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August 29, 2010

Today in automotive history: on this day in 1876 harles Franklin Kettering, the American engineer and longtime director of research for General Motors Corp. (GM), was born in Loudonville, Ohio. Of the 140 patents Kettering obtained over the course of his lifetime, perhaps the most notable was his electric self-starter for the automobile, patented in 1915. Read more about this day in history at The History Channel.

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Chrysler dealers to meet in Detroit to hear Fiat pitch
About 400 Chrysler Group LLC dealers from across the United States are expected to gather at the Detroit Institute of Arts on Monday for an intensive session intended to help them decide whether to make the investment needed to sell the Fiat and Alfa brands. A pillar of the success of the partnership between Chrysler and Fiat SpA, which was formed in June 2009 when the Auburn Hills automaker emerged from bankruptcy, was that the two companies would develop vehicles together and take advantage of their respective distribution networks to sell each other's products. Fiat has a strong dealer network in Europe and South America and already has started selling Chrysler's vehicles abroad.    [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) 'Chrysler's Turbine Car' on a strange journey
Somebody online is selling a used copy of Steve Lehto's latest book for $276.68. Lehto finds that odd for several reasons, starting with the fact that the book isn't in stores yet. Also, the list price of "Chrysler's Turbine Car: The Rise and Fall of Detroit's Coolest Creation" (Chicago Review Press) is only $24.95. For $276.68, Lehto will come to your house and read it to you. It's only right, though, that a little more strangeness should break out as the book gets within days of delivery. It's already had an unusual journey -- almost as unusual as the turbine car itself. The car seems like a reasonable place to begin the story, and yes, that's Jay Leno driving one in the video. In April 2009, when he came to town to perform free for out-of-work Michiganians, he swung by the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills between shows and bought it.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Toyota to recall Corolla, Matrix for engine controller
Toyota Canada will recall approximately 136,000 Corollas and 64,300 Matrix models, model years 2005 to 2008, for engine control modules (ECM) that may have been improperly manufactured. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are involved in the recall. On certain vehicles equipped with a 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive, there is a possibility that a crack may develop on the ECM's circuit board at certain solder points, or on the varistor, the electronic component used to protect circuits against excessive voltage. In most cases, if a crack occurs, the "check engine" light may illuminate, harsh shifting could result, or the engine may not start. In a small number of cases, the engine could stop while the vehicle is being driven. Toyota said it is not aware of any collisions or injuries related to this condition in Canada.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Solar-powered sign welcomes B.C./Yukon drivers
New signs and lighting at the B.C./Yukon border will now greet drivers with solar power, thanks to an investment by British Columbia. "This alternative-energy project makes sense for a variety of reasons," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond. "It provides year-round visibility for our 'Welcome to B.C.' sign at the border, a safer rest stop for motorists travelling Highway 37 at night, and reduces the cost of bringing power to a remote location." The province invested approximately $60,000 to provide solar lighting for both the welcome sign and the motion-activated internal and external lights at the rest stop located at the B.C./Yukon border, 220 kilometres north of Dease Lake on Highway 37. It was the only 'Welcome to B.C.' sign on a numbered route that was not previously illuminated. The project will serve as a test site for future solar projects in areas with limited hours of winter daylight.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Honda hybrids aren't endangered: Honda Canada
Rumours that Honda Canada will cease selling the Honda Insight and Civic Hybrid are false, according to the company. Honda was responding to rumours circulating earlier this week that the two hybrid models would be discontinued due to slow sales. In a statement, the company said, "Honda Canada will listen to the voice of our customers and will bring the products they want. If there is market demand for Insight and Civic Hybrid, we will bring the appropriate supply." The company said that Honda dealers currently have more than a six-month supply of the vehicles, and it will monitor demand and order more when required. Honda Canada plans to offer both the Insight and Civic Hybrid as 2011 model-year units and has no plans to discontinue either model.   [more]   [top of page]

YAHOO NEWS (NEW YORK, USA) Police: Sneezing fit caused NY woman to crash car
Police in New York say a woman had a sneezing fit that caused her to drive off a road, crash into several trees and plow through a fence. Authorities said 62-year-old Mary Jane Amelio was driving Thursday morning in New Hartford, near Utica, when she began to sneeze. New Hartford police said her car left the road, hit several small trees and crashed through a fence before coming to a stop. Amelio was taken to a hospital, where she was listed in fair condition after suffering injuries to her head, neck, back and leg. Police said she was ticketed for failure to keep right.   [more]   [top of page]

August 22, 2010

Today in automotive history: on this day in 1962 President Charles De Gaulle of France survived one of several assassination attempts against him thanks to the superior performance of the presidential automobile: the sleek, aerodynamic Citroen DS 19, known as "La Deesse" (The Goddess). Read more about this day in history at The History Channel.

