February 2012

Dodge Charger Pursuit to pace back-to-back NASCAR races in Phoenix

(February 29, 2012) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Taking a moment from setting benchmarks in the police vehicle segment, the new 2012 Dodge Charger Pursuit will pace both NASCAR Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series races in Phoenix on March 3 and 4.

“Phoenix marks our new track-proven Dodge Charger Pursuit’s inaugural pace car weekend, while highlighting the fastback sedan’s benchmark levels of performance and the Dodge brand’s 62nd year of NASCAR racing heritage,” said Peter Grady, Vice President of Network Development and Fleet at Chrysler.

GM, Peugeot Citroen announce strategic alliance

(February 29, 2012) NEW YORK — General Motors and PSA Peugeot Citroën today announced the creation of a long-term and broad-scale global strategic alliance that will leverage the combined strengths and capabilities of the two companies, contribute to the profitability of both partners and strongly improve their competitiveness in Europe.

Ford Focus on pace to double sales in February

(February 29, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Focus sales are on pace to double in February to over 20,000 units, giving the stylish compact hatchback and sedan its best sales performance in more than a decade.
 
“Fuel prices have been on the rise again, with customers once again moving to smaller vehicles,” said Erich Merkle, Ford sales analyst reporting manager. “We have a 40-mpg, fun-to-drive, well-equipped compact with more power than our competitors. The word is getting out on how efficient the new Focus really is.”

Veteran auto executive Tom LaSorda named CEO of Fisker Automotive

(February 28, 2012) ANAHEIM, California — Fisker Automotive has announced that effective immediately co-founder Henrik Fisker will become executive chairman of the company. Tom LaSorda has been appointed CEO and vice chairman of the board at Fisker Automotive, with full responsibility for the running of the company’s day-to-day operations.

Chevrolet top performance brand in market share, sales in 2011

(February 28, 2012) DETROIT — Chevrolet is America’s favorite performance brand, with Camaro and Corvette accounting for one out of every three sports cars sold in the United States in 2011.

Chevrolet accounted for 37 percent of the sports-car segment last year, selling 88,249 Camaros, which surpassed its nearest competitor, the Ford Mustang, by more than 18,000 units.

Kia releases pictures of its new luxury sedan

(February 28, 2012) Kia has released the first photos of its biggest sedan ever, the K9, which is set to be introduced in its home market of South Korea later this spring.

The sedan is built on the same platform as the Genesis sedan of Kia’s sister Hyundai.

Volvo reveals all-new V40 ahead of Geneva show

(February 28, 2012) Volvo will reveal the all-new Volvo V40 compact five-door hatchback at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show on March 6.

Volvo says the all-new V40 is ready to overtake the competition in the premium hatchback class with sharpened features and characteristics from larger Volvos wrapped in a sleek, compact package.

Audi to begin electric-car testing in U.S.

(February 27, 2012) — Audi today announced the battery-electric Audi A3 e-tron will be used is a pilot program in the U.S. to "define a progressive e-mobility driver experience for premium car buyers." Audi made the announcement of the A3 e-tron program at TED2012 in Long Beach, Calif., where Audi is presenting a vision for the role transportation will play in the world’s increasingly congested urban centers of the future.

Jaguar launches new marketing campaign

(February 27, 2012) MAHWAH, N.J. — Jaguar is launching a new global brand direction and marketing campaign, themed "ALIVE," which introduces the famed British brand to luxury consumers in a new modern context. The brand direction is driven by the belief that Jaguar makes the world's most instinctively rewarding performance cars.

GMC Sierra shows off snow plowing ability

(February 27, 2012) DETROIT — With the white stuff finally falling on cities used to snow-covered roads earlier in the winter, plow-equipped trucks that make up a $20 billion annual industry are coming out to play. Only the GMC Sierra HD pickup offers the flexibility of an adjustable torsion bar front suspension as part of the industry’s most-comprehensive plow prep package.