June 2014

Jeep sales rising in UK even before new Cherokee arrives

(June 8, 2014) LONDON — Proof of Jeep’s rediscovered, but continued, popularity in the United Kingdom is illustrated in today’s new car registrations figures for May. The legendary 4x4 manufacturer registered 279 sales last month, the ninth consecutive monthly sales climb, and up 218 per cent when compared with the same period last year.

The largest model in the current Jeep range, Grand Cherokee, performed exceptionally well again, registering 184 sales – an increase of 207 per cent over May 2013, according to figures supplied by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

General Motors, Ford find growing success in China

(June 8, 2014) General Motors and its joint ventures sold a May record 276,109 vehicles in China. In the meantime, Ford's China sales grew 32 percent in May with 93,323 wholesales sold compared to 70,449 wholesales in May 2013.

Year-to-date Ford sales were up 39 percent, with 461,473 wholesales sold compared to 332,308 wholesales sold in the first five months of 2013.

Hot Rods Forever stamps limited-edition on sale at post offices

(June 7, 2014) YORK, Pa. — The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the fast, powerful vehicles thrill-seeking enthusiasts have been modifying for nearly a century by dedicating the limited-edition Hot Rods Forever Stamps. The stamps depict two 1932 Ford "Deuce" roadsters — a black '32 Ford with orange flames running down the car's body — and a red '32 Ford.

2015 Volvo XC60 T6 Drive-E — All new in front of the A-pillars

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(June 7, 2014) Let’s be blunt: The big changes in Volvo’s XC60 are confined to the area in front of the A-pillars. From there back, it’s the same platform first launched in 2008, and shared with its former family members, Land Rover and Ford. The reason for this change is simple: Volvo’s new family of Drive-E engines required a redesign of the front structur
e, and Volvo took the opportunity to tweak and improve the vehicle’s crash capability.

Hertz expands dream collection In Europe with additional elite models

(June 6, 2014) LONDON — The Hertz Corporation has recently expanded its exclusive Dream Collection in Europe with new stunning models such as the Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe in Italy and the UK and the stylish Maserati GranTurismo in France. Other newly added high end vehicles include the powerful Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed in the Netherlands and the modern BMW 6 Series Convertible in Spain.

"The Hertz Dream Collection gives people the opportunity to experience some of the most famous and desirable brands in elite motoring," commented Michel Taride, group president, Hertz International.

Supercharged Corvette LT4 V-8 most powerful ever from Chevrolet

(June 6, 2014) DETROIT — The all-new 2015 Corvette Z06 is the most powerful production car ever from General Motors and one of a few production cars available in the United States that delivers more than 600 horsepower.

The Z06’s LT4 supercharged 6.2L V-8 engine is SAE-certified at 650 horsepower (485 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque (881 Nm) at 3,600 rpm.

Mini introduces the all-new Hardtop 4 Door

(June 6, 2014) WOODCLIFF, N.J. — Just a few months after the market launch of the new Mini Hardtop 2 door, the British premium brand is expanding its model range with the addition of an entirely new body variant. The Mini Hardtop 4 door combines the legendary go-kart handling that Mini customers love with newly added utility in the form of two added doors.

Airstream introduces Autobahn, an all-new luxury passenger van

(June 6, 2014) JACKSON CENTER, Ohio — Airstream, maker of the iconic silver-bullet travel trailers, has unveiled its all-new luxury passenger van — the Airstream Autobahn — a vehicle that delivers a new standard in VIP travel. Through its ongoing collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, Airstream combines its signature quality and design with individualized comfort, convenience and productivity in this new category-creating platform.

GM dismisses 15 employees after ignition switch investigation

(June 5, 2014) DETROIT — General Motors CEO Mary Barra said today that GM has received the findings of an investigation by former U.S. Attorney Anton Valukas into the Cobalt ignition switch recall and plans to act on all of its recommendations.

Barra said 15 employees have been dismissed, including at least eight executives, after the internal investigation found “a pattern of incompetence and neglect” that led to 11 years of delays in recalling millions of cars for a fatal defect.

2015 Subaru WRX STI sets lap record at Isle of Man TT Road Course

(June 5, 2014) DOUGLAS, Isle of Man — Subaru of America has announced that a 2015 Subaru WRX STI piloted by Mark Higgins set a new lap record of the fabled 37-mile Isle of Man TT Road Course with an average lap speed of 116.470 and a time of 19.26. This breaks the current record of 115.36 that was set three years ago by Mark Higgins in a 2010 Subaru WRX STI.

The run was completed in a U.S.-spec 2015 Subaru WRX STI.