November 2010

Cadillac Aera concept wins 7th annual L.A. Design Challenge

(November 21, 2010) LOS ANGELES — The Cadillac Aera concept vehicle won the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge, tying with Smart and besting entries from seven other automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Maybach. GM Advanced Design has now won the honor more times than any other design team; this is its third victory since 2005. 

Ford's new police interceptors deliver at public testing

(November 20, 2010) LOS ANGELES – Ford, the maker of the most popular police vehicle in America, continued its leadership position this week, recording the fastest lap time of any police car with its all-new Police Interceptor sedan in testing by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

Chevy Volt wins another honor

(November 19, 2010) On the heels of Motor Trend and Automobile magazine awards as car of the year, the Chevrolet Volt as won another honor.

On Thursday, Green Car Journel named the Volt "Green Car of the Year" for 2011. The award was made at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Volt was chosen from a group of five finalists including the 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the 2011 Nissan Leaf.

Toyota to build 35 electric RAV4 vehicles for evaluation

(November 19, 2010) LOS ANGELES — Toyota debuted the second-generation Toyota RAV4 EV at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week.  Thirty-five vehicles will be built for a demonstration and evaluation program through 2011, aiming at market arrival of a fully-engineered vehicle in 2012. 

The fully-engineered vehicle will have a target range of 100 miles in actual road driving patterns, in a wide range of climates and conditions. That's the same range as the Nissan LEAF, which goes on sale in December.

Ford wins two Popular Science "Best of What's New" awards

(November 19, 2010) DEARBORN — Ford won two 2010 “Best of What’s New” awards from Popular Science, marking the fourth straight year Ford has been honored by the world’s top science and technology magazine.

The company’s inflatable rear seat belts and the 2011 Fiesta won in the automotive category and will be featured in the publication’s December issue.

GM shares close first day at $34.19

(November 18, 2010) NEW YORK -- General Motors shares finished their first day on the New York Stock Exchange up by 3.6 percent amid heavy volume, closing at $34.19 -- a gain of $1.19 over its initial stock offering price of $33 a share.

GM made a dramatic return to public stock markets less than a year and half after it emerged from a government-funded bankruptcy.

Chrysler set to launch showcase dealership in downtown L.A.

By Ted Biederman
MotorwayAmerica.com editor

(November 18, 2010) LOS ANGELES — Chrysler Group LLC is set to unveil Motor Village of Los Angeles, the company’s newest dealership in the United States. The facility is to open January 5.

A study of efficient and intelligent design

(November 18) LOS ANGELES — Cadillac on Wednesday introduced the Urban Luxury Concept, a design study exploring a new type of vehicle that offers a luxury experience in a diminutive size. The Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept complements its compact dimensions with the design, features and technology for which Cadillac is known.

'Darkcasting' talk show takes place in a Lexus CT 200h

(November 17, 2010) TORRANCE, Calif. --- Introducing "Darkcasting." It's part test drive, part late night talk show, part real time feedback. Whatever it is, it's no 30-second spot for the new Lexus CT 200h, but an actual series hosted by actress and stand-up comedian Whitney Cummings that captures the (nearly) unfiltered conversations of influential personalities who take the new Lexus hybrid for a spin in their home cities -- San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, and New Orleans.

2012 VW Eos debuts in L.A. with mid-cycle refreshening

(November 17, 2010) Volkswagen is unveiling its all-new 2012 Eos hardtop convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show, with market introduction in early spring of 2011. It features an updated design with numerous new features.

The 2012 Eos is still the the only hardtop convertible with a built-in sunroof.