March 2013

BMW Group has record sales month in February

(March 8, 2013) MUNICH, Germany — With 133,630 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles delivered worldwide, the BMW Group achieved its best-ever February sales result. A record number of 256,929 vehicles have been delivered to customers since the start of the year – an increase of +7.1% compared with the same period last year when 239,802 were sold.

Cadillac ATS applies latest advances in driver visibility

(March 8, 2013) DETROIT — The 2013 Cadillac ATS luxury sport sedan offers visibility from the driver’s seat that inspires the same confidence as the North American Car of the Year’s acclaimed road-hugging performance. Engineers worked to identify the vehicle attributes needed to maximize ATS’s driving character by making the most of sight lines.

Volkswagen 'Smileage' — There's an app for that

(March 8, 2013) Volkswagen of America and Google have announced their partnership on “Volkswagen Smileage,” a new social media application built using a suite of Google products and platforms. The app launches later this year and will allow people to record and share how much fun they’re having while on the road, through a new metric called “smileage.”

Kia Optima Hybrid updated for 2013 with more performance, mpg

(March 8, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — Since its debut, the Kia Optima midsize sedan has garnered awards and accolades in recognition of its design, performance and value. In 2011, the Optima Hybrid introduced a new level of efficiency to the brand’s most popular name plate.  Now, Kia has announced the arrival of its updated 2013 Optima Hybrid, featuring a more performance-driven and fuel-efficient powertrain as well as more cargo space and premium features.

Chevrolet to showcase performance at New York Auto Show

(March 8, 2013) NEW YORK — Chevrolet will showcase a new lineup of performance cars for the 2014 model year at the New York International Auto Show later this month, including the all-new Corvette Stingray coupe and convertible, all-new SS performance sedan and refreshed Camaro.

Honda Civic sedan and coupe first small cars to earn top rating

(March 7, 2013) TORRANCE, Calif. — The new 2013 Honda Civic sedan and coupe have received the highest available safety rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). This recognition makes the Civic sedan and coupe the first and only IIHS Small cars in the industry so far to earn the new TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation.

Rear-vision motorcycle helmet hits world market

(March 7, 2013) LONDON — Motorcycle helmet maker Reevu has launched the world's first "Rear Vision" — yes, rear vision in a helmet — the RV MSX1. Reevu's engineers and production team have now produced the world's first Rear Vision System helmet. Hot off the production line is the RV FSX1 model ready for the coming 2013 season, already tested and approved to DOT standard for export into the U.S. and fully accredited for European markets.

GM to Hire 1,000 high tech employees in Phoenix

(March 7, 2013) CHANDLER, Ariz. — General Motors is hiring 1,000 high-tech employees to staff an Information Technology Innovation Center in this Phoenix suburb, joining Austin, Texas; Roswell, Ga., and Warren, Mich., as the centerpieces of GM’s strategy to bring high-value IT work in house in support of the business transformation underway.

Ford offers chassis cab and cutaway trucks ready for adaptability

(March 7, 2013) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Company has announced the introduction of the all-new Transit chassis cab and cutaway models, engineered to tackle an almost unlimited variety of specialized jobs and vocations. Transit chassis cab features an enclosed passenger compartment and bare frame ready to accept aftermarket body modules ranging from custom cargo delivery to utility body.

50th anniversary of Porsche 911 to be celebrated with parade of 911

(March 7, 2013) LONDON — It’s been 50 years since the iconic Porsche 911 was first introduced to the public at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show and this year’s Silverstone Classic will pay homage to the evergreen sportscar’s golden anniversary with a very fitting on-track tribute.