Automotive News (Page 1125)

During an event at the Detroit Hamtramck to celebrate the production of the 2011 Chevy Volt, GM North America President Mark Reuss announced that the first 2011 Chevy Volt built for the retail market would be auctioned off to benefit the Detroit Public School system.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has launched an investigation into the 2006 Honda CR-V due to reported fires in the driver’s door caused by an overheating window switch.

Bentley Motors has announced that former vice president of research and development from Porsche Auto Group will be taking over the position of Chairman and CEO of Bentley, effective February 1, 2011.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced that Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling 2,956 LR2s over a possible airbag failure.

Toyota has announced that they will repair over 650,000 Prius hybrids due to a concern over cooling system failures but the Japanese automaker is vehement that this is not another Toyota recall.

Cadillac has adopted the slogan “the New Standard of the World” and to help feature the brand on a grand sporting stage, GM’s luxury brand has become a sponsor of the World Golf Championship.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration announced today that Volvo is recalling a variety of 2011 models, including the S60, S80, XC60 and XC70 for concerns over the engine control module cutting fuel from the engine.

Ford just launched the more comfortable, XLT Premium Wagon version of the Transit Connect work truck. The reason of this launch is because the consumers are finding interesting and innovative ways to tune and customize the vehicle for nomadic activities.

GM’s growing popularity in India is demonstrated by its hitting 100,000 in sales a month ahead of projection thanks to the appeal of its small Chevrolets like the Spark.

The Ford Mustang Cobra Jet drag racing package is back for 2012 with a handful of changes to build on the Cobra Jet’s record setting reputation with improved performance for the 2012 model year.

Porsche is introducing a smaller SUV called the Cajun into its lineup. SUVs have proven to be a major profit center for Porsche, along with its four-door Panamera.

Ford expected big things from the 2011 Explorer but the totally redesigned SUV has received over 15,000 pre-orders – more than doubling the predictions of Ford Motor Company.

Jaguar is recalling 6,475 2010 and 2011 XJ sedans for a concern over possible windshield wiper failure due to manufacturing errors.

Company CEO Sergio Marchionne announced Friday that new Jeep models will be built at Alfa Romeo’s Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy but those vehicles will be powered by engines and transmissions from US plants.

Saturday may be the busiest day of the week for car dealerships, but at least one manufacturer, Audi, thinks Sunday is the best day to gets its message in front of Americans.

Upgrading Weissach, Germany research and development center will better position Porsche to meet future requirements on vehicle development, which is increasingly focusing on energy efficiency.

In the United States, the Nissan Leaf has been edged out for major awards by the Chevrolet Volt from publications like Automobile Magazine and Motor Trend, even though the Leaf is a pure-electric car while the Volt is a next-generation hybrid.

The Financial Times of London reports U.S. automakers are trying to make greater profits by demanding price concessions from major suppliers.

Apparently newspapers sales are stronger in other countries because a Singapore newspaper is giving a Volkswagen Tiguan to encourage one lucky subscriber to renew or purchase a new subscription. In the United States, it’s amazing if your newspaper gives you a free pizza for renewing your subscription and they need our business.

The BMW Mini Countryman has earned 5 stars in the latest European crash test results. It was awarded for its array of standard safety equipment as well as its pedestrian protection measures – a standard not typically evoked in the United States. The 5 stars, the most available, should indicate the Mini Countryman will seem similar scores from the National Highway Safety and Transportation Administration (NHSTA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Maybe it's because he only has about seven weeks on the job, but Matthias Müller, the new CEO of Porsche, was candid about future product plans for the German automaker, including a diesel engine for the Porsche Panamera, a new product name, and a timeline for the hybrid Porsche 918. Müller also explained China's importance to Porsche.

The Ride Tech Velocity 1968 Camaro is being auctioned off at Barrett Jackson in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Jan. 22, 2011 (lot #1278 if you're wondering). This Camaro with an exterior that is Hot Hues Velocity Orange, that was specifically mixed for this car, and a black interior, is a beautiful example of modern technology meets classic styling. It's just packed full of goodies.

When Lamborghini unveiled the new Sesto Elemento at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, many thought that we were looking at the new halo performance car from the Italian supercar maker. The Sesto Elemento is comprised almost entirely from lightweight carbon-based composites, making for a curb weight of just 2,200lbs and with the 570hp drivetrain borrowed from the Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera, this new super-Lambo should be able to rip from 0-60 in roughly 2.5 seconds and reach top speeds in excess of 220mph.

General Motors has announced a voluntary recall of 192,676 small pickups including the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Isuzu i280 and Isuzu i380 over a concern about improper positioning of the middle-seat child safety tether. This GM recall pertains to 2004-2011 Colorado and Canyon models, along with 2007-2008 Isuzu trucks, in the regular or extended cab layout with a 60/40 split bench seat.

Chevrolet and the federal Environmental Protection Agency have come together to create a new fuel economy label to show consumers the miles-per-gallon equivalent of the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The new sticker also shows you how the Volt compares under different charging scenarios.

According to the folks at CorvetteBlogger, Corvette’s Product Marketing Manager Harlan Charles revealed that the 2011 Corvette Z06 will carry a starting price of $90,960 and if you select all of the available options, the price of the limited edition Z06 jumps to $99,925. This is a fair chunk of change, but many expect that this could be the best handling factory-built Corvette ever.

Things are looking up at GM's Flint Engine Operations where the automaker announced plans to invest $138.3 million and protect 135 jobs. It's part of $163.2 million being invested to support small engines production for the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Cruze and a new small Chevrolet being built in the U.S.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reporting the Volvo is recalling a limited number of 2010 XC60 sport utility vehicles due to a concern over faulty airbags. In these select few vehicles, the side curtain airbags may have been incorrectly assembled, possibly causing these side-mounted airbags to not open, or open incorrectly in the event of an accident.

Mazda has announced its compact minivan 2012 Mazda5 has a starting MSRP of $19,900, including delivery, for its base Sport trim. Pricing goes from there up to $24,670 for its top-of-the-line-model. This second-generation Mazda5 goes on sale in January at dealers across the U.S. It is currently on sale in Europe.

Fiat just announced the first 130 Chrysler dealers that will sell the Fiat 500 subcompact car in the United States. Of the many dealerships that were excluded, some did not want the franchise, because of the large investment Fiat wants them to make for the right to sell the new car.