September 2010

Dodge releases pictures of new Durango

(September 2, 2010) Dodge has released pictures of its all-new 2011 Durango. But few details have been made available on the big SUV that will go on sale late this year.

We do know that the Durango shares its platform with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and will be built on the same Detroit assembly line as the Cherokee.

Nissan, Hawaii form partnership to advance zero-emission mobility

(September 2, 2010) Nissan North America and the state of Hawaii have announced a partnership to advance zero-emission mobility by promoting the development of electric vehicles, and an electric-vehicle charging network, throughout the state.

The LEAF may prove popular in the island state because of state initiatives. Hawaii has created a $4,500 state tax credit towards the purchase of an electric vehicle and a $500 state tax credit towards the purchase and installation of a home charging station.

Acura sales up an impressive 24.6 percent in August

(September 2, 2010) While sales of Honda were down more than 30 percent overall in August, the Acura division reached 11,534 vehicles, an increase of 24.6 percent, making it the seventh consecutive month Acura posted double digit sales increases.

Year-to-date sales for Acura are up 24.1 percent totaling 85,668 units.



'Clunkers' distorts August sales comparisons

(September 1, 2010) Most automakers today reported sharply lower August sales compared to August 2009 when the "Cash for Clunkers" program lifted consumer demand above normal levels.

Toyota was especially hard hit seeing its August sales plunge 34 percent. It was the second consecutive month its U.S. sales have dropped. Toyota is off 1 percent for the year while the industry as a whole is up 8 percent.

Ford posts strong August sales in Canada

(September 1, 2010) OAKVILLE, Ontario — Ford Motor Company of Canada saw sales increase 8 per cent in August, marking the best August on record in 20 years.

Ford introduces Police Interceptor utility vehicle

(September 1, 2010) CHICAGO — Ford today revealed its newest pursuit-rated vehicle — Ford’s first-ever specially designed Police Interceptor utility built for the rigors of police work.

The new vehicle is designed to complement Ford’s all-new Police Interceptor sedan, which was introduced earlier this year.

In California newest low-emission vehicles gain access to carpool lanes

(September 1, 2010) SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has given the green light to the latest generation of low-emission vehicles to travel on California’s High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) freeway lanes with only the driver on board.

SB 535, authored by Sen. Leland Yee of San Francisco and signed into law Tuesday, provides up to 40,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell cars access to the HOV lane during commuting hours starting in 2012 and until 2015. Several car manufactures are launching such vehicles between now and 2012.