April 2011

GM gets off to fast 2011 start in China

(April 10, 2011) SHANGHAI — General Motors and its joint ventures in China set new domestic sales records for March and the first quarter of the year.

GM sales in China during March totaled 233,014 units. This took its first quarter sales to 685,583 units, which was up 10 percent from a strong first quarter in 2010 and ahead of estimated industry sales growth.

Trump named pace car driver for Indy 500

(April 10, 2011) INDIANAPOLIS (PRNewswire) — Global business icon Donald J. Trump will drive the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Pace Car to lead the field of 33 drivers to the start of the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500, "The Most Important Race in History," starts at noon and will be televised on ABC for the 47th consecutive year.

Chrysler bringing vehicles to shopping malls for test drives

(April 10, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler is bringing its vehicles directly to consumers in an effort to generate awareness about the brand's new 2011 vehicle lineup. The brand has launched a new test drive campaign at local malls across the country that will offer consumers an opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience the changes first-hand.

For the second year, Tesla Roadster beats all at Monaco race

(April 9, 2011) MONACO (PRNewswire-FirstCall) — The Tesla Roadster has reconfirmed its supremacy in the world of the alternative fuel vehicles, beating more than 100 competitors last week during an exciting Monte Carlo Rally.

Driven by former F1 driver Erik Comas, the Artic White Roadster also scored a definitive victory in the Electric Vehicles Cup.

BMW Group has record sales month worldwide in March

(April 9, 2011) MUNICH — The BMW Group sold more vehicles in March than ever before in a month. The company sold 165,842 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles, not only significantly exceeding the figure for March of last year (141,717 units) but also the previous sales high of 152,721 vehicles recorded in December 2007. The BMW and MINI brands also set new monthly records.

Ford sales in Russia grow by 41 percent in first quarter

(April 9, 2011) MOSCOW — Ford sold 10,644 vehicles in the Russian Federation in March, up 43 per cent from March 2010 and up 60 per cent from February. Ford market share in March was 4.8 percent. For the first three months of 2011, Ford sold 20,919 vehicles in Russia — an increase of 41 per cent compared to the same period in 2010.

Toyota to cut five days from production schedule

(April 8, 2011) ERLANGER, Ky.  — Toyota is cutting North American production due to parts availability following the March 11 Japan earthquake.

Over the next few weeks, Toyota’s North American vehicle plants will operate on a reduced schedule, with production suspended on April 15, 18, 21, 22, and 25.

Maserati to open store in India

(April 8, 2011) Maserati has announced it will bring its uniquely Italian brand of high performance and custom-made exclusivity to the Indian car market this year.

The Modena-based luxury and sports car maker, in partnership with the successful Indian luxury retailer, the Shreyans Group, will open its first Indian showroom in Mumbai this year and plans are well advanced to open a second dealership in New Delhi in early 2012, with plans to cater to seven major Indian cities by 2015.

Ford finds use for 4.1 million pounds of recycled carpet

(April 8, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — The carpet underfoot in homes sometimes ends up in strange places, and now Ford’s efforts to use sustainable materials in its vehicles have landed carpet in another unique spot — the cylinder head covers on some Ford engines. Even more impressive are the benefits it has for the environment.

During 2010, the use of EcoLon material, a nylon resin made from 100 percent recycled carpet, saved more than 4.1 million pounds of carpet from landfills, the equivalent of nearly 154 football fields.

Centennial edition Corvette celebrates Chevy racing history

(April 8, 2011) DETROIT — Chevrolet, founded by a racing pioneer 100 years ago, celebrates its performance heritage with the 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette, which features a sleek black color scheme, unique design elements and Corvette’s trademark sports car technology.

The 2012 Centennial Edition package will be available on all Corvette models — including Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1 — starting this summer.