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Toyota cited throttle issues in '07
Toyota Motor Corp. officials bragged in late 2007 that they saved more than $100 million by deterring U.S. safety officials from ordering costly repairs to prevent runaway vehicles, e-mails obtained by The Detroit News show. The communications suggest some executives knew of the situation nearly two years earlier than was acknowledged in a July 2009 internal company document that surfaced this year. In that presentation, Toyota officials touted the $100 million they saved by agreeing in 2007 to recall just 55,000 floor mats that could have interfered with the gas pedal.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Shop around for best car rental deal
Renting a car this summer? Don't make the mistake of thinking one rental car company is the same as any other. Depending on the vehicle -- and where you pick up your rental -- you could save a bundle by simply shopping around. So how much difference is there between rental car companies? A recent visit to Tulsa, Okla., gave me the chance to do an apples-to-apples comparison of the cheapest vehicle offered for a 48-hour period.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Electric car race starts in Geneva
Vehicles powered by electricity from renewable energy began a race in Switzerland that will run for more than 80 days and cover 18,650 miles. The contestants, whose sponsors include the United Nations Environment Program and Google Inc., started in Geneva on Monday and will pass through Berlin and Shanghai before resuming the race in Vancouver and Los Angeles, according to the competition's Zero Race website.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Car sharing program starts tests in Vancouver
Car2go, a car-sharing program that is a subsidiary of Daimler, is assessing its in-vehicle technology in Vancouver. The trial assessment is being conducted to validate and refine its business processes and technical systems before further large-scale rollouts in Canada and the U.S. and will continue until October 2010. The program was successfully launched in North America in Austin, Texas in November 2009. The company plans to expand in the near future and is expected to announce the next location in the first quarter of 2011.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Electric Kia concept will debut in Paris
Kia will reveal an all-new electric concept car at the Paris Show on September 30th. Called the "POP," the three-metre, three-seater vehicle "boasts zero emissions and brings innovative design chic to the city car segment with its dramatic styling," the company said.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Three SUVs rate acceptable, one marginal in roof tests
The 2010 Nissan Xterra, Toyota FJ Cruiser and Toyota 4Runner earned "acceptable" ratings, while the Nissan Pathfinder ranked "marginal" in recent roof strength tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The test is now part of the Institute's ratings for vehicle safety; those that earn a Top Safety Pick rating must achieve the highest rating of "good" for roof strength, along with the same rating in front, rear and side impact crash tests, and be equipped with electronic stability control. "Good" vehicles have roofs that can withstand a force equal to at least four times the vehicle's weight. An "acceptable" rating in a minimum required strength-to-weight ratio of 3.25, while "marginal" is 2.5. Anything lower is rated "poor."   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Aston Martin moves into Latin America
Aston Martin has opened a dealership in Santiago, Chile, marking the company's first official entry into Latin America. It has also opened a new store in Sao Paulo that will serve Brazil and the eastern region of South America. "The luxury car market in the region is expanding and, with increasing foreign investment and economic growth, this city and our new partners have a lot to offer," said Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin. "We have taken our time to find the right partners for Aston Martin in Latin America and I am confident Santiago will perfectly represent our brand and be central to our growth in Latin America."   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Used Vehicle Review: Volkswagen Jetta, 2006-2010
The fifth-generation Volkswagen Jetta -- known among enthusiasts as the MKV (say "Mark five") -- was a bit of a throwback when it was introduced in 2005 as a 2006 model, being closer in proportion to the second- and third-generation models, with its long hood, high decklid and, inside, a huge trunk. Critics, though, thought it looked too much like a Corolla, which, admittedly, it did. Regardless, it was still a Volkswagen, which meant it was a nicely-built car praised primarily for a driving feel and interior quality a step above economy cars like the Corolla; the Jetta continued to be positioned upmarket from other compacts, and priced higher too.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Zero-emission global race is now underway
The Zero Race, a global challenge for emission-free vehicles to tour the world in 80 days, is now underway following a start in Geneva. Four teams from three continents have started in the race, which began on August 16 at the United Nations Palace in Geneva. The race is organized by Louis Palmer, who in 2008 drove across 38 countries and covered more than 54,000 kilometres in 18 months in a car powered by solar energy. The trip raised awareness about renewable energy and climate change to more than 770 million people worldwide. The teams, from Australia, Switzerland, Germany and South Korea have all developed new high-tech electric vehicles especially for the race. The event is not only about speed, but reliability, design and safety. Each team is obliged to power the vehicles by renewable energy, including solar or wind power.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Wagons, SUVs top list of dog-friendly vehicles
With more than 80 per cent of dog owners taking their pets along on errands, the American Automobile Association (AAA) has released a list of its top vehicle picks for dog owners. "More than 45 million households in the U.S. have a dog, and many are taking Fido along for the ride on a regular basis," said John Nielsen, national director of auto repair and buying services. "There are several vehicles with features that can help keep pets safe, comfortable and easy to clean up after, while also addressing other driver desires such as sportiness, adventure or luxury." The vehicles were chosen based on a wide variety of factors, including crash test ratings, safety features, fuel economy, ease of entry and exit for dogs, cargo size, availability of tie-down hooks and easy-to-clean interiors.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Canadians more "electric" than U.S.: Synovate
Canadians are more likely to consider purchasing an electric vehicle than Americans, according to a new survey by global market research firm Synovate. As part of an alternative fuels survey, Synovate asked new-car buyers about current petroleum-based powertrains, including internal combustion, diesel, flex-fuel and natural gas, and electric powertrains, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery and fuel cell. Of those surveyed, 61 per cent of Americans had a stronger preference for internal combustion engines than Canadians, at 53 per cent, although both were virtually tied in their preference for a hybrid engine.   [more]   [top of page]

YAHOO NEWS (LONDON, ENGLAND) Athlete blames cat over drunk driving charge
Cricket star Graeme Swann told a police officer who stopped him for drunk driving that he had had to go out to buy screwdrivers to rescue his trapped cat, a court heard Monday. The 31-year-old spinner had been out with friends when he returned to his Nottinghamshire home and discovered his pet trapped under the floorboards, he told police. He said he then got in his white Porsche Cayenne and was driving to a supermarket in the early hours of April 2 when he was pulled over, Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard, the Press Association reported. Police constable Steven Denniss said he decided to pull Swann over initially because he was driving a high-performance car in an area where there had been a spate of burglaries. "Mr. Swann stated he had been out that evening and had come back to find his cat trapped under the floorboards in his house. He had gone to Asda to fetch some screwdrivers to remove some floorboards," Denniss told the court.   [more]   [top of page]

August 16, 2010

Today in automotive history: on this day in 1984 after close to 30 hours of deliberation, a jury of six men and six women unanimously acquited the former automaker John Z. DeLorean of eight counts of drug trafficking in Los Angeles, California. Read more about this day in history at The History Channel.

