July 2010

Nissan releases pictures of all-new 2011 Quest minivan

(July 7, 2010) Nissan will become part of the suddenly crowded new-minivan fray.

Nissan will join Honda and Toyota with new hardware early next year when a revised Quest reaches showrooms.

The all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey is getting a lot of ink as it readies for showrooms this fall. And the 2011 Toyota Sienna has been on the market for several months.

Chevrolet Volt completes 1,776-mile Freedom Drive

(July 7, 2010) DETROIT — The Chevrolet Volt gave a new meaning to freedom over the Independence Day Weekend, completing a trouble-free 1,776 mile Freedom Drive from Austin, TX, to New York City.

Toyota started getting engine complaints in 2007

(July 7, 2010) Several news sources including Bloomberg News have reported that Toyota received complaints more than three years ago about engine problems that sparked recalls this week of more than 270,000 Lexus and Toyota vehicles in Asia and North America.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Tuesday released Toyota's "Defect Information Report" on the vehicles affected by the recall.

Houston team wins Ford Fiesta Movement

(July 7, 2010) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford’s Fiesta Movement agent teams designed clothes, created wall art, directed short films and even teamed up with local bands, all with an eye toward bringing Ford’s hot-selling new car to life in local communities across America.

And when the book was closed on the last mission in Ford’s social media adventure, it was a team from Houston that emerged as winners of Fiesta Movement Chapter 2.

Suzuki recalling Kizashi vehicles for instrument panel defect

(July 6, 2010) Suzuki is recalling 5,107 Kizashi  vehicles in the U.S. to replace the instrument panel center lower box, which may open in a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Japanese automaker has issued a stop-sale order to dealers on the Kizashi in the U.S.

Subaru recalling 74,000 vehicles for wiring problem

(July 6, 2010) Subaru is recalling 74,000 Outback and Legacy 2010 models because of defective wiring in the steering column.

It is part of a larger global problem, where the Japanese initially tried to fix the issue with a service bulletin claiming it was an isolated defect.

Priduction of 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe begins in Lansing

(July 6, 2010) LANSING, Mich. — Cadillac’s Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant has begun production of the 2011 CTS Coupe and started shipping models to U.S. dealerships ahead of schedule.  The all-new CTS Coupe has a starting price, including destination charges, of $38,990.

The CTS Coupe joins the CTS Sport Sedan and CTS Sport Wagon, an award-winning line that has been named to Car and Driver’s 10 Best list for three straight years.

Chrysler to set up separate Fiat dealer network

(July 5, 2010) Chrysler has begun the dealer selection process for the reintroduction of the Fiat brand in the United States.

The Fiat brand will feature the New Fiat 500, which recently celebrated the 53rd anniversary of its introduction in Europe. Dealers will begin selling the iconic Fiat 500 late this year and the Fiat 500 Cabrio in 2011.

Ford sets first-half sales record in China

(July 5, 2010) SHANGHAI, China — Ford Motor Company has delivered its best ever first-half new vehicle sales of 301,524 units in China during the first six months of 2010. The record-setting performance delivered robust growth of 53 percent compared to sales figures from January to June 2009.

BMW K1600 GT/GTL move six cylinders from concept to reality

(July 5, 2010) Since BMW Motorrad presented the concept study Concept 6 in autumn 2009, the six-cylinder in-line engine featured in it has captured the imagination of many motorcycle fans.

With BMW, six-cylinder in-line engines have stood for fascinating engine technology in automobiles for over seven decades, in a way which is unique among brands. In the near future, BMW motorcycles will also be available with an internally developed six-cylinder in-line engine.