April 2013

VW Beetle, Apple form alliance — it's the iBeetle

(April 20, 2013) Two iconic products will form an alliance later this year: the iPhone from Apple, and the Beetle from Volkswagen. The iPhone will interface with the Beetle and Beetle Convertible via a specially developed app and a docking station. The iBeetle is the first model line from the Volkswagen Group in which the iPhone will become an integrated component.

Buick turns 110: 11 highlights of 11 decades

(April 20, 2013) DETROIT — Buick vehicles today are built in state-of-the-art facilities around the world. The Enclave luxury crossover’s Lansing Delta Township plant was the industry’s first LEED Gold-certified manufacturing facility. The brand has evolved in many ways since 1903, when the first Buick was hand-built in a small barn behind David Dunbar Buick’s Detroit home.

Honda, Nissan issue recalls of late-model vehicles

(April 19, 2013) Honda said Thursday it will recall 205,000 vehicles in the United States to fix an automatic shift problem. The Japanese automaker said the recall covers 128,000 Honda CR-V vehicles and 59,000 Honda Odyssey vehicles from the 2012-13 model years and 17,500 Acura RDX vehicles from the 2013 model year. A component of the brake shift interlock system will be replaced in the vehicles.

Toyota to build Lexus ES 350 at its Georgetown, Ky., plant

(April 19, 2013) ERLANGER, Ky. — For the first time, a Lexus vehicle will be produced in the United States. The Lexus ES 350 will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK) in 2015, Toyota announced today.

The move will generate 750 new jobs. To support the new dedicated assembly li
ne, Toyota will invest $360 million in the Georgetown plant.

Volkswagen unveils its SUV future in form of CrossBlue Coupe Concept

(April 19, 2013) With the debut of the CrossBlue Coupé at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show, Volkswagen is giving a glimpse at the future and at a new era of SUV design. Klaus Bischoff, head of design for Volkswagen says: “The disproportionate growth in the SUV segment gives designers the opportunity to implement an even greater diversification of models. The CrossBlue Coupé shows the potential of our Volkswagen design DNA and will undoubtedly have an influence on future SUV models.”

Price is set for Kia's new entry-level luxury sedan — the Cadenza

(April 19, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — Kia Motors America (KMA) has announced pricing for its most powerful and technologically advanced Kia vehicle ever offered in the United States.  The 2014 Cadenza will be offered in one trim level with a starting at $35,900 including destination and handling, when it goes on sale later this month. 

Hyundai's new headquarters closer to completion

(April 19, 2013) COSTA MESA, Calif. — Hyundai Motor America approached another milestone this week on its way to completing a new $200 million U.S. corporate headquarters, as final perimeter panels of exterior glass were undergoing installation on the project’s main office tower. Currently under construction in Fountain Valley, Calif., the new headquarters project represents the largest investment in an office building ever made in the U.S. by Hyundai.

All-new Jeep Cherokee launching internationally in Shanghai

(April 18, 2013) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The all-new Jeep Cherokee raises the bar and is ready to take the mid-size SUV segment by storm — on any continent. Following close behind its world premiere in New York last month, the Jeep Cherokee has its international debut at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show on April 20.

Electric motorcycle showdown set for Pikes Peak Hill Climb

(April 18, 2013) COLORADO SPRINGS — An epic head-to-head showdown is all set in the electric motorcycle class in the Exhibition Powersport division in the 91st Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 30.

The electric motorcycle duel on America’s Mountain will pit the event’s racer with t
he fastest time on an electric bike, Chip Yates, against six-time Pikes Peak motorcycle champion Greg Tracy. They are the only entries in this class and the matchup promises to be a highlight of the day.

Chevrolet Cruze diesel rated at 46 mpg highway

(April 18, 2013) DETROIT — The new 2014 Chevrolet Cruze clean turbo diesel delivers an industry best EPA-estimated 46 mpg on the highway — better than any non-hybrid passenger car in America. It will be available in certain cities this spring and nationwide and in Canada in early fall.