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Taurus a blueprint for Ford's success
The all-new Taurus that Ford Motor Co. launched a year ago will never match its former glory as the best-selling car in America. But in Ford's eyes, it doesn't have to. The remade Taurus has emerged as a flagship for the Dearborn automaker, restoring luster to a nameplate that had become synonymous with "rental car," and helping to revive an automaker that had become dependent on trucks and sport utility vehicles. It is a prime example of Ford's strategy to build sales volume by using the same basic underpinnings for a lineup of vehicles, each with its own identity. The Lincoln MKS sedan and MKT crossover, the Ford Flex, even the redesigned Explorer, all share the D-size Taurus platform. As a result the signature Taurus doesn't need to be high-priced or high-volume to make its business case.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) The Boss 302 gets a limited run
The Boss is back as a production model. Ford Motor Co. announced Friday that it will offer a limited number of the 2012 Mustang Boss 302, playing up the powerful reputation of the legendary engine. There will also be a track-ready version, known as the Mustang 302 Laguna Seca, which eliminates the rear seat, and adds a racing suspension and additional aerodynamic treatments.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Feds want seat belts on commercial buses
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants to require lap-shoulder safety belts on commercial buses. "We're committed to making sure that motor coach travelers reach their destinations safely," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said today. "Seat belts save lives, and putting them in motor coaches just makes sense." While the federal government can require seat belts on buses, it cannot force passengers to wear them. States could opt to require their use, as they do with passenger vehicles. The requirement will not apply to mass transit vehicles or full-sized school buses; in 2008, NHTSA mandated seat belts on small school buses weighing less than 10,000 pounds.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) 2010 Kia Soul investigated for steering problems
The government has opened an investigation into possible loss of steering control in the 2010 Kia Soul, a boxy vehicle aimed at appealing to urban motorists. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in a posting today that it has received one complaint alleging complete steering loss. The complaint said the steering shaft also interfered with the driver's ability to hit the brakes. The government says it is "very concerned" about the incident because the vehicle was only 2 months old and had low mileage.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Transport Canada announces latest recalls
Transport Canada has announced its latest recalls, which may affect some Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Jaguar, BMW, Toyota and Honda vehicles. 2010 Dodge Nitro; 2010 Dodge Ram 1500; 2010 Jeep Liberty; 2010 Jeep Wrangler; Vehicles affected: 3,400: Certain vehicles may have an improperly-formed master cylinder to hydraulic control unit brake tube assembly, which could lead to a loss of brake fluid and reduced braking performance. Dealers will repair the affected vehicles. 2010 Ford Transit Connect; Vehicles affected: Customer Satisfaction Campaign Only: On certain vehicles, the headliner push pin at the B-pillar may not absorb sufficient energy to conform to the U.S. specific regulatory requirement for unbelted occupant protection in an interior impact. Canadian vehicles comply with all Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Ford of Canada said that it is voluntarily conducting this customer satisfaction program to reassure Transit Connect owners.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Eaton quick-charger supports Mitsubishi EV tour
Mitsubishi's Clean Across Canada tour, featuring the i-MiEV electric vehicle (EV), will be supported with a quick charging station and other critical electric vehicle supply equipment by Ontario-based industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation. The tour begins August 17 at Signal Hill in St. Johns and ends on September 13 in Vancouver. "Eaton is pleased to utilize its leadership in sustainability, energy efficiency and power distribution during Mitsubishi's clean energy tour," said Tim Old, business unit manager of electric transportation infrastructure at Eaton. "This tour displays the efficiency and capability of plug-in vehicles and how quick-charging stations like Eaton's can be used to extend the range of electric vehicles and reduce driver's range anxiety."   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) New yeast may be key to non-food ethanol
A new strain of yeast, co-developed by a Toronto company, may be a key ingredient to producing ethanol fuel from non-food sources. Lallemand Ethanol Technology, a Milwaukee-based subsidiary of Toronto yeast company Lallemand, has signed an exclusive agreement with Xylogenics of Indianapolis to develop and commercialize genetically-enhanced, ethanol-producing yeasts for first-generation ethanol production. The enhanced yeasts will increase fermentation yield, reduce fermentation costs, and potentially increase ethanol plant fermentation capacity when compared to current commercial strains. Lallemand will be responsible for process development, manufacturing and commercialization of the new yeast. Under the terms of the agreement, Xylogenics will receive patent licence fees and royalty payments.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Solar energy will power Ford small-car plant
One of the largest solar power generation systems in Michigan will be built at Ford's assembly plant in Wayne, helping to power production of small cars and recharge electric vehicles. Ford is teaming with Detroit Edison, Xtreme Power and the state of Michigan to establish the solar generation plant. Power from the system will be used at the assembly plant in 2011 and 2012, with a smaller, secondary system integrated at a later date to power lighting systems inside the plant.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Infiniti launches new Performance Line
Infiniti has launched its new specialty-performance vehicle collection, the Infiniti Performance Line (IPL), with the world debut of the new 348-horsepower IPL G Coupe. The first production vehicle in the new line, the IPL G Coupe will go on sale in Canada in March 2011. The new line was launched at an exclusive event at the 60th annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance vintage car show in California.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Saab plans Mexico, South America expansion
Saab plans to enter Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, seeking importers to supply each area as it continues to move forward as an independent car manufacturer. The company has recently launched the all-new 9-5 sedan, and will soon present the 9-4X crossover and 9-5 wagon. In each country, Saab is seeking a company to import and distribute cars and parts, establishing a national retail network and providing marketing support. The appointments are expected to be announced within the next three months. Saab is already represented in 53 countries worldwide.   [more]   [top of page]

NEWSLITE (SWEDEN) Swedish 186mph speeder could be fined GBP 640,000
A driver faces what is believed to be the world's biggest speeding fine after he was caught doing 186 mph on a Swiss motorway. The massive GBP 640,000 fine is calculated on a combination of the 37-year-old's income and the speed at which he was clocked. Police say the Swedish motorist was going so fast in his GBP 140,000 Mercedes SLS that it even took him almost half a mile to stop. And embarrassingly they claim he avoided a number of radars on his route between Bern and Lausanne because they are only capable of registering speeds up to 125 mph. When they were eventually able to apprehend him, the speedy driver claimed his speedometer must be broken.    [more]   [top of page]

August 8, 2010

Today in automotive history - on this day in 1963, the 15 thieves involved in the Great Train Robbery, one of the most famous heists of all time, escaped in an ex-British Army truck and two stolen Land Rover four-wheel drive all-terrain vehicles, making off with some $7 million in stolen loot. Read more about this day in history at The History Channel.

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Chrysler sales rise but problems lurk behind gains
A year after getting billions of dollars in federal aid to stay in business, Chrysler now brags each month about growing sales, insisting it is rolling down the road to recovery. But beneath the surface of those sales figures are troubling signs for Chrysler. The company has a long way to go before it is truly healthy again. Most of Chrysler's gains this year came from sales to rental car companies, governments and other businesses, according to confidential data obtained by the Associated Press. Everyday drivers have shunned its dated lineup of cars and trucks.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Chrysler expected to announce 2Q operating profit
Chrysler Group LLC is expected to announce continued operating profit when it reports its second-quarter earnings Monday. The Auburn Hills automaker lost $197 million in the first quarter, but surprised the industry with an operating profit of $143 million. Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of Chrysler as well as partner Fiat SpA, has said there will be more good news from the second quarter results.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Healthy Ford pays back its chairman
Ford Motor Co., in another sign of its financial comeback, is writing Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. a big paycheck to make up for some of the five years he declined to take a salary. The automaker announced Friday that Bill Ford will get $4.2 million in salary and stock options of about $11.6 million. That's what he would have gotten, had he been paid from 2008 until now -- minus a 30 percent pay cut that the company's top executives agreed to swallow for 2009 and 2010.   [more]   [top of page]

BUSINESS WEEK (NEW YORK, USA) Toyota Says Economy-Car Exports Not 'Feasible' as Yen Climbs
Toyota Motor Corp., the biggest exporter of autos to the U.S., is trying to cut production costs for Yaris and Corolla cars as a rising yen makes it unprofitable to build economy cars in Japan for sale abroad. "Given the current exchange-rate situation, it isn't feasible, in terms of a business model, for us to produce Corolla or Yaris in Japan and export them," Atsushi Niimi, executive vice president for global manufacturing, said in an interview in San Antonio on Aug. 6. "We're working very hard to reduce costs to maintain the appeal of these cars."   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) First public EV quick-charge station opens
North America's first public-use, quick-charge station for electric vehicles (EVs) has opened in Portland, Oregon. The station was opened by Portland General Electric (PGE) and NEC Corporation, with a Nissan Leaf test vehicle being the first to charge up.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, USA) Toyota reaches hybrid milestone
Toyota has sold more than one million hybrids in Japan since it first introduced the gasoline/electric models, and has sold more than 2.68 million units globally as of July 31, 2010. The company's first hybrid was the Coaster Hybrid EV minibus, which it launched in August 1997 in Japan. In December of that year, it introduced the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid.    [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Navistar launches all-electric truck
Navistar has launched its all-new eStar all-electric truck, with FedEx and Pacific Gas & Electric among the first to take delivery. The new truck was launched one year after the company received a US$39.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop and deploy electric trucks.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) First solar car wash opens in British Columbia
A U.S.-based company has installed its first solar car wash system at Skogies Car Washes in British Columbia. RCI Solar, a subsidiary of Global Earth Energy, supplied the solar system. The system uses a solar-powered water heating system to increase the temperature during the soap cycle to better clean each vehicle as it passes through. The system requires less water and reduces the amount of chemicals required.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Zipcar teams up with Toronto Transit
Car sharing company Zipcar has announced a new partnership with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), which will offer discounted Zipcar membership and rate plans for TTC Metropass customers. Zipcar has become the newest member of the TTC's Hot Dealz Program, created in 2009 to provide savings on various Toronto attractions and services to Metropass customers.   [more]   [top of page]

