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+ Jan 2 2011 - 6:49pm

Florida Teens Can No Longer Take Driver Permit’s Test Online

Teens applying for a learner’s permit in Florida can no longer go online. Now they have to report to the local Florida Department of Motor Vehicles office to get their learner’s permits.

Read more about Florida Teens Can No Longer Take Driver Permit’s Test Online

By Keith Griffin G+ Jan 2 2011 - 6:19pm

UK Electric Car Buyers Get up to Quarter of Purchase Price Returned

Since January 1, the United Kingdom is offering generous grants to buyers of electric vehicles. They can see the price of their electric vehicle reduced by a quarter, up to 5000 pounds, or about $7500. It’s similar to the federal tax credits offered in the U.S.

By Frank Sherosky Jan 2 2011 - 12:31pm

$5.43M in contracts express USCAR and DOE collaboration

There was a time when collaboration between automakers implied suspicion of collusion and potential price fixing; not anymore, and not with the government. The U.S. DOE's mission to advance the national, economic and energy security of the United States has made cooperation between American automakers much easier.

By Frank Sherosky Jan 1 2011 - 8:50pm

IFPE 2011 keynote address to feature hydraulic hybrids

As the IFPE 2011 enjoins with the 52nd National Conference on Fluid Power (NCFP) in March in Las Vegas, the NCFP will emphasize new technologies and methods related to improved analysis, design, manufacturing and performance of fluid power components and systems. The keynote address will be followed by a course directly related to autos.

By Frank Sherosky Jan 1 2011 - 6:46pm

Mercedes-Benz shows driver focus with advanced technologies

Some of the latest advanced technologies from Mercedes-Benz may support green elements, but are not necessarily totally green. One look at the advanced technology videos you will see a direct emphasis on the driver.

The overview includes the following: the Hybrid Transmission, the NightView Assist, Distronic Plus, Command, and Rear View Monitor.

By Frank Sherosky Dec 31 2010 - 1:53pm

GM stock breaks out on low volume

Ask any investor who believes in technical analysis, though. Stocks that breakout to the upside or to the downside are not taken seriously, unless it is accompanied by high volume.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 31 2010 - 12:17pm

Billion dollar lawsuit against Porsche thrown out

Due to their shady attempt to purchase Volkswagen in 2008, Porsche was sued by investors who claimed that the high end automaker manipulated the investing market, negatively impacting the value of VW stock and costing the plaintiffs over $2 billion.

By Frank Sherosky Dec 31 2010 - 11:35am

Plenty zinc supplies could replace lithium for batteries

One battery technology in the labs uses zinc and air; hence, it is called zinc-air, where the atmosphere is part of the chemical equation.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 30 2010 - 9:41pm

State of Washington Might Tax Alternative Fuel Vehicles

The State of Washington is out with a plan to maintain current infrastructure and other needs due to the decline in gas tax revenues. Owners of alternative fuel vehicles may not be happy with what’s proposed.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 30 2010 - 9:32pm

Alyssa Milano orders Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf to avoid gas usage

Former Who’s the Boss hottie Alyssa Milano is showing her support for Mother Nature by buying a new-age electric car but since she wasn’t able to pick between the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the 2011 Nissan Leaf – she bought them both.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 30 2010 - 7:31pm

NHTSA announces 2011 Ford and Lincoln recall over fire risk

Ford Motor Company and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced a recall of a variety of 2011 Ford and Lincoln trucks and crossovers due to a fire risk stemming from an overheating body control module.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 30 2010 - 6:35pm

The 2011 Dodge Journey to be sold by Fiat in Europe

The 2011 Dodge Journey received a lightly refreshed exterior, a sharpened interior and a revised suspension setup but when this (somewhat) new crossover hits Europe, it will wear the Fiat logo.

By Frank Sherosky Dec 30 2010 - 5:16pm

Former Government Motors Czar to pay $10 million fine to New York

While the Obama administration focused on how the auto companies in Detroit were going to pay back its loans to the U.S. taxpayers, it failed to notice its own “auto czar” Steven Rattner had skeletons in his own trunk.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 30 2010 - 4:18pm

Audi Will Raise Prices on Certain Models in January

There are still a couple days left to save 1 percent on the purchase of certain 2011 models. As of Tuesday, prices will be rising on the Audi A4/S4, A5/S5, Q7, and R8V10 in what the German automaker euphemistically calls a price adjustment.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 30 2010 - 8:53am

New Car Sales Up 10.5 Percent for 2010 – Fleet a Large Reason

There’s no denying that the automotive industry is still in a bit of a sales slump when compared to historical figures, but 2010 is going to see new car sales up 10.5 percent (with fleet and rental car sales a large reason) when compared to 2009 with a similar bump predicted for 2011.

