News archive

July 2010

All-new Kia Sportage shown in San Francisco

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(July 22, 2010) SAN FRANCISCO — The 2011 KIA Sportage was unveiled to the press here this week. It comes with an all-new platform, which has been completely redesigned for the new CUV.

And with a new sleeker design.

Toyota announces 2011 prices, feature upgrades

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(July 23, 2010) TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the 2011 Yaris subcompact, RAV4 compact SUV, Land Cruiser premium SUV, Sequoia full-size SUV, and Tundra full-size pickup truck.

Ford and JMC break ground $300 million plant in China

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(July 21, 2010) NANCHANG, China — Ford Motor China's strategic partner Jiangling Motors Corp broke ground earlier this week for a new $300 million assembly plant in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province.
 
The new plant will have the capacity to produce up to 300,000 vehicles per year and will produce both Ford- and JMC-branded vehicles.

Honda makes it official — plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles on the way

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(July 20, 2010) Honda will introduce new advanced environmental technology vehicles, including a battery-electric vehicle and a new plug-in hybrid vehicle, to the U.S. market in 2012, the company announced today in the mid-year address by Honda President and CEO Takanobu Ito.

Speaking in Tokyo, Ito also announced application of a lithium-ion battery in the next-generation Civic Hybrid in 2011.

Hyundai Tucson, Volvo XC70 honored by Thule

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(July 20, 2010) The 2010 Hyundai Tucson and the 2010 Volvo XC70 have been named Road Trip Vehicles of the Year by Thule, a manufacturer of transportation accessories.

The Tucson won the award for vehicles under $30,000 and the Volvo for vehicles over 30 grand.

Nissan resumes operations at assembly plants

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(July 19, 2010) TOKYO — Nissan today resumed operations at four domestic assembly plants where it had suspended work following a shortage of key engine components supplied by Hitachi Ltd., the Nikkei business daily reported.

Nissan said it expects to maintain production at regular levels through its summer break from Aug. 7.

Honda to have plug-in hybrid by 2013

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(July 19, 2010) Honda is working on a hybrid car that can be recharged at home and an all-electric vehicle, both for release in about three years, the Nikkei business daily reported.

Honda President Takanobu Ito will announce the company's hybrid and alternative vehicle plans at a news conference on Tuesday, the paper reported in its Tuesday editions.

Lexus announces prices for 2011 models

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(July 21, 2010) TORRANCE, Calif. — Lexus has announced prices on its 2011 models ranging from the luxury IS sport sedan to the flagship luxury hybrid sedan LS 600h L.  The new Lexus vehicles will arrive at dealerships later this summer and early fall.

GM joint venture launching new vehicle brand for China

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(July 19, 2010) SHANGHAI — SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), GM’s mini-commercial vehicle joint venture with SAIC and Wuling Motors, announced today in Shanghai that it is launching the Baojun brand. The passenger cars of the new brand will be built and sold in China.

Ford says 2011 Explorer will lead segment in fuel economy

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(July 19, 2010) DEARBORN, Mich. — The Ford Explorer has been reinvented to shatter long-held myths about SUV fuel efficiency and performance.

The 2011 model equipped with an optional 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine will be the new class leader in the mid-size SUV segment, achieving at least a 30 percent increase in fuel efficiency compared with the current V-6-powered Explorer, Ford officials say.