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (NORTH CAROLINA, USA) Growing fuel by the roadside
As alternative energy continues to gain momentum, renewable sources such as nuclear, solar and wind power are the usual options for replacing fossil fuels. In North Carolina, however, another solution is sprouting on the side of the road. In conjunction with a national program known as "FreeWays to Fuel" ( freewaystofuel.org), researchers at N.C. State University are working to grow canola and sunflower crops along the wasted edges of highways and other marginal areas.   [more]   [top of page]

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN (NEW YORK, USA) Fuel Saving Garbage Trucks are on a Roll
Two heavy-duty manufacturing powerhouses, Peterbilt and Eaton Corporation, have teamed up to give garbage trucks a fuel saving green twist. This spring, Peterbilt announced its new Model 320 Hybrid which uses Eaton's new hydraulic hybrid system to achieve up to 30% in fuel conservation, along with a consequent reduction in emissions and greatly reduced maintenance costs, too. Now four of the sustainable behemoths are set for their first run in Michigan, in the green-minded city of Anne Arbor.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) New-vehicle sales up in July
Sales of new vehicles were up 6.3 per cent in July in Canada, when compared to sales in July 2009, according to industry analyst Dennis DesRosiers. Passenger car sales were actually down 7.8 per cent, but were offset by light trucks, which measured a 22 per cent rebound. Vehicles from Chrysler, Ford and General Motors were up 18.0 per cent, while import nameplates as a whole were down 3.0 per cent.   [more]   [top of page]

LIVE MINT (INDIA) Tata Motors set to launch the first TV commercial for Nano
For one of the most talked about cars of recent times, Tata Motors Ltd's Nano has maintained a remarkably low profile since its commercial launch in March last year. But with the company's Sanand plant in Gujarat now cranking out one Nano every minute, and prior delivery commitments close to being met, Tata Motors is set to launch the first television commercial plugging the world's cheapest car.    [more]   [top of page]

PEOPLE'S DAILY (CHINA) BYD lowers full-year sales target
Domestic carmaker BYD Co last Tuesday announced to cut its 2010 full year sales target by a quarter to 600,000 units from the former 800,000 units after sold fewer than 290,000 in the first six months. The adjustment is due to capacity constraints and its strategy to focus on brand building this year, the company said.    [more]   [top of page]

YAHOO! NEWS (UK) London taxis ranked world's best, NY/Parisians the rudest
London taxis, with their friendly drivers who actually know where they are going, are ranked best in the world, according to an annual taxi poll. The survey by travel website hotels.com found London taxis, despite being the most expensive, beat rivals across the globe to head the list for the third consecutive years, scoring a total of 59 percent in votes on several categories by travellers.   [more]   [top of page]

August 1, 2010

Today in automotive history - on this day in 2007, Citibank opened China's first drive-through automated teller machine (ATM) at the Upper East Side Central Plaza in Beijing. Read more about this day in history at The History Channel.

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Obama: GM plant 'might not exist' if he listened to critics
President Barack Obama said today the auto industry was seeing "real progress" as he continued to dwell on his decision to save General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC. The president taped his weekly address at GM's Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant on Friday, where he made one of two stops at U.S. auto plants. He also visited Chrysler's Jefferson North plant. He said the plant might not be in operation if he had listened to opponents.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Chrysler spares Sterling Heights plant from closure, adds 900 jobs
Chrysler Group LLC said Friday it will keep its Sterling Heights Assembly Plant operating and add 900 jobs -- a sign of the company's continued turnaround. Chrysler made the surprise announcement Friday, as President Barack Obama visited the automaker's Jefferson North plant in Detroit. "This is a fabulous day for Chrysler and Michigan," said Gov. Jennifer Granholm, describing the Sterling Heights development as the "best news of the summer."   [more]   [top of page]

WASHINGTON POST (WASHINGTON - DC, USA) The auto industry lives. Can we admit that government intervention worked?
Who could have imagined that the bailout of the auto industry, one of the single most unpopular moves by the Obama administration, would become one of its best talking points? But don't for an instant imagine that the comeback of the nation's rescued car companies, particularly General Motors, will change the way we debate government's role in the economy. When it comes to almost anything the government does, ideology trumps facts, slogans trump reality, and loaded words ("socialism") trump data.    [more]   [top of page]

BLOOMBERG (NEW YORK, USA) Toyota, Nissan May Benefit From U.K. $67 Million Green Car Incentive Plan
The U.K. government announced 43 million pounds ($67 million) of grants for low-carbon vehicles, potentially boosting demand for cars made by Japanese manufacturers Nissan Motor Co., Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. Under the program, car buyers from January will receive a grant worth 25 percent of the value of the vehicle, up to a maximum of 5,000 pounds, the Department for Transport said today in a statement. A department spokesman said that a list of eligible models hasn't been drawn up because criteria for the payment haven't been fully decided.    [more]   [top of page]

NEW YORK TIMES (NEW YORK, USA) Porsche 918 Spyder Plug-In Hybrid Is Only the Start of Green Program
Citing an "overwhelming response from the public and customers", Porsche said on Wednesday that it intended to move its ultrapowerful and gorgeously styled 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid from concept to production model. The decision complements a second, more modest environmentally themed test program announced on Monday that would put three battery-operated versions of the popular Boxster into what the company calls 'field tests'.   [more]   [top of page]

TIMES-COLONIST (BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA) Green can still be red-hot
"Catch me if you can!" may not be an official motto for BMW but its products seem to whisper it softly nevertheless. The latest automotive whisperer is the redesigned 2011 BMW 5-Series. BMW is well known for making exciting vehicles, earning them accolades from driving enthusiasts. The new 5-Series doesn't disappoint. The 2011 model of the mid-range 535i is the sixth-generation of the popular luxury/performance four-door sedan and the core model of their product line.   [more]   [top of page]

CAR ADVICE BLOG (AUSTRALIA) Obama drives Chevrolet Volt as 2012 production plans increase by 15,000 units
General Motors has confirmed unprecedented consumer interest in the Chevrolet Volt has forced it to increase build plans by 50 percent for 2012. GM initially planned to produce 30,000 of the plug-in hybrids in 2012, but that number has now been boosted to 45,000. Supply from the vehicle's launch in the final quarter of this year until the end of 2011 is limited to 10,000 units, despite more than 73,000 people registering their interest in the Volt on its website.   [more]   [top of page]

CRAIN'S DETROIT BUSINESS (MICHIGAN, USA) New CAFE rules open opportunities for auto suppliers
CEOs talked about how their businesses are changing as a result of stricter U.S. corporate average fuel economy regulations that will kick in beginning in the 2016 model year.    [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Toyota, Lexus models under new recalls
Toyota Canada has announced two new recalls, which will affect certain Toyota Avalon and Lexus LX470 vehicles. The Avalon campaign involves approximately 4,200 vehicles, model year 2000 to 2004, to address the possibility that the steering lock bar could break under certain conditions. No other Toyota or Lexus vehicles are affected by the condition. The lock bar, a component of the steering interlock system, may develop a minute crack on the surface due to improper casting. The crack may expand over a long period of repeated lock and unlock operations, and eventually the bar could break.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) B.C. impaired driving laws change in September
Drivers in British Columbia will face the toughest laws and penalties in Canada that will enable police to get impaired drivers off the road faster and for longer periods of time, starting in September. The announcement was made by Solicitor General Michael de Jong. "Unfortunately, impaired driving is on the increase in this province, and that's alarming because it means some people still aren't getting the message" de Jong said. "The new penalties will be a wake-up call because when September comes, drinking drivers can lose their driver's licence, have their vehicle impounded, and pay costs that range from $600 to $3,750."   [more]   [top of page]

