January 2014

GM engineers get firsthand dealership experience

(January 31, 2014) DETROIT — Engineers behind the Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac CTS, GMC Sierra and Buick Enclave are learning on dealership sales floors and in service bays what customers like and dislike about the cars and trucks they helped create.

So far, the General Motors’ Professional Development Assignment has dispatched 90 engineers nationwide to meet with field service engineers, dealership sales managers and after sales service technicians with many more to follow this year.

Dodge to introduce new Journey model at Chicago Auto Show

(January 31, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Building on the Dodge Journey’s best sales year ever in 2013, the Dodge brand is introducing a new Journey model — the 2014 Dodge Journey Crossroad — at the 2014 Chicago Auto Show. 

Dodge to present the ‘Final Tour’ of iconic rock band Motley Crue

(January 31, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — After more than three decades together, iconic rock band Motley Crue announced its “Final Tour.” This will be the last chance to ever see the band perform live. The Dodge brand is the presenting sponsor of the tour, which begins this summer. 
 
Motley Crue made the announcement in Los Angeles earlier this week where the band signed a formal “Cessation of Touring Agreement,” effective at the end of 2015, before celebrating the announcement with performances on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live (Tuesday) and CBS This Morning (Wednesday).

Ford invests $80 million, creates 350 jobs at Kentucky Truck Plant

(January 31, 2014) LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ford Motor Company will add 350 new jobs and invest $80 million in its Kentucky Truck Plant to meet growing demand for Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks.

The $80 million will pay for facility upgrades, retooling and increased capacity to meet market demand. The investment and new employment opportunities are estimated to result in a 15 percent increase in production capacity, or approximately 55,000 units.

The Volkswagen Beetle celebrates 65 years in the United States

(January 31, 2014) HERNDON, Va. — This month, the Volkswagen Beetle celebrates 65 years since it first arrived in the United States. In January of 1949, a Volkswagen “Type 1,” or Beetle, was shipped to New York City by Ben Pon, Sr., a Dutch businessman and the world’s first official Volkswagen importer.

Subaru to unveil all-new Legacy sedan in Chicago

(January 30, 2014) CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Subaru will unveil an all-new 2015 Legacy sedan at the Chicago Auto Show Feb. 6. Subaru is not revealing pictures of the new sedan, just a glimpse.

The outline of the new sedan shows that it will offer a sleeker, more coupe-like profile with a faster windshield rake angle and narrower A-pillars to create a sporty stance.

Ford celebrates production start for all-new EcoSport SUV in Thailand

(January 30, 2014) RAYONG, Thailand — Ford Motor Company today celebrated the official start of production for the all-new Ford EcoSport urban SUV at the company’s state-of-the-art Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) plant in Rayong.

FTM becomes the fourth plant globally to build the all-new EcoSport, joining Ford facilities in Chennai, India, Chonqing, China and Camcari, Brazil, reinforcing the strategic role of Thailand as a volume production and export hub in the region.

2015 Chevy Silverado HD stars in Super Bowl ad

(January 30, 2014) DETROIT — The new 2015 Chevrolet Silverado HD makes a bullish first impression in its new commercial that will air during the Super Bowl XLVIII broadcast on Sunday, Feb. 2.

The 2015 Silverado HD’s first TV ad, “Romance,” is a charming story about a man, his truck and a new bachelor in town. It follows a handsome cattle rancher as he transports his stud-bull to an exciting, romantic rendezvous across town in the new Silverado HD — Chevrolet’s strongest and most advanced heavy-duty pickup ever.

Nissan IDX Freeflow and IDX NISMO concepts storm West Coast

(January 30, 2014) LOS ANGELES — The Nissan IDx Freeflow and IDx NISMO concepts will be on display in Southern California in a whirlwind, three-day tour starting on Friday (Jan. 31) through Feb. 2.  The revolutionary concept vehicles, stars of the recent auto shows in Tokyo and Detroit, will be showcased in a variety of classic California locales, from the streets of Venice to Irvine's Cars & Coffee, and a special event at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

Heated features in cars are very welcome during a cold winter

By Russ Heaps
Clanging Bell

(January 30, 2014) Historically, I'm not the kind of guy who has had to give much thought to heated seats, heated outboard mirrors or heated steering wheels in cars. I mean, I lived in South Florida for 25 years, for crying out loud.