Automotive News (Page 1136)

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.

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.

Volvo to nix the C70, and the plant it's manufactured in as well

By Gordon Block on October 4, 2011 - 1:01PM

Volvo will take sole ownership of the Uddevalla plant in 2013, and thanks to slow sales volume of the C70, it will end the model and shut down the plant too.

Ford promises 12,000 new jobs, $16 billion investment in UAW deal

By Patrick Rall on October 4, 2011 - 12:15PM

This morning, Ford Motor Company announced that they had come to a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers for a new labor contract, with the automaker committing to add 12,000 new jobs in the United States while also promising to invest $16 million dollars to protect the future of American manufacturing jobs.

Nissan Juke-R combines the GT-R with the Juke crossover

Nissan Reveals Juke-R - A Crossover with Power of a GT-R

By Keith Griffin on October 4, 2011 - 11:00AM

The announcement from Nissan that is building a Juke-R begs the question – is this more Nissan Sentra SE-R or Nissan GT-R? Based on the performance figures released, the proposed supersport crossover Juke-R is more GT-R.

Intra-day chart of Ford stock for 10/04/2011

Ford stock, started indecisive despite UAW agreement, but closes higher

By Frank Sherosky on October 4, 2011 - 10:51AM

New news can have a significant effect on a stock. Such is the case with traders and investors of Ford stock as details of the tentative agreement between Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and the UAW begin to surface. [Evening Market Update: Ford closes higher.]

Navistar reports Super Truck accomplishments at 2011 DEER Conference

By Frank Sherosky on October 4, 2011 - 9:43AM

Through the DOE project, Navistar was to develop and demonstrate technologies to improve Class 8 truck and trailer aerodynamics, combustion efficiency, waste heat recovery, hybridization, idle reduction, and reduced rolling resistance tires. Day 1 at the 2011 DEER Conference provided the venue for an update.

Auto workers want prosperity delivered in new UAW-Ford Motor contract

By Hawke Fracassa on October 4, 2011 - 5:11AM

The UAW will call a news conference today after presidents and chairs of its Ford Council review and then vote on a tentative four-year contract that is expected to be offered by Ford Motor Co. Bargainers are mum on all of the details going into the morning meeting in downtown Detroit because they don't want to jinx anything and nothing is signed yet.

2011 Lexus CT 200h strong seller for Lexus

Toyota September 2011 Sales off a Stunning 17.5 Percent

By Keith Griffin on October 3, 2011 - 9:10PM

Toyota is claiming full production will help offset dismal September 2011 sales numbers that saw deliveries off 17.5 percent. Toyota USA reported September sales of 121,451 units.

The 2012 Ram 1500 Tradesman is the most powerful truck in the segment

By Patrick Rall on October 3, 2011 - 5:22PM

The Chrysler Group has rolled out the changes to their 2012 Ram Truck brand lineup and the big news is the 2012 Ram Tradesman Heavy Duty – which offers best in class towing and hauling numbers in a low cost package that is easier for small businesses to swallow.

Tanks like these may one day be filled with cellusic ethanol thanks to Toyota.

Toyota reveals breakthrough in cellulosic ethanol production

By Don Bain on October 3, 2011 - 4:56PM

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) today held an event at its Toyota Biotechnology and Afforestation Laboratory in Aichi revealing a newly developed yeast that increases the production yield of cellulosic ethanol bio-fuel, new technologies for the greening of parking lots and walls, and a new “cool-spot creation methodology” for simulating and analyzing the effects of greening.

2011 Hyundai Sonata is cooling off in sales popularity

Hyundai Sales up for September 2011 but Accent, Sonata Down

By Keith Griffin on October 3, 2011 - 3:42PM

Hyundai continues its sales juggernaut in the United States with its September 2011 sales show it to be the best September ever but there might be some concern because two popular models, the Accent and the Sonata, had sales decreases while the whole industry overall saw improvement.

The 2011 Chrysler 200 saw sales increase 87 percent during September. photo DRB

Chrysler Group sales soar 27 percent in September

By Don Bain on October 3, 2011 - 2:55PM

The Chrysler Group’s total retail and fleet sales increased by 27 percent in September creating the best September total sales and Jeep sales since 2007. At the same time new Jeep Compass sold at a 306 percent year-over-year sales level and sales of the next generation Chrysler 200 mid-size sedan were up 87 percent over a year ago.

Forza Motorsport 4 demo meets the world

By Patrick Rall on October 3, 2011 - 2:15PM

This morning, the gaming world got its first good look at the racing game that looks to set the standard by which all other driving games are judged as Microsoft and Turn 10 Studios put the first playable demo for Forza Motorsport 4 live on Xbox Live for Gold members.

