December 2010

BMW’s South African art car exhibited in New York

(December 8, 2010) NEW YORK — South African artist Esther Mahlangu’s 1991 design of a BMW 525i is on display at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City until May 15. The BMW Art Car is a part of The Global Africa Project which explores the impact of African visual culture on contemporary art, craft and design around the world.

Nissan developing two-seat electric mobility concept

(December 8, 2010) Nissan has announced a proposal for new mobility in a sustainable zero emission society and an electric vehicle (EV) embodying its proposal, Nissan New Mobility Concept.

Ford uses 'forensic' engineering to investigate part imperfections

(December 8, 2010) DEARBORN, Mich. — What looks like a harmless speck of sand to one person can be a big nuisance for a new car owner.  That is why engineers at Ford Motor Company are working with the same computed tomography (CT) scanners that police and hospitals use to improve vehicle quality.

Chevrolet Equinox hottest-selling compact crossover

(December 7, 2010) DETROIT – For the seventh month in a row, consumers made the fuel-efficient Chevrolet Equinox the fastest-selling compact crossover, based on the average time spent on dealer lots. In November, Equinox averaged just 15 days to turn, half the time of other vehicle in the segment.

Looking into the future of personal mobility

(December 7, 2010) WARREN, Mich. — Rapid urbanization, aging populations and more demand for personal mobility globally present challenges today’s vehicles will be hard-pressed to meet. Envisioning what that future will need gave birth to the Electric Networked Vehicle, or EN-V.

“In megacities like London, New York, Beijing, Singapore and New Delhi, the sheer number of vehicles on the road has become unsustainable,” says Chris Borroni-Bird, General Motors director of Advanced Technology Vehicle Concepts.

New York City to join Prius Plug-in Hybrid demonstration program

(December 7, 2010) NEW YORK — Toyota has announced that New York City will join the company’s U.S. Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle (PHV) demonstration program. 

Five new Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles (PHVs) will be used on city streets as part of Toyota’s partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Man who guided a decade of Mini design at BMW stepping down

(DECEMBER 7, 2010) MUNICH — The man who guided the MINI design studio through a successful revival of the iconic English brand at BMW is stepping down.

After 10 successful years at MINI Design, Gert Volker Hildebrand is handing over the running of the studio to Anders Warming. Hildebrand will leave the company on Dec. 31.

Maybach, sculptor Schnabel kick off two-year partnership

(December 7, 2010) — Luxury automobile manufacturer Maybach and Julian Schnabel, renowned painter, sculptor and filmmaker, are sharing a common path as they kick off a two-year partnership during Art Basel Miami Beach with the world premiere of “Queequeq – The Maybach Sculpture.”

Consisting of two parts, it is 483 centimeters (190 inches) high, 170 cm (67 inches) wide, and 142 cm (56 inches) deep and has a weight of 1,488 kilograms (3,280 lbs.).

Three GM products number one in J.D. Power China study

(December 6, 2010) SHANGHAI — The Chevrolet New Sail, Chevrolet Spark and Wuling Rong Guang finished first in their respective segments in the recently released J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2010 China Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.

GMC Terrain is rising sales star

(December 6, 2010) DETROIT — GMC Terrain continued its ascent in the compact SUV segment in November with its best sales month since its introduction in September 2009, rising 56 percent year over year.