News archive

January 2012

Porsche Boxster gets improvements, more horsepower for 2013

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(January 13, 2012) ATLANTA — The Porsche Boxster receives an entirely new lightweight body and a completely revamped chassis for the 2013 model year. The new Boxster weighs less than the previous generation and rides on a longer wheelbase and a wider track.

Porsche says these new dimensions are coupled with larger wheels and a new electromechanical power steering system to significantly enhance the mid-engine sports car's driving dynamics. The new Boxster boasts superior performance and is also up to 15 percent more fuel-efficient than previous models on the European cycle.

Fisker Karma on display at Harrods department store in London

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(January 13, 2012) KNIGHTSBRIDGE, London, UK — Thousands of shoppers at the world famous department store, Harrods in Knightsbridge, London, won’t be able to miss the Fisker Karma as they arrive for the Winter Sale.  The world’s first luxury electric vehicle will take pride of place in the prominent Brompton Road window display until the Feb. 4.

Fuel economy edges up .5 mpg in 2011

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(January 13, 2012) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — TrueCar.com today provided actual economy numbers from new car sales indicating TrueMPG will increase to 22.2 mpg in 2011 compared to 21.7 mpg in 2010. 

In December, light vehicle auto sales show TrueMPG) increased to 22.2 mpg from 21.7 mpg in December 2010, and decreased from November 2011 at 22.3 mpg.

Chevrolet reveals Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition

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(January 13, 2012) DETROIT — Chevrolet today unveiled the 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition — the fastest, most capable convertible in Corvette’s history — as well as a 60th Anniversary Package that will be available on all 2013 Corvette models. “The 2013 model year will be historic for Corvette, marking its 60th Anniversary and the final year for the current ‘C6’ generation,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Global Marketing and Strategy for Chevrolet.

Arrival of Focus helps push Ford sales up 30 percent in Russia

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(January 13, 2011) MOSCOW — Ford Sollers sold 118,031 Ford vehicles in Russia in 2011, an increase of 30 per cent compared with 2010, and the best sales year for Ford vehicles in the country since 2007.
 
Sales of the locally-produced Focus and Mondeo increased 23 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively.
 

BMW to expand S.C. plant with $900 million investment

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(January 12, 2012) SPARTANBURG, S.C. — BMW announced today that the company will invest nearly $900 million and add 300 new jobs in 2012 in its South Carolina plant. This announcement was made during a ceremony to commemorate a major production milestone, the production of 2 million vehicles since the company began U.S. production in 1994.

Nissan sets sales record in Europe

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(January 12, 2012) Nissan today confirmed it smashed its sales record for Europe in 2011, achieving best ever market share in the region and surpassing 2010 by more than 140,000 units.

In the 2011 calendar year Nissan posted European sales of 695,702 units, a full 25 percent up on Nissan's previous record of 2010.

Ford recalling 450,426 minivans, SUVs for fixes

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(January 12, 2012) Ford is recalling 450,426 vehicles in the United States to fix defects that can cause fires or loss of power. The action covers 205,896 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans and 244,530 Escape sport utility vehicles.

Washington Auto Show to feature fastest vegetable oil-fueled vehicle

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(January 11, 2012) What is described as the world’s fastest vegetable oil-fueled vehicle — conceived, built and driven by a team of Boise State University undergraduate students dubbed Greenspeed — will be on display Jan. 26-Feb. 5 at the Washington Auto Show in Washington, D.C.

The souped-up 1998 Chevrolet S-10 pick-up truck shattered the existing 109-mph record for vegetable oil-fueled vehicles in November with a run of 139 mph on a dry lakebed called El Mirage in the Mojave Desert at a Southern California Timing Association race. The next day, the team broke its own record with a run of 155 mph.

Jeep global sales increase 19 percent in 2012 to all-time record

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(January 11, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Jeep brand recorded global sales of 701,626 units in 2012, setting a new, all-time high bettering the brand’s previous annual high of 675,494 units sold in 1999. Jeep vehicle sales increased 19 percent globally in 2012 versus 2011, and 13 percent in the United States where 474,131 units were sold.