(April 9, 2011) MONACO (PRNewswire-FirstCall) — The Tesla Roadster has reconfirmed its supremacy in the world of the alternative fuel vehicles, beating more than 100 competitors last week during an exciting Monte Carlo Rally.

Driven by former F1 driver Erik Comas, the Artic White Roadster also scored a definitive victory in the Electric Vehicles Cup.

(April 9, 2011) MUNICH — The BMW Group sold more vehicles in March than ever before in a month. The company sold 165,842 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles, not only significantly exceeding the figure for March of last year (141,717 units) but also the previous sales high of 152,721 vehicles recorded in December 2007. The BMW and MINI brands also set new monthly records.

(April 9, 2011) MOSCOW — Ford sold 10,644 vehicles in the Russian Federation in March, up 43 per cent from March 2010 and up 60 per cent from February. Ford market share in March was 4.8 percent. For the first three months of 2011, Ford sold 20,919 vehicles in Russia — an increase of 41 per cent compared to the same period in 2010.

(April 8, 2011) ERLANGER, Ky.  — Toyota is cutting North American production due to parts availability following the March 11 Japan earthquake.

Over the next few weeks, Toyota’s North American vehicle plants will operate on a reduced schedule, with production suspended on April 15, 18, 21, 22, and 25.

(April 8, 2011) Maserati has announced it will bring its uniquely Italian brand of high performance and custom-made exclusivity to the Indian car market this year.

The Modena-based luxury and sports car maker, in partnership with the successful Indian luxury retailer, the Shreyans Group, will open its first Indian showroom in Mumbai this year and plans are well advanced to open a second dealership in New Delhi in early 2012, with plans to cater to seven major Indian cities by 2015.

(April 8, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — The carpet underfoot in homes sometimes ends up in strange places, and now Ford’s efforts to use sustainable materials in its vehicles have landed carpet in another unique spot — the cylinder head covers on some Ford engines. Even more impressive are the benefits it has for the environment.

During 2010, the use of EcoLon material, a nylon resin made from 100 percent recycled carpet, saved more than 4.1 million pounds of carpet from landfills, the equivalent of nearly 154 football fields.

(April 8, 2011) DETROIT — Chevrolet, founded by a racing pioneer 100 years ago, celebrates its performance heritage with the 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette, which features a sleek black color scheme, unique design elements and Corvette’s trademark sports car technology.

The 2012 Centennial Edition package will be available on all Corvette models — including Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1 — starting this summer. 

(April 8, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — There’s nothing like swapping your ride to change your opinion. At least that's how Ford sees it as it restarts its “Swap Your Ride” ad campaign.

Ford’s Swap Your Ride campaign returned this week, and Ford hopes it will continue to change consumer perceptions about its vehicles by giving consumers the chance to exchange their competitive-make vehicle and experience a new Ford for a week.

(April 7, 2011) DALLAS — The Ram 1500 Express — originally announced Feb. 15 under the code name Adventurer — is a new Ram Truck model aimed squarely at first-time buyers and owners who are looking for a vehicle with performance and style that they can customize and make their own.

(April 7, 2011) AMSTERDAM — Ford today announced the new Focus ECOnetic, debuting next week at the Amsterdam Motor Show. It will establish a new industry benchmark for fuel efficiency in the popular compact class.

The ECOnetic, which is propelled by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, is rated at 80 mpg and can go nearly 1,000 miles on a single tank of diesel fuel. Unfortunately, the car, which will go on sale early next year, will not be sold in the United States. It will be introduced in Europe.