October 2016

Subaru discontinues sales of slow-selling Crosstrek hybrid

(October 7, 2016) CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Subaru today announced that it would discontinue sales of the slow-selling Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid for the 2017 model year.  Unveiled at 2013 New York International Auto Show, the Crosstrek Hybrid was the brand’s first-ever production hybrid vehicle.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid was based on the company’s highly successful Crosstrek model, and differentiated itself in the market as the first hybrid to incorporate Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system and deliver excellent on and off-road performance.
 

Are electric vehicles the future?

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(October 7, 2016) “The technology definitely has potential, but it’s driven by national or state-level policies fashioned or targeted at making the supply of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) essential to an automaker’s bottom line, as well as the user’s bottom line.” That, in a nutshell, is what is driving the adoption of BEVs, says Scott Shepard, senior research analyst, energy, at Navigant Research.

BMW North America presents new Cruise E-Bike

(October 6, 2016) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — BMW of North America presents its largest bicycle collection to date, featuring the BMW Cruise e-Bike, ideal for commuters, built with a BOSCH Performance Line electric motor. BMW’s collection of bicycles is designed to reflect the main characteristics of BMW vehicle design.

Honda to introduce new Clarity Fuel Cell sedan by end of year

(October 6, 2016) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda will introduce its new 5-passenger, hydrogen-powered Clarity Fuel Cell sedan by the end of the year, beginning with retail leasing to customers in select California markets. The Clarity Fuel Cell has a refueling time of approximately three to five minutes.

Cadillac global sales rise again in September

(October 6, 2016) Cadillac sold 30,061 vehicles globally in September, an increase of 22.2 percent. This is the fourth consecutive month of double-digit percentage increases for Cadillac, the last three of which have topped 20 percent.

Both the XT5 crossover and the CT6 sedan reached their highest sales since launch.  Now firmly established as the brand’s top-selling product line, XT5 sold 9,421 units in September, a jump of 10.5 percent above the month prior.  CT6 sales grew 19.9 percent compared to the previous month.

Ford F-150 fuel economy improves with new EcoBoost engine, 10-speed

(October 6, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford continues its steady pace of innovation and performance, helping customers get better mileage out of each gallon of gas in the 2017 Ford F-150. Thanks to the all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine mated to the first volume-production 10-speed automatic transmission, EPA-estimated city, highway and combined fuel economy increase 1 mpg, with the combined rating for 2017 F-150 4x4 up 2 mpg.

GM hydrogen fuel cells mark 50 years of development

(October 6, 2016) DETROIT — The year 1966 brought the TV debuts of “Batman” and “Star Trek,” which both enjoy a cult-like following 50 years later. With less fanfare in the same season, General Motors tested the Electrovan, the world’s first hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle.