May 2014

Nissan introduces Pulsar in Europe to compete with with Focus, Golf

(May 22, 2014) PARIS — Nissan's passion for innovation and technology has seen it transform the family car landscape over the course of the last seven years. Now, using the same design approach and original thinking that produced the Qashqai, X-Trail and Note, Nissan in Europe is expanding its product portfolio once more with an exciting all-new family hatchback challenger — the Pulsar.

Hyundai Tucson fuel cell vehicles arrive in Southern California

(May 21, 2014) PORT HUENEME, Calif. — Today, at a port near Los Angeles, Hyundai’s Tucson fuel vell crossovers began rolling onto U.S. soil, marking the first delivery of a mass-produced fuel cell vehicle for the U.S. market. The first retail sale of the Tucson Fuel Cell is expected within the next several weeks in Southern California.

Under the Hyundai leasing program, approved lessees can drive Hyundai’s next-generation Tucson Fuel Cell for $499 per month, including unlimited free hydrogen refueling and “At Your Service” valet maintenance at no extra cost.

GM recalls 2.42 million additional vehicles in four recalls

(May 21, 2014) DETROIT — General Motors is recalling 2.42 million U.S. cars, trucks and SUVs in four separate safety recalls, raising its recall total for the year to more than 13.6 million vehicles.

GM said on Tuesday that it expects to take a second-quarter charge of about $400 million, mostly to cover the cost of recalls announced during the period. That includes a $200 million charge from five recalls that GM announced late last week.

Dealers begin taking orders for all-new Mustang

(May 21, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — For Ford Mustang fans everywhere, today they are one big step closer to experiencing the next generation as Ford has begun accepting dealer orders for the 2015 fastback.

Ever since the world got its first look at the all-new 2015 Mustang nearly six months ago, the anticipation has been palpable. Ford engineers have been racking up millions of testing miles, refining each system to make sure everything is just right before the first Mustangs reach customers later this year.

BMW brings 4 Series test drive experience to 324 dealers

(May 21, 2014) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.  — BMW this week has launched the BMW Un4gettable Test Drive Experience, which allows drivers to test drive the all new BMW 4 Series at 324 BMW centers nationwide.  The Un4gettable Test Drive Experience runs from May to October.

Drivers will have the opportunity to test drive the BMW 428i Convertible, BMW 428i Coupe, BMW 435i Convertible and BMW 435i Coupe. 

The Hellcat: Dodge unleashes most powerful Challenger ever

(May 21, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The newly consolidated Dodge and SRT brands are launching out of the gate at full throttle, introducing the new 600-plus horsepower 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT with a Hellcat engine and its stablemate — the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT — just one month after taking the wraps off the new Dodge Challenger 392 HEMIScat Pack Shaker at the New York Auto Show.

Toyota celebrates 100,000 United Kingdom hybrid sales

(May 20, 2014) On Oct. 19, 2000, the first day of the British International Motor Show, Toyota launched UK sales of its first-generation Prius. Fourteen years later it is celebrating 100,000 hybrids sold nationwide, confirmation that its powertrain technology is now an accepted and popular part of the mainstream motoring market.

Ford’s European sales volume and market share rise in April

(May 20, 2014) COLOGNE, Germany — Ford said its sales in Europe rose in April, marking the 11th straight month of year-over-year sales improvement and fifth successive month of market share gains.

Overall, Ford sold 99,700 vehicles in April in its European 20 main markets, an increase of 6,200 compared with April 2013.  Ford’s 6.6 per cent improvement outpaced total industry growth of 4.2 percent in Europe, and boosted Ford’s market share up by 0.2 of a percentage point to 7.9 per cent.

First thoughts on the new 2015 VW Golf

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(May 20, 2014) Sleep has yet to come after a flight back to Detroit from San Francisco on the Red Eye. Landing at 6:30 a.m. after a full day driving every 2015 Golf I could get my hands on only served to underline the tiredness I felt, and the initial impression that the new Golf is a standard bearer for VW from this point forward. It is the stake in the ground around which the company’s new lineup of vehicles will be built.