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Automotive News (Page 1117)

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.

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.
Department of Energy extends RFI deadline for fuel cell technology opportunities
By Frank Sherosky on December 24, 2010 - 11:20AM
As part of a recent update, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has extended the deadline to January 18, 2011, for the Request for Information (RFI) on fuel cell technologies early opportunities. The purpose of this RFI is to obtain information relevant to the core requirements and relevant costs for each of three topic areas of interest.
Nissan delivers the first 2011 Leaf electric car in Tennessee
By Patrick Rall on December 23, 2010 - 8:21PM
Over the past week, Nissan USA has delivered 2011 Leaf all-electric cars in California, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington and yesterday, the Japanese automaker delivered the first consumer unit in the state of Tennessee.
NHTSA adds front suspension to Ford Windstar investigation
By Patrick Rall on December 23, 2010 - 8:00PM
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched a probe and subsequent recall into excessive rust issues on the rear axle housing of the 1998-2003 Ford Windstars and now the NHTSA has taken it one step further, adding the front suspension to the list of corrosion concerns for the aging Ford minivans.
Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy 2011 to be largest energy conference in 22 years
By Frank Sherosky on December 23, 2010 - 7:12PM
More information is pouring in, as Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) takes full advantage after its visionary move to merge the National Hydrogen Association with the US Fuel Cell Council. Their combined strengths will now attempt to move this industry forward by meeting in Washington, DC from Feb 13 -16.
Hyundai teases the 2011 Veloster before the Detroit debut
By Patrick Rall on December 23, 2010 - 12:47PM
Over the past few months we have been privy to great many spyshots of the upcoming sporty compact from Hyundai and yesterday, the up-and-coming Korean automaker issued a new teaser video; making official the debut date and the official name of the 2011 Hyundai Veloster.
Mercedes Releases Information on 2012 C Class
By Keith Griffin on December 23, 2010 - 7:17AM
Mercedes makes a stunning makeover of its entry-level sedan by releasing a picture of 2012 C Class.
DOE announces up to $74M for fuel cell R&D
By Frank Sherosky on December 23, 2010 - 12:25AM
Less than one week after the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and NHTSA announced up to $184M for advance vehicle development, the DOE announced it is accepting applications for a total of up to $74 million to support the research and development of clean, reliable fuel cells for two separate but related applications: stationary and transportation.
Allstate’s X the TXT Program Has 100,000 Fans
By Keith Griffin on December 22, 2010 - 9:26PM
Allstate, a leading automotive insurer, obviously doesn’t want to pay out claims, which is why it has launched the fairly successful ‘X the TXT’ program that seeks to end texting while driving. It has attracted more than 100,000 fans at Facebook.
Dual fuel upgrades on the rise for heavy trucks
By Frank Sherosky on December 22, 2010 - 5:04PM
GreenMan Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:GMTI) announced that its subsidiary, American Power Group Inc. (APG), has received a Vehicular Memorandum of Exemption from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It includes eleven initial Test Exemptions of testing and verification of APG’s unique, non-invasive, dual fuel upgrade system for aftermarket diesel truck and tractor engines.
Edmunds Predicts 11.5 Million in Vehicle Sales for 2010
By Keith Griffin on December 22, 2010 - 3:38PM
Edmunds.com in an effort to beat the end-of-the-year rush has come out with a prediction of 11.5 million in new vehicle sales for 2010. That would be a healthy increase of 10.5 percent from 2010.
Chrysler recalling 76,000 diesel Ram trucks over braking concern
By Patrick Rall on December 22, 2010 - 2:19PM
Chrysler and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced a recall of 76,122 2010-2011 Ram HD pickups equipped with the Cummins diesel engine and a hydroboost braking system over a concern of slow pedal return.
Chrysler to use Fiat dual clutch technology by 2013
By Patrick Rall on December 22, 2010 - 2:02PM
Fiat is all about spreading their European-bred technology to the American Chrysler models and when something offers drivetrain efficiency like Fiat’s new 6-speed TCT dual clutch transmission.
Roof strength plays major factor in IIHS 2011 Top Safety Picks
By Frank Sherosky on December 22, 2010 - 1:53PM
While most reviews of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award for 2011 seem centered on who made the list, some have astutely noticed the emphasis on electronic stability control, a crash avoidance feature. Fewer, though, have concentrated on the criteria behind the weakest point of an automobile - the roof.
