News archive

June 2011

Shock poll — Two-thirds of UK drivers would consider electric if charging stations were plentiful

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(June 28, 2011) Two thirds of motorists — 65.7 per cent — say they would be more likely to buy an electric vehicle (EV) if charging stations were readily available at roadsides and in parking lots across the UK.

Of the 1,417 that participated in the survey, which was conducted this month on behalf of electric vehicle infrastructure provider Elektromotive, only 7.8 per cent said that the greater availability of charging posts would not make them more likely to buy an EV. 

Subaru Rally Team driver David Higgins Sets Mt. Washington Hill Climb record

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(June 28, 2011) CHERRY HILL, N.J. (PRNewswire) — Subaru Rally Team USA driver David Higgins this weekend broke the long standing Mt. Washington "Climb To The Clouds" Hill Climb record set in 1998. 

Piloting his 2011 Subaru WRX STI rally car, Higgins crushed the time set by Frank Sprongl by more than 30-seconds with an official time of 6 minutes and 11.54 seconds. Higgins also beat the unofficial record time set by Travis Pastrana last year of 6:20.47. 

New Jaguar XF with 2.2-liter diesel gets 57 mpg in testing

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(June 27, 2011) The Jaguar of the future? It meets the proposed 56.2 mpg fuel average being bandied about as the new goal for 2025.

A Jaguar XF, equipped with a 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, promises to be the most efficient Jaguar yet produced. 

'Monster' Tajima in a modified Suzuki SX4 sets Pike's Peak record

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(June 27, 2011) Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima smashed his old Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record by more than 10 seconds on Sunday, breaking the 10-minute mark for the first time ever, with a finishing time of 9 minutes, 51.278 seconds in a highly modified all-wheel drive Suzuki SX4.

Nissan announces ambitious business plan

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(June 27, 2011) YOKOHAMA, Japan — Nissan today announced an ambitious mid-term wide-ranging, six-year business plan that will accelerate the company's growth across new markets and segments. The plan for fiscal years 2011 to 2016, called "Nissan Power 88," is effective immediately.

Camaro returns as Autobot Bumblebee

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(June 27, 2011) DETROIT — The Chevrolet Camaro returns as the Autobot “Bumblebee” in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which opens exclusively in 3D Tuesday and worldwide Wednesday. To celebrate, Chevrolet will offer a 2012 Transformers Special Edition Camaro Coupe to Bumblebee fans in the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Europe, South America, and the Middle East.

GM Foundation donates $2.5 million to Art and Design College

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(June 27, 2011) DETROIT — The General Motors Foundation today announced a $2.5-million donation to the College for Creative Studies (CCS), strengthening a longstanding commitment to the world’s leading educator of automotive designers.

CCS, a world-class school for art and design education located in the heart of the city, is an economic engine and leading supplier of creative talent in Michigan.

Ford's Alan Mulally named 2011 CEO of the Year

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(June 27, 2011) GREENWICH, Conn. (PRNewswire) — Ford CEO Alan Mulally has been named "2011 Chief Executive of the Year," an honor bestowed upon an outstanding corporate leader, nominated and selected by a group of his or her peers.

"The success he showed in the face of incredible difficulty was just extraordinary," said James Turley, chairman and CEO, Ernst & Young and member of the 2011 Selection Committee.

Toyota Camry 'Most American Car' according to Cars.com study

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(June 27, 2011) CHICAGO (PRNewswire) — Cars.com announced today that the Toyota Camry once again took the top spot in the site's annual American Made Index. 

This is the third consecutive year the Camry has held this position, despite many newcomers to the list including the Ford Explorer, the Chevrolet Traverse and the GMC Acadia.

Two Audi R8 Spyders bring nearly $1 million at Elton John fund raiser

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(June 26, 2011) The Audi R8 Spyder proved such an enticement to bidders Thursday night at the White Tie & Tiara auction in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) that Audi UK submitted a second car to go under the hammer, helping to contribute £620,000 ($992,000) to the charitable organization.