September 2011

Kia begins building popular Optima sedan in U.S.

(September 6, 2011) WEST POINT, Ga. — Following the completion of a series of expansion projects to raise annual capacity, the first U.S.-built 2012 Kia Optima midsize sedan rolled off the production line last Friday at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG).

It joins the popular Sorento CUV as the second Kia vehicle to be produced at the West Point facility. In addition to the physical expansion, KMMG recently added a third shift that raised the total number of jobs created at the plant to more than 3,000.

Mini Coupe to make debut in Frankfurt

(September 5, 2011) The 2012 Mini Coupe will make its world premier at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. The coupe is the next step in the expanding Mini range.

The brand's fifth model wraps up hallmark Mini qualities in a new and distinctive package.

Subaru to unveil BRZ sports car in Frankfurt

(September 5, 2011) Subaru will exhibit the Subaru BRZ Prologue — Boxer Sports Car Architecture II — at the Frankfurt Motor Show on Sept. 13.

The BRZ is Subaru's companion to the Toyota FT-86, which will be marketed in the U.S. as the Scion FR-S.

Ford finds August success in Canada, India

(September 5, 2011) Ford experienced big sales increases in Canada and India in August. In Canada, it was Ford's best August in 23 years with car sales up 18 percent over August 2010, and in its rather small Indian market sales are up 40 percent for the year after a gain of 9 percent in August.

Ford of Canada had the best August since 1988 with solid performances from Ford Fiesta, Focus, Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. With 193,648 units sold, Ford of Canada continues to be the top-selling automaker for the month and year-to-date.

Honda recalling 86,000 vehicles in two separate issues

(September 5, 2011) Honda said early Sunday it is recalling nearly 86,000 vehicles in two separate campaigns. With the new recalls, Honda has now called back more vehicles than it did in all of 2010.

Honda said it is recalling 80,111 2006 CR-V vehicles to replace the power window switch after the government said it had reports of five fires. Separately, Honda will voluntarily recall 5,626 CR-Z hybrid vehicles in the United States equipped with manual transmissions to update software that controls the hybrid electric motor.

Mazda2, crossovers lead good sales month for Mazda

(September 4, 2011) IRVINE, Calif. — Mazda North American Operations has reported August sales of 22,632 vehicles, up 14.7 percent versus August of 2010. Year-to-date sales are up 6.1 percent versus last year with 165,794 vehicles sold.

Volkswagen's Skoda subsidiary begins real-world testing of electric car

(September 4, 2011) Another world automaker is jumping on the electric car bandwagon.

Skoda, a subsidiary of Volkswagen based in the Czech Republic, has begun production of a 10-car trial fleet of its first ever fully electric car, the Octavia E Line. It's the next step in Skoda's continued efforts to reduce emissions and consumption levels throughout the company.

Ford, Zipcar team up to provide cars for U.S. campuses

(September 4, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford and Zipcar — the world’s leading car-sharing network — have announced a new strategic alliance establishing Ford as Zipcar’s largest university vehicle partner, reaching students at more than 250 U.S. campuses.

The first-of-its-kind, two-year tie-up introduces a new generation of drivers to Ford vehicles with the fuel-efficient Focus and Escape now part of Zipcar’s existing fleet of environmentally friendly, reliable and fun vehicles.

All-New 2012 Nissan Versa debuts as sub-compact segment sales leader

(September 3, 2011) FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The results are in. After the first month of availability of the all-new 2012 Nissan Versa sedan outsold all other sub-compacts, extending its dramatic year-to-date lead in the hotly contested and growing small car segment. 

Audi to show new A2 concept in Frankfurt

(September 3, 2011) INGOLSTADT, Germany —  With the electric-only powertrain of the four-seat A2 concept, Audi is offering another glimpse into the future of electric mobility at the 64th International Motor Show in Frankfurt in less than two weeks.

The Audi A2 concept is just a littler over 12-feet long and 5.5 feet wide, yet it manages to make a powerful impression on the street.