March 2011

Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe delivers 481 horsepower

(March 20, 2011) MONTVALE, N.J. — The new 2012 C63 AMG Coupe designed by Mercedes-AMG combines distinctive design with a powerful 481-horsepower V-8 and dynamic handling. Mercedes released photos of the new two-door today ahead of its planned debut at the New York Auto Show.

Eco-friendly buses have water-saving message

(March 19, 2011) MANCHESTER, England — Manchester’s eco-friendly hybrid electric buses have been helping the environment in more ways than one in recent weeks. In addition to burning less fuel and creating lower levels of emissions, they have also been spreading a vital water-saving message thanks to an advertising campaign for United Utilities.

Infiniti launches M hybrid in bold style with ad campaign

(March 19, 2011) Infiniti has announced its first high performance hybrid in bold style. In a new ad campaign that challenges the conventional notion of what a hybrid can be, Infiniti takes viewers on a journey through the history of hybrids.

The journey starts over 100 years ago with the invention of the first hybrid car in 1888, to the hybrid patent in 1909, through the hybrids of the ‘70s and on to hybrids today — directly challenging the notion that you can’t have great performance and great fuel economy.

Windshield wiper linkage problem identified in 2011 Honda Odyssey

(March 19, 2011) Honda will voluntarily recall 33,341 model-year 2011 Odyssey vehicles in the U.S. to replace the front windshield wiper linkage rod.

Honda says that if the windshield wipers are frozen to the windshield with heavy ice and the wipers are switched on without freeing them from the windshield, the wiper linkage rod may be bent.

Volkswagen begins production of Golf Cabriolet

(March 19, 2011) Volkswagen has begun production of its newest drop top, the 2012 Golf Cabriolet.

Volkswagen hasn’t offered a cabriolet variant of its popular Golf model since 2003 — two generations ago. Filling the gap since then has been the slightly upscale Eos and the New Beetle convertible.

Ford sells Norfolk Assembly property

(March 18, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford today announced the sale of the Norfolk Assembly Plant property in Norfolk, Va., to Atlanta-based Jacoby Development, Inc.

As part of the transaction, Jacoby, in turn, sold a portion of the 100-acre former Ford Plant to Belgium-based Katoen Natie (KTN), a global logistics provider which will invest $12 million to establish a new warehousing and distribution operation.

GM shuts down plant due to shortage of parts

(March 18, 2011) DETROIT — General Motors has suspended production at Shreveport Assembly in Louisiana for the week of March 21 due to a parts shortage resulting from the crisis in Japan. GM said it would resume production at Shreveport as soon as possible.

Focus production begins at state-of-art Michigan plant

(March 18, 2011) WAYNE, Mich. — Ford is celebrating production of its all-new global Ford Focus, built for North American customers in its completely transformed Michigan Assembly Plant (MAP). Following a $550 million transformation, the plant features an environmentally friendly workplace with flexible manufacturing capability.

Daimler provides two million euros to earthquake victims

(March 18, 2011) STUTTGART, Germany (PRNewswire) — Daimler AG is providing two million euros ($2.8 million) as immediate aid for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The donation is intended to support the disaster relief and aid actions in the northeast of the country.

2011 Honda Civics recalled for gasoline tank problem

(March 18, 2011) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda will voluntarily recall 18,056 model-year 2011 Civic vehicles in the U.S. to inspect and possibly replace the fuel pump module inside the gasoline tank.