(March 5, 2015) INDIANAPOLIS — Mercedes-Benz Vans has introduced the Metris commercial van at the NTEA Work Truck Show here this week. This follows the “Mission: Metris” teaser campaign at SEMA in Las Vegas in November, which featured four custom upfitted Metris concept vans.

The Metris, which launches at U.S. dealers in October, is the U.S. and Canadian sibling to the Vito, which remains the midsize commercial van nameplate for all other global markets.

(March 5, 2015) BMW will celebrate the 40th anniversary of BMW North America as well as the company’s first major US motorsports victory at the 1975 12 Hours of Sebring at the 2015 New York International Auto Show  April 1and 2.

The company will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alpina with the North American debut of the  2016 BMW Alpina B6 xDrive Gran Coupe. Additional vehicles that will be displayed at the BMW Stand include the Sebring-winning 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL, a current BMW Z4 GTLM race car, and a 1970 BMW 2002ti Alpina race car. Other highlights will include the BMW i8 and  i3, as well as the BMW X5M, and X6M.

(March 4, 2015) DETROIT — Designed to deliver more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features than ever, the next-generation 2016 Chevrolet Malibu will make its public debut at the New York International Auto Show this April.

Using a blank slate approach, Chevrolet designers benefited from an entirely new architecture, which for Malibu includes a wheelbase nearly four inches longer than the outgoing model. That, in turn, provides increased rear legroom and interior space.

(March 4, 2015) Winter weather across much of the country in February blunted auto sales, but not enough to prevent small gains over February 2014 for most companies. Overall sales were 1.26 million, slightly below the predicted sales of 1.3 million.

“The underlying fundamentals supporting growth in 2015 remain solid,” Yong Yang, Ford’s chief economist for the Americas, said. “In spite of the recent rebound, fuel prices remain low and continue to provide a significant boost to consumer disposable income.”