March 2011

AT&T putting 101 natural gas-powered Chevy vans into fleet

(March 25, 2011) DETROIT — AT&T is putting 101 Chevrolet Express Cargo 2500 vans powered by low-emissions compressed natural gas into its customer service fleet.

The purchase is consistent with AT&T’s alternative fuel strategy to reduce its dependence on foreign oil and to support sustainable transportation. CNG-powered vans can produce 25 percent fewer emissions than similar gasoline- and diesel-powered vans.

Toyota to restart Prius production on Monday

(March 25, 2011) NEW YORK — Toyota announced on Thursday that it will resume Japan production on Monday of Prius along with the Lexus CT 200h and HS 250h.
 
The Prius production will be restarted at Toyota's Tsutsumi plant, while the Lexus CT 200h and HS 250h will resume production at Toyota Motor Kyushu.

Honda develops new refueling safety system for IndyCar

(March 25, 2011) TORRANCE, Calif.  — American Honda and its Honda Performance Development (HPD) subsidiary today unveiled a unique refueling safety interlock system designed to reduce the potential for pit fires and injuries resulting from drivers leaving their pit boxes with refueling equipment still attached in the IZOD IndyCar Series — a cause of many fires in the past.

Ford works on suspension improvements to handle UK's potholes

(March 25, 2011) BRENTWOOD, Essex — Despite government confirmation of extra funding to fix Britain's roads, Ford will continue to ensure the toughness and durability of the suspension systems on all its cars and vans — without sacrificing the rewarding driving experience that defines Ford vehicles.

Saab appoints importer, distributor for Russian market

(March 25, 2011) TROLLHATTAN, Sweden (PRNewswire) — Saab Automobile is continuing to expand its international distribution network with the appointment of a new importer and distributor for the highly important Russian market, Armand Import. Effective immediately, Armand Import will take over all marketing, sales and distribution responsibilities from GM CIS.

Buick LaCrosse with eAssist yields 37 mpg

(March 25, 2011) DETROIT — As gas prices go up, so does purchase consideration for more fuel-efficient cars.  And the new 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist, a luxury sedan that comfortably seats five adults, delivers highway fuel economy on par with compacts like the Mini Cooper.

New Ford Focus spokesperson: Puppet named Doug 


By Karl Greenberg
MediaPost

(March 24, 2011) Ford has become something of a leading-edge purveyor of social-media programs. The Fiesta, Explorer and Focus have all spent at least as much time speeding along labyrinthine social-media routes as they have on the traditional media turnpikes of TV and print.

Kia marks 10 millionth export with white Optima

(March 24, 2011) Kia Motors reached the 10 millionth global vehicle export mark when a Snow White Pearl Optima sedan was shipped to the U.S. market from Kia’s main hub, Pyeongtaek Port, located 50 miles southwest of Seoul, South Korea.

In Europe, the company’s production facility at Zilina, Slovakia, also announced today that it has set a new output record, having produced a total of 229,500 cars in 2010, representing a 52 per cent year-on-year increase. 

Brilliant vans — a new form of chauffeured transportation

(March 24, 2011) Only 13 months ago, Richard Fertig started Brilliant Transportation with a small fleet of specially-equipped Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, and now the fast-growing company operates chauffeur-driven Sprinter-based Brilliant Vans and Mini Buses up and down the East Coast as well as in the Los Angeles area.

Parts shortage catching up to Toyota, others

(March 24, 2011) Lindsay Chappell of Automotive News reports the supply-chain disruptions of the March 11 Japanese earthquake will soon cause Toyota Motor Corp. to begin cutting production at its North American plants. According to Chappell the company told workers and retailers earlier this week.