March 2020

Karma Automotive develops E-Flex platform solution for electric mobility

(April 1, 2020) IRVINE, Calif. — Karma Automotive has announced the introduction of the Karma E-Flex Platform a highly versatile chassis that will offer new electric vehicle mobility solutions ranging from autonomously-driven utility vans, to "every-day" driver vehicles, to high-performance supercars.

Karma, the Southern California-based creator of luxury electric vehicles and high-tech incubator, said the first showcase of the highly-flexible platform currently supports the company’s 2020 Revero GT extended-range electric vehicle (EREV).

Honda kicks off response to COVID-19 with $1 million pledge to food banks

(March 31, 2020) Honda is initiating a new effort to harness the helpful spirit of community in responding to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The effort is led by an initial $1 million pledge to food banks and meal programs across the United States, Canada and Mexico and is intended to provide the most vulnerable with access to food.

GM, Ventec Life Systems partner to produce ventilators

BOTHELL, Wash. — Ventec Life Systems has announced General Motors will build VOCSN critical care ventilators at GM’s Kokomo, Ind., manufacturing facility with FDA-cleared ventilators scheduled to ship as soon as early April. This effort is in addition to Ventec taking aggressive steps to ramp up production at their manufacturing facility in Bothell, Wash.

Across all manufacturers, there is a global back-order of critical care ventilators capable of supporting patients fighting COVID-19. 

Ford to produce 50,000 ventilators in Michigan in next 100 days

(March 31, 2020) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Company, in collaboration with GE Healthcare, announced today it will begin producing in Michigan a third-party ventilator with the goal to produce 50,000 of the vitally needed units within 100 days and up to 30,000 a month thereafter as needed.

Ford will provide its manufacturing capabilities to quickly scale production, and GE Healthcare will provide its clinical expertise and will license the current ventilator design from Airon Corp., a small, privately held company specializing in high-tech pneumatic life support products.

All-new Genesis G80 revealed in digital world premiere


(March 31, 2020) SEOUL, South Korea — The all-new Genesis G80 made its digital world premiere Sunday. It represents both the third generation of the brand’s executive sedan and a decade-plus of mid-luxury leadership from Genesis’ parent company.

“The core of our brand lies within the G80,” said William Lee, executive vice president and global head of the Genesis Brand. “This segment represents where we started and we’re pleased that our newest offering achieves a perfect balance of discerning luxury and inspiring performance for our customers.”

Dunlap Motorcycle Tire has created drag racing tire

(March 30, 2020) BUFFALO, N.Y. — Dunlop has never focused its considerable engineering experience on building a drag racing tire until now. But the time was right to support the drag racing market due to the higher demands of the Pro Street Bike class, where horsepower and speeds have achieved new levels in recent years.

Professional and amateur drag racers that are required to run DOT motorcycle tires had few choices. So, Dunlop created the new Dragmax in 190/50ZR17 size, the most popular size for serious drag racers on metric and V-Twin motorcycles.

How the VW Atlas Cross Sport delivers concert-quality sound

(March 30, 2020) You may be among the millions of vehicle owners who have never taken note of how many speakers your car has. But for many, car audio systems matter greatly — after all, if you’re going to commute in your vehicle a couple hours a day, you should enjoy the environment it creates.

In the digital era, car audio has become less about total volume of sound and more about tuning the sound for the environment. And since 2011, Volkswagen has teamed with Fender and Panasonic to bring a new quality to the sound inside your car.

Volvo Cars looks toward second decade with Geely

(March 30, 2020) Volvo Cars has its eyes firmly set on the future as it celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its acquisition by Chinese company Zhejiang Geely Holding (Geely) on March 28. The company has seen a complete transformation of its business under Geely ownership, changing from a purely European firm to a truly global and strong player in the premium car market, racking up record sales, revenues and profits along the way.

First limited-run Morgan Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition rolls off line

(March 28, 2020) MALVERN, England — The Morgan Motor Company has built the first of its limited-run Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition models. The four cars, the first of just 20 examples to be built, were completed at Morgan’s factory in Malvern Link, UK, last week. Built to celebrate 70 years of Plus 4 production, each of the anniversary models will be individually numbered and built in a unique specification with several notable details.