August 2010

Audi 'nose team' seeks out unpleasant odors in cars

(August 11, 2010) INGOLSTADT, Germany — They stick their noses into everything — it’s just part of their job. The Audi Odor Team, generally referred to as the “Nose Team,” is on the trail of unpleasant odors in vehicles.

They work to ensure a consistently pleasant odor level in Audi vehicles. Plastic parts that give off unpleasant odors, leather that smells like fish oil or floor mats that exude an aroma of onions don’t stand a chance at Audi. The same goes for materials that can give off unhealthy emissions in the car.

Wal-Mart most-requested destination on OnStar

(August 11, 2010) DETROIT — OnStar subscribers requested more than 2 million routes in July, a monthly record of direction-seeking blue button pushes. And what was the most often sought destination?

The nearest Wal-Mart.

In fact, nearly 40,000 navigation requests routed subscribers to the retailer across the United States and Canada.

Hyundai makes it onto 'Most Considered' list from KBB

(August 11, 2010) IRVINE, Calif. — According to the latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence Brand Watch study, Korean automaker Hyundai has made its first foray into the top five most-considered auto brands among new-car shoppers, ousting Japanese brand Nissan into sixth place. 

Squeezing out mileage in the Cruze

(August 11, 2010) DETROIT — Squeezing out every last drop of fuel efficiency is one of the key tasks for Greg Fadler, aerodynamics engineering group manager at Chevrolet. 

Fadler and his team worked on making the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco one of the most fuel-efficient small cars on the market, achieving up to an estimated 40 MPG on the highway — hybrid-like efficiency without the hybrid cost.

Chrysler invites 600 dealers to Fiat Experience

(August 10, 2010) Chrysler has invited about 600 of its dealers to attend the Fiat Experience on Aug. 30 in Detroit as it takes another step closer to reintroducing the Fiat brand, starting with the new Fiat 500, in the United States later this year.

The approximately 600 dealers were informed today that they are in one of the U.S. markets where Chrysler Group is currently planning representation for the Fiat brand.

Land Rover considering another Range Rover model

(August 10, 2010) Land Rover is planning to slot another Range Rover model into its line-up between the new Evoque and the Range Rover Sport, according to well placed sources, Autocar India reports today.

Encouraged by the reception to the Evoque, bosses in the company now believe there could be a palce for another niche model. It would cost more than the Evoque, but less than the Sport, and is likely to move further upmarket, according to Autocar India.

Chevrolet first in J.D. Power's China customer service study

(August 10, 2010) Chevrolet finished first among 41 vehicle brands in the 2010 China Customer Service Index study by J.D. Power Asia Pacific. Chevrolet, a brand of Shanghai GM, scored 875 on a 1,000-point scale.

New Harley-Davidson F-150 has 411 horsepower

(August 10, 2010) STURGIS, S.D. — The 2011 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 combines two rich traditions into an extraordinary package for customers who crave capability and long for the open road. With authentic styling, a new standard 6.2-liter V8 engine and plenty of technology upgrades, it’s the most powerful and capable Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 yet.

Ford increases investment in university research

(August 9, 2010) DEARBORN, Mich. — Some of the world’s brightest university professors and students are pairing up with Ford scientists in 2010 to explore a wide range of new ideas and technologies that could benefit future Ford vehicle development.
 

China's new-car market continues to cool

(August 9, 2010) China's passenger-car sales to dealerships increased at the slowest pace since March 2009, as weaker consumer sentiment crimped demand, Bloomberg News reported today.

Wholesale deliveries of cars, sport-utility vehicles and multipurpose vehicles increased 13.6 percent from a year earlier to 946,200 in July, compared with 19 percent growth in June, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers said Monday. Sales in July 2009 surged 70.5 percent as government incentives stoked vehicle demand.