News archive

September 2014

Terrorizing Virginia Horse Country in Volkswagens

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By Russ Heaps
Clanging Bell

(September 9, 2014) MIDDLEBURG, Va. — I'm not the kind of guy who libels law enforcement at every turn. In fact, my experiences with state, county and city officers of the law since making South Carolina part of my routine has been pretty positive. But, I must admit, one of the reasons Virginia was never on my list of places to which I might relocate is because of its jackbooted enforcement of its speed limits — many of which are downright unbearably low.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado 'Build Your Own' site goes live

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(September 8, 2014) DETROIT — Consumers can customize their brand-new, 2015 Chevrolet Colorado – available at dealers this fall – with a “Build Your Own” tool.

“Our truck lineup is all about giving truck buyers choice,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “With the Build Your Own site, Colorado customers can equip their truck, request a quote from the dealer and even get a price on their trade-in.”

Charter Communications purchases 800 Ford Transit vans in U.S.

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(September 8, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — Technicians for the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States, Charter Communications of Stamford, Conn., will soon drive brand-new 2015 Ford Transit vans.

Charter recently ordered more than 800 low-roof, regular-wheelbase Transit vans with the standard 3.7-liter V6 engine for its technicians. These vehicles are used to transport equipment for installing and servicing Internet, TV and phone customer homes across 29 states.

Chrysler Canada reports highest August sales ever

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(September 8, 2014) WINDSOR, Ontario — Chrysler Canada last week announced its 57th consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth, signifying the longest sales streak in the company’s history. August 2014 sales were 26,825, compared with 21,932 in August 2013, representing a 22 per cent increase and marking the highest August sales ever, as well as the best calendar-year-to-date sales through August in the company’s history.

Mercedes-Benz expanding capacity of its Alabama plant

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(September 8, 2014) TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Mercedes-Benz is plans to increase capacity at its Tuscaloosa, Ala., plant to 300,000 vehicles by the end of 2015, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said here last week.

Last year the plant built 185,000 M class, GL class, and R class crossovers, and it began production of the redesigned C-class in June. A fifth vehicle, a coupe version of M class will be built at the plant starting next year.

General Motors sells August record 280,178 vehicles in China

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(September 7, 2014) SHANGHAI — General Motors and its joint ventures in China had their third-best month of 2014 in August. Their domestic sales rose 14.0 percent on an annual basis to 280,178 units, setting a new record for the month. By comparison, GM sold 271,423 vehicles in the U.S. in August.

August is 44th straight month of record U.S. sales for Audi

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(September 6, 2014) HERNDON, Va. — Audi achieved its best month ever in U.S. sales history in August. It was the 44th consecutive month of record monthly U.S. sales for the brand. Audi U.S. sales year-to-date have increased 14.5% to 116,066 vehicles.

Audi has maintained steady momentum throughout 2014, with the best-ever August result. The previous August record was set in 2013 with sales of 14,005 vehicles.

1972 E-Type Jaguar fetches over $70,000 in London sale

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(September 6, 2014) LONDON — A 1972 one-owner Jaguar E-type S3 FHC stormed past its £17,500 ($28,000) - £20,000 ($32,000) estimate to sell for £45,372 ($72,500) at Barons’ British Heritage sale at Sandown Park on Sept. 2. The car was part of the collection of the late David Cheeseman, and attracted a huge amount of interest, with bids coming in over the internet, from three phone bidders and from bidders in the bustling sale room itself.

Lexus releases its inner coupe: The new RC 350

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(September 6, 2014) WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Low. Long. Sleek. With a growling exhaust note and a searing red paint job that could have come from a concept car. Fast. Agile. Daring. The luxury-sport coupe category is about to get a lot hotter. The 2015 Lexus RC 350 arrives this fall, melding audacious design and high performance like no Lexus before.

2015 Colorado and Canyon offer segment-leading fuel economy

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(September 5, 2014) DETROIT — General Motors says the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon will offer segment-leading fuel economy for V-6 midsize pickups, based on EPA fuel economy estimates released this week. For V-6 pickups with automatic transmissions, which make up the majority of midsize truck sales, Colorado and Canyon offer highway fuel economy 3 to 5 mpg better than competitors, GM says.