May 2011

Humble honker far more than just a beep at Ford

(May 17, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — Patricia Seashore doesn’t like to sound off about it, but she knows better than most that there’s more to a vehicle horn than a simple beep-beep or honk-honk.

In fact, this deceptively simple device actually takes into consideration customer horn-blowing behavior and its impact on the horn itself, including the amount of use, tonality and, sometimes, even physics.

Hyundai to invest $173 million in Alabama engine plant

(May 16, 2011) MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Hyundai Motor Co. will invest $173 million to expand and modify an engine plant in Alabama, the state said on Monday. The expansion, which is expected to be completed in the fall and start production in March 2012, will make the NU engine for the compact Elantra sedan being produced at the automaker's Montgomery  plant.

Chevy Camaro V-6 — More power, better gas mileage

(May 16, 2011) PONTIAC, Mich. — In auto production, more power, better fuel economy and fewer emissions rarely appear together. But the 2012 Camaro 3.6-liter direct injection V-6 engine achieves all three by combining the exhaust manifold with the cylinder head into a single aluminum casting.

Liberty Tire Recycling to clean up Illegal tire dump at site of Atlanta-area arts center

(May 16, 2011) PITTSBURGH (PRNewswire) — Pittsburgh-based Liberty Tire Recycling is donating its tire collection and reclamation services to help an Atlanta-area community center facing a dilemma. Crews from the company's plant in Atlanta will collect and recycle as many as 1,000 scrap tires that were illegally dumped on the property of The Arts Exchange. 

The reclamation will take place Tuesday . 

Mopar HEMI Challenge to offer record winner's purse at Indy

(May 16, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Mopar announced today that the 11th Annual Mopar HEMI Challenge will feature Mopar-powered Super Stock/A-HEMI (SS/AH) competitors battling it out in a one-race shootout at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis on Sept. 1–2.

Ford's European market share increases in April

(May 16, 2011) COLOGNE, Germany — Ford Motor Company increased sales volume and market share in Europe in April as strong demand for the all-new Ford Focus and C-MAX and improved performance in Germany helped the company buck the overall industry sales decline.

Ford Freestyle being investigated for 'lunging'

(May 16, 2011) — Ford's Freestyle crossover is being investigated by U.S. regulators after 238 complaints about unintended “lunging” at low speeds when the driver’s foot isn’t on the gas pedal, according to a report by Bloomberg News.

High gas prices may hit tourism industry in Canada

(May 16, 2011) Soaring gas prices may keep people out of their cars and RVs this summer, slowing a tourism resurgence in Canada, RV Business reports.

The Calgary Herald reported that with analysts warning prices could remain high for months, many in the tourism industry are watching for the fallout of expensive fuel.

Chinese car distributor comes to rescue of Saab

(May 16, 2011) AMSTERDAM  —Spyker Cars, the Dutch owner of Saab, today announced a deal with China's Pangda Automobile Trade Co Ltd. to secure Saab's medium-term funding needs.

Panga, China's largest listed car distributor, has come to the rescue of Saab in a deal worth as much as 110 million euros ($155 million) for the debt-ridden automaker, potentially staving off the collapse of one of Sweden's best-known brands, Reuters reported early today.

Volkswagen Group has 13.9 percent rise in global vehicle deliveries

(May 15, 2011) WOLFSBURG, Germany (PRNewswire) — The Volkswagen Group reported a further rise in global vehicle deliveries for the first four months of this year.

Europe's largest automaker delivered 2.66 million units from January through April, outperforming the world market. The company also reported a rise of 14.5 percent for April with 690,900 vehicles sold.