April 2013

Mercedes to show concept SUV in Shanghai, the GLA

(April 18, 2013) MONTVALE, N.J. — Mercedes-Benz announced today that it will debut the Concept GLA premium compact SUV at the Shanghai auto show next week. The Concept GLA blends dramatic styling with clear functionality for recreational use. Under the hood of this new concept vehicle 172.5-inch long vehicle sits a four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine rated at 208 horsepower with a displacement of 2.0 liters.

Flat Rock Assembly Plant celebrates producing one-millionth Mustang

(April 18, 2013) FLAT ROCK, Mich. — Happy Birthday Mustang! Forty-nine years to the day after its 1964 debut in New York, the iconic sports car celebrates another milestone: One million Mustangs have rolled off the line at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant since production moved there in 2004. Ford is celebrating this milestone as year 50 of continuous Mustang production gets under way at Flat Rock Assembly.

Ram's 'Road to the Ram Jam' raises $181,731 for charities

(April 17, 2013) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Ram Truck brand is celebrating the end of its successful "Road to the Ram Jam" all-star country music series which raised $181,731 for charities with the auction of each participating artist's Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck.

Chevy Spark EV electric motor to be manufactured in Baltimore

(April 17, 2013) WHITE MARSH, Md. — Until now, electric motors and drive units — the heart and soul of electric vehicles — have been mostly imports. General Motors this week commemorated becoming the first U.S.-based automaker to manufacture these key parts in America for the new Chevrolet Spark EV at its Baltimore Operations plant in White Marsh, Md.

Honda has encouraging start to 2013 in Europe

(April 17, 2013) LONDON — First quarter figures for 2013 show an encouraging start to the year for Honda in  Europe. At 40,499 units, Honda's European sales volume has grown by 16.3 per cent compared to 2012. Honda in the United Kingdom echoes this positive start with an increase of 23.04 per cent.

OnStar’s First Assist gets EMD accreditation

(April 17, 2013) SALT LAKE CITY — Helping deliver a baby is not listed in an OnStar advisor’s job description, but within the past year an emergency advisor has helped coach a woman through labor, while others administered CPR instruction to a young child and instructed how to stop excessive bleeding — all while the caller waited for help to arrive.

Nearly 2 million Toyota and Lexus hybrids have been sold in U.S.

(April 17, 2013) TORRANCE, Calif. — Nearly 2 million (1,951,243) Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles have been sold in the United States since the first Prius left the showroom more than a decade ago, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.

The announcement was made today by Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA,  in conjunction with Toyota's announcement in Japan that it has sold 5 million hybrid vehicles worldwide.

Chevrolet posts 10th straight quarter of record global sales

(April 16, 2013) DETROIT — Chevrolet sold more than 1.18 million vehicles around the world in the first quarter of 2013 achieving its 10th consecutive quarter of record global sales on the strength of products like the Cruze compact car which recently surpassed the 2 million mark in total global sales since its launch in 2009.

2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid offers 26 mpg combined fuel economy

(April 16, 2013) With the introduction of an all-new fourth-generation Pathfinder last year, Nissan's legendary adventure-ready SUV took a major step forward in refinement, enhanced fuel economy, cutting-edge technology and family utility.

Now, for the 2014 model year, the evolution of the Pathfinder continues with the introduction of a new hybrid powertrain system designed to enhance fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions with no reduction of driving performance, passenger roominess or cargo capacity.

Nissan and Habitat for Humanity build a real 'Heisman House'

(April 16, 2013) NEW ORLEANS — On most days, Aldon Lightfoot works with fellow longshoremen to load and unload ships at the Port of New Orleans. Today, Lightfoot worked alongside seven members of an elite class of athletes — Heisman Memorial Trophy winners — to build a Habitat home for his growing family.