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 Patrick Rall Oct 13 2011 - 7:38pm

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

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.

By Patrick Rall Oct 13 2011 - 4:39pm

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

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

By Keith Griffin Oct 13 2011 - 4:38pm

Hyundai Genesis Hurricane SC for SEMA Packs a Wallop

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.

By Don Bain Oct 13 2011 - 4:36pm

Nissan Unveils New Generation XTRONIC CVT

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.

By Armen Hareyan Oct 13 2011 - 4:19pm

Audi A7 2012: Long Roof and Headlights Define Beauty

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

By Don Bain Oct 13 2011 - 3:14pm

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

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.

By Gordon Block Oct 13 2011 - 12:41pm

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

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.

By Patrick Rall Oct 13 2011 - 12:16pm

Saab gets some Chinese money, lives to see another day

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.

A teaser of the 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer

By Patrick Rall Oct 13 2011 - 11:46am

GM says no 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer for the US market

Yesterday we brought you the news that General Motors would unveil a new 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer at the 2011 Dubai Motor Show and while we questioned whether or not the new sport ute would be available in the US, GM has stated that they have no immediate plans to offer the new SUV in the USA.

By Patrick Rall Oct 13 2011 - 10:12am

UAW locals responsible for Explorer, F150 reject new Ford contract

Since Ford and negotiators for the UAW came to an agreement on a tentative 4-yar labor contract on October 4th, local branches of the UAW have been tasked with voting to ratify the new deal but Ford’s union workers in Chicago (Explorer/Taurus plant) and Detroit (F150 pickup plant) have given the “thumbs down” to the new contract – two local branches that previous voted to strike.

By Keith Griffin Oct 13 2011 - 10:08am

North American Car and Truck Semi-finalists Going to Hell

The road to hell is paved with good intentions unless you're talking about Hell, Mich. Next week its roads will be filled with the semi-finalists for the North American Car and Truck of the Year.

By Armen Hareyan Oct 13 2011 - 9:54am

Analyst recommends Porsche stock as new 911, Boxter target record sales

The success of Porsche is growing. The company is targeting record sales in 2013 by revamping its 911 and Boxter models. One German analyst recommends buying Porsche stock.

By Adam Yamada-Hanff Oct 12 2011 - 4:51pm

Cadillac introduces CUE which will improve driver connectivity

Cadillac is introducing a a new in-vehicle system, the Cadillac User Experience (CUE). The CUE system will have natural voice recognition, amazing customization options, and 3.5 times more processing power than available systems currently.

By Don Bain Oct 12 2011 - 4:34pm

Nissan's technological advances in auto safety revealed

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. released its latest safety technologies today to help reduce fatal and serious injuries caused by auto accidents, using improved data processing of vehicle cameras enabling the detection of people, vehicles, road hazards and obstacles about the vehicle. The Acceleration Suppression for Pedal Misapplication and Multi-Sensing System with Rear Camera help drivers avoid accidents as part of the "Safety Shield" concept.

By Hawke Fracassa Oct 12 2011 - 3:43pm

UAW-Chrysler contract yields small bonuses, no raises for veteran auto workers, again

Here are the specifics of a four-year deal the UAW struck with Chrysler Group LLC today that has many Chrysler workers upset. The tentative agreement goes to Chrysler's 26,000 UAW rank and file now for ratification or rejection.

By Gordon Block Oct 12 2011 - 12:50pm

Saab's still alive, investment deal with Pang Da and Youngman promising

Saab is insisting that its lifeline investments from Chinese companies Pang Da and Youngman are still valid and progressing, despite reports to the contrary.

By Patrick Rall Oct 12 2011 - 12:42pm

GM confirms and teases 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer based on new Colorado

General Motors announced today that the popular Chevrolet Trailblazer will return for the 2013 model year with the new SUV based on the global platform of the new Chevrolet Colorado mid-sized pickup.

2012 Kia Rio 5 door has an attractive price starting below $14,000

By Keith Griffin Oct 12 2011 - 11:51am

Review: 2012 Kia Rio 5-Door Substantial Improvement in Many Ways Including Price

The hot spot in the automotive world right now is the B class or sub-compact segment as most folks know it. Sweet in that hot spot is Kia with the 2012 Rio five-door hatchback currently in dealers and the four-door sedan that rolls out by year’s end. The base 2012 model has the same price as the 2011 model but much more value.

Tesla Roadster at the BPI 2011 Ride and Drive

By Frank Sherosky Oct 12 2011 - 10:49am

The Business of Plugging In 2011: Media drives EVs at Ride and Drive

The Business of Plugging In 2011, a Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, Michigan held a Ride and Drive event on October 11 for the media. With representation by Eaton, GE, GM, Ford, Mercedes-Benz-AMP and Tesla, what are the best three combo-words to describe the experience?

