January 2020

GM offers next-generation SiriusXM on nearly 1 million 2020 vehicles

(January 4, 2020) DETROIT — General Motors is bringing a new way to listen to music, sports and talk shows to nearly 1 million Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac owners with SiriusXM with 360L. Available on select 2020 model year vehicles, the rollout is the broadest integration by any automaker of SiriusXM’s next generation listening experience.

Celebrating the 1930 Buick inline 6 GMC taxi from 'It's a Wonderful Life'

By Nick Williams
National Historic Vehicle Register

(January 3, 2020) When holiday season comes around in America, there are several traditions that you can always count on throughout the last few weeks of the year: Christmas music everywhere you go, last minute shopping for gifts, houses lit up in beautiful arrays of lights, and of course, the movie It’s a Wonderful Life on TV.

FCA joins Plug and Play creating mobility innovation hub in Detroit

(January 3, 2020) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — FCA has announced that it will join a partnership formed between Plug and Play, the largest global innovation platform for startups and corporations, and the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) to bring a new innovation hub to Detroit by June 2020. “Plug and Play Detroit powered by AmplifyD” (Amplify:Diversity) will provide streamlined access to all technology startups, with an emphasis on those owned by women and minorities.

Numerous celebrity vehicles will cross block at Barrett-Jackson auction

(January 3, 2020) SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.— Barrett-Jackson will roll out the red-carpet when celebrity owned collector vehicles cross the block during the 49th Annual Scottsdale Auction, Jan. 11-19. From Hollywood actors and business tycoons to a best-selling author and rock-and-roll legend, the Scottsdale Auction will give guests the chance to bid on a vehicle owned by world-famous stars.

“Barrett-Jackson is proud to offer one of our most diverse dockets of celebrity-owned vehicles during our 2020 Scottsdale Auction,” said Craig Jackson chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson.

Volkswagen hits 250,000 electrified vehicles sold worldwide since 2013

(January 3, 2020) WOLFSBURG, Germany — In mid-December the Volkswagen brand delivered its 250,000th electric car since the introduction of the e-up! in 2013. The brand’s electrified model range has been continually expanded in the following years — e- Golf and Golf GTE followed in 2014, the Passat GTE5 and Passat Variant GTE in 2015. Since 2018, the Passat and Tiguan have been available as plug-in hybrids in China, where they were followed by battery electric versions of the Bora and Lavida this year.

Genesis shares first images of its first SUV, the GV80

(January 2, 2020) SEOUL, South Korea — Genesis has shared the first official images of the GV80, the first sport-utility vehicle for the brand. The much-anticipated, three-row GV80 will become the fourth model in the Genesis lineup, joining the G70, G80 and G90 sedans. Like its sedan siblings, GV80 will be based on a rear-wheel-drive platform unique to the Genesis brand; all-wheel drive will be optional. The “V” in the GV80 marque represents versatility that only a Genesis SUV can offer.

The first sport utility vehicle



Willys Jeeps were popular after World War II, and it made sense to build a Jeep utility wagon. Willys built the Jeep Station Wagon, Utility Wagon and Panel Delivery from 1946 through 1964 — selling over 300,000 in the U.S. They were the first all-steel station wagons designed and built as a passenger vehicle. Some consider them the first sport utility vehicle. This 1950 relic was discovered in Texas.
(Photos by Peter Hubbard)

Hyundai, Kia debut virtual reality design evaluation system

(January 1, 2020) SEOUL, S. Korea — Hyundai and Kia have debuted a new virtual reality (VR) design evaluation system at the brands’ global design headquarters. The new system, introduced to the Namyang Research and Development Center in South Korea, demonstrates a heightened focus on enhancing vehicle development processes through the implementation of VR technology.

Toyota Super Bowl advertising to feature all-new 2020 Highlander

(January 1, 2020) PLANO, Texas — Toyota has confirmed that it will be part of the advertising lineup for Super Bowl LIV on FOX TV Sunday, Feb. 2. The 60-second Toyota spot, created by Saatchi & Saatchi, will feature the all-new 2020 Highlander. The spot marks the launch of the larger Highlander vehicle campaign, which runs through mid-July.