July 2014

Actor Chris Pratt to drive Chevrolet SS pace car at Brickyard

(July 18, 2014) INDIANAPOLIS — Actor Chris Pratt — star of the soon-to-be-released movie “Guardians of the Galaxy” — will serve as honorary pace car driver in a 2014 red and silver Chevrolet SS pace car for the Crown Royal Presents the John Wayne Walding 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com on Sunday, July 27, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“It’s a dream come true to drive the pace car for the John Wayne Walding 400,” said Pratt, who has also appeared in ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ and ‘Moneyball.’  “I am really excited to be part of NASCAR for the day.”

All-new Hyundai Sonata awarded IIHS Top Safety Pick +

(July 18, 2014) The 2015 Hyundai Sonata was named a 2014 TOP SAFETY PICK+, when equipped with optional forward collision warning, by the U.S.-based Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).

Available with a host of safety and driving convenience features such as Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, a Lane Departure Warning System and rear parking sensors, the 2015 Sonata brings a new level of safety and refinement to the midsize sedan category. Sonata joins the 2015 Genesis in earning the highest honor from IIHS.

New 2015 Mustang V-8 gets horsepower boost to 435

(July 18, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — The all-new 2015 Ford Mustang offers three great engines including a standard 300-horsepower V6, a brand-new 310-horsepower EcoBoost or an upgraded 435-horsepower V8. Each powerplant is available with either a manual or automatic transmission that makes the pony car a great all-around performer – no matter how the equipment is mixed and matched to suit any individual driving style.

Toyota skips auto shows, releases views of new 2015 Sienna on line

(July 18, 2014) TORRANCE, Calif.  — A toddler rockets into space. A family’s imagination runs wild. A father begins a curious conversation. With a little creativity, some CGI effects and a bit of ironic humor, the redesigned 2015 Toyota Sienna is the star of the show. For the first time, Toyota is revealing a new vehicle completely online, introducing the 2015 Sienna van through the eyes of three creative, social media-savvy parents.

2015 Ford Expedition to enter marketplace with new technologies

(July 17, 2014) The new 2015 Ford Expedition is a full-size utility vehicle for consumers who want capability, class-leading maximum cargo space in the extended-length version and the latest advanced technologies. The 2015 Expedition goes on sale later this year with a refreshed new look, a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that also powers the industry-leading Ford F-150, and a quieter cabin with more technology than previous-generation vehicles.

It will be the latest Ford nameplate to offer a high-end Platinum series.

GM worldwide vehicle sales top 2.5 million in second quarter

(July 17, 2014) DETROIT — General Motors sold 2,505,889 vehicles around the world in the second quarter of 2014, with year-over-year sales in the United States and China up 7 percent and 8 percent, respectively. Total sales were up one-half percent in the second quarter. In the first half, GM sold 4,921,928 vehicles, up 1.4 percent.

“GM did well in the world’s two largest and most profitable vehicle markets and that helped us grow despite very challenging market conditions in parts of South America, Asia and Eastern Europe,” said GM CEO Mary Barra.

707-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat to start at 60 grand

(July 17, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Dodge brand is putting all car enthusiasts on notice with its new 2015 Dodge Challenger lineup, delivering more performance, precision and world-class technology features, including the segment’s first TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission and the most powerful muscle car ever, the new supercharged 707 horsepower Challenger SRT Hellcat model. While the base Challenger SXT model will start at $26,995, the Hellcat will go out the door for $59,995.

A new smart fortwo revealed, along with a first-ever smart forfour

(July 17, 2014) The revolution enters the next round — the smart fortwo has undergone improvements in virtually all areas and is markedly more comfortable. The hallmark smart rear engine concept is being offered for the first time in the four-seater smart forfour as well.

Baseball All-Star MVP Mike Trout drives off in a new Corvette Stingray

(July 16, 2014) MINNEAPOLIS — The 2014 Ted Williams MLB All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, Mike Trout, chose a Corvette Stingray, during the MVP award ceremony presented by Chevrolet Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

Chevrolet gave Trout his choice of the 2014 North American Car and Truck of the Year – the Stingray or the Silverado full-size pickup – for his being named the All-Star MVP. Chevrolet has been the Official Vehicle of Major League Baseball since 2005.

Convenience comes standard on every Buick model

(July 15, 2014) PALO ALTO, Calif. — Being able to stay connected, even while in the car, is a high priority for many drivers and passengers on the road today. That’s why every 2015 Buick model will come standard with Apple Siri Eyes Free and Text Message Alerts. Most 2015 Buick models will also come standard with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, powered by OnStar with 4G LTE.