(July 24, 2011) Mercedes-Benz this weekend unveiled the newest version of the C63 AMG Black.

The new high-performance vehicle is the most powerful C-Class of all time, boasting a maximum output of 510 horsepower and a maximum torque of 457 lb-ft. The high-revving AMG 6.3-liter V-8 engine delivers exceptional performance accelerating from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.

By Al Vinikour
MotorwayAmerica.com

(July 22, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — There’s an old saying that goes,“everybody talks about the weather but nobody does anything about it.” To paraphrase this, everybody seems to have a hybrid in their product line, but few companies can match Ford in hybrid sales and technology.

(July 23, 2011) — The Volkswagen Group delivered more vehicles in the first six months of 2011 than ever. A total of 4.09 million vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide from January to June.

June was also a very positive month, with 719,400 vehicles handed over to customers representing a 11.7 percent increase over June 2010..

(July 23, 2011) WASHINGTON (PRNewswire-USNewswire) — The availability of a new diesel version of the widely-popular Chevrolet Cruze will be "a huge step forward" in the growth of clean diesel automobile availability in the United States, according to Allen Schaeffer, the Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

"In just its first year, the Cruze has proven to be extremely popular with American drivers," Schaeffer said.  "In June, it was the best-selling car in the U.S. and has exceeded sales of more than 20,000 per month since February.

(July 22, 2011) DETROIT — Chevrolet confirmed today it will add a diesel variant to the Cruze lineup in North America in calendar year 2013.  Diesel versions of the Cruze are currently being sold in Europe. Additional details on the Cruze diesel for North American markets will be released at a later date.

(July 22, 2011) MADISON, Wis. (PRNewswire) — Smart Toyota of Madison is striving to make history this Sunday by organizing the longest hybrid vehicle parade ever, in conjunction with the Green Drive Expo in downtown Madison.

(July 22, 2011) Italian automaker Fiat is now the majority owner of Chrysler Group — with a 53.5 percent stake — as both the U.S. and Canadian governments exited the automaker.

The U.S. Treasury completed the sale of its 6 percent stake in Chrysler to Fiat for $500 million. Fiat also acquired a 1.5 percent stake from the Canadian government for $125 million, Chrysler said in a filing Thursday.

(July 21, 2011) Chrysler says its tiny Fiat 500 coupe is doing well in the U.S. But in an effort to keep demand at a high level, Chrysler it has announced special lease deal, and reduced financing for those who want to buy rather than lease.

The lease deal — $199 a month for 39 months with $1,999 do at signing for the entry-level Pop with a five-speed manual transmission. The base Pop model sells for $15,995 including destination charge. 

(July 21, 2011) Volkswagen has officially started production of the new Beetle in Puebla, Mexico.  On this occasion Dr. Guido Westerwelle, the Federal Foreign Minister, Felipe Calderón, the Mexican President, and Hubert Waltl, , visited the Volkswagen plant in Mexico.

“The Beetle is a strong symbol of our brand. It combines the emotional heritage of the original Beetle with the future of Volkswagen,” Hubert Waltl, board member for Production and Logistics at the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand said in Puebla. 

(July 21, 2011) TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (PRNewswire) — Daimler AG on Wednesday announced a more than $2 billion investment in its Tuscaloosa plant that has just started producing the new M-Class crossover vehicle. Daimler announced that it will also build the successor generations the the GL-Class and the C-Class at the plant.