GM working on plug-in hybrid Cadillac SRX
By Patrick Rall on December 22, 2010 - 12:13PM
The Cadillac SRX crossover has been a big part of the luxury automakers success over the past few months and rumors from around the automotive industry suggest that we could soon see a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the compact Caddy crossover.
Automotive Dealers See Largest Growth in Sales in 2010
By Keith Griffin on December 22, 2010 - 11:54AM
On the surface, it looks like good news that automobile dealers, on a percentage basis, saw the largest growth in sales for 2010 among any other businesses. That is, until you reflect on the fact that 2009 was the worst sales year for the industry in almost three decades.
Nissan Unveils New Global Sedan in Important Chinese Market
By Keith Griffin on December 22, 2010 - 9:54AM
Coming soon to a country near you: a new global sedan from Nissan. The Japanese automaker unveiled the new model that will be available in 170 countries at a Chinese auto show.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Announces Top Safety Picks
By Keith Griffin on December 22, 2010 - 7:44AM
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is out with its list of the 66 winners of 2011 Top Safety Pick award. The number includes 40 cars, 25 SUVs and crossovers, and a minivan.
Projected fuel cell costs decline 81 percent since 2003
By Frank Sherosky on December 22, 2010 - 12:31AM
Contained within a 2010 update by the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), fuel cell costs have reduced to the level of high-end internal combustion engines. This means Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) can become cost effective within a few years if produced in high volumes.
Suzuki Uses Humor in Last-Ditch Effort to Revive Brand
By Keith Griffin on December 21, 2010 - 10:29PM
Suzuki is apparently trying to use humor when all else fails to sell an amazingly good car – the Suzuki Kizashi. Its latest commercial is a comparison among the Audi A4, the Kizashi and a motorized sofa that needs to succeed to revive the brand.
BMW i8
BMW EfficientDynamics Supercar i8 to cost $200,000
By Patrick Rall on December 21, 2010 - 5:29PM
During the official launch announcement of the new 1-Series M Coupe, BMW’s Sales and Marketing Director Ian Robertson commented that when the production version of the BMW EfficientDynamics supercar hits showrooms, it will carry a price around $200,000.
Judge rules that Toyota must disclose recall settlement terms
By Patrick Rall on December 21, 2010 - 4:16PM
Toyota Motor Corp reportedly settled with the first of what could be a great many lawsuits from consumers against the automaker for their lethal recall practices and when the settlement was achieved, Toyota requested that the terms of the settlement not be disclosed publicly but Judge Anthony J. Mohr has ruled that Toyota must indeed disclose the terms of the agreement.
New auto engines
Four alternate engine technologies for 2011 and beyond
By Frank Sherosky on December 21, 2010 - 1:37PM
With ultra-green ideas on the minds of many legislators that may one day force 60-plus mpg and ultra-low CO2 levels into law, the auto industry best rethink its entire engine technology position for 2011 and beyond. Fact is, there are technologies and concepts just waiting for development and a chance to prove the ICE and other combustion technologies can compete, not only on a fuel mileage basis, but on a cost and an ecological basis as well.
Tesla has already taken 3000 buyers for the 2012 Tesla Model S sedan
By Patrick Rall on December 21, 2010 - 11:59AM
In a form filed recently with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Tesla Motors revealed a handful of information about the current goings-on within their company, including the fact that they have already received 3,000 pre-orders for the 2012 Tesla Model S sedan – accounting for $15 million in revenue from a car over a year away from seeing production.
Cadillac Donates Super Bowl Tickets to Cure Duchenne Auction
By Keith Griffin on December 21, 2010 - 11:29AM
Auto manufacturers are doing their best to get you to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. Yesterday, Mercedes announced a tweeting contest while today Cadillac has announced its donation of 50 tickets to benefit a charity called Cure Duchenne.
Toyota fined $32.4m more for lethal recall practices
By Patrick Rall on December 21, 2010 - 11:16AM
Toyota Motor Corp. has reportedly agreed to pay an additional $32.4 million dollars to the US government stemming from their careless recall practices which may have cost over 100 people their lives.
Dodge announces free maintenance program for 2011 Durango, Journey
By Patrick Rall on December 21, 2010 - 10:37AM
The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango and refreshed 2011 Dodge Journey are all packed full of reasons to belong in your short list for your next new car but in case you needed one more reason, Dodge has just announced a free maintenance program for the highline versions of their crossover and new SUV.
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