January 2018

Bentley Bentayga to challenge Pikes Peak

(January 19, 2018) CREWE, England —  Bentley Motors will compete in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for the first time on June 24 with the Bentayga SUV.

The 600 horsepower, W12-powered Bentayga will tackle the famous 12.42-mile Colorado Springs hill climb with record-breaking ambitions, aiming to navigate the 156 corners of ascending asphalt quicker than any SUV before.

Swedish engine plant is Volvo's first 'climate-neutral' manufacturing site

(January 18, 2018) Volvo Cars’ engine factory in Skövde, Sweden, has become the company’s first climate-neutral manufacturing plant, having switched to renewable heating as of Jan. 1.

Skövde is the first plant in Volvo Cars’ global manufacturing network to reach this status, which marks a significant step towards the company’s vision of having climate-neutral global manufacturing operations by 2025. Skövde also becomes one of only a few climate-neutral automotive plants in Europe.

Mecum kicks off 2018 auction season with $96.6 million Florida event

(January 18, 2018) — Mecum Auctions’ annual collector-car auction in Kissimmee, Fla., has long held the title of “world’s largest,” and this year’s auction again raised the bar, taking the collector-car auction market to new heights. Demonstrating $10 million in growth over last year’s auction, Mecum Kissimmee 2018 saw 2,208 vehicles hammer sold from Jan. 5-14 for overall sales totals of $96.6 million — a number still on the rise as sales continue to be finalized in Mecum’s Bid Goes On department.

Volkswagen Group sales reach all-time high in 2017

(January 18, 2018) WOLFSBURG, Germany — The Volkswagen Group delivered more vehicles than ever before in fiscal year 2017 —10.74 million customers worldwide chose a vehicle from the Volkswagen Group. As a result, VW deliveries rose 4.3 percent compared with the previous year.

Nissan unveils compact SUV Xmotion concept

(January 18, 2018) DETROIT — Nissan this week revealed the Xmotion concept, a design exploration for a potentially groundbreaking compact SUV, building on the company’s long history of cutting-edge crossovers and SUVs. The six-passenger, three-row Nissan Xmotion (pronounced “cross motion”) concept fuses Japanese culture and traditional craftsmanship with American-style utility and new-generation Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology.

Abandoned Z-Car



The Datsun (later Nissan) Z-Car
captured the hearts and pocketbooks of customers in the 1970s who desired a great-looking sports car on a budget. It was just the ticket. This mid-70s Z-Car — either a 260Z or a 280Z — probably delighted several owners over the years, but now lives in abandoned retirement in some woods in eastern Tennessee. (Photo by Jerry Brown)

Toyota production in North America nearly 2 million in 2017

(January 17, 2018) PLANO, Texas — Toyota built 1,983,723 vehicles at its North American vehicle assembly plants in 2017. Production volume was down approximately 1 percent over the previous year total of 2,124,608 vehicles.
 
Toyota’s total vehicle production in North America since 1986 has reached nearly 32 million. Key drivers of this year’s production include low fuel prices, continued stability in the overall economy and strong customer demand for trucks and SUVs.

69th annual Grand National Roadster Show set for Jan. 26-28

(January 17, 2018) POMONA, Calif. — The Grand National Roadster Show returns to the Fairplex in Pomona, from Jan. 26-28. Founded in 1949, the longest continually running indoor car show in the world will feature over 1,000 stunning show cars including hot rods, customs, lowriders and motorcycles as well as special exhibitions highlighting muscle cars and traditional hot rods. 
 

Land Rover launches 70th anniversary special V8 Defender edition

(January 17, 2018)  RYTON-on-DUNSMORE, UK — Land Rover today announces a limited-edition high-performance version of the iconic Defender, with up to 150 V8-powered examples re-engineered to celebrate the Land Rover marque’s 70th anniversary in 2018.

The Defender Works V8 pays homage to the early high-powered engines in both the Series III Stage 1 V8 from 1979 and subsequent Defenders including the 50th Anniversary Edition, which are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors today.

2019 Jeep Cherokee gets refreshed design, new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine

(January 17, 2018) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The new 2019 Jeep Cherokee boasts a new, authentic and more premium design, along with the addition of an all-new, advanced 2.0-liter direct-injection inline four-cylinder engine that enhances performance and fuel efficiency. Jeep Cherokee’s evolution offers more interior comfort and convenience, delivering everyday practicality with improved ride and handling characteristics, independent front- and rear-suspension systems with body torsional stiffness, a choice of three different engine offerings mated to a nine-speed transmission and more than 80 safety and security features.