September 2012

Buick Enclave updated for 2013, starts at $39,270

(September 14, 2012) DETROIT — The Buick Enclave — the top-selling three-row luxury crossover SUV in the U.S. market — gets updated for 2013 with new styling, more standard equipment, added safety technologies and IntelliLink connectivity for a suggested retail price of $39,270 including an $825 destination charge.

Report says Nissan to shift Murano output to Tennessee

(September 14, 2012) Nissan plans to shift output of the Murano crossover to its Smyrna, Tenn., plant from Japan, as it overhauls production amid the soaring yen, a news report said. The changeover will come around 2014, when the Murano is expected to undergo a full model change, Japan’s Nikkan Kogyo business daily reported Thursday.

Chrysler introduces industry-first vehicle manuals in Spanish

(September 14, 2012) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group, the first automaker to eliminate the conventional owner manuals from its vehicles and offer industry-first vehicle-information apps, will now be the first in the industry to offer complete vehicle-information kits in Spanish for the U.S. market.

Dodge adds all-wheel drive to Charger Hemi V-8 Pursuit vehicle

(September 14, 2012) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Dodge is turning up the heat in the police pursuit vehicle segment. In response to police fleet customer demand and with input from the Chrysler Group’s Police Advisory Board, the already well-received Dodge Charger Pursuit will offer an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system with the 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine.

Ferrari reports record revenues, sales through June 30

(September 13, 2012) MARANELLO, Italy — Ferrari announced today that it has registered record in revenues and sales through June 30. Revenues reached 1,208 million euro (+11.9 per cent), while 3,664 cars were delivered to dealerships, an increase of 7.4 per cent.

Trading profits rose 13 per cent to 152.2 million euro, while net profits hit 100.8 million, an increase of 10 per cent.

Ford Transit at top of 'most stolen commercial vehicles' list in UK

(September 13, 2012) HPI’s latest findings of the most commonly stolen light commercial vehicles (LCV) confirms that the Ford Transit is still top of the thieves’ shopping list. But close behind are the Mercedes Sprinter and Mitsubishi L200.

UK energy company chooses Toyota Yaris for 100-vehicle purchase

(September 13, 2012) LONDON — National Grid, one of the world’s largest energy companies, has chosen the Toyota Yaris as the preferred car for its UK trainee engineers, taking delivery of 100 vehicles.

The Yaris are all five-door models in TR trim with diesel engines, and were handed over to the National Grid drivers in two special presentations at Toyota’s Burnaston factory in Derbyshire on Sept. 5 and 12. They will be used by the engineers in the course of their training, both at National Grid’s Midlands base and on site visits nationwide.

Toyota Tundra to tow space shuttle Endeavour to Science Center

(September 13, 2012) TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota has announced that the Tundra pickup is slated to tow the space shuttle Endeavour during its final journey to the California Science Center on Oct.13 where it will go on permanent display. The Endeavour will travel 12 miles from Los Angeles International Airport on city streets to the Science Center, with the Tundra towing the last quarter mile.

Ford's new lithium-ion batteries reduce use of rare earth metals

(September 13, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford’s third-generation hybrid system, which replaces nickel-metal-hydride batteries with new lighter, more efficient lithium-ion batteries, could reduce the company’s use of expensive, less-abundant rare earth metals by up to 500,000 pounds a year.
 
This reduction of rare earth metals is important for both financial and physical reasons.

Nissan fuel cell vehicle opens path to future zero-emission SUV

(September 13, 2012) PARIS — The Nissan TeRRA SUV concept, to be unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show on Sep 27, combines two Nissan strengths — SUVs and EVs — in a vehicle that is equally in its element off-road in the wild or gliding silently through a sophisticated urban setting.