January 2015

VW Golf, Ford F-150 earn North American car, truck of year honors

(January 12, 2015) DETROIT — The Volkswagen Golf and Ford F-150 were named 2015 North American Car and Truck of the Year today by a panel of 57 automotive journalists.

The Golf faced the Ford Mustang and the Hyundai Genesis for the car award, while the F-150 was up against the Lincoln MKC and the Chevy Colorado in the truck/utility finals.

Jaguar confirms an all-new performance crossover to join 2016 lineup

(January 12, 2015) MAHWAH, N.J. — Jaguar has confirmed it will introduce an all-new performance crossover model to the Jaguar line-up, to go on-sale in 2016, named the Jaguar F-PACE. It's Jaguar's first foray into the crossover SUV segment.

Ian Callum, director of design, Jaguar, commented, “We received such an overwhelmingly positive response to the C-X17 concept car last year that we just had to make it a reality.

Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE makes world debut in Detroit

(January 12, 2015) DETROIT — At the end of 2016, Volkswagen will start production of one of its most important new models in the past five decades in Chattanooga, Tenn. — a seven-seater mid-size SUV. As a preview to this vehicle, Volkswagen will show the five-seater Cross Coupe GTE at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Top-down luxury returns to the Buick lineup

(January 11, 2015) DETROIT — Buick today introduced the 2016 Cascada — a dynamic, stylish convertible that uses innovative powertrain and chassis technologies to complement the driving experience. The Cascada will be the first Buick convertible offered in the United States in 25 years and the latest globally developed vehicle to join the brand’s growing portfolio. It goes on sale in early 2016. 

Moffatt slides Fiat 500 into a new Guinness world parallel park record

(January 11, 2015) BIRMINGHAM, England — Globally-renowned stunt driver Alastair Moffatt has reclaimed his Guinness World Record for the Tightest Parallel Park during the Performance Car Show at the 2015 Autosport International Racing Car Show here this weekend.

Toyota built nearly 2 million vehicles in North America in 2014

(January 10, 2015) ERLANGER, Ky. — After roughly three decades, Toyota North America marks a historic record with 1,985,501 vehicles produced in 2014, a 7 percent increase. In addition, Toyota built a record 1,909,848 engines, an 11 percent increase from 2013. Stronger demand was driven in part by the redesigned Camry, Corolla, Highlander and RAV4 models. 
 

Subaru finds inner ‘Fountain of Youth’ in new ad for XV Crosstrek

(January 10, 2015) CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Subaru of America has debuted its new advertising campaign for the 2015 XV Crosstrek with the television spot, “Fountain.” The new spot, created by agency of record Carmichael Lynch, focuses on the vehicle’s go-anywhere attitude and fun-loving spirit.

Mopar to showcase trio of customized vehicles at Detroit Auto Show

(January 10, 2015) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — When doors open at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2015 in Detroit, a trio of customized vehicles will showcase how Mopar is ready to help owners personalize their rides.

 The service, parts and customer-care brand will display a pair of Mopar-equipped Jeep Renegade vehicles and a Dodge Challenger T/A Concept vehicle at the event, scheduled for Jan. 12–25 at the Cobo Center.

Despite decline in U.S., Volkswagen sets record for cars sold worldwide

(January 9, 2015) WOLFSBURG, Germany — “The Volkswagen passenger cars brand closed the 10th year in succession with a new delivery record, topping the six-million mark for the first time in a 12-month period.

That means we have doubled deliveries by the brand since 2004,” said Christian Klingler, board member for Sales and Marketing for the Volkswagen Group and the Volkswagen passenger cars brand.

Honda agrees to pay $70 million in fines for failure to report warranty claims

(January 9, 2015) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda has agreed to pay a record $70 million in fines and submit to stricter oversight for failing to tell the U.S. government about warranty claims and more than 1,700 injuries and deaths linked to potential defects in its cars.

Automakers are required to report such information under a 14-year-old U.S. law, and Honda’s violations may have hampered the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ability to quickly identify vehicle flaws.