(June 19, 2019) BRENTWOOD, Essex, UK — Ford has found a clever way of reusing millions of plastic bottles. Each EcoSport SUV that the company produces is fitted with carpets made using 470 single-use plastic drink bottles.

And since Ford launched the EcoSport globally in 2012, it has provided a new lease of life for more than 650 million 16.9 ounce bottles, weighing an estimated 9,104 tons and that — if laid end to end — would stretch more than twice around the world.

(June 19, 2019) ATLANTA — Developed by the Porsche Motorsport department, the 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder represent the most powerful and engaging variants of the 718 line-up yet created. Offering a blend of pure, unfiltered driver’s car character and track-oriented performance, both models are powered by a new 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six engine developing 414 horsepower and 309 lb.-ft. of torque.

An entirely new sport exhaust system designed specifically for the car underscores the exciting flat-six sound of the engine, which can rev up to 8,000 rpm.

(June 18, 2019) NEW YORK — Formerly identified by its codename AM-RB 003, Aston Martin’s latest mid-engined hypercar collaboration with Red Bull Advanced Technologies and Adrian Newey has been officially named the Aston Martin Valhalla. Named after the warrior’s paradise celebrated in ancient Norse mythology, Valhalla follows Valkyrie on Aston Martin’s journey into the highest echelons of road car performance.

(June 18, 2019) The Volkswagen ID.R is set to defend its title at the prestigious “Goodwood Festival of Speed” in West Sussex, England, July 4 to 7.  Last year, Romain Dumas, at the wheel of the fully-electric race car, set a new record for electric vehicles, completing the mile-long route of the Goodwood Hillclimb in just 43.86 seconds — the fastest time for 15 years.

(June 18, 2019) Hyundai Motor Group’s Executive Vice Chairman Euisun Chung called for immediate action to ensure a "sustainable earth" in his address to G20 energy Ministers in Karuizawa, Japan.

In his capacity as the Hydrogen Council Co-Chair, Chung addressed global policymakers at the official luncheon of the "G20 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions and Global Environment for Sustainable Growth." Chung stressed that words and study results alone are not enough to make progress in the transition to clean energy. 

(June 17, 2019) PALO ALTO, Calif. — Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) and Aurora Innovation Inc. announced that Hyundai and Kia have invested in Aurora to accelerate development of autonomous vehicle technologies.

The move will strengthen the strategic partnership formed between the companies in 2018, under which Hyundai, Kia, and Aurora have been collaborating on self-driving technologies on Hyundai’s flagship fuel cell vehicle NEXO.

(June 17, 2019) FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. —  This week, Genesis Motor America revealed the second “The Art of the Stunt” video featuring the 2019 Genesis G70. In the three-part video series, professional drivers demonstrate the dynamic agility of G70 while recreating classic scenes of evasive driving from classic films — and then show how the scene was performed with a behind-the-scenes look.

Working with Donut Media and award-winning film industry veterans and professional drivers, Genesis produced the footage to engage performance enthusiasts and movie aficionados alike.

(June 17, 2019) TURIN, Italy — In an evolutionary year for Jeep, the new plug-in hybrid Renegade and Compass will make their international on-road debut during the Presidents' Parade at the Turin Auto Show on June 22.

The new hybrids will set off from Piazza Vittorio Veneto on a parade around the city center. Both the Renegade and Compass fitted with plug-in hybrid propulsion systems, and batteries which can be recharged by the internal combustion engine or from an external power outlet and, as a consequence, can store an impressive amount of electric energy.

(June 16, 2019) PLANO, Texas — Toyota has announced two feature updates to its vehicle line up — Automatic Engine Shut Off and Automatic Park.

Starting with most 2020 vehicles, Toyota will provide additional features such as automatic engine shut off or “Auto Shut Off” with an enhanced audible and visual warning to its Smart Key System (SKS).  The Auto Shut Off feature will automatically shut off the engine after a pre-determined period of time in the event the vehicle is left running.

(June 16, 2019) BMW of North America has introduced new dealership and workshop communication technologies aimed at reducing repair and maintenance times at BMW Centers and MINI Dealers, increasing workshop efficiency, and ultimately improving customer satisfaction.

When fully implemented this month, the all-new Technical Information System TIS 2.0, together with the Technical Support & Research Assistant TSARA and the new TSARAVision Smart Glasses will provide technicians in the field with easier and faster access to technical information and a real-time live link to BMW engineers for additional support.