Automotive News (Page 1182)

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.

More UAW workers at major Ford plants vote "yes" for the new contract

By Patrick Rall on October 17, 2011 - 11:10AM

When UAW workers at a handful of Ford’s most vital plants were quick to vote “no” to the proposed 4-year contract last week, there were concerns that the Motor Company would be forced to face a costly strike but with a handful of equal vital plants voting “yes” through this past weekend – things are looking much better for the tentative labor contact.

Volvo Brings Plug-in Hybrid V60 to Market in 2012

By Keith Griffin on October 17, 2011 - 7:11AM

Volvo has confirmed that it will bring the Volvo V60 plug-in hybrid to market in 2012. It is the result of close cooperation between Volvo and Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall.

Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon dies at Las Vegas Motor Speedway

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 16, 2011 - 10:31PM

Dan Wheldon, the charismatic two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, died in a horrible car crash involving 15 cars at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the IndyCar series finale today. Wheldon's death came as a huge blow to drivers, fans, spectators, race engineers, pit crews, and owners.

Lithium-Ion Motors at the 2011 NAIAS in Detroit

Natural gas is still key to EV expansion and green growth

By Frank Sherosky on October 16, 2011 - 5:16PM

An electric vehicle (EV) today is not so green if its source for power regeneration comes from a coal plant. That is why natural gas has to be looked upon in America as more than just a fuel to heat our homes and cook our food, but as a transitional transportation fuel towards a greener future.

Toyota pushes environmental education with travel program for teachers and school librarians

By Hawke Fracassa on October 16, 2011 - 1:17PM

Toyota has chosen 26 American teachers and school librarians from 20 states to go to Costa Rica Nov. 19-Dec. 3 through the Toyota International Teacher Program. The aim is to help teachers and librarians inspire American students in their own schools by becoming "more involved in environmental, cultural and world studies," Toyota says.

It's all things Porsche at 2 race tracks in California

By Hawke Fracassa on October 16, 2011 - 12:44PM

Porsche is wrapping up an intense weekend of racing in California this weekend at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV in the Monterey Peninsula and the Porsche Race Car Classic 15 miles away in Carmel. They are arguably two of the greatest events ever held on this famous piece of land by the sea.

Toyota lays out its future in international auto racing

By Hawke Fracassa on October 16, 2011 - 12:19PM

Toyota Motor Corp. will make use of its hybrid gas-electric car technology when it enters cars in the fledgling Federation Internationale de l’Automobile World Endurance Championship in 2012. The maiden series includes the famous Le Mans 24 Hours race.

Infiniti and Red Bull Racing expand Grand Prix partnership

Infiniti Expands Grand Prix Partnership with Red Bull Racing

By Keith Griffin on October 16, 2011 - 9:58AM

Nothing breeds success like success. Coming off the heels of Red Bull Racing driver and Infiniti global ambassador Sebastian Vettel's 2011 Formula One World Championship at the Japanese Grand Prix, Infiniti has announced it will expand its partnership with Red Bull Racing Formula One team for the 2012 season.

Does the tight UAW-Ford vote reflect cracks in solidarity with the national union?

By Frank Sherosky on October 15, 2011 - 11:36PM

With a slim margin separating the United Auto Workers union from passing a new 4-year contract with Ford, it’s obvious the rank and file are not unanimously happy with how the national union has handled the Ford negotiations. Question is: Is there a deeper wound festering deep within the UAW?

Smart heads to Austin for music festival

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 15, 2011 - 10:28PM

Smart, the company that makes the fun small city car the Smart ForTwo, is heading to Austin's Fun Fun Fun Festival for three days of great bands that are changing the way people think about music.

Unmanned car Cybergo can be called by a phone or internet

By Armen Hareyan on October 15, 2011 - 9:49PM

A French company has introduced a new unmanned car Cybergo. This driverless car is small and responds to a phone call.

Kia Picanto on Sale at a Mall in Paris

By Keith Griffin on October 15, 2011 - 9:28AM

Shopping in Paris is a fine art, which may explain why Kia is going upscale with its Picanto and selling it in a shopping mall in Paris. Befitting the bespoke nature of Paris, shoppers can customize their Picantos at the mall.

Honda and Toyota halt production in Thailand due to flooding

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 14, 2011 - 8:07PM

The plants and assembly lines of Honda and Toyota, two major Japanese auto manufacturers, have shut down in Thailand due to immense flooding. Thailand is important for the global automotive industry, since it produces roughly 7 percent of global vehicle production.

2012 Toyota 4Runner priced higher than last year

By Hawke Fracassa on October 14, 2011 - 6:42PM

Toyota today released prices for all five styles of the 2012 Toyota 4Runner, and all five carry prices that are higher than the 2011s. The Japanese automaker at the same time announced that the venerable SUV would arrive at dealerships no later than month's end.

The Ford blue oval from the 2011 Fusion Sport

Things look brighter for Ford-UAW deal as Mustang plant votes Yes

By Patrick Rall on October 14, 2011 - 5:23PM

According to the United Auto Workers union, with roughly 12,356 of the 41,000 UAW workers employed by Ford having voted on the new 4-year labor contract, the “yes” votes have the lead by a slim margin of 51% to 49% who voted the new deal down.

New Ford Designer Mustang Boss 302 at charity auction October 15

By Don Bain on October 14, 2011 - 3:44PM

Ford Designer Melvin Betancourt has created a one-of-a-kind 2012 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca for auction at a charity event tomorrow to benefit cardiovascular care, research and education at the Henry Ford Health System. He has said it was a labor of love straight from the heart.