By Armen Hareyan Oct 12 2011 - 10:21am

Chevy Spark to follow Volt and Malibu Eco in 2013, but for select drivers

General Motors (Public, NYSE:GM) this morning announced its new all electric urban minicar 2013 Chevy Spark. This electric car, coming to US market, will be for sale only in limited quantity and only for select types of drivers. The stock market welcomed today's announcement, sending GM stock up 3.33 percent at the time of this writing.

By Patrick Rall Oct 12 2011 - 9:29am

Chrysler and the UAW heads agree on new labor contract

Reports out of Detroit indicate that the Chrysler Group and the United Auto Workers union have come to a tentative agreement on a new labor contract that is expected to add around 2,100 jobs thanks to over $4.5 billion in facility investments around the country.

By Keith Griffin Oct 11 2011 - 11:47pm

Kia Celebrating Its Success as It Launches 2012 Rio and Soul

At the national media launch of the 2012 Kia Rio and 2012 Kia Soul in Austin, Texas, company executives were singing the Korean manufacturer’s praises and emphasizing that it’s not going to be overshadowed by its corporate sibling Hyundai.

Bob Weed and John Hipchen of Copper Development Assoc at BPI 2011

By Frank Sherosky Oct 11 2011 - 8:51pm

Copper Development Association scores well at The Business of Plugging In 2011

The Copper Development Association did more than just spread the word at The Business of Plugging In 2011 about the value of copper induction motors now used by Tesla Motors in their electric vehicles. It gave new insight to attendees of the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) conference.

By Adam Yamada-Hanff Oct 11 2011 - 6:19pm

Tesla and Panasonic enter into new supply agreement

Panasonic and Tesla, the electric car company, have finalized a supply agreement for lithium-ion battery cells to be used in Tesla's new electric sedan, the Model S. The automotive-grade lithium-ion battery cells will be provided by Panasonic, which is the world’s leading battery cell manufacturer.

A pedestrican crossing sign indicates one place where TRW's system could help.

By Don Bain Oct 11 2011 - 5:39pm

TRW takes auto/pedestrian collision avoidance to the next level

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. is today demonstrating its latest cutting-edge pedestrian detection and accident mitigation system that utilizes advanced signal processing algorithms to instantly process data from a video camera and radar sensors while working with electronic stability control to automatically brake a vehicle reducing the severity of an impact on a pedestrian.

By Adam Yamada-Hanff Oct 11 2011 - 3:15pm

The Petersen Automotive Museum pays tribute to the car

The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is a stunning automotive history museum, dedicated to showcasing the automobile and its impact on American life and culture. On multiple floors the Museum houses some of the most fascinating vehicles you will ever see.

By Hawke Fracassa Oct 11 2011 - 10:34am

UAW-Chrysler contract bargaining back in session

Chrysler Group LLC and the UAW resumed bargaining this morning after taking time off Monday to rest after days of round-the-clock negotiations on a new four-year contract left negotiators close but short of an agreement, and exhausted.

By Don Bain Oct 10 2011 - 6:52pm

Ford's Health & Wellness tech to be discussed in San Diego

Ford Researchers have developed in-car health and wellness apps and services to monitor people with various medical problems so they can manage their condition and yet still get about town. Ford's senior technical leader, K. Venkatesh Prasad, will discuss these innovations at a "Health and Wellness Connectivity Services on the Go" with Anand Iyer, COO of WellDoc, and H. James Dallas, SVP at Medtronic at the Wireless Health 2011 Conference held Oct. 10-13 in San Diego.

By Adam Yamada-Hanff Oct 10 2011 - 5:00pm

Ford to receive Breakthrough Award for industry-first rear inflatable seat-belt

Ford is about to receive Popular Mechanic's prestigious Breakthrough Award for its industry-first safety innovation, rear inflatable seat belts. This is part of the well-respected magazine's seventh annual Breakthrough Awards.

The Business of Plugging In 2011 in Dearborn, Michigan runs Oct 11-13

By Frank Sherosky Oct 10 2011 - 4:39pm

The Business of Plugging In 2011 opens today, focuses on widespread adoption of PEVs with Ride and Drive

The Business of Plugging In 2011, a Plug-in Electric Vehicle Conference will open at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, Michigan and runs from October 11 - 13, uniting automotive, utility and new technology thought-leaders with policy makers, financiers and researchers as they focus on widespread adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV). [See updates from Torque News via here and Twitter, especially Ride and Drive report.]

Automotive News

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