News archive

December 2011

Cadillac ATS headlines four GM world premiers in Detroit

Tags:

(December 4, 2011) DETROIT — The all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS compact luxury rear wheel drive sedan will be among four General Motors’ concept or production vehicles making world premieres at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in January.

“ATS is a crucial part of Cadillac's expansion,” GM Senior Vice President of Global Product Development Mary Barra told the Automotive Press Association on Friday. “ATS enters the biggest market segment in the global luxury car industry, both in terms of volume and importance.

Honda GL1800 motorcycles recalled over brake problem

Tags:

(December 4, 2011) American Honda is recalling certain model 2001-2010 and 2012 model year GL 1800 motorcycles over a potential defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in the secondary master cylinder.

Honda says that the compensating port hole inside the secondary master cylinder — part of the combined-braking system — can become blocked due to (1) stacking of tolerances in manufacturing and (2) sufficient swelling of the primary pressure cup inside the master cylinder.

Mercedes closes in on BMW to replace Lexus for U.S. luxury sales title

Tags:

(December 3, 2011) Mercedes-Benz USA this week reported November sales of 26,796 vehicles, a 47 percent improvement over November 2010 and the company’s highest November volume on record.

On a year-to-date basis, the 219,491 vehicles sold represent nearly a 12 percent increase over the 196,288 vehicles sold during the same period last year.

Toyota recalls Sienna minivans over incorrect tire information placard

Tags:

(December 2, 2011) DETROIT — Toyota is recalling more than 200,000 Sienna minivans, currently the top-selling minivan in the U.S. market, over an incorrect tire and load information placard.

The issue involves 2011 and 2012 models, a report by The Detroit News stated, and could lead to tire overloading and possibly tire failure that would increase the risk of a crash.

Honda expends recall to replace driver's airbag inflator

Tags:

(December 2, 2011) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda has expanded a previously announced recall of certain 2001 through 2003 model-year Honda and Acura vehicles to replace the driver's airbag inflator originally installed in approximately 273,000 additional vehicles sold in the U.S.

Affected driver's airbag inflators may deploy with too much pressure, which can cause the inflator casing to rupture and could result in injury or fatality.

November sales come in strong; up 14 percent over 2010

Tags:

(December 2, 2011) U.S. auto sales — led by Chrysler Group, Hyundai-Kia and Volkswagen — surged in November pushing the seasonally adjusted annual sales rate to 13.6 million. Overall sales were up 14 percent for the month compared to November 2010.

Chrysler Group sales soared 45 percent, its biggest monthly increase since emerging from bankruptcy in 2009. Similar advances were seen at Hyundai-Kia, up 29 percent, and the Volkswagen brand, up 41 percent. Individually Hyundai jumped 22 percent and Kia was up 39 percent.

Nissan shows Juke Nismo concept

Tags:

(December 1, 2011) TOKYO — Nissan has revealed a bold new future for its Nismo performance arm. It is the Nissan Juke Nismo, an idea of how a premium sports version of the successful compact crossover could look.

With its distinctive styling Nissan Juke has redefined the highly competitive B-segment, but the Juke Nismo Concept is even more dramatic. It's lower, wider and has a tougher stance. Even standing still, it's clearly a performance car.

Chrysler reports best sales month of the year

Tags:

(December 1, 2011) Chrysler today reported U.S. sales of 107,172, a 45 percent increase compared with sales in November 2010 (74,152 units), and the best year-over-year sales gain this year.

Chrysler Group's 45 percent sales increase was driven by retail sales that were up 51 percent. November was the sixth-consecutive month of sales gains of at least 20 percent. For the 10th month this year, Chrysler Group sales have beaten the average industry sales increase.