Automotive News (Page 1135)

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 goes cuckoo for coconuts

By Don Bain on October 6, 2011 - 4:17PM

Ford and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company are working together to explore the potential of coconut fiber reinforced molded plastic parts to reduce petroleum use while making parts lighter and more natural-looking. Coconut husks, are a waste product from Scotts' soil and grass seed production lines. The team is examining their use as a renewable material for Ford's vehicles.

An interior shot of the Superdome show Mercedes-Benz signage.

Mercedes-Benz secures naming rights to Louisiana Superdome

By Don Bain on October 6, 2011 - 3:02PM

The Mercedes-Benz three pointed star will comingle with the New Orleans Saints fleur-de-lis, as the Louisiana Superdome becomes the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, thanks to a 10-year agreement providing official naming rights and other sponsorship benefits to the U.S. arm of the German manufacturer.

2012 Hyundai Veloster by PM Lifestyles for 2011 SEMA Show

Hyundai, PM Lifestyle Partner on 2012 Veloster for SEMA

By Keith Griffin on October 6, 2011 - 2:09PM

Hyundai has announced the second of its 2012 Veloster models headed to the 2011 SEMA show next month in Las Vegas. This version is being produced by PM Lifestyle, which plans to turn the Veloster into a teaching tool once it sees the bright lights and glitter of the Vegas strip.

Porsche 928 influenced Steve Jobs Mac design

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 6, 2011 - 2:06PM

An interesting fact about the first Macintosh computer was that Steve Jobs wanted it to look like a Porsche 928. While the designer, James Ferris, thought the Mac should look like a Ferrari.

Volkswagen issues stop sale on diesel models for fuel leakage concerns

By Patrick Rall on October 6, 2011 - 1:32PM

Volkswagen has reportedly issued a stop sale order to their dealerships for select Jetta, Jetta Sportwagen and Golf models fitted with the 2.0L TDI diesel engine over a concern of under-hood fuel line failures that could lead to fire.

Nissan announces $1.42 billion investment in Brazil

By Gordon Block on October 6, 2011 - 12:39PM

Nissan, and its alliance partner Renault, have both announced aggressive expansion plans in Brazil, which is one of the fastest-growing automotive markets worldwide.

The Camaro ZL1 stakes its claim as a supercar on the Ring

By Patrick Rall on October 6, 2011 - 12:11PM

You rarely think of an American muscle car as fitting into the category of a supercar but with a recent trip to the famed Nürburgring, the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 turned out lap times on par with some of the most well known (and most expensive) supercars in the world with a stunning time of 7:41.27.

New 5.8L V8 confirmed for 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

By Patrick Rall on October 6, 2011 - 11:27AM

Since the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was introduced with 580 horsepower, rumors have been plentiful that the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 would get a new motor to out-muscle the ZL1 with upwards of 600hp and while there are no specifications available, the new Ford-UAW contract has confirmed that the 2013 GT500 will indeed sport a new 5.8L V8 engine.

New video shows Ferrari California tested on Snow

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 6, 2011 - 10:55AM

Ferrari California comfortably drives both on asphalt and on the snowy mountainous roads.

Novitect Revises Maserati Gran Torismo MC Stradale for $31,851

By Armen Hareyan on October 6, 2011 - 6:57AM

Look and see what German tuning company Novitec Tridente has done to Maserati Gran Torismo MC Stradale. When Maserati was unveiling MC Stradale in Paris Auto Show in 2010 it would probably did not envision this new beauty and muscle.

UAW-Ford contract: Will auto workers do what they want or do what they're told?

By Hawke Fracassa on October 6, 2011 - 12:00AM

The UAW's handshake deal with Ford Motor Co. is so sweet that the union council that endorsed taking the four-year contract to the membership for ratification isn't worried about backlash or backtalk from the rank and file. And neither is the UAW's brass.

Honda to cut exports in half over the next 10 years

By Gordon Block on October 5, 2011 - 7:48PM

Honda will move half or more of its production to different countries to combat the rise of the Japanese yen, which causes profit margins on exported cars to shrink.

Dr. Oded Tour explain the Tour Engine at the poster presentation of 2011 DEER

Tour Engine split-cycle technology draws interest at 2011 DEER Conference in Detroit

By Frank Sherosky on October 5, 2011 - 5:33PM

For the second year in a row, Dr. Oded Tour, CEO of Tour Engine presented during poster presentations at the Directions in Energy-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) Conference in Detroit, and garnered a healthy interest, including a visitor from Volvo.

The 2012 Mazda3 5-door has a lower price. Photo courtesy of Mazda.

Mazda drops price on the popular Mazda3 for 2012

By Don Bain on October 5, 2011 - 5:14PM

The ubiquitous Mazda3 has been responsible for 40 percent of Mazda sales thus far this year, and returns refreshed for 2012 with SKYACTIV technology resulting in higher efficiency and performance while still delivering a lower price than last year’s model.

Volvo's secret proving ground in Hallered, Sweden

Volvo Demonstrates what Cars go Through before Arriving at Dealerships

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 5, 2011 - 5:14PM

Have you every thought about what sort of grueling testing a car goes through before you are allowed to drive it on the road? With a new Youtube video by Volvo shoot at its top secret proving ground in Hallered, Sweden, you can see the testing process every 2012 Volvo car goes through and those that have not quite made it onto the production line.

