold, dynamic kinetic design of the new C-MAX.

Carmakers hope for more sales by going 0% down

By Armen Hareyan on December 25, 2010 - 11:52PM

Major auto makers and dealers will start the day after Christmas by pushing their zero percent down deals and hopes toward more year-end car sales.

NGVAmerica expects growth of natural gas in vehicles to continue in 2011

By Frank Sherosky on December 24, 2010 - 1:24PM

Since federal incentives were introduced in 2006, natural gas usage in vehicles has increased 25 percent each year, displacing more than 320 million gallons of gasoline. With the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010, these incentives will continue. Natural Gas Vehicles for America even expects that rate to continue to grow in 2011 and beyond.

Toyota pays $10 million for first unintended acceleration case

By Patrick Rall on December 24, 2010 - 11:40AM

Yesterday, it was revealed that Toyota Motors has paid a whopping $10 million in the first private suit against the automaker for deaths caused by Toyota’s unintended acceleration issues.

Subscribe to