CHINA ECONOMIC NET (CHINA) Dongfeng Motor moves into high gear
On June 26, Dong Feng passenger vehicle engine plant, with annual capacity of 300 thousand sets, went into construction in Wuhan factory of Dong Feng Motor Corporation Passenger Vehicle Company (DFPV). For Dong Feng, after the said plant is built completely and fully put into operation, Dong Feng self-owned brand engine will achieve great-leap-forward development from commercial vehicle filed to passenger car filed, which will enhance core competence of Dong Feng in independent innovation and development.    [more]   [top of page]

CHINA.ORG.CN (CHINA) Nation's first electric car sold to individual
Last week little-known carmaker Zotye Auto became the first Chinese company to sell a purely electric car to an individual buyer. Li Ziqiang, a Hangzhou resident, bought the 5008EV from the Zhejiang-based private manufacturer last Monday after leasing a 2008EV model based on the company's small SUV for six months. In January this year, Zotye put 100 of its 2008EV model up for lease in Hangzhou to test them in daily use under actual road conditions.   [more]   [top of page]

BUSINESS STANDARD (INDIA) Tata Motors' July sales grow 62%
Increased dispatches of the Nano and improved demand for its new launches pushed overall sales of Tata Motors, India's largest automobile company (by revenue), in July. The company reported sales growth of 62 per cent to 27,864 units, highest ever for it in a month, as against 17,191 units reported in the same month a year earlier. The company stated that during July it had delivered 9,000 units of the Nano, 8,606 of the Indica and 7,007 of the Indigo, while combined sales of the Sumo and Safari were 3,251 units.    [more]   [top of page]

GASGOO (CHINA) Fiat Investing $1.3 bln in Serbia plant
Fiat will launch production of the replacements for its Idea and Multipla minivans in its Serbian plant in Kragujevac, instead of the earlier announced Turin Mirafiori plant, due to a conflict with trade unions at home, according to Italian media reports. Fiat is expected to invest more than $1.3 billion in the Serbian plant, with nearly $466 million provided by Fiat itself, $533 million from the European Investment Bank and the remaining $333 million from the Belgrade government.   [more]   [top of page]

EDMONTON SUN (ALBERTA, CANADA) Provost man owner of world's oldest Plymouth
It doesn't look pretty, and it doesn't look like it would run, but the world's oldest Plymouth is up for auction and it drives like a dream. The antique was built in 1928 by Chrysler-Plymouth in Windsor, Ont., and at the very least proves true the old adage "they don't make 'em like they used to."    [more]   [top of page]

KEYT.COM (CALIFORNIA, USA) Car Dealership Closes Overnight
A shock to a local community as a car dealership goes under and with it, dozens of employees. Tonight others wonder where they can go to get their cars serviced or find parts. Locals that drive past this Goleta dealership on a daily basis were surprised as cars disappeared overnight. All but one PT Cruiser remains in the empty show room and vacant lot of the Chrysler dealership on Hollister Avenue. The only Chrysler dealership between Ventura and Santa Maria closed their doors this week.    [more]   [top of page]

July 26, 2010

Today in automotive history: on this day in 1998 three fans were killed and six others wounded by flying debris from a car at Michigan Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Read more about this day in history at The History Channel.