2012 BMW 3 Series Debuts To Strong Competition from Mercedes C Class, Lower Luxury Car Sales

By Keith Griffin on October 14, 2011 - 1:23PM

The 2012 BMW 3 series that debuted in Munich has the automotive media abuzz with excitement but it's been borne into a world where it faces tightening competition from the 2012 Mercedes C Class and an overall ennui in the luxury car sales market.

The bigger, badder 2012 BMW 3 Series meets the world

By Patrick Rall on October 14, 2011 - 1:09PM

Today in Munich, the 2012 BMW 3 Series was introduced to the world with a streaming feed on the BMW Group Facebook page offering Bimmer fans around the world a chance to meet the new, larger 3 Series at 4pm Munich time (10am EST).

Daily Chart of Molycorp (NYSE: MCP) for 10/14/2011

Molycorp (NYSE: MCP) must step up rare earth materials production for EVs

By Frank Sherosky on October 14, 2011 - 10:02AM

In statements before Congress, Molycorp described China, which now controls some 97% of the world’s supply of rare earth metals, will continue to limit exports of the valuable elements, restricting its supply largely to domestic customers. Question is, can the supply of non-Chinese miners like Molycorp meet future demand of electrified vehicles?

Toyota and Lexus applaud actor Justin Timberlake, other environmentalists

By Hawke Fracassa on October 13, 2011 - 11:59PM

Toyota and Lexus will be presenting sponsors at Saturday night's 21st annual Environmental Media Awards, which honor film and television productions that celebrate environmental messages in creative and influential ways.

Carl Icahn stakes his claim on Navistar, stock rises after hours after market down day

By Frank Sherosky on October 13, 2011 - 9:04PM

Navistar International (NYSE: NAV) stock was on the rise after-hours Thursday after activist investor, Carl Icahn, disclosed a 9.8 percent stake in the company. Was his decision based on technical or fundamental analysis and its report at 2011 DEER conference in Detroit?

2012 Acura RL delivers stunning performance and technology

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 13, 2011 - 7:46PM

The 2012 Acura RL will have an impressive list of standard features, such as a 3.7L V-6 engine with VTEC valvetrain operation, Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, sleek aerodynamic body, leather interior, power moonroof, Bose audio system and even more. The 2012 Acura RL will be extremely competitive luxury sedan as it will deliver exceptional luxury, style and performance.

A closer look at the details of the tentative Chrysler-UAW agreement

By Patrick Rall on October 13, 2011 - 7:38PM

Yesterday, the Chrysler Group and negotiators from the United Auto Workers union came to an agreement on a tentative 4-year contract that included $4.5 billion in American investments along with adding/retaining around 2,100 jobs in the US.

Win a 2012 Porsche 911 S from Need for Speed: The Run

By Patrick Rall on October 13, 2011 - 4:39PM

Last month we brought you the news that Need for Speed: The Run was showing off the fact that they have a Porsche models while fierce competition Forza Motorsport 4 does not and now, Electronic Arts has announced that they will be giving away a 2012 Porsche 911 S with the help of a video featuring gameplay of the new Porsche in NFS: The Run.

Hyundai Genesis Hurricane SC SEMA show car

Hyundai Genesis Hurricane SC for SEMA Packs a Wallop

By Keith Griffin on October 13, 2011 - 4:38PM

The third Hyundai announced for SEMA is not another Hyundai Veloster. Instead, the Korean manufacturer is going to be showcasing a Hyundai Genesis Hurricane SC for the show that runs Nov. 1-4, 2011 in Las Vegas.

Nissan's new XTRONIC CVT. Photo courtesy of Nissan USA.

Nissan Unveils New Generation XTRONIC CVT

By Don Bain on October 13, 2011 - 4:36PM

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled its new generation XTRONIC Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for 2.0 to 3.5-liter engines and a new Hybrid System for front-wheel drive vehicles. Both developments represent important steps towards Nissan's stated goal of improving the fuel economy and environmental performance of internal-combustion vehicles.

Audi A7 2012: Long Roof and Headlights Define Beauty

By Armen Hareyan on October 13, 2011 - 4:19PM

Some have called the 2012 Audi A7 3.0T a sedan, others have called it a coupe. Our review concludes that it’s just a great looking beautiful car with many goodies.

An image of someone using the IBM smartphone EV charging app

Can Electric Vehicles help create a smarter, more stable power grid?

By Don Bain on October 13, 2011 - 3:14PM

IBM Research announced today it has teamed with EKZ, the electricity utility provider of the Canton of Zurich in Switzerland to produce a smartphone app adding convenience to Electric Vehicle (EV) charging, as well as providing real-time information to utility providers so they can better manage power grid loads during peak usage – a challenge set to grow as more electric vehicles hit the road.

Nissan working on in-house hybrid drivetrain, possibly to resurrect the Altima Hybrid

By Gordon Block on October 13, 2011 - 12:41PM

Nissan demonstrated an all-new hybrid system they can call their own at a test-drive event at their Oppama proving grounds yesterday, hinting that it may go into a resurrected Altima Hybrid.

Saab gets some Chinese money, lives to see another day

By Patrick Rall on October 13, 2011 - 12:16PM

As Saab teeters on the edge of bankruptcy while attempting to shelter themselves under the protective arm of the Swedish government during corporate restructuring, the struggling Swedish automaker has reportedly received the first chunk of a $97 million dollar bridge loan with help from one of the Chinese firms hoping to buy into Saab.

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