December 2018

Honda begins production of all-new Passport SUV in Alabama

(December 8, 2018) LINCOLN, Ala. — More than 1,500 associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA), plant on Thursday celebrated the start of mass production of the all-new 2019 Honda Passport SUV. Going on sale early next year, Passport is produced exclusively at HMA and will play an important role in Honda's award-winning SUV lineup, providing a unique combination of on-road driving refinement and off-road adventure capability.

A holiday homecoming — VW Beetle owner of 51 years reunited with 'Annie'

(December 8, 2018) HERNDON, Va. — Kathleen Brooks bought her first Beetle in December 1966 in Riverside, Calif. — a red 1967 model she quickly named “Annie.” Ever since, Annie has been Kathleen’s daily transportation, racking up more than 350,000 miles over 51 years, or enough to circle the globe 14 times, and Kathleen, now 73, still drives Annie to work.

Honda researchers develop breakthrough battery chemistry

(December 7, 2018) Scientists from Honda Research Institute have collaborated with researchers at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to develop a new battery chemistry that enables the use of materials with higher energy density and a more favorable environmental footprint than current battery technologies.

Volkswagen gives its Tiguan crossover long overdue makeover for 2018

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(December 6, 2018) Having debuted as a 2009 model as Volkswagen’s first compact crossover SUV, the Tiguan moves into its second generation as a 2018 model, which is bit longer than usual between redesigns. But it was well worth the wait.

Rare models power Jasper52 European collector car auction

(December 6, 2018) NEW YORK — Jasper52's inaugural collector car auction on Dec. 10 features a variety of outstanding vehicles — rally and track cars, supercars, touring cars and off-road machines. This groundbreaking sale includes cars located in Europe that were selected expressly for collectors in the United States.

From fantasy to reality — Ford's new center brings the future to life

(December 6, 2018) REDFORD, Mich. — Inside Ford’s new Advanced Manufacturing Center, an engineer stands in front of a 3D printing machine churning out brake parts for Ford’s soon-to-be-introduced Shelby Mustang GT500. Across the room, two team members strap on virtual reality headsets to design and simulate production lines, while another is working alongside a collaborative robot, programming a safer way to install a vehicle part.

Polestar 1 test program evaluates driver experience

(December 6, 2018) The Polestar 1 verification prototype (VP) testing and evaluation program continues in the lead-up to production readiness in mid-2019. In addition to crash tests, aerodynamic evaluations and on-road testing, vital areas of assessment are chassis dynamics and the driver experience.

For Polestar, performance is about much more than just acceleration. The way Polestar 1 feels to drive and live with is also critical, according to Polestar’s Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Ingenlath.

All-new 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV to start at $54,695

(December 6, 2018) With a wealth of innovations, the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLE is poised to set new benchmarks in its segment for what Mercedes calls "an extremely competitive price." For example, the revolutionary new E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL system is the world's most intelligent SUV suspension developed by Mercedes-Benz and powered in part by the 48-volt battery.

Post WW II Cadillac



Cadillac stopped its World War II tank building on Aug. 24, 1945, quickly changed over to cars, and rolled off the first 1946 Cadillac sedan on Oct. 7, 1945. The 1946-47 Cadillacs were basically a continuation of the 1942 models. Production ended shortly after the Peal Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941, before being resumed four years later. This 1946-47 sedan was found in a New Mexico salvage yard.
(Photo by Becky Antioco)

2020 Silverado HD is third all-new Chevy pickup in 18 months

(December 5, 2018) DETROIT — Chevrolet says when the 2020 Silverado HD debuts in February it will be the most capable and most advanced Silverado HD ever. It will also be the third all-new Silverado model from Chevrolet in just 18 months — each designed for different customers.

“We know the needs and priorities of heavy-duty customers are different than those of either light-duty or medium-duty customers,” said Jaclyn McQuaid, chief engineer, Silverado HD.