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) GM set to announce Chevy Volt pricing
General Motors Co. will announce pricing on the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car Tuesday during the Plug-In 2010 conference in San Jose, Calif. The exact price of arguably GM's most anticipated new vehicle, which goes on sale late this year, has been a closely guarded secret, but the Volt is expected to cost less than $40,000 before a $7,500 tax credit. GM executives hope the Volt will transform the public's perception about GM. The Volt, which will get up to 40 miles on electric power alone, will have a range of 300 miles on its gasoline engine. The Volt's engine kicks in after its battery is drained by about 70 percent to sustain the battery's remaining charge, which will keep the car running for several hundred miles.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Wheelchair-friendly vehicle MV-1 debuts at Detroit Medical Center
A new vehicle designed with wheelchair users in mind made its Detroit debut today at the Detroit Medical Center on the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The MV-1 features a built-in ramp, a wide door and open interior space that allows a wheelchair user to sit up front with the driver. It is the brainchild of automotive start-up The Vehicle Production Group based in Miami. Unlike retrofitted vans and cars, the MV-1 is built at the factory with these and other accessibility measures. Base models of the vehicle will retail for about $40,000, although a final price tag has yet to be set. Company officials hope to start production in September at an AM General plant in Mishawaka, Ind., that used to manufacture the Hummer H2. In marketing the MV-1, the company will target individuals along with commercial fleets such as taxis and rental vehicles.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) More roadside chargers needed for electric cars
The auto industry calls it range anxiety: Drivers want electric cars but worry they won't have enough juice to make long trips. After all, what good is going green if you get stranded with a dead battery? It's a fear that automakers must overcome as they push to sell more battery-powered cars. So government and business are taking steps to reassure drivers by building up the nation's network of electric charging stations. The hope is Americans will become more comfortable buying cars such as Nissan's all-electric Leaf, due out late this year, which can travel just 100 miles on a single charge. That's fine for a commute but potentially stressful for longer road trips. "I think the Leaf is a beautifully designed vehicle, but 50 miles in one direction is just not enough," says Bob Shafron, a former electric car owner in California. "I think they are going to run into problems in markets like LA, where things are spread out."   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Toyota and Japanese under attack in Europe as Koreans close in
Toyota is on the retreat in Europe as well as America, as its reputation for writing the book on quality was trashed by the recall debacle. But the noise surrounding the global recall of 9.4 million Toyotas and upmarket Lexus vehicles has drowned out a deeper and wider malaise which started way before the unintended acceleration crisis hit last year, and which also involves most Japanese companies operating in Europe. Their market share has been declining for some time and the South Koreans are taking it. Hyundai and its sister company Kia of Korea are using the old Japanese play book against the originators of the master plan. First, grab the public's attention with rugged and affordable vehicles. Don't worry that the styling is dull; beggars won't be choosers. Offer scarcely believable guarantees and a level of service which makes customers think they've been mistaken for Lord Snooty. Then after you've established a foothold in the market, top it all off by designing cars which look so good, buyers can't stop themselves from falling in love with them.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Ford hopes ride on new Explorer
Ford Motor Co. today unveils its 2011 Explorer, banking that consumers will embrace the reincarnation of its iconic sport utility vehicle as a car-based crossover. Ford wants this Explorer to redefine SUVs the way the original defined them and sparked the SUV craze two decades ago. If it's a hit, the automaker stands to win financially and make the Explorer king of the segment again. The 2011 Explorer, whose launch will be trumpeted on Facebook and in nine cities, marries the attributes that people love in SUVs -- roominess, capability and safety -- while fixing what they hate: poor fuel economy and a rough ride. For weeks, the automaker has built anticipation by playing peekaboo -- releasing photos revealing part of a quarter panel here, a bit of the front end there. But today marks the first day consumers get a complete image and information.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Honda brings Racing Line to Canada
Amateur and entry-level professional racers in Canada will now have access to Honda's Racing Line program, with parts and services available north of the U.S. border. Honda Performance Development (HPD) said that it is responding to strong demand from Canadian grassroots racers. Launched in July 2009, the Honda Racing Line is targeted at licenced participants in sanctioned amateur and entry-level professional racing. Licenced Canadian competitors can register through Honda Racing Line. "We have been very pleased with the growth of the Honda Racing Line program in the U.S., and with the high level of interest we've received from Canadian racers," said Erik Berkman, president of HPD. "We're happy to be able to make Racing Line membership available in Canada, and will continue to expand our offerings of products and support to club members." Once registered, racers have access to performance parts for purchase; race engines, including the Honda Fit for SCCA Formula F competition; Web-based technical support; 24-hour service publication support; and door-to-door delivery of original-equipment parts for individual race cars. Contingency award programs are also available for members of the Honda Racing Line competing in SCCA and NASA racing.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) GM will switch to new AC refrigerant
General Motors will convert the air conditioning systems in all of its vehicles to a new refrigerant, called HFC-1234yf, with a lower climate impact. The company said that HFC-134a, the hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant currently used in virtually every American car and truck, has a global warming potential (GWP) of 1400, compared to a GWP of four in the new refrigerant. Introduced as replacements for ozone-depleting substances, HFCs do not damage the ozone layer, but are potent global warming agents and are considered "super" greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gas emissions from mobile air conditioning account for 40 per cent of all annual HFC emissions in the U.S. HFCs are widely used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants and in foam-blowing applications, but scientific studies show that soaring worldwide demand for them could sabotage efforts to combat climate change.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) U.S. fuel through Canada hurting EU producers
Production of biodiesel in Europe rose 16.6 per cent in 2009 from the same period in 2008, although the region continues to fight dumping of inexpensive imported fuel, including U.S. biodiesel shipped through Canada. Although the increase was slower than in the previous three years, when it reached a high of a 65 per cent increase in 2005, the industry was able to maintain its overall viability. In 2009, biodiesel production decreased in a number of European Union (EU) states, including Germany, Greece and the U.K., but important production expansions occurred in other countries such as Austria, Belgium, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain. The three largest EU biodiesel producers, in order, are Germany, France and Spain, which moved up to take third place from Italy. The EU remains the leading biodiesel-producing region worldwide, representing about 65 per cent of global output, and it remains by far the main biofuel produced and marketed in Europe, accounting for 75 per cent of all bio-based fuel production.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Mitsubishi launches "Clean Across Canada" tour
The all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV will drive across the country in its "Clean Across Canada" tour, leaving Signal Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland on August 17th, and arriving in Vancouver on September 13 for the annual EV (electric vehicle) 2010 Conference and Trade Show. The 28-day trip will cover approximately 7,500 kilometres. "The i-MiEV is an exciting breakthrough for Mitsubishi in zero tailpipe emissions technology," said Koji Soga, president of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada. "Our values of renewable production, clean air technology, alternative fuel and conservation, represented by our tagline 'Drive @ Earth,' guide our company and the development of the i-MiEV. The Clean Across Canada tour, a first for Canadians, will showcase the technology and capability of this no-compromise urban vehicle."   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Honda will bring electric vehicles to Canada
Honda will bring a new battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle to Canada, already slated for introduction in 2012 into the U.S. market. "For years, Honda has taken a portfolio approach to researching and developing optimum solutions for fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles by studying a wide range of technologies," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice-president of Honda Canada. "Assessment of plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles is a next step in this approach that includes numerous other potential solutions we are researching, such as hydrogen fuel cell technology, clean diesel and advanced gasoline-electric hybrid systems, to name just a few." "We intend to bring these two types of vehicles to Canada to give us an opportunity to evaluate our new technology in Canadian conditions, including consideration of partnerships which would offer further benefits to our customers," Chenkin said.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Missing incentives make hybrids costlier: BCAA
Hybrids will now be less cost-competitive in British Columbia, according to the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA), due to the new harmonized sales tax and corresponding elimination of the provincial sales tax rebate on them. Even with technical advancements and increased sales and model selection, consumers continue to pay a premium to purchase a hybrid, BCAA said, and most hybrid models continue to cost more to own and operate than their conventional gasoline-powered counterparts. According to the association's annual hybrid cost and savings analysis, conducted in July, several models come close to their conventional cousins when costs are compared over five years, but only the $105,000 Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid sedan is less expensive to own and operate compared to its conventional equivalent, at approximately $5,000 less to own and operate than a Mercedes-Benz S450.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) One shared car replaces 15: Frost and Sullivan
One shared vehicle in the U.S. replaces an average of 15 personally-owned vehicles, and those sharing cars drive 31 per cent less, according to new data from research firm Frost & Sullivan. The study found that the economic recession that started in December 2007 in the United States caused consumers to be cognizant of fuel efficiency and transit costs, and car sharing became an emerging solution. The car-sharing industry has registered significant growth during the past two years, with the study noting that the services reduce the number of vehicles on the road, reduce emissions, and relieve consumers of ownership costs. In urban areas, the reduction in the number of vehicles and miles driven translates into 482,170 fewer tons of carbon dioxide emissions. On average, a car owner who drives 12,000 miles (19,312 km) per year, at an average driving speed of 30 mph (48 km/h), can save US$1,834 by shifting to a car-sharing service.   [more]   [top of page]

YAHOO NEWS (COLORADO,USA) Colorado bear toots horn, takes car on short joyride
A Colorado teen said a bear got into his empty car, honked the horn and sent it rolling into a thicket with the bear inside. Ben Story said he and his family were asleep in their Larkspur home, 30 miles south of Denver, during the joyride early Friday. He said the bear got into the car through an unlocked door and knocked the shifter into neutral, which sent it rolling backward 125 feet. Story thinks the door slammed shut when the car jolted to a stop, trapping the bear inside. Neighbors had called 911, and deputies freed the bear by opening the door with a rope from a distance. Nobody was hurt, but Story said he needs a new car -- the bear shredded the interior.   [more]   [top of page]

July 7, 2010

Today in automotive history: on this day in 2000 eight weeks to the day after the fourth-generation NASCAR driver Adam Petty was killed during practice at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire, the driver Kenny Irwin Jr. died at the same speedway, near the exact same spot, after his car slamed into the wall at 150 mph during a practice run. Read more about this day in history at The History Channel.

