News archive

June 2021

2022 Toyota GR 86 earns a Gazoo Racing badge

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(June 19, 2021) PLANO, Texas — The car that marked the revival of Toyota’s sports car lineage will now give drivers even more of the agility, style and responsiveness they desire. For this round, the detail-obsessed Toyota Gazoo Racing team brings enhanced handling and exterior aerodynamics, increased power and an upgraded interior. These changes earn it a Gazoo Racing badge, joining Toyota’s ever-growing, global sports car line as the all-new 2022 GR 86.

Nissan suspends production of more vehicles due to chip shortage

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(June 18, 2021) The global semiconductor shortage plaguing the auto industry will have a significant effect on Nissan's U.S. production this summer. The company plans to idle output of three Nissan models — the Murano crossover, Leaf electric hatchback and Maxima large sedan — at its plant in Smyrna, Tenn., for four extra weeks following the plant's two-week summer shutdown, which begins in late June, according to sources at two suppliers familiar with the matter.

Mini offering beginning-to-end shopping with MINI Anywhere

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(June 18, 2021)  MINI USA has announced the launch of MINI Anywhere, a custom online retail platform that will provide dealers with the opportunity to offer Mini customers a fully digital end-to-end online shopping experience. The unique, custom solution covers all facets of the purchase process, from vehicle selection, trade-in, and monthly payment calculations, through to financing, approval, contracting and e-signatures — all done on-line in as little as 30 minutes.
 


GMC ready for work

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This late 1940s GMC work truck was found in retirement in Nevada. GMC was a near clone of the Chevrolet truck after World War II and enjoyed solid sales with 92,677 trucks sold in 1948, the first full year after its first major design after the war. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

Volvo Cars expands U.S. electrified vehicle production in S.C.

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(June 18, 2021) RIDGEVILLE, S.C. — Volvo Cars will invest an additional $118 million into its Ridgeville, S.C., plant to build the Polestar 3 on the Volvo Car Group’s next generation electric architecture, under contract for its affiliate, Polestar Cars. Polestar is the Swedish electric performance brand launched by Volvo Cars and Geely Holding in 2017.

The Country Buggy from down under

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(June 17, 2021) In nature, there’s a phenomenon known as “convergent evolution” – the way different creatures in different places evolve the same traits to solve common problems. It also describes what happened in the early 1960s when people worldwide realized the Volkswagen Beetle could transform into an off-roader with only slight modifications.

GM will boost EV and AV investments to $35 billion through 2025

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(June 17, 2021) DETROIT — General Motors has announced it will increase its EV and AV investments from 2020 through 2025 to $35 billion, representing a 75 percent increase from its initial commitment announced prior to the pandemic. The company’s enhanced commitment will accelerate its transformative strategy to become the market leader in EVs in North America; the global leader in battery and fuel cell technology through its Ultium battery platform and HYDROTEC fuel cells; and through Cruise, be the first to safely commercialize self-driving technology at scale.

BMW continues annual Ultimate Driving Experience in U.S. cities

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(June 17, 2021) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.  — BMW continues its Ultimate Driving Experience tour across the U.S. for 2021, welcoming BMW customers, enthusiasts and fans back for an immersive and exciting BMW driving experience. This year’s tour has expanded to 22 total stops across the U.S., featuring a variety of different experiences in a wide array of BMW vehicles. This year’s Ultimate Driving Experience also offers the opportunity for visitors to see the first-ever, all-electric BMW i4 and BMW iX for the very first time in select tour stops.