(September 29, 2011) DETROIT — General Motors will introduce the industry’s first front center air bag, an inflatable restraint designed to help protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes where the affected occupant is on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle.

The front center air bag will be introduced on the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Chevrolet Traverse midsize crossovers in the 2013 model year. This new safety feature will be standard on Acadia and Traverse with power seats and all Enclaves.

(September, 28, 2011) DETROIT — “The agreement is a win-win for our employees and our company,” said GM CEO Dan Akerson today after striking a labor agreement with the United Auto Workers.

“It underscores the alignment between the UAW and the new GM in our efforts to drive long-term success, and gives all of our employees a direct stake in the quality of our products and our performance.”

(September 28, 2011) HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen of America today announced it will open a fifth regional sales office in the Dallas metropolitan area "to further strengthen the company's relationships with customers and dealers." 

As a vital part of Volkswagen's long-term commitment to the U.S. market, the expansion will help facilitate future growth and employment opportunities, while better serving the needs of its retail network in key markets.

(September 28, 2011) DETROIT — To many buyers, the shine and sparkle of their new car is a key purchase driver. With the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, the only subcompact car made in America, drivers can admire the gloss knowing the latest paint processes were applied in a new eco-friendly paint shop to ensure high quality with less environmental impact.

General Motors says it is the first automaker in the United States to use a unique water-based “three-wet” paint process. 

(September 28, 2011) Amid the raft of new car concepts at the Frankfurt Motor Show this month, one of the head-turners was Volkswagen’s bright orange ray of sunshine, the buggy up! concept.

(September 28, 2011) Aston Martin has been awarded the prize of the United Kingdom's coolest brand, winning the accolade for an unprecedented fifth time in six years.

Once again, Aston Martin has topped a poll which comprises an array of leading international contemporary design-driven brands, including Apple and Bang & Olufsen, as well as other leading automotive brands. Aston Martin was also voted the top automotive brand surpassing a host of other luxury and specialist manufacturers to complete a double success.

(September 27, 2011) DETROIT — OnStar announced today it is reversing its proposed terms and conditions policy changes and will not keep a data connection to customers' vehicles after the OnStar service is canceled.

OnStar recently sent e-mails to customers telling them that effective Dec. 1, their service would change so that data from a customer vehicle would continue to be transmitted to OnStar after service was canceled — unless the customer asked for it to be shut off.

(September 27, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team made history on Sept. 14 at the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife as their ultimate, street-legal, track-ready car — the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR — recaptured the production car lap record with a 7:12.13 elapsed time.

(September 27, 2011) DETROIT — Will General Motors' customers soon find it easier to deal with the automaker over issues with their vehicles? That appears to be GM's goal by developing a new Customer Experience division.

Paul Copses today was named the first U.S. vice president of Customer Experience at General Motors, charged with leading efforts to win and keep customers for Chevrolet, Buick GMC and Cadillac.