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Ford will offer ability to block some Sync features in 2011
Ford Motor Co. will offer drivers the ability to block features of its Sync communications system amid rising concerns about distracted driving. The Dearborn automaker calls the feature a "Do Not Disturb" button that locks out capabilities "not relevant to the task of driving while the vehicle is in motion." Ford said late Wednesday that it will offer the new system first on the 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX through its new My Ford Touch, its second-generation of Sync. The measure blocks incoming calls or text messages from a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone and diverts calls into voicemail and saves text messages on the device for viewing later.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Chrysler hopes to raise Mopar brand's profile with decked-out Challenger
A tricked-out 2010 Dodge Challenger is the first factory-produced vehicle from Chrysler's Mopar division, but the automaker says it won't be the last. Chrysler Group LLC said Wednesday it's taking orders for the Mopar '10 special edition, which goes on sale in August. Over the years, Mopar has customized many vehicles with performance parts and accessories to entice buyers to follow suit. But the customized Challenger marks the first time Chrysler has introduced a ready-made Mopar version.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Toyota's Avalon aging gracefully
It only takes a generation to change the world. The baby boomers, that consumer collective that defines the marketplace, reshaped the automotive world as Detroit once knew it. They lived through the Summer of Love and then turned imports into mainstream machines. They breathed life into Honda Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and a host of other foreign carmakers, as well they should have. But a generation only lasts for a generation, and as boomers move into their golden years kicking and screaming, they'll need a big comfortable sedan with a soft ride and a powerful engine. They will need a Buick. But while the boomers were out protesting or discovering the Dalai Lama, Buick changed. It isn't the brand they remember. Buick rebuilt itself and its reputation. Grandkids should buy Buick now, not grandparents. This creates a void in the old person automotive continuum. Some other company will have to create a big lumbering car to cruise down Florida's roads seeking out Early Bird Specials, the left blinker forever indicating a turn that will never come.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Sneak Peek: Land Rover LRX
We caught Land Rover's camouflaged LRX in two-door and four-door versions (or three-door and five-door, if you prefer). It is expected to launch late in 2011 as a 2012 model, and a hybrid version is expected for 2014. Although production is still more than a year away, the production version is scheduled to debut at the Paris Motor Show later this year. The LRX will be offered in both AWD and front-wheel drive and will remain true to the concept's styling.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Nissan offers first look at all-new 2011 Quest
Nissan Canada has released the first photos of the all-new, next-generation 2011 Nissan Quest minivan, which will go on sale early next year. "The new Nissan Quest will provide those looking for functional family mobility with a stylish, sophisticated choice not often thought of in the minivan segment," said Mark McDade, director of marketing. "Nissan recognized it was time to provide the market with more than just a people-mover, and with the new Quest we've done just that."   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Auto safety items going to Smithsonian
A significant collection of objects related to 75 years of advancements in auto safety will be donated to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The items are being donated by eight individuals, organizations and companies, including the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), General Motors and Volvo. The collection documents technological advancements made in the auto industry to improve safety features and cars, as well as the success of NHTSA's "Vince and Larry" public service announcements for seat belts and child seats. The donation includes costumes and props from the Vince and Larry campaign, a GM Hybrid III crash-test dummy, three-point safety belt and seat from a 1961 Volvo, safety literature from the American Automobile Association, three ignition interlock breath analyzers, an energy-absorbing steering column from a 1967 Chevrolet, a Hybrid II crash-test dummy from Denton ATD, and a padded dashboard invented by a plastic surgeon.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) BMW M5 ends production
The fifth-generation BMW M5 has ended production, having been on sale in the global market for five years. BMW produced a total of 20,548 of the ten-cylinder vehicles. The M5 sedan accounted for 19,523 sales, while the M5 Touring, launched in 2007, sold 1,025 units. The total number is more than the production figures of the predecessor M5, which was manufactured for six years. The U.S. was the largest market for the M5 sedan, with 8,800 vehicles sold, followed by Germany, Great Britain and Ireland, Japan and Italy. The majority of M5 Touring models were sold in Germany, Great Britain and Ireland, and Italy.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Audi begins Q5 production in India
Audi has begun assembly of the Q5 in India, with 1,500 units expected to be built at the company's plant in Aurangabad each year for the local market. The Q5 is the third Audi model to be produced in India, along with the A4 and A6, increasing production volume to more than 2,400 units in 2010, compared with 732 vehicles in 2009. Altogether, Audi has produced around 2,000 cars in India since the start of production in September 2007, and by 2015, expects to build up to 6,000 vehicles annually. "The production of the Q5 is part of our long-term growth strategy in India," said Frank Dreves, Audi board member for production. "The Indian market for automobiles will grow very rapidly, and the Q5 is the right automobile at the right time." In addition to the locally-produced models, Audi also sells the A8, Q7, TT and R8 in India.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) New road surface may reduce exhaust pollutants
A new air-purifying concrete applied as a road surface can reduce exhaust pollutants, according to researchers at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. The material reduces the concentration of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 25 to 45 per cent, said Professor Jos Brouwers. The tests were carried out on a busy road that was resurfaced last fall. As part of the project, around 1,000 square metres of surface were covered with air-purifying concrete paving stones, and as a control, another area was surfaced with normal paving stones. Three air purity measurements showed that the area over the air-purifying concrete had a NOx content that was 25 to 45 per cent lower than the area paved with normal concrete.   [more]   [top of page]

YAHOO NEWS (GEORGIA, USA) Woman, 75, runs into Atlanta liquor store -- again
Authorities said a 75-year-old woman drove her car through the front of an Atlanta liquor store on Monday -- and it's not the first time. Constance Chapman tells police her brakes went out Monday afternoon while she was trying to park at Green's package store along Ponce de Leon Avenue, a major thoroughfare in the city's Midtown neighborhood. Her white Mazda Miata crashed through the front window, pinning worker Jenetha Gardiner between a broken window and a shelf. Gardiner was taken to Atlanta Medical Center to be treated for a head injury cause by a falling bottle of liquor. Chapman told police this is the second time she has done this at Green's. Authorities said the wreck shattered 1,500 bottles of alcohol.   [more]   [top of page]

June 29, 2010

Today in automotive history: on this day in 1953 the first production Corvette was built at the General Motors facility in Flint, Michigan. Read more about this day in history at The History Channel.

