Latest 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.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 22 2010 - 11:54am

Automotive Dealers See Largest Growth in Sales in 2010

On the surface, it looks like good news that automobile dealers, on a percentage basis, saw the largest growth in sales for 2010 among any other businesses. That is, until you reflect on the fact that 2009 was the worst sales year for the industry in almost three decades.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 22 2010 - 9:54am

Nissan Unveils New Global Sedan in Important Chinese Market

Coming soon to a country near you: a new global sedan from Nissan. The Japanese automaker unveiled the new model that will be available in 170 countries at a Chinese auto show.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 22 2010 - 7:44am

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Announces Top Safety Picks

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is out with its list of the 66 winners of 2011 Top Safety Pick award. The number includes 40 cars, 25 SUVs and crossovers, and a minivan.

By Frank Sherosky Dec 22 2010 - 12:31am

Projected fuel cell costs decline 81 percent since 2003

Contained within a 2010 update by the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), fuel cell costs have reduced to the level of high-end internal combustion engines. This means Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) can become cost effective within a few years if produced in high volumes.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 21 2010 - 10:29pm

Suzuki Uses Humor in Last-Ditch Effort to Revive Brand

Suzuki is apparently trying to use humor when all else fails to sell an amazingly good car – the Suzuki Kizashi. Its latest commercial is a comparison among the Audi A4, the Kizashi and a motorized sofa that needs to succeed to revive the brand.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 21 2010 - 5:29pm

BMW EfficientDynamics Supercar i8 to cost $200,000

During the official launch announcement of the new 1-Series M Coupe, BMW’s Sales and Marketing Director Ian Robertson commented that when the production version of the BMW EfficientDynamics supercar hits showrooms, it will carry a price around $200,000.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 21 2010 - 4:16pm

Judge rules that Toyota must disclose recall settlement terms

Toyota Motor Corp reportedly settled with the first of what could be a great many lawsuits from consumers against the automaker for their lethal recall practices and when the settlement was achieved, Toyota requested that the terms of the settlement not be disclosed publicly but Judge Anthony J. Mohr has ruled that Toyota must indeed disclose the terms of the agreement.

By Frank Sherosky Dec 21 2010 - 1:37pm

Four alternate engine technologies for 2011 and beyond

With ultra-green ideas on the minds of many legislators that may one day force 60-plus mpg and ultra-low CO2 levels into law, the auto industry best rethink its entire engine technology position for 2011 and beyond. Fact is, there are technologies and concepts just waiting for development and a chance to prove the ICE and other combustion technologies can compete, not only on a fuel mileage basis, but on a cost and an ecological basis as well.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 21 2010 - 11:59am

Tesla has already taken 3000 buyers for the 2012 Tesla Model S sedan

In a form filed recently with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Tesla Motors revealed a handful of information about the current goings-on within their company, including the fact that they have already received 3,000 pre-orders for the 2012 Tesla Model S sedan – accounting for $15 million in revenue from a car over a year away from seeing production.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 21 2010 - 11:29am

Cadillac Donates Super Bowl Tickets to Cure Duchenne Auction

Auto manufacturers are doing their best to get you to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. Yesterday, Mercedes announced a tweeting contest while today Cadillac has announced its donation of 50 tickets to benefit a charity called Cure Duchenne.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 21 2010 - 11:16am

Toyota fined $32.4m more for lethal recall practices

Toyota Motor Corp. has reportedly agreed to pay an additional $32.4 million dollars to the US government stemming from their careless recall practices which may have cost over 100 people their lives.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 21 2010 - 10:37am

Dodge announces free maintenance program for 2011 Durango, Journey

The all-new 2011 Dodge Durango and refreshed 2011 Dodge Journey are all packed full of reasons to belong in your short list for your next new car but in case you needed one more reason, Dodge has just announced a free maintenance program for the highline versions of their crossover and new SUV.

By Armen Hareyan G+ Dec 21 2010 - 8:36am

TD Bank Buys Chrysler Financial, Chrysler Says no "connection"

TD Bank this morning announced that it acquired Chrysler Financial. The news is so sensitive that Chrysler Group immediately tweeted reminding they have no connection with the acquisition.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 21 2010 - 7:00am

SLS AMG GT3 Undergoes Final Testing Before Delivery

Top Gear America co-host Adam Ferrara may not like the Mercedes SLS in its street clothes, but even he would have to be a fan of the SLS AMG GT3 that undergoes final testing at a 24-hour race in Dubai before delivery to customers.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 20 2010 - 3:26pm

Laurence Fishburne named the new voice of Cadillac

During college football’s Rose Bowl Game on January 1st, 2011, Cadillac’s new “red-blooded luxury” advertising campaign will begin and when it does, the luxury arm of General Motors will use Hollywood star Laurence Fishburne for voiceovers.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 20 2010 - 1:59pm

New 2011 Chrysler 300 revealed ahead of the Detroit debut

The redesigned 2011 Chrysler 300 is expected to make its grand debut next month at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show but today, we have a full spread of images showing what the new luxury sedan will look like.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 20 2010 - 12:53pm

The 2012 Lamborghini Aventador already selling well in Singapore

The 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 hasn’t been official unveiled yet, but pre-orders for the next generation of Italian supercar are already streaming in, with over 50 orders in Singapore alone.

