April 2013

Honda to introduce accident avoidance system in Japan

(April 2, 2013) LONDON — Honda has developed an accident avoidance support system called City-Brake Active System. The City-Brake Active System operates when the vehicle is traveling at speeds of less than 18 mph.

Ford's March sales in India fall from last year to 7,400 cars

(April 2, 2013) NEW DELHI, India — Ford India sold more than 7,400 vehicles in combined wholesales and exports in March 2013 as macroeconomic factors, including high inflation and high interest rates, continued to dampen consumer sentiment and contribute to an industry slowdown.
 

Chrysler reports best sales month since December 2007

(April 2, 2013) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group today reported March U.S. sales of 171,606 units, a 5 percent increase compared with sales in March 2012 (163,381 units), and the group’s best monthly sales since December 2007.

The Dodge, Ram Truck and Fiat brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in March compared with the same month last year. The Ram Truck brand’s 24 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any Chrysler Group brand in March.

2014 Silverado, Impala find their seats at Comerica Park

(April 2, 2013) DETROIT — When the American League Champion Detroit Tigers take the field for their home opener on Friday (April 5), two of Chevrolet’s newest players — the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Silverado full-size pickup truck and the 2014 Impala full-size sedan — will overlook the action.

Mini plant celebrates 100 years of production in Oxford

(April 2, 2013) The Mini Plant Oxford (England) is celebrating 100 years of production. And to mark the occasion, a centenary exhibition was opened at the plant’s new Visitor Centre on March 28 by Britain’s Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and member of the Board of Management at BMW Harald Krüger.

One hundred years ago, the plant’s first car — a “Bullnose” Morris Oxford — was built just a stone’s throw away from where the current Mini production facility stands.

All-New Chevrolet Impala begins coming off assembly line

(April 1, 2013) OSHAWA, Ontario — The all-new 2014 Impala, Chevrolet’s flagship sedan, began driving off the line at Oshawa Assembly today. The Impala will begin arriving in Chevrolet showrooms this month. 

“The all-new Impala demonstrates the new direction of Chevrolet,” said Kevin Williams, president and managing director of GM Canada. “Our employees in Oshawa have executed a flawless plan in bringing this iconic nameplate to life. The newly redesigned Impala will exceed customers’ expectations because of the hard work of our employees at Oshawa Assembly.”

GM says new GMC Sierra 5.3-liter V-8 will come with best mpg in class

(April 1, 2013) DETROIT — General Motors claims that when the all-new 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 full-size pickup truck arrives at dealers later this spring it will come with the best V-8 pickup fuel economy in the industry. Sierra’s new 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 uses direct injection, cylinder deactivation and variable valve timing to achieve EPA estimates of 16 mpg city and 23 highway with two-wheel drive or 16/22 with four-wheel drive.

Tesla Motors reports first-quarter profit

(April 1, 2013) Tesla Motors, the electric luxury carmaker headed by billionaire Elon Musk, said it turned profitable in the first quarter, citing higher-than-expected sales of its Model S sedan. The Model S several months ago was named MotorTrend 2013 Car of the Year.

Tesla reached “full profitability” as Model S sales were more than 250 units higher than the 4,500 that the company estimated in mid-February, the automaker said in a statement Sunday.

Jaguar F-Type declared 2013 World Car Design of the Year

(April 1, 2013) The Jaguar F-TYPE has has been named the 2013 World Car Design of the Year. Ian Callum, director of design, Jaguar, said: "No design project has given me greater pleasure than the creation of the F-TYPE. It's a project I've looked forward to from the moment I joined Jaguar, and it's one that's given my team and I great satisfaction.

Mazda jumps straight to warp-speed to promote movie, Mazda6

(April 1, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — Mazda has announced the launch of a partnership with Paramount Pictures to develop a co-branded marketing campaign for the 2014 Mazda6 sedan and Paramount's "Star Trek Into Darkness" film opening May 17.