By Frank Sherosky Dec 29 2010 - 6:21pm

China puts squeeze on rare earth customers with export restrictions

China is cutting exports in 2011 by another 11% after a 40% cut in 2010. Question is, will it drastically affect electronic manufacturers and electric vehicle battery suppliers who depend on lithium?

By Frank Sherosky Dec 29 2010 - 1:38pm

Ford's Quick Lane retains title to fastest-growing automotive service brand

Ford Motor Company’s Quick Lane® vehicle maintenance business has been rated the fastest-growing service brand in the industry. Having sold a record 1 million tires in 2010, the company is on track to post record sales of more than $550 million for the year.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 29 2010 - 1:26pm

2011 Chevrolet Cruze hatchback patent drawings revealed

The sporty Chevrolet Cruze hatchback made its conceptual debut at the 2011 Paris Motor Show and thanks to the folks at CarScoop, we have a look at patent renderings issued to the European patent office, giving us an idea as to what will change from concept to production.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 29 2010 - 12:51pm

Portugal's Prime Minister accepts 2011 Nissan Leaf

The 2011 Nissan Leaf has reached the point where it is being delivered to customers all over the world and as the first wave of the new electric cars hit Portugal, the country’s Prime Minister became the first world leader to drive the Leaf.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 29 2010 - 11:02am

Automobile Magazine Picks Best and Worst for 2010

It’s that time of year: the Best of and Worst of lists for 2010. Automobile Magazine is out with one of the better “best of and worst of” lists for 2010 because of its depth on various automotive topics.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 29 2010 - 10:06am

Auto Recall Numbers Point To Interesting Trends

Conventional wisdom would be the number of recalls is increasing. After all, you can’t log onto a website without reading about another recall. Well, conventional wisdom could be wrong.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 28 2010 - 10:41pm

One in Ten Admit To Driving Drunk in Last 12 Months

As New Year’s Eve approaches, keep two things in mind. Odds are probably one in 20 drivers will be legally drunk behind the wheel and the incidence of drunk driving fatalities is 2.5 times higher on New Year’s Day.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 28 2010 - 8:54pm

China increasing sales tax on small cars in 2011

When the Chinese economy took a dive in 2009, the government cut the sales tax rate on cars with engines measuring 1.6L or smaller to just 5% but starting in 2011 the tax rate returns to 10%.

By Frank Sherosky Dec 28 2010 - 8:13pm

ALG checks public perception with automotive residual value ratings

Value ratings play a major role in automotive purchases as do automotive awards. Sometimes they even conflict with public perception. Award winners, though, are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. One stand-out is the Automotive Lease Guide.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 28 2010 - 6:16pm

Dodge preparing huge ad plan including Super Bowl commercial in 2011

The Dodge lineup has remained fairly steady (for some, stagnant) for the past few years but in 2011, the automaker will roll out 6 new or heavily refreshed models and to show off those new models, Dodge will put together a massive advertising effort early in 2011 which will include an ad during Super Bowl XLV.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 28 2010 - 2:40pm

GM recalls 2011 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC trucks over axle risks

General Motors has announced a recall of 1,262 2011 model year light duty trucks from Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet due to a concern over the reliability of an improperly manufactured cross pin in the rear axle assembly.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 28 2010 - 12:43pm

Toyota to reveal Prius Family of Vehicles at 2011 Detroit Auto Show

Toyota’s US sales are hurting due to their seemingly endless recall issues but the Prius is still the best selling hybrid in the world, so it should come as no surprise to hear that Toyota will unveil the “Prius Family of Vehicles” next month at the Detroit Auto Show.

By Patrick Rall G+ Dec 28 2010 - 11:11am

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, Aventador already available for orders online

The new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 isn’t due out for some time and the Sesto Elemento Concept that debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show is rumored to only be available for track use but that isn’t stopping a German high-end car dealership from offering both new Lambo’s for sale on the company website.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 28 2010 - 8:23am

Green Car Journal Finalists for Vision Award

A lot of automotive awards are criticized for honoring vehicles not yet available to the public. Green Car Journal gets around that with its Green Car Vision Award that honors a future vehicle coming to market. The five finalists have been announced.

By Keith Griffin G+ Dec 28 2010 - 7:52am

New Year's Day Most Popular Holiday for Stolen Cars

Here's a New Year’s resolution most people can get behind: lock your car doors, especially on New Year’s Day. That’s the most popular holiday for stolen cars in the United States.

Latest Automotive News

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