Automotive News (Page 1184)

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 2012 Toyota Prius V. Photo by Don Bain

Is Toyota mired in a long-term sales slump?

By Don Bain on October 9, 2011 - 3:11AM

Toyota’s share of the U.S. market has fallen from 17% during 2009 to 11.5% in September 2011. For a company once the largest seller of automobile products worldwide that is a significant descent. Last month the Chrysler Group took a bigger share of the U.S. market than the Asian giant.

2012 Infiniti M56 LED headlamp

By Keith Griffin on October 8, 2011 - 10:04PM

Toyota Auris unveiled and Nissan Leaf expansion revealed at Johannesburg auto show

By Hawke Fracassa on October 8, 2011 - 8:47PM

South Africans are excited this weekend because, after much fanfare, Toyota has taken the wraps off of its new Auris TRD at the Johannesburg International Motor Show, which runs through Oct. 16 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre.

General Motors will delay addition of a second shift to Volt production facility

By Gordon Block on October 8, 2011 - 8:32PM

General Motors will not add a second shift of assembly line workers to the Hamtramck plant where the Chevrolet Volt is manufactured until the second half of 2012, later than the original promise of early 2012 made in May.

2012 Toyota 4Runner has different options for base, Limited, SR5 and Trail models

By Hawke Fracassa on October 8, 2011 - 7:13PM

The 2012 Toyota 4Runner introduced on Friday is equipped with a 4.0-liter 270-horsepower V6 engine with 5-speed ECT-i automatic transmission and comes with several options to choose from. Prices start at around $31,000 and can exceed $40,000 for a 4Runner that is well-equipped. Here's a breakdown of what extras are available for 2012, broken down by model.

A still image from the EVI 2012 Nissan GT-R video on YouTube.

Would you suspect a 2012 Nissan GT-R as an unmarked police car?

By Don Bain on October 8, 2011 - 6:23PM

A 2012 Nissan GT-R is currently in the conversion process in North Virginia by a company known as EVI who is in the business of converting a spanking new model of the 590 metric horsepower supercar into an official police vehicle for a Virginia law enforcement agency as yet unnamed.

Chrysler's uncertain profits cause UAW to near a deal

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 8, 2011 - 5:52PM

Chrysler Group and the United Auto Workers (UAW) union are getting close to a tentative labor deal. The Associated Press has reported that Jodi Tinson, a Chrysler spokesperson, confirmed that union leaders will be gathering on Monday, October 10th for talks. There is progress in the talks, but no deal is in place for the UAW and Chrysler yet.

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Photo by Don Bain

Close-up: The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

By Don Bain on October 8, 2011 - 4:20PM

Having known owners who are avid evangelists for the top of the line Jeep, we decided to give the 2011 Grand Cherokee Limited 4X4 a thorough test in its true element – the Rocky Mountains at altitudes over 8,000 ft. Those who dwell at such altitudes and those who regularly commute between businesses or homes in the city and mountains have long considered the Grand Cherokee the reliable standard of mountain life and mobility.

The 2012 Toyota 4Runner Limited. Photo courtesy of Toyota

The rugged Toyota 4Runner offers new features for 2012

By Don Bain on October 8, 2011 - 3:29AM

The fifth generation of the highly versatile and reliable Toyota 4Runner will sport major audio, connectivity upgrades and new automatic running boards for 2012. A longstanding stalwart in the Toyota lineup, the 4Runner was named “Most Dependable Midsize Crossover/SUV” by J.D. Power & Associates in 2011.

Mercedes-Benz reports Strong September Sales with C-Class & E-Class

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 7, 2011 - 7:59PM

Mercedes-Benz has reported strong September sales in the US. The German luxury automaker sold a total of 23,897 vehicles for September 2011, the best September on record for the company.

Volkswagen Sets Pricing Info for 2012 Golf R

By Keith Griffin on October 7, 2011 - 5:52PM

The Volkswagen Golf R, the most powerful VW sports car ever sold in the U.S., goes on sale in early 2012 with a starting price of $33,990 for the two-door coupe. The 2012 Volkswagen Golf R sedan has a starting price of $36,090 when equipped with a sunroof and navigation system.

Toyota introduces 2012 Camry to Southeastern journalists in Charlotte

By Kevin Harris on October 7, 2011 - 5:05PM

Toyota spared no expense when launching its 2012 Toyota Camry at the official Southeast press event at the event at the beautiful Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte, NC.

Nissan the best-selling Asian brand in Europe

By Don Bain on October 7, 2011 - 4:37PM

Based on September sales, Nissan is the highest ranking Asian brand in Europe with a 4.2 percent market share, up .9 percent over last year. September sales were up 31 percent over last year, contributing to a year-to-date increase of 29 percent, riding on the largest monthly sales of the Juke ever.

Saab 9-5 Sedan 2.8v6 Turbo's Success, don't throw in the towel

By Kevin Harris on October 7, 2011 - 3:13PM

Saab 9-5 Sedan 2.8v6 Turbo has been named the Car of Year in Singapore. The Swedish automaker may have a lot to offer in Asia because of the region's unique auto market.