Tesla Opens New Dealership Showroom and Service Center in Netherlands

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 5, 2011 - 2:35PM

Tesla Motors, the electric car company that makes and sells the Tesla Roadster, is expanding its international operations in the Netherlands, opening a new dealership showroom and service center in Eindhoven.

Camaro outsells the Mustang, Challenger, 370Z in September

By Patrick Rall on October 5, 2011 - 1:03PM

Sales numbers are in for September 2011 and for the 8th month this year, the Chevrolet Camaro has outsold the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Challenger and the Nissan 370Z – continuing the Chevy muscle car’s dominance of the rear wheel drive segment that has gone nearly unchallenged in 2011.

The 2013 Ford Escape to offer two EcoBoost options

By Patrick Rall on October 5, 2011 - 12:28PM

The next generation of the strong selling Ford Escape small SUV is expected to make its grand debut later this year at the 2011 LA Auto Show but yesterday, Ford Motor Company offered up some information on the upcoming ute – including the fact that it will be the first US model to offer two engine options featuring Ford’s EcoBoost technology.

Next Gen Ford Fusion production could save the Ford Mustang facility

By Patrick Rall on October 5, 2011 - 12:01PM

Rumors have been swirling that the Ford Mustang would be leaving its current home in Flat Rock, Michigan when the Mazda6 sedan moved production to Japan but thanks to the new Ford/UAW contract, it looks like the next generation Ford Fusion will be built alongside the Mustang – saving the production facility of the fabled pony car.

Car sharing network RelayRides teams up with GM

GM Pairs up with Car Sharing Network RelayRides

By Keith Griffin on October 5, 2011 - 11:35AM

If you could make a few bucks renting your car out, would you? GM and RelayRides are betting you will want to become part of peer-to-peer car sharing through an exclusive relationship that was announced in Detroit.

Panel at 2011 Deer (Photo by Frank Sherosky, AuthorFrank.com for TorqueNews)

Tech synergies permeating IC engine development per 2011 DEER Conference

By Frank Sherosky on October 5, 2011 - 10:50AM

As the High Efficiency Engine Efficiency sessions were completed in two parts at the 2011 DEER Conference in Detroit today, the message about the need for tech synergies became very clear.

Half of the 2012 growth in global auto production will come from China, details

By Armen Hareyan on October 5, 2011 - 10:18AM

A new report from PwC depicts a rosy picture for the auto production in 2012. The automotive production is expected to make an impressive growth and the study unveils interesting details about car ownership rates in Europe vs China and India.

Chevrolet introduces the All-New 2012 Colorado in Thailand

By Kate McLeod on October 5, 2011 - 9:54AM

Today, Chevrolet introduced an all-new, clean-sheet, global 2012 Chevy Colorado in Thailand. The Colorado mid-size truck is the product of a five-year, $2 billion vehicle program that was developed across five continents for customers in more than 60 markets.

What consumers say about not buying Chevy Volt, GM listens

By Armen Hareyan on October 4, 2011 - 8:15PM

In a very clear sign that GM listens to Chevy Volt potential buyers, Chevrolet today asked its Facebook followers "the biggest hurdle people need to overcome to consider electric vehicles."

2011 L.A. Auto Show to showcase progress in fuel efficiency

By Don Bain on October 4, 2011 - 6:37PM

At the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Green will go mainstream as almost every automaker there will trot out a solution for making vehicles run cleaner and use less fuel. Cars achieving over 40-mpg via gasoline or clean diesel have doubled, while. Some form of electrification is powering 25 percent more vehicles than at the last show.

Ford trucks and SUVs lead the way in September 2011, Lincoln struggles

By Patrick Rall on October 4, 2011 - 5:43PM

Ford Motor Company showed the lowest positive growth of any major automaker group doing business in the US market but with an improvement of 9% over September 2010, Ford beat out American Honda and Toyota Motor Co. in September sales growth thanks mostly to the popularity of their pickup trucks and SUVs.

The Aston Martin DB9 from Forza Motorsport 4

Forza Motorsport 4 is the last bastion of automotive lust

By Patrick Rall on October 4, 2011 - 4:58PM

Even though Xbox Live Gold members like myself got our hands on the first playable demo for Forza Motorsport 4, the new commercial featuring Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson and the Aston Martin DB9 is no less interesting as it isn’t packed full of action shots from the game but rather, the piece pays homage to gearheads who are encouraged to turn to Forza 4 for their driving exhilaration rather than doing it on public roads.

The 2011 Chrysler 300 is one of the models pushing sales increases. Photo by DRB

Are auto sales returning to pre-recession levels?

By Don Bain on October 4, 2011 - 2:39PM

Automotive consumer credit trends continue to indicate positive news for the industry in Equifax' recent monthly report. January to June 2011 new auto loan originations were up 15 percent over the same period in 2010. September sales figures from the auto manufacturers indicate that despite a slight dip in August, sales remain strong as the year progresses.

GM leads in US sales for September 2011 while showing strong growth

By Patrick Rall on October 4, 2011 - 2:03PM

General Motors was once again the top selling automaker in the US market in September 2011, with 207,145 vehicles sold bringing the General an increase of 20% over the same month last year.

Chrysler leads the nation in September growth, bests Toyota in sales

By Patrick Rall on October 4, 2011 - 1:04PM

Sales numbers for September 2011 are in and once again, the Chrysler Group is the top dog among major automakers in terms of growth while their total sales volume allows them to claim the third spot on the sales chart, besting Toyota by almost 6,000 units.

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