News archive

April 2010

Nissan to mass produce affordable electric car by 2012

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(August 3, 2009) Nissan introduced its all-electric vehicle to the public in Yokohama, Japan, this past weekend indicating it will be sold to the public worldwide including North America as early as 2012.

"This is not a niche car," said Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn. "We didn't make it unusual looking. It had to be a real car."

Lutz speaks — ad agencies safe (for now), leasing at GM will resume

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(July 2009) General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz is back in the news. This week he has discussed leasing and advertising.

With the uproar over the Buick LaCrosse ad featuring the trendy West Coast director, Lutz — who now has the final say in advertising for GM — has left the ad agency people responsible for the ad quaking in their boots.

Honda to sell natural gas Civic in Utah

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(July 2009) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda today announced that dealers in Utah will have the option of selling the natural gas-powered Honda Civic GX to customers on a retail basis, beginning today.

Jaguar joins Bentley, Porsche using Monterey as launch platform for new vehicles

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(July 2009) The Monterey, California Peninsula's Classic Car Week (August 9-16) that includes the Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, the Monterey Historics and the famed Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance will be the backdrop for introductions by three European brands, themselves historic in their own right.

Nissan and JATCO develop next-generation CVT

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(July 2009) Most of Nissan's American lineup operates with CVTs or continually variable transmissions — transmissions that have an infinite number of gear ratios.

Ford's financial health continues to improve

(July 2009) Ford's health seems to be improving with each quarterly report. The only U.S. automaker that did not take government money continued to surprise critics today posting a net profit for the second quarter.

Ford Focus, Volvo C30 win top side-impact safety ratings from IIHS

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(July 2009) The Ford Focus and the Volvo C30 two-door models got top ratings for side impact crashes by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, it was announced on July 21. To evaluate the extent to which automakers are extending crashworthiness improvements to two-door cars, the Institute conducted front, side, and rear tests of 2009 coupes including the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and Scion tC, all small mode

OnStar adds feature to foil car thieves

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(July 2009) If you thought General Motors' OnStar system was mainly for getting directions or asking for help when stranded on the side of the road, think again.

The in-vehicle safety and communications system has launched a new service to keep car thieves from starting a vehicle that has been reported stolen, according to a report by Automotive News.

It's called "remote ignition block."

Survey finds Ford could benefit from Pontiac demise

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(July 2009) Ford Motor Company, the only major U.S. automaker to avoid bankruptcy, may be able to snag buyers as General Motors Co. ends production of the Pontiac brand this month, according to a survey, Bloomberg.com reported.

Acura ZDX, a 'four-door sports coupe,' will reach showrooms this winter

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(July 2009) TORRANCE, Calif. — The all-new 2010 ZDX four-door sports coupe will arrive at Acura dealerships thiis winter with "dramatic styling, outstanding performance and the latest in advanced technology."