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Ford debuts new curve control technology
For anyone who has experienced that moment of panic from rounding an exit ramp too quickly, Ford Motor Co. is offering a safety solution. The 2011 Ford Explorer -- due later this year -- has an upgraded electronic stability control system to better hug the road if a driver takes a curve too quickly. Ford demonstrated its curve control technology Monday. The technology, in development for 18 months, builds on the current stability control system, using the same sensors to monitor how much the driver wants to turn, versus how much the vehicle is actually turning. If the input data determines the driver won't make the turn safely, it can slow the vehicle 10 miles per hour in a second, by cutting engine torque and applying the brakes.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Auto sales seen slowing with recovery in doubt
When it comes to car shopping, Americans are tapping the brakes. Forecasters think U.S. sales of cars and light trucks have slowed in June after months of improvement. It's another sign that people are beginning to doubt the economic recovery with unemployment still high. "The two big issues with consumers right now are employment growth and income growth, and they're not seeing much of either," said George Pipas, Ford Motor Co.'s top sales analyst. Three firms that track auto sales predict automakers will report a sales decline of anywhere from 9.5-12 percent from May to June when they turn in their figures on Thursday. A double-digit decline would be the biggest monthly drop since January. There is good news for shoppers: If sales keep falling, automakers will be more tempted to try to lure car buyers in with low-interest financing, rebates and sweet lease deals.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Congress seeks more answers from Toyota
A congressional committee today asked Toyota Motor Corp. to provide more documents in its five-month investigation into sudden acceleration. The House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a three-page letter to Toyota Motor Sales USA chief Jim Lentz, asking for more information following his May 20 testimony. The letter, from Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, asks whether brake override systems are on older vehicles.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Tesla bets on electric car's future
Electric car maker Tesla Motors Inc. Monday increased the amount of stock to be sold in its initial public offering. The shares were expected to start trading today. In an amended prospectus, the Palo Alto, Calif., company said it raised the planned size of the IPO to 13.3 million shares from 11.1 million shares. The 20 percent boost suggests the company's brokerage underwriters, led by Goldman Sachs Group Inc., are seeing strong interest from investors.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Dodge cheers return of Challenger to NASCAR
To mark the return of the Dodge Challenger to NASCAR Nationwide Series' competition on Friday after almost 30 years, Chrysler Group LLC wants to whip up the crowd with some pre-race activities at Daytona International Speedway. Chrysler is planning concerts during race week, along with interactive trackside displays and driver autograph sessions. It's also invited a group of Challenger owners and their vehicles to the event. "Our new Dodge Challenger race car brings true brand identity back to NASCAR," said Ralph Gilles, who heads the Dodge Car brand.   [more]   [top of page]

DETROIT NEWS (MICHIGAN, USA) Toyota begins production of hybrid Auris car in Britain
Toyota has begun production of its hybrid Auris car at a plant in Britain. The first vehicle rolled off the assembly line this morning at Toyota's plant in Burnaston in central England. The car's so-called hybrid synergy drive combines a gas engine with an electric motor. Britain's business minister, Vince Cable, was on hand for the event. He says Burnaston is the only plant in the world to build the new car. The gas engines are being built in Wales.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Transport Canada issues latest recalls
Transport Canada has issued its latest recalls, which may affect some General Motors, Volkswagen, Volvo, BMW, Suzuki and Subaru vehicles.

• 2008-2009 Buick Enclave
• 2006-2009 Buick Lucerne
• 2008-2009 Cadillac CTS
• 2006-2009 Cadillac DTS
• 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade
• 2007-2009 Cadillac Escalade ESV
• 2008-2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT
• 2007-2009 Chevrolet Avalanche
• 2007-2009 Chevrolet Silverado
• 2007-2009 Chevrolet Suburban
• 2007-2009 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2009 Chevrolet Traverse
• 2007-2009 GMC Acadia
• 2007-2009 GMC Sierra
• 2007-2009 GMC Yukon
• 2007-2009 GMC Yukon XL
• 2006-2009 Hummer H2
• 2007-2009 Saturn Outlook

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Save gas, drive safer on proper tire pressure: RAC
Properly-inflated tires should be a priority for every motorist hitting Canada's highways this summer, according to the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC). Motorists who ensure their tires have the correct pressure can expect to save about two weeks' worth of fuel annually, and will benefit from the safe performance tire makers design into their products. Under-inflated tires create increased rolling resistance, which increases fuel use. In a recent study commissioned by the RAC, 49 per cent of all Canadian motorists are driving on at least one tire that is under- or over-inflated. Worse, one in ten Canadian drivers has one or more tires severely under-inflated by 20 per cent or more, creating a potentially hazardous condition. Only 30 per cent of Canadian drivers measure their tire pressures each month.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Hyundai Sonata now top-rated: Consumer Reports
The redesigned Hyundai Sonata has earned an "excellent" score in testing by Consumer Reports, making it one of the top-rated family sedans and scoring just under the four-cylinder Nissan Altima. The magazine said that the Sonata has "agile handling, a steady ride, good accommodations, easy-to-use controls, and impressive performance and fuel economy for the class." Two freshened versions of the Nissan Altima posted "excellent" overall scores, topping tests of four family sedans for the August 2010 issue. Also in the test group were the Suzuki Kizashi, which earned an "excellent" score overall, and the Chevrolet Impala, which earned "good."   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) New SAE standard measures plug-in vehicles
Vehicle standards association SAE International has introduced a new, revised standard to accurately measure the exhaust emissions and fuel economy of hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The revised standard provides test procedures that recognize the expanded design diversity of such vehicles, and more consistently rates them under a wider range of evaluation cycles, realistically evaluating their potential fuel savings. "Until now, the fuel economy claims for plug-in hybrids were not calculated according to similar procedures, making car-to-car comparisons virtually impossible," said Michael Duoba, chair of the SAE International hybrid task force. "What makes this procedure, and other SAE-developed recommended practices significant, is that EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) typically considers them as the basis for the automotive regulations it promulgates. Ultimately, the consumer benefits with valuable vehicle information that can help guide a purchase decision."   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) "Walkable" neighbourhoods still want cars: study
Edmonton residents may know it's healthier to walk, but building more "walkable" neighbourhoods may not be enough to get people out of cars, according to a new study by the University of Alberta. Researcher Marianne Clark, of the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, found that 77 per cent of people in the city make all their trips by cars, which may not change even if neighbourhoods are built to be more conducive to walking. Clark interviewed stakeholders in neighbourhood development, including city councilors, land developers, food retailers, and public health and municipal employees, asking them to define a healthy neighbourhood and about "food security," the importance of the proximity of grocery stores with affordable, healthy food choices.   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) B.C. kicks off drinking and driving campaign
British Columbia has kicked off this summer's CounterAttack campaign, with the province, police and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) reminding motorists that if they drink and drive, they should prepare to get caught. "We want all B.C. drivers to have a safe summer and a good way to do that is to keep drinking drivers off the road," said Solicitor General Michael de Jong. "The tragic reality is that people who drink and drive put themselves, and everyone else, at risk of injury or death."   [more]   [top of page]

CANADIAN DRIVER (ONTARIO, CANADA) Ford celebrates 50 years in Turkey
Ford is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Turkey, with its joint venture Ford Otosan, which draws its roots back to industrial pioneers Henry Ford and Vehbi Koc. The joint venture is the first and only Turkish company to export a vehicle to North America, the Turkish-built Ford Transit Connect. "In many ways, coming to Turkey is like a homecoming for me, because my family and my company have such strong and lasting bonds here," said Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company. "The Koc family and the Ford family have a special relationship that goes back more than 80 years. For Ford Motor Company, Ford Otosan represents not only the proud heritage of our past, but the bright promise of our future."   [more]   [top of page]

YAHOO NEWS (IOWA, USA) Red light cameras catch police in eastern Iowa
Traffic cameras have snapped 26 local patrol cars speeding and running red lights in eastern Iowa. Cedar Rapids Police Chief Greg Graham said six officers have been issued letters of discipline because they didn't have their patrol car's lights and sirens operating when they were speeding to a call. He said five were not violations and that the remaining 15 instances are under review. Cedar Rapids police also have notified Marion police and the Linn County sheriff's office of possible violations by their personnel, and are investigating infractions by city buses and a garbage truck. Marion Police Chief Harry Daugherty said the authorities must be "consistent and show no favoritism."   [more]   [top of page]

June 15, 2010

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