May 2016

U.S. orders expansion of Takata airbag recalls

(May 5, 2016) WASHINGTON – U.S. auto safety regulators ordered a vast expansion of the Takata airbag inflator recalls on Wednesday, more than doubling the number of hazardous parts covered by the callbacks in a move that the auto industry will spend the next several years sorting out.

Ford targets quieter vehicles with first mobile aeroacoustic wind tunnel

(May 5, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — Consumers want quieter vehicles, a leading purchase consideration among those looking for a new car. So Ford has come up with a better way to make its vehicles even quieter.

The world’s first fully mobile aeroacoustic wind tunnel is an innovative, patent-pending test system that allows for sources of unwanted wind noise in early production vehicles to be identified faster and solutions developed sooner. In the end, customers drive away in cars designed with a quiet interior that’s so essential to delivering a refined vehicle experience.

Harley warms up to summer driving season

(May 5, 2016) MILWAUKEE — With warm sunshine, blue skies and smooth roads looming, Harley-Davidson dealers are hosting special events, special promotions and demo opportunities featuring the latest new Harley-Davidson motorcycles to get everyone — riders and those ready to learn — ready for summer riding season 2016.

"Nothing beats the feeling of riding a motorcycle on a sunny summer day, and right now nobody has more going for riders than Harley-Davidson," says Dino Bernacchi, Harley-Davidson U.S. marketing director.

Cadillac's global April sales down 18 percent over 2015

(May 5, 2016) Cadillac sold 19,983 new vehicles globally in April, a decrease of 18%, as the brand phases out its top-selling SRX Crossover in advance of shipments of the all-new XT5 successor. 

With the XT5 Cadillac is launching the new crossover into the strongest segment in the luxury marketplace. Deliveries of SRX fell sharply in April as inventory levels dropped in advance of more widespread availability of the all-new XT5.

Chrysler Pacifica, Shelby GT350R winners at Texas Auto Roundup

(May 5, 2016) FORT WORTH, Texas — The all-new Chrysler Pacifica minivan, which takes the place of the long-running Town and Country, was named the Family Car of Texas at the annual Texas Auto Roundup held at the Texas Motor Speedway earlier this week. The hot-performing Mustang Shelby GT350R was named the Car of Texas at the two-day event.

After 30 years, Chevy Suburban heavier, more expensive, hauls less

(May 4, 2016) A new comparison from GMPartsOnline.net shows that the 2016 Chevy Suburban is nearly twice the price of the 1986 Chevy Suburban, even after adjusting for inflation. The 2016 Suburban is also 1,200 pounds heavier, seats one fewer passenger, and has a lower payload rating than the 1986 model. However, the 2016 Suburban does outperform the 1986 model in terms of engine power and fuel economy.

"The new Suburban is one of my favorite Chevrolet vehicles, but I think it's fair to say the Suburban's asking price has exploded since 1986," says Gib Goodrich, director of GMPartsOnline.net.

U.S. new-car sales up 3.5 percent over April 2015

(May 4, 2016) Ford, Fiat Chrysler, Nissan, Honda and Toyota were the big winners among the larger automotive companies in April new-car sales that were up 3.5 percent over April 2015 with 1.506 million vehicles sold.

“Consumer preference for SUVs and pickup trucks continued unabated in April,” said Reid Bigland, FCA’s senior vice president for North America sales. Sales at FCA were up 6 percent over last year with monthly sales of 199,631.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles keeps sales winning streak going in April

(May 4, 2016) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — FCA has reported U.S. sales of 199,631 units, a 6 percent increase compared with sales in April 2015 (189,027 units), and the group’s best April sales in 11 years.

The Jeep and Ram Truck brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in April compared with the same month a year ago. The Jeep brand’s 17 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any FCA US brand during the month.

Ford combines new 10-speed transmission with reworked engine in F-150

(May 4, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford continues its relentless pace of innovation delivering more torque and better acceleration to 2017 F-150 customers with the all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and 10-speed automatic transmission. The new second-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine will provide 30 lb.-ft. more peak torque compared with the first-generation 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, up to a best-in-class 450 lb.-ft. for a V6. The F-150 remains the only truck in its segment to offer a twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine.

Video of 2017 Ford Raptor shows its high-performance, off-road capabilities

(May 3, 2016) OCOTILLO WELLS, Calif. — It’s one thing to describe the capabilities and features of the all-new 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor. But nothing compares to seeing F-150 Raptor do what it does best.

Shot on the same Mojave Desert terrain where F-150 Raptor was designed and tested to excel, the Ford video is a six-part monthly series that shows why F-150 Raptor is the ultimate high-performance off-road pickup truck.