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 Jun 1 2011 - 6:32am

Toyota Recalls 52,000 Original Prius Models for Steering Fix

Don't turn the steering wheel too hard if you own a 2001 through 2003 Toyota Prius because you could loosen the nuts in the steering gear box according to a volunteer safety recall announced for the first hybrids to hit the United States.

By Hawke Fracassa May 31 2011 - 11:13pm

Michigan, Ohio demand 60 mpg standards

Michigan and Ohio voters in two new Mellman Group polls for Ceres say they'd like their vehicles to give them 60 mpg as early as 2025. They also want major inroads made to dramatically cut carbon-dioxide pollution from cars and trucks.

By Don Bain May 31 2011 - 10:17pm

The Big 3 readying for an auto builder’s blitz

As the Big Three’s market share improves as a result of the popularity of new models, and Japanese imports are impacted by the national disaster there, Detroit has rehired many workers laid off during the recent downturn. Further they are preparing for a massive hiring blitz – but something has changed significantly for these new hires – their rate of compensation.

By Patrick Rall May 31 2011 - 6:49pm

Canadian government may sell remaining stake to Fiat

As a result of the “bailout loans” of 2008 and a variety of previous dealings, the Canadian government was left with a 1.7% stake in the Chrysler Group after the Fiat-run Chrysler paid off the balance of those loans but depending on how much Fiat pays for the last chunk of Chrysler owned by the US government, the Canadian government may be willing to sell their final 1.7% to Fiat.

By Patrick Rall May 31 2011 - 6:27pm

NHTSA investigating Nissan Altima for brake fluid leaks

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into select Nissan Altima sedans over concerns that a master cylinder leak could be causing brake failure issues.

By Don Bain May 31 2011 - 5:50pm

Las Vegas ponders purpose of recession-idled car lots

Cars sales are up this year but not enough to refill all the empty auto sales lots in Las Vegas, one of the cities hardest hit by the recession of 2008. The number of dealerships in Nevada is down to 96, with 65 remaining in the city. Over 20 dealers have closed their doors in the Las Vegas Valley alone.

By Hawke Fracassa May 31 2011 - 5:21pm

Ziebart International expands rust-protection line

Ziebart on Tuesday released an exclusive rust-protection formula for garage tools and other uses that was previously only available on cars and trucks at Ziebart locations. Now the formula can be bought through its Ziebart.com Web site for various do-it-yourself uses in the U.S. market.

By Patrick Rall May 31 2011 - 5:13pm

General Motors responds to Nissan “Gas Powered Everything” television ad

Earlier today, TorqueNews brought you a look at the new Nissan Lead television advertisement that envisions a world where everything relies on a gasoline engine with the commercial going so far as to include the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and in reply to the playful commercial shot in the ribs, General Motors employees have offered a few choice comments.

By Hawke Fracassa May 31 2011 - 4:55pm

MADD credits diligent cops, asks Apple, Google to dump DUI apps

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Michigan and Macomb County (Mich.) Prosecutor Eric Smith will honor 50 police officers next month who in 2010 went beyond the call of duty to do an exemplary job of apprehending drunken drivers or providing outreach to prevent drunken driving.

By Hawke Fracassa May 31 2011 - 4:15pm

Everyday people help mankind, Toyota harness 'Ideas for Good'

The people have spoken. Toyota after hearing from voters in an online poll has selected five winners in its "Ideas for Good" initiative, which asked everyday people how they would use Toyota technologies outside of the automotive arena to make the world a better place.

By Keith Griffin May 31 2011 - 4:04pm

2012 Kia Sorento Shows Huge Spike in Residual Value

The Kia Sorento has turned out to be a shining star since its introduction back in January 2010. It continues to be the Korean automaker's top seller month after month and now news comes that the 2012 model has a residual value a whopping 10 points ahead of the 2011 model.

By Don Bain May 31 2011 - 3:45pm

A Formula 1 racer actually driven upside down

It’s been theorized for years that the upside down wings on the front and rear of Formula one racers generate enough downforce that such a car could actually be driven upside down, given the proper speed and a track specially built to allow for such a stunt. This weekend that theory was proven on the Hot Wheels Test Track.

By Roman Rosa May 31 2011 - 3:32pm

Spy shot of 2012 Ducati Super Quadrata revealed

The first spy shot of the 2012 Ducati Super Quadrata has been shown off today by Italian magazine Moto Sprint. If the rumors are correct, the new motorcycle from Ducati will be a completely radical departure from what super bikes from the Italian manufacturer have been.

By Patrick Rall May 31 2011 - 2:59pm

The 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe hits the dyno, makes big power

The awesome new BMW 1 Series M Coupe packs and advertised 335 horsepower and 332lb-ft of torque but when the folks from Inside Line strapped the compact M coupe to the dynamometer, the world found that the 1 Series M Coupe makes quite a bit more than the German automaker claims.