By Frank Sherosky Dec 20 2010 - 12:51pm

NHTSA confirms recall of 2011 Toyota Sienna

NHTSA Campaign ID 10V620000 N/A is officially in play for another Toyota recall. Components affected this time are the pedals and linkage of the hydraulic service brakes. The brake stop lamp switch, due to its proximity to the parking brake pedal, in limited circumstances the operator’s foot could damage the stop-lamp switch bracket.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 20 2010 - 11:46am

GM Recycles Gulf Disaster Oil Booms for Chevrolet Volt

GM has managed to make something good from the ecological disaster that was the massive BP gulf oil spill. It is recycling oil-soaked plastic booms from the Gulf disaster into parts for the Chevrolet Volt.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 20 2010 - 11:24am

Tweet Your Way to the Super Bowl and a Mercedes

Mercedes wants to give you and a partner two tickets to the Super Bowl and two Mercedes C-class coupes. All you have to do is Tweet your way to Dallas 140 characters at a time at a special Mercedes contest.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 20 2010 - 9:58am

New Sail Electric Concept Vehicle Debuts in China

General Motors has taken the wraps off a new electric concept vehicle called the Sail. It debuted in China at the 2010 Guangzhou Auto Show, which began today.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 20 2010 - 9:36am

GM Introduces First Four-Cylinder Turbo Cadillac in World

General Motors, through its Shanghai GM joint venture, has introduced the first Cadillac with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine in the world. It’s an effort by Cadillac to get into the increasingly popular 2.0 to 2.5-liter luxury powertrain segment.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 20 2010 - 6:52am

Ford C-Max Features a World First Hands Free Liftgate

The battle to capture the hearts and minds of soccer moms with hot, new, hipster minivans has been ratcheted up a notch with the introduction of the 2012 Ford C-Max and the world’s first hands free lift gate.

By Frank Sherosky Dec 20 2010 - 1:00am

Nissan's HR12DDR engine implies longevity for the internal combustion engine

The Nissan Leaf to be introduced for 2011 represents the future, but it is only one part of Nissan's two-pronged vehicle strategy. The other part of the company's plan is “Pure Drive,” aimed at developing vehicles with high-efficiency internal-combustion engines (ICEs), transmissions, and hybrid systems.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 19 2010 - 10:18pm

Kia Optima Turbo Delivers an Emotional Component to Rational Midsize Segment

But after some time behind the wheel, I have to commend Kia for its strategy (which also includes comparisons to other midsize models). The Kia Optima Turbo seems to be a much better car than the Hyundai Sonata Turbo, which until I drove the Optima Turbo, was my hands-down, favorite midsize sedan currently offered.

By Frank Sherosky Dec 19 2010 - 8:35pm

GM reveals GMC Sierra All Terrain HD concept prior to 2011 NAIAS

In an unusual move, GM has preempted media days by revealing its GMC concept weeks before the start of this year’s North American International Auto Show. Its news release of the GMC Sierra All Terrain HD concept says it is an exploration of heavy-duty truck capability combined with greater off-road versatility.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 19 2010 - 11:42am

Mitsubishi Production Cutbacks in Europe Could Signal U.S. Problems

Mitsubishi’s woes in Europe could be a harbinger of problems in the United States market as well with news that its Netherlands plant will scale back production and the UAW in the U.S. has approved wage cuts.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 19 2010 - 11:03am

Nissan Versa Gets Upgrades for 2011

The Nissan Versa, a surprisingly good sedan for under $10,000, has received some upgrades for 2011 that is going to make the sub-compact a more compelling car for first-time new car buyers (as well as bargain hunters). You need to drive a 5-speed manual to get the lowest price, though.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 19 2010 - 10:39am

Honda Investing $95 Million in Ohio Plant

The Honda Transmission of America Mfg. Inc. facility in Russell Points, Ohio, is receiving a $95 million investment. The funds will mean an additional 160 full-time jobs at the plant.

By Frank Sherosky Dec 19 2010 - 12:36am

Auto industry turning more to outside research to fulfill technology needs

Today, new automotive technologies present the opportunity for enormous gains; the more disruptive the better. Nonetheless, taking a new tech concept from the lab to the marketplace is a risky and time-consuming proposition. Automakers have thus increased their collaborations with universities, research labs, suppliers and start-ups.

Latest Automotive News

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