Mazda RX-8 to end production with special SPIRIT R edition, but only in Japan

By Gordon Block on October 7, 2011 - 2:48PM

Mazda is waving goodbye to the rotary-powered RX-8, but not before seeing it off with a special-edition called the SPIRIT R, of which only 1,000 units will be available, and only in Japan

BMW TwinPower Turbo technology now extended to 4-cylinder engines

BMW 5 Series 4-cylinder engines to feature BMW TwinPower Turbo technology

By Frank Sherosky on October 7, 2011 - 12:03PM

From the autumn 2011 lineup, both the BMW 5 Series Sedan and the BMW 5 Series Touring ranges will for the first time feature two newly developed four-cylinder gasoline engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.

Critics lambaste turquoise look for Rolls Phantom

By Hawke Fracassa on October 7, 2011 - 11:33AM

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has come up with a new color for its Phantom: Turquoise. After it posted a picture of the car on a Facebook page, readers bristled, saying the brightly colored luxury car looks more gaudy than good.

Rolls-Royce sets up shop in the most fashionable section of Paris

By Hawke Fracassa on October 7, 2011 - 10:52AM

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the Goodwood, England-based maker of the world most luxurious automobiles, opened a small showroom today in Paris to showcase its premium motor cars for French buyers.

OnStar mobile apps are key to GM's car-sharing business with EasyRides

Mobile Apps are key to GM entering car-sharing business with RelayRides

By Frank Sherosky on October 7, 2011 - 10:32AM

General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) is teaming up with RelayRides, the world's peer-to-peer carsharing marketplace; and OnStar with mobile apps are once again playing a key part.

Lexus meeting challenges, exceeding expectations

By Hawke Fracassa on October 6, 2011 - 8:18PM

Lexus, the luxury brand of Toyota, keeps making progress rebounding from the March quake and tsunami in Japan.

The Nissan Leaf continues its dominance of the Chevy Volt in September 2011

By Patrick Rall on October 6, 2011 - 7:36PM

Sales numbers for September 2011 are in and for the sixth month in a row, the Nissan Leaf has outsold the Chevrolet Volt even though the Nissan saw a drop in sales last month while the electric Chevy saw a healthy increase from the month before.

Ford introduces a new jump-free spot for the 2012 SVT Raptor F150

By Patrick Rall on October 6, 2011 - 7:07PM

Ford Motor Company and the Special Vehicle Team have introduced a few changes for the 2012 Ford F150 SVT Raptor and unlike the earlier videos that show the Raptor soaring through the air – this new online video segment shows the SVT pickup storming through the mud, dirt and water with few looks at the high performance pickup leaving the ground.

Toyota RAV4 crossover adds high-tech toys for 2012

By Hawke Fracassa on October 6, 2011 - 6:26PM

The RAV4, Toyota's premium crossover vehicle, adds new audio systems for 2012 that provide occupants with hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming via Bluetooth. The next step up from the base, the 2012 Toyota RAV4 Limited Grade, adds an optional display audio system with navigation and Toyota Entune connectivity services.

Kia's Music-Loving Hamsters from Popular "Share Some Soul" Campaign Honored With

Kia's soulful Hamsters honored by Madison Avenue

By Don Bain on October 6, 2011 - 5:30PM

Not content to solely sell cars, Kia’s music-loving Hamsters have been recognized by the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame who honored Kia's hamsters yesterday with the first-ever "Rookie of the Year" award.

The gauge cluster of the Ford F250 Super Duty

The 2013 Ford Mustang to get Track Apps, special gauge modes

By Patrick Rall on October 6, 2011 - 5:30PM

Thanks to some spyshots posted on StangTV, it looks as though the 2013 Ford Mustang will receive the 4.2” information screen previously seen on the Ford F Series (shown on the right), but the mighty Mustang will receive special performance minded gauges and in place of Truck Apps comes Track Apps – including tools to measure the Mustangs performance capabilities.

Video of the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 tearing up the Nürburgring

By Patrick Rall on October 6, 2011 - 5:06PM

General Motors announced yesterday that they had taken the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to the famed Nürburgring through the world of social media and today, we have our first look at the ZL1 roaring around the massive road course – offering us a virtual ride along in the new super Camaro as it ran a time that puts it on par with some very exotic company.

Volkswagen recalls Jetta, Golf, Audi A3 diesel models over fuel leak concerns

By Patrick Rall on October 6, 2011 - 4:46PM

Earlier today we brought you the news of a stop sale order issued by Volkswagen to their dealerships over a concern of fuel rail leaks and now VW has recalled those Jetta, Golf and Audi A3 models powered by the 2.0L diesel engine option.

If you liked the 2011 Toyota Avalon, you'll like the 2012 Toyota Avalon, too

By Hawke Fracassa on October 6, 2011 - 4:20PM

Toyota's 2012 Avalon is in showrooms now. The American-made luxury car has no significant changes for the new model year over 2011, when it got a complete makeover.

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.

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