News archive

August 2016

One-millionth Audi Q5 leaves Ingolstadt production line

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(August 4, 2016) INGOLSTADT, Germany — The one-millionth Audi Q5 drove off the production line at Audi’s main plant in Ingolstadt today. The jubilee car, an SQ5 in Sepang Blue, will be delivered to a family in Germany. The international success of the Audi Q5 began in 2008, when Audi launched this model in the segment of mid-range SUVs — the second Q-model after the Audi Q7.

Elvis' BMW 507 comes back to life; to be displayed at Pebble Beach

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(August 4, 2016) MUNICH — One of the most spectacular classic-car discoveries of recent times is a BMW 507 purchased by Elvis Presley while he was doing his military service in Germany. Presley was already famous at that time as the “King of Rock’n’Roll.” After that the 507 disappeared for nearly 50 years and was believed to have been lost before returning to the limelight.

2016 VW Beetle Dune: Seen this movie before

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By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(August 4, 2016) The 1984 movie Dune cost an estimated $40 million to make, and grossed $27 million in the U.S. It took more than six years to bring to the screen, and is a film both director David Lynch and actor Kyle MacLachlan (among many, many others) probably would like to forget.

Nissan's future lab experiments imagine new vehicle models, map future

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(August 3, 2016) TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Nissan is conducting a series of real-world experiments and trials to bring future mobility scenarios to life through several "Living Labs" underway at Nissan Future Lab. The "Living Lab" research provides user data to help Nissan anticipate and evolve to meet future transportation needs.

The difference between traditional research methods and Nissan's "Living Labs" is the research relies on networking with external partners — like San Francisco-based Scoot Networks — to uncover opportunities and learn through observing user behaviors.

Hyundai drops 2017 Sonata price by $150

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(August 3, 2016) SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The Hyundai Sonata continues to offer a strong lineup in 2017 with three efficient powertrain options, great technology, and newly available dynamic bending light. The 2017 Sonata starts at $22,435 including destination charge, which is $150 less than last year.

2017 Sonata Packaging changes maximize value, safety, and comfort at every price point across the lineup. The price has been dropped $600 on the Sonata Eco to just $23,125 and the Sport 2.0T came down an incredible $2,300 from last year to $26,600.

Honda sets new sales record for July

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(August 2, 2016) TORRANCE, Calif. — American Honda today reported July sales of 152,799 Honda and Acura vehicles, a 4.4 percent gain over last July and a new July record. Total American Honda truck sales set a new all-time monthly record of 77,740 sales to jump 10.1 percent.

The Honda Division set a new July total vehicle sales record, rising 5.9 percent on sales of 139,125, while Honda trucks set an all-time monthly record with a 12.2 percent increase on sales of 68,518 vehicles. Honda car sales were up 0.4 percent for the month, netting 70,607 sales.

Truck and van sales up, but overall July sales down 3 percent at Ford

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(August 2, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford’s total truck sales, including pickups and vans, grew 5 percent in July versus a year ago with 87,104 sold. Overall company U.S. sales were down 3 percent, with 216,479 total vehicles sold.

Fleet sales — sales to large companies, government customers and rental car companies — were up 6 percent, with 55,321 sold. Retail sales were down 6 percent, with 161,158 sold. Van sales reached their best July sales since 1978, with 20,236 sold, driven largely by Transit with a 41 percent gain. F-Series pickups posted a 1 percent decline, with 65,657 sold.

Fiat Chrysler sales up slightly in July on strength of fleet sales

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(August 2, 2016) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles today reported U.S. sales of 180,727 units, up 0.3 percent compared with sales in July 2015 (180,124 units). FCA retail sales of 155,885 were down 2 percent in July, while fleet sales of 24,842 were up 22 percent year-over-year.
 
Both the Jeep and Ram Truck brands were up 5 percent in July compared with the same month a year ago. The Jeep Renegade, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot posted sales gains in July versus July 2015, as did the Ram pickup truck and the Ram ProMaster and Ram ProMaster City vans.

Buick Avista named Concept Car of the Year

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(August 2, 2016) DETROIT — The Buick Avista received the 2016 Concept Car of the Year and the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of the Year at the 2016 North American Concept Vehicle Awards ceremony today at the Concours d’Elegance of America in Plymouth, Mich.

The awards recognize the vehicle that makes the strongest impact in terms of automotive design, engineering and market responsiveness. The Avista is both an indicator of Buick’s future design direction and a celebration of its deep design heritage.

Chevrolet Volt achieves 100,000 sales in U.S.

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(August 2, 2016) DETROIT — Chevrolet is announcing the sale of 100,000 Volts, giving those owners an electric driving experience with a plug-in vehicle offering an EPA-estimated 53 miles of electric vehicle range and a total range of 420 miles between gasoline fill-ups or full recharges.

“The Chevrolet Volt delivers not just a fun driving experience behind the wheel, but has become the first vehicle with plug-in electrification technology to truly become mainstream,” said Steve Majoros, director of marketing, Chevrolet Cars and Crossovers.