Inside the Industry

Honda HR-V small SUV to join 2015 Fit as Honda expands small car lineup

(April 18, 2014) NEW YORK — Honda will continue to expand its lineup of small cars aimed at the next generation of buyers with the launch of the 2015 Fit subcompact car and an all-new compact SUV, the Honda HR-V that will come to market this winter.

Together the Fit and HR-V will represent a significant growth opportunity for Honda in the U.S., with both models produced at the automaker's newest North American manufacturing facility located in Celaya, Mexico, which allows for production flexibility to meet market demand.

Anders Kirk Johansen introduces the Viking Concept Motorcycle

(April 17, 2014) MONACO — Lauge Jensen motorcycles is today unveiling the Viking Concept at the Top Marques luxury brands show in Monaco. This premium motorcycle is a design study that blends the talents of two of Denmark’s most creative talents: Anders Kirk Johansen, an industrialist whose family invented LEGO, and renowned vehicle designer Henrik Fisker.

Nissan launches program to make Leaf charging free and "EZ"

(April 17, 2014) NEW YORK — Nissan today announced the expansion of its successful "No Charge to Charge" promotion, which will provide two years of no-cost public charging with the purchase or lease of a new Nissan Leaf. In total, Nissan will launch "No Charge to Charge" in 25 U.S. markets, which are currently responsible for more than 80 percent of Nissan Leaf sales.

2015 Acura TLX unveiled at New York International Auto Show

(April 17, 2014) NEW YORK — Acura has unveiled the all-new 2015 TLX performance-luxury sedan at the 2014 New York International Auto Show. Developed under the theme of Red Carpet Athlete, the all-new TLX is designed to deliver a unique and compelling blend of sports-sedan athleticism and premium luxury refinement.

Hyundai takes Fluidic Sculpture to next level with 2015 Sonata

(April 16, 2014) NEW YORK — Hyundai today introduced its all-new seventh-generation 2015 Sonata at the New York International Auto Show. Following the incredible success of the outgoing Sonata, the all-new generation offers a more refined look through a new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, stiffer body structure, better ride quality, reduced noise, vibration and harshness and advanced safety and convenience features.

More than skin deep: Toyota Camry gets major design overhaul

(April 16, 2014) NEW YORK — So what do you do when you have the best-selling car in the industry for 12 straight years? You find ways to make it even better. That’s exactly what Toyota did with the introduction of the new 2015 Camry. After selling almost a million of the industry’s benchmark sedan since the current generation launched in 2011, Toyota stripped it down to its chassis and rebuilt it from the ground up, raising the bar yet again in the ultra-competitive mid-size sedan segment.

Ford pays homage to Pony Car with 50 Year Limited Edition

NEW YORK (April 16, 2014) — Fifty years after debuting one of the world’s most popular cars, Ford is marking the milestone by revealing a Mustang 50 Year Limited Edition. Created to honor five decades of Mustang heritage, only 1,964 examples of the 50 Year Limited Edition will ever be built when it goes on sale this fall.

Infiniti QX80 gets refreshed exterior design for 2015

(April 16, 2014) NEW YORK — The Infiniti QX80 offers a fresh new exterior design and a more crafted interior for 2015, plus additional standard features and technology, bringing Infiniti's premium full-size luxury SUV closer in look and feel to the dramatic new Infiniti Q50 sports sedan. The new Infiniti QX80, previously known as the QX56, made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show prior to going on sale at Infiniti retailers in the United States in fall 2014.

Chevrolet adds global Trax to growing small-vehicle lineup

(April 16, 2014) NEW YORK — Chevrolet has announced it will add the Trax, a new small SUV now sold in other parts the world, to its portfolio in the U.S. The 2015 Trax will offer versatility, connectivity and turbocharged performance in an efficient package.

Sporty and modern, Trax blends small-car agility with the utility of an SUV, including up to 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space. It’s Chevrolet’s seventh small-vehicle launch in less than four years. During that time, the brand’s share of the small-, compact- and mini-car segments has more than tripled — up 221 percent.

Chevy Cruze gets styling, connectivity upgrades for 2015

(April 15, 2014) NEW YORK — Chevrolet has announced the 2015 Cruze will debut at the New York International Auto Show with revised exterior styling, enhanced interior convenience and greater connectivity — including new Text Message Alerts, Apple Siri integration and OnStar 4G LTE with available Wi-Fi hotspot.

The new exterior styling cues are inspired by the all-new Impala and restyled 2014 Malibu, while more intuitive controls update the interior. New voice-controlled features enhance safety when responding to text messages in the vehicle.