By Patrick Rall May 31 2011 - 2:11pm

The Fisker Karma makes its production debut at the Monaco Grand Prix

Attendees of the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix this past weekend were the first people to see a production version of the upcoming Fisker Karma sedan on a public road as the electric vehicle with a range extending as the sleek sedan took to the track of the Monaco street circuit.

By Patrick Rall May 31 2011 - 12:35pm

Audi unveils the 503hp A1 Clubsport Quattro Concept

Audi has thrown their hat into the ring for the battle of the hottest high performance hatch with the introduction of the new Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro Concept and thanks to the folks from Electronic Arts, PC gamers can drive the new hot hatch in Need for Speed World.

By Keith Griffin May 31 2011 - 12:04pm

Kiss Mini Countryman Auction Helps UNICEF

At first the notion sounds silly until you realize it's for UNICEF, but you can buy one of four extremely limited edition Mini Countryman custom painted with the iconic makeup for each member of Kiss, the 70s rock band that is still selling out shows almost four decades later.

By Don Bain May 31 2011 - 11:50am

A world where gasoline powers everything

In a brilliant stroke of advertising, Nissan turns the tables on the modern world by projecting a world where everything that normally runs on electricity actually is powered by gasoline engines. Even the machine that reads your credit card at the restaurant has tiny little twin chrome exhausts spewing grayish white smoke into the air.

By Frank Sherosky May 31 2011 - 10:52am

Lessons learned by GM fuel economy engineers

Results from an actual driving test by two GM fuel economy engineers support data from OnStar that shows the fuel economy of drivers in identical cars can vary by 75 percent.

By Hawke Fracassa May 31 2011 - 9:39am

Driving can be the reason we are fat if we don't walk it off

Driving in our cars makes us sedentary and overweight unless we take steps to change that. This according to a University of Illinois study that ties commuting in a car to obesity.

By Don Bain May 31 2011 - 1:38am

Obese Americans and the small cars driving Detroit's rebound

Detroit is selling more cars and that has a lot to do with the Chevy Cruze and Volt as well as the Ford Fiesta and Focus, as the country turns to higher mileage vehicles with gasoline prices near historic highs. Though they still make more per unit on crossovers and SUVs, the higher demand for small cars is making them more profitable.

By Frank Sherosky May 31 2011 - 12:14am

Axion Power (OTCBB: AXPW) advancing battery tech into micro-hybrid vehicles

Do not count lead-acid batteries out of the energy picture yet, especially for the micro-hybrid vehicle market featuring stop-start. The Axion PbC® technology represents the first major advance in lead-acid battery and electrode technology in 30 years.

By Don Bain May 30 2011 - 7:49pm

Close-up: The 2011 Toyota Yaris Liftback

The 2011 Toyota Yaris, in any of its variations, is the essence of the modern commuter – efficient, easy to drive, technologically up to date, inexpensive to operate and far safer than small cars were just a few years ago.

By Hawke Fracassa May 30 2011 - 6:57pm

Auto parts supplier moving forward with tech center in Novi

A suburban Detroit vehicle tester and supplier of auto parts such as sensors, crash-test software and other products and services to car companies worldwide announced on Memorial Day that it is on schedule to open a North American Technical Center in September.

By Keith Griffin May 30 2011 - 1:26pm

Volkswagen and MoMA Launch Artistic Partnership

It's a growing trend among German carmakers: form partnerships with artists and museums to build brand awareness. Volkswagen is the latest to join the artistic fray as it partners with New York's Museum of Modern Art.

By Hawke Fracassa May 30 2011 - 10:33am

Fame can't protect crash victims like NC State basketball star Lorenzo Charles

"Jackass" movie star Ryan Dunn is the latest celebrity to die in a car crash. Dunn (pictured) has wrecked his car in West Goshen, Pa., near Philadelphia about two months after a car crash that killed Macho Man Randy Savage in Florida.

By Frank Sherosky May 30 2011 - 12:12am

Higher break-even price for Saudi oil sets new normal for auto fuel

In 2003, the breakeven for Saudi crude oil was $30 per barrel. It’s now reported to be $85 and expected to rise to $110 by 2015, according to the latest MarketWatch article.

By Hawke Fracassa May 29 2011 - 11:23pm

Coach Jim Tressel quits; were car deals for Ohio State players the last straw?

The Ohio State University football program is under scrutiny over the sale or loan of used cars from two auto dealerships at bargain prices to a few dozen football players and their families in the past six years. And the impact of the controversy in part is the resignation today of Coach Jim Tressel.

By Keith Griffin May 29 2011 - 10:56pm

Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle Displayed at Indy 500

Seems like the Army is concerned about fuel efficiency, but probably not for the same reasons as the rest of us based on the Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle that was displayed at the Indianapolis 500.

By Frank Sherosky May 29 2011 - 8:21pm

China sends clear message it will protect its own car manufacturers

You may have missed it. China’s Development and Reform Commission released a draft of guidelines last month for foreign investments into the Chinese market that limits foreign capital to 50% of any investment in certain electric vehicle component technologies.

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