January 2013

Audi CEO Stadler: 'Piloted driving will become reality this decade'

(January 31, 2013) Audi caused a sensation at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas three weeks ago when it demonstrated piloted driving. Now, for the first time, the carmaker is citing a specific timescale within which the concept could hit the roads.

“We are assuming that a series-built vehicle with a piloted driving function will be technically feasible this decade,” stated Audi CEO Rupert Stadler at the 19th Handelsblatt Annual Conference in Munich.

Lincoln debuts first-ever Twitter-generated Super Bowl ad

(January 31, 2013) DEARBORN, Mich. — Lincoln today unveiled its Super Bowl ad, the first-ever commercial written entirely through social media with consumers participating on Twitter. Jimmy Fallon asked his followers to tweet responses to his questions about road trips full of unexpected events, which ultimately created the script.

Honda, Acura to offer Apple's Siri

(January 31, 2013) TORRANCE, Calif. — American Honda has announced it will integrate support for Siri, the intelligent assistant that helps you get things done just by asking, into its 2013 Honda Accord and Acura RDX and ILX models as a dealer installed option.

Hyundai lifts veil on 30-second Super Bowl spot

(January 31, 2013) COSTA MESA, Calif. — As game day approaches, Hyundai is lifting the veil on its 30-second in-game commercial running in the first quarter. “Team” is a unique twist on a classic "tables turned" tale; we follow a young boy as he recruits his own dream team to take on the neighborhood troublemakers.

Nissan pushes forward with the Datsun brand

(January 31, 2013) YOKOHAMA, Japan — Nissan has announced the selection of TBWA Worldwide as the global agency of record for the Datsun brand. In March 2012, Nissan announced that the Datsun brand would return to usher in modern, reliable products for customers in high-growth markets.

GM investing $200 million to expand powertrain engineering

(January 31, 2013) PONTIAC, Mich. — General Motors will invest $200 million into its Global Powertrain Engineering Headquarters to build a new 138,000 sq.-ft. test wing, which is expected to be completed during the second half of 2014.

The plan is part of GM’s previously announced commitment to invest $1.5 billion in its North American facilities in 2013.

Chrysler reports full-year 2012 net income of $1.7 billion

(January 30, 2013) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group today reported preliminary net income of $1.7 billion for the full year 2012, up from net income of $183 million a year ago, exceeding the guidance provided earlier in the year. Full-year 2011 Adjusted Net Income was $734 million, after adjusting for the $551 million loss on extinguishment of debt recognized in the second quarter of 2011.

Ford achieves all-time high hybrid market share

(January 30, 2013) DEARBORN, Mich. — The 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid is off to a fast start after achieving an all-time sales record in December 2012, helping Ford to record hybrid sales and market share, as Toyota lost nearly 8 points of share in the segment.

Toyota recalling 752,000 Corolla models in U.S. for faulty airbags

(January 30, 2013) Toyota is recalling 907,000 vehicles, mostly Corolla models, around the world for faulty air bags and another 385,000 Lexus IS luxury cars for defective wipers, according to the Detroit News.

Toyota spokesman Naoto Fuse said Wednesday that two crashes were reported in the U.S. related to the air bag problem, but Toyota had not been able to confirm them.

Honda's Lane Watch blind spot display wins award

(January 30, 2013) Honda's LaneWatch blind spot display has won a Good Housekeeping 2013 "Very Innovative Products" Award (VIP), the only automotive product to earn this distinction for 2013 and one of only nine innovative new product winners overall.