News archive

January 2018

Nissan brain-to-vehicle technology to be unveiled at CES

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(January 5, 2018) YOKOHAMA, Japan — Nissan unveiled research today that will enable vehicles to interpret signals from the driver’s brain, redefining how people interact with their cars. The company’s Brain-to-Vehicle, or B2V, technology promises to speed up reaction times for drivers and will lead to cars that keep adapting to make driving more enjoyable.

Toyota Research Institute introduces next-generation automation

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(January 5, 2018) LOS ALTOS, Calif. — Toyota Research Institute (TRI) will show its next-generation automated driving research vehicle, Platform 3.0, at the Consumer Electronics Show next week in Las Vegas. The new platform, which is built on a Lexus LS 600hL, combines greater technological capabilities with new harmonized styling that integrates the automated vehicle technology into the LS model’s design.

Subaru continues setting sales records in U.S.

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(January 5, 2018) Subaru has set a sales record unequaled by any other mainstream automaker in the U.S. with its 10th consecutive year-over-year increase selling 647,956 units, 5.4 percent better than 2016's 615,132 vehicles.

The December sales total of 63,342 vehicles marks the automaker’s best-ever sales month, topping the previous best month of August 2017 (63,215). December also marks the tenth consecutive month of 50,000+ vehicle sales for the company.

Smart Electric Drive Cabrio falls short with low range, high price

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By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(January 4, 2018) A year ago, Daimler announced the decision to convert the Smart brand to all-electric in North America, discontinuing gas-powered Smart cars. Smart cars are built by Daimler in France and sold exclusively through Mercedes-Benz dealers in the U.S. The current and third generation of the Smart Fortwo was introduced in 2015 in gasoline form. In June 2017, the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive went on sale and was recently followed by the cabriolet (convertible) model that will go on sale in spring 2018.

U.S. auto sales slip to 17.25 million in 2017

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(January 4, 2018) U.S. new light-vehicle sales slipped 5 percent in December and dipped 1.8 percent to 17.25 million for all of 2017 — ending a string of seven annual gains that had propelled the industry to new highs following the 2008-09 market collapse.

The U.S. Big Three all showed decreased sales in 2017 — Ford was down .9 percent, General Motors was off 2016 numbers by 1.3 percent and Fiat Chrysler slipped 8.1 percent. Only Ford showed a slight gain in December from December 2016 at 1.3 percent. December sales were down at General Motors by 3.3 percent and at Fiat Chrysler by 10.7 percent.

Kia to reveal all-electric concept car at CES 2018 in Las Vegas

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(January 4, 2018) LAS VEGAS — Kia Motors will unveil a new all-electric concept car and present the brand’s vision for future mobility at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on Jan. 8. Combining Kia’s design strengths with a highly efficient battery-electric powertrain, the new concept represents the next step in the brand’s ongoing journey to electrification.

The concept also features a never-seen-before human-machine interface (HMI) and an advanced new ‘motion graphic’ lighting system, previewing the potential for these technologies for market introduction in coming years.

Hyundai, Aurora partner to develop self-driving vehicles by 2021

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(January 4, 2018) Hyundai Motor Company and Aurora, a leader in autonomous vehicle technology, today announced a strategic partnership to bring self-driving Hyundai vehicles to market by 2021. This partnership will incorporate Aurora’s self-driving technology into Hyundai vehicles starting with models custom-developed and launched in test programs and pilot cities.

Over the longer term, Hyundai and Aurora will work to commercialize self-driving vehicles worldwide.

Seven new exhibits highlight second annual L.A. Classic Auto Show

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(January 4, 2018) LOS ANGELES — Seven all-new exhibits, more than 1,000 vintage vehicles and displays from 65 Southern California car clubs will highlight the second annual Classic Auto Show (CAS), which returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center on March 2-4.

The event will showcase more than 1,000 cars including never-before seen exhibits and private collections.

Making the legendary Mercedes G-Class even more effective off-road

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(January 4, 2018) Every Mercedes G-Class has to conquer the Schöckl. Mercedes-Benz uses the 1,445-meter high local mountain near the Austrian city of Graz as a test track. The 3.5-mile route includes gradients of up to 60 percent and lateral inclinations of up to 40 percent. During the development stage, a "G" has to endure over 2,000 strenuous kilometers (1,242 miles) on this very demanding course. The new G-Class masters the route with noticeably more control and comfort.