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV melds grit with glamour

By Hawke Fracassa on October 3, 2011 - 1:22PM

The new 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser is essentially the same 4.0-liter V6 engine-powered all-wheel drive sport-utility truck as the 2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser, except that it will cost a few dollars more to drive out of the showroom.

The first Italian-built Chrysler production models unveiled

By Patrick Rall on October 3, 2011 - 11:55AM

The Chrysler Group hopes to see their popularity grow in the European market and today, they took the first step in making that happen (hopefully) with the introduction of the new 2012 Chrysler Delta and 2012 Chrysler Ypsilon – their two newest European offerings both of which are based on Lancia models that share the same names.

Evening 10/03 Update: 2011 DEER Conference at Detroit

By Frank Sherosky on October 3, 2011 - 9:42AM

Directions in Energy-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) opened with ceremonies this morning. Torque News was on hand covering the first day of the event with live tweets, interviews, videos and article coverage of key presentations. And now read the evening update.

UAW-Ford Motor Co. auto contract takes a promising right turn

By Hawke Fracassa on October 3, 2011 - 3:29AM

After one week of serious face-to-face conversation, bargainers for the UAW and Ford Motor Co. are on the brink of consensus on a four-year deal for the automaker's 41,000 unionized rank and file that might include a $7,500 signing bonus and union-won promises of new and retained jobs at Ford.

9 Murano crossover vehicles in 2012 Nissan lineup

By Hawke Fracassa on October 2, 2011 - 11:04PM

The new Nissan Murano is a something-for-everyone crossover vehicle for 2012, coming in nine different versions that start with the $29,290 front-wheel drive S model and ratchet up on the fun scale to the breathtaking CrossCabriolet, a topless $44,540 4-seater introduced last spring.

2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet delivers reduced $44,540 sticker

By Hawke Fracassa on October 2, 2011 - 10:31PM

The 2012 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet crossover vehicle has been shipped to dealer showrooms nationwide. The high-end 2012 Nissan Murano CC comes with a $44,540 sticker and the eight other versions of the Murano to choose from on the showroom floor range from $29,290 for the front-wheel drive S model to $39,900 for the all-wheel drive LE edition.

Lexus will make just 900 2012 Lexus CT 200h F Sport Special Edition hybrids

By Hawke Fracassa on October 2, 2011 - 4:06PM

Only 900 2012 Lexus CT 200h F Sport Special Edition hybrid sports cars will be assembled and put on sale at Lexus dealerships in the U.S. The 200h is one of three limited-production luxury cars introduced this week.

Tesla opens its factory doors to prospective Model S customers

By Gordon Block on October 2, 2011 - 3:41PM

Tesla allowed customers who had deposits on the upcoming Tesla Model S sedan to take them on a test drive in a prototype and ask them for word-of-mouth support.

2012 Lexus ES 350 Touring Edition gets $40,475 MSRP

By Hawke Fracassa on October 2, 2011 - 3:39PM

Lexus has taken the wraps off of a $41,000 2012 Lexus ES 350 Touring Edition limited-production model that adds sportiness to the luxury the Japanese marque is best known for.

Lexus prices 2012 Lexus LS 460 Sport Special Edition at $77,000

By Hawke Fracassa on October 2, 2011 - 3:14PM

Lexus has created a Special Edition model for the 2012 Lexus LS 460 Sport, it says to expand the brand’s "wider range of style and customer appeal." It now unveiled the price of the LS 460 special edition.

GM signs research MOU with St. Petersburg Government

By Frank Sherosky on October 2, 2011 - 1:11PM

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) and the Government of St. Petersburg signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together on automotive technology to help sustain growth in the Russian auto industry.

GM introduces industry first center air bag

Front-center air bag a first for GM and the auto industry

By Frank Sherosky on October 2, 2011 - 12:11PM

How many automotive air bags does it take to save a life in a side-impact crash? According to General Motors (NYSE: GM) at least one more than what you may have now, in the center between the driver and the front passenger.

2011 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Linley edition

Bentley Pairs with Linley for 10 Ultra-Exclusive Continental Flying Spurs for China

By Keith Griffin on October 2, 2011 - 12:10AM

Bentley has decided to make its already highly distinct Continental Flyer Spur even more unsual by producing a limited edition of 10 of the four-door luxury sedans in conjunction with Linley, a leading British design firm.

New Wrights Mazda auto dealership opens in UK to pomp and circumstance

By Hawke Fracassa on October 2, 2011 - 12:02AM

A new Mazda dealership opened today in Beccles in the United Kingdom. Wrights Mazda's opening brings the Japanese carmaker's cars to customers in northeast Suffolk in the UK for the first time, the daily Norwich Evening News in Norfolk reported today on its Web site.

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