Inside the Industry

'Cars and Coffee' and Corvette at the Amelia Island Concours

(February 13, 2013) The latest must-see event at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance is the duPont REGISTRY CARS & COFFEE AT THE CONCOURS. The Saturday morning, March 9, event is sponsored by Heacock Classic Car Insurance and is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the 18th fairway of the Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, S.C.

Coming to the U.S. this fall, Fiat-Chrysler unveils the Alfa Romeo 4C

(February 13, 2013) Fiat-Chrysler has unveiled the production version of the all-new Alfa Romeo 4C — a sexy supercar that will spearhead the brand's return to the United States later this year. The curvaceous mid-engine coupe will debut at the International Motor Show in Geneva next month.

Honda expands Fit EV leasing to select East Coast markets

(February 12, 2013) TORRANCE, Calif — The all-electric 2013 Honda Fit EV, first launched in California and Oregon in July 2012, is coming to select East Coast markets later this month, American Honda announced today.  The Fit EV will be available for lease at Honda dealerships in selected markets in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. Customers will be able to lease the ultra-efficient, spacious and fun-to-drive Fit EV for a period of three years at a cost of $389 per month.

Out of Africa — Fiat Panda completes 10,000-mile journey

(February 12, 2013) LONDON — The outright world record for driving non-stop from Cape Town to London was smashed Monday by two very daring British drivers and one very reliable Fiat Panda.

Adventurers Philip Young and Paul Brace set off on the grueling 10,300-mile trek on Feb. 1 with the intention of raising money for the charity Farm Africa, and drove relentlessly through 13 countries and two continents in the almost standard Panda.

Honda offering 'meet ASIMO' Disneyland trip

(February 12, 2013) Honda is giving ASIMO's fans the opportunity to win a trip to meet ASIMO at its Southern California home at Disneyland in a new social media contest, "Meet ASIMO," that begins today on Facebook. 

Ford dealers give tens of millions to U.S. nonprofits

(February 12, 2013) DEARBORN — Ford and Lincoln dealers contribute between $35.1 million and $84.6 million to charities and nonprofits in their communities across the U.S. per year, according to the results of a Ford Motor Company survey.

Ford's Dealer Giving study, the first of its kind, was administered by Ford to its dealers and was conducted in association with the 13th annual Salute to Dealers awards ceremony which took place on Feb. 8, in tandem with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention in Orlando, Fla.

Free mobile phone app offers instant protection to motorcyclists

(February 12, 2013) PRESTON, England — Bikers Friend provides an effortless way to document motorcycle accidents instantly from your mobile device, collecting evidence that can be used to protect bikers, and offers immediate guidance and other support just when a motorcyclist needs it the most. Created by an innovative media company, Bikers Friend is currently available for Android and Apple devices.

Chevrolet debuts lightweight ‘smart material’ on Corvette

(February 12, 2013) DETROIT — From its fiberglass body in 1953 to its aluminum chassis for 2014, Chevrolet Corvette has a six-decade track record for introducing lightweight materials that improve vehicle performance. With the 2014 Corvette weighing in 99 pounds lighter than its predecessor, that trend continues.

SsangYong to show crossover concept in Geneva

(February 11, 2013) South Korean automaker SsangYong has announced that it will unveil its new SIV-1 (Smart Interface Vehicle) concept model at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show in March. 

SsangYong says the SIV-1 is a "multi interface mid-premium CUV (crossover utility vehicle) concept" that defines the brand’s new design philosophy.

Carfax database surpasses 11 billion records

(February 11, 2013) ORLANDO, Fla. — Carfax has announced its industry-leading database of vehicle history information now exceeds 11 billion records. In addition, the database comprises information from more than 75,000 sources, such as U.S. and Canadian motor vehicle departments, service and repair facilities, insurance companies and police departments.