Automotive News (Page 1236)

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 Ford Explorer. Photo courtesy of Ford

Ford uses the 2012 Explorer to demonstrate the technology driving their sales

By Don Bain on October 10, 2011 - 12:04AM EDT

The 2012 Ford Explorer is an ambassador or sorts to the GITEX Technology event held in the Middle East where their telematics and other cutting-edge features are driving a 57 percent sales increase over last year in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

What China wants is what automakers like Bentley and Rolls Royce will deliver

By Don Bain on October 9, 2011 - 9:32PM EDT

It is the Chinese market that now drives the research and development for every auto manufacturer in the global market. Gone are the days when what Americans or Europeans wanted to drive were what really moved the market. The numbers of those consumers are dwarfed by the burgeoning and massive appetite and capacity for cars and trucks in China.

2012 Toyota Sienna van is versatile, affordable

By Hawke Fracassa on October 9, 2011 - 8:26PM EDT

The American-made 2012 Toyota Sienna van, coming off a complete redesign in 2011, adds a standard power passenger seat and auto on / off headlights to the XLE grade this new model year.

Renault to move production of Trafic LCV to Sandouville plant

By Gordon Block on October 9, 2011 - 4:40PM EDT

Renault will build the new generation of Trafic light commercial vans for the European market in the Sandouville plant in France, starting in 2014.

Chevy to invest $40 Million into 16 Eco-Friendly projects across the country

By Adam Yamada-Hanff on October 9, 2011 - 1:07PM EDT

Chevy, part of GM, is investing in 16 various eco-friendly projects across the country. The projects combined will receive 40 million in funding from Chevy.

Is the INDYCAR announcment related to the 100th Anniversary of Chevrolet?

GM set to announce return by Chevrolet to INDYCAR

By Frank Sherosky on October 9, 2011 - 1:04PM EDT

Set your calendar to Wednesday, October 12, 2011 when General Motors (NYSE: GM) will announce to the media and the public about details of returning Chevrolet to INDYCAR.

Chevrolet Sonic to get hot hatch version, but it won't be called an SS

By Gordon Block on October 9, 2011 - 12:21PM EDT

The Chevy Sonic will get a higher-performance version powered by the Cruze's 1.4L turbo engine, but Chevrolet admits it's not worthy of an SS badge.

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 EDT

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 EDT

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

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

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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 EDT

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.

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