Inside the Industry

Modified Lexus CT 200h hybrid set to take on the Nürburgring

(May 13, 2011) The legendary Nürburgring will host the racing debut of Lexus’s full hybrid CT on Saturday when the luxury hatchback lines up on the starting grid for a grueling endurance race.

Primed by Gazoo Racing, the motorsport specialists responsible for the racing Lexus LFA, the CT is competing in the Adenauer ADAC Rundstrecken-Trophy, contested over six hours on one of racing’s most daunting circuits. Almost 200 cars are expected to line up for the start.

Ford, Georgia Tech partner on 'Green Eco School Bus'

(May 13, 2011) ATLANTA — The Ford Motor Company Fund and Georgia Tech are partnering on the nation’s first conversion of a traditional school bus to a hydraulic hybrid vehicle that runs on recycled biofuel. Atlanta Public Schools donated the bus for the project.

Singer Lenny Kravitz featured in Jeep ads

(May 13, 2011) The Jeep brand today announced that four-time Grammy award winning singer-song writer Lenny Kravitz, will be featured in a national broadcast advertising campaign for the 2011 Jeep Wrangler which will include a new track, "Rock Star City Life," from his ninth studio album, "Black and White America."

Volkswagen breaks ground on $25 million lab in Oxnard

(May 13, 2011) Volkswagen Group of America has broken ground on a $25 million, 63,000 square-foot laboratory in Oxnard, Calif., that will house auto emissions testing and powertrain development for Volkswagen, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti cars, replacing the automaker's existing facility in Westlake Village.

Chevrolet Volt drawing new customers to dealers

(May 13, 2011) DETROIT — The Chevrolet Volt demonstration units are a popular showroom draw for dealers as they let consumers look, touch and drive the electric car with extended-range capabilities. It’s part of the plan to gain exposure for the vehicle and the Chevrolet brand.

Almost nine of 10 customers who traded in a vehicle as part of their purchase are new to the Chevrolet brand.

Ford F-150 SuperCrew earns top safety pick

(May 13, 2011) DEARBORN — The 2011 Ford F-150 SuperCrew is building on Ford’s safety leadership by earning a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for models built after February 2011.

Chrysler to idle plants to conserve parts from Japan

(May 13, 2011) — Japanese automakers aren't the only manufacturers affected by the earthquake. Chrysler announced on Thursday it has canceled overtime in a Mexican plant and will move up the usual summer shutdown.

The actions were taken to preserve parts from suppliers in Japan that were affected by the March earthquake.

Ford exceeds goal for spending with businesses owned by minorities and women

(May 12, 2011) Ford Motor Company announced today that it exceeded its supplier diversity sourcing goals by purchasing $4.1 billion in goods and services from its tier-one minority- and women-owned business enterprises in 2010.

Mitsubishi's Outlander, Outlander Sport tackle the 'World's Most Dangerous Test Drive'

(May 12, 2011) Set to begin airing on today, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.'s, dynamic duo of the Outlander Sport and Outlander will follow up their remarkable five world-record setting achievements performed on a frozen Canadian lake with an even bolder, death-defying trek.

Truck drivers to give students first-hand safety lesson

(May 12, 2011) ST. PAUL, Minn. (PRNewswire) — Coon Rapids (Minn.) High School driver's education students will get a first-hand view from behind the wheel of a semi truck on May 16 as part of a program to learn how to safely share the road with trucks.

The Minnesota Trucking Association (MTA) is sponsoring a visit by the "Share the Road" truck and local drivers as part of an ongoing driver and public initiative focused on road safety.