December 2013

BMW Group reports best November global sales ever

(December 11, 2013) MUNICH —The BMW Group reported record monthly sales for November with 174,996 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles delivered worldwide. Sales were 2.7% higher than for the same month last year  and between January and November, sales increased by 6.8% to reach a new all-time high of 1,777,017 vehicles.

Honda says its Ridgeline pickup will get new life

(December 11, 2013) TORRANCE, Calif. — An all-new Honda Ridgeline pickup truck will come to market in less than two years and Honda has shared a sketch expressing the new truck's styling direction. Honda also confirmed that production of the current Ridgeline, built exclusively by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, will conclude in mid-2014.

Three GM vehicles vying for 2014 North American Car and Truck of Year

(December 11, 2013) General Motors has three of the six finalists for 2014 North American Car and Truck of the Year honors. Winners will be announced Jan. 13 during a press conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Mary Barra named GM CEO replacing Dan Akerson who retires in January

(December 10, 2013) DETROIT — General Motors today announced that Dan Akerson, who guided today’s GM to record profits and dramatic improvement in vehicle quality while closing the chapter on government ownership in the company, will step down as chairman and CEO on Jan. 15.

Volkswagen increases sales worldwide; down in U.S. and Europe

(December 10, 2013) WOLFSBURG, Germany — While sales have been off in the U.S. and Europe, the Volkswagen passenger cars brand recorded a good delivery performance in November worldwide with volumes up 3.4 percent to 522,100 units compared to 504,800 in November 2012. For the first 11 months of the year, 5.4 million vehicles were handed over to customers, an increase of 3.4 percent.

U.S. sells last shares of GM; no more 'Government Motors'

(December 10, 2013) DETROIT — The U.S. Treasury on Monday (Dec. 9) sold its last shares of General Motors stock, ending more than four years of government ownership in the nation’s largest automaker at a loss of about $10.5 billion to U.S. taxpayers.

Hyundai concept called first vehicle inspired by Fluidic Sculpture 2.0

(December 10, 2013) OFFENBACH, Germany — Hyundai is set to unveil Intrado, an iconic concept car that confirms the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation by previewing future developments for the brand, at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

GM facility solves tough waste challenge

(December 9, 2013) ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Perseverance and creativity enabled a 75-year old General Motors manufacturing facility here to go landfill-free. The journey took four years and included seven attempts to recycle a challenging oily filter sludge generated from a machining operation.

Toyo Tire breaks ground for expansion plant and warehouse in Georgia

(December 9, 2013) WHITE, Ga. — Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing, Inc. ( located in White, Ga., broke ground last week for a 700,000-square foot addition to its current 2 million square foot tire manufacturing plant. 

Nissan makes effort to demonstrate NV200 taxi's superiority

(December 9, 2013) NEW YORK — Nissan says it is demonstrating the NV200 taxi's superiority over every other taxi in New York City by launching an interactive marketing campaign titled ‘#HailYes.' The campaign, created by TBWA New York, centers on capturing New Yorkers' opinions on the NV200 taxi's unique features and encouraging them to give a #HailYes to the Nissan taxi.