News archive

May 2010

Fleet customers to get natural gas, LPG versions of full-sized GM vans

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(May 20, 2010) DETROIT, MICH. — Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) powered versions of the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans will be offered to fleet and commercial customers beginning later this year, General Motors Co. announced Monday.

The vans have specially designed engines for the gaseous fuels and come direct to the customer with the fully integrated and warranted dedicated gaseous fuel system in place.

“We’re listening to our fleet customers and dealers about offering options that help them achieve their business objectives”, said Brian Small, general manager of GM’s fleet and commercial operations.  “The industry commitment to expand the CNG and LPG infrastructure in key fleet markets was an enabler to allowing us to introduce these options now.”

Chrysler releases first pictures of 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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(May 19, 2010) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler released images today of the all-new 2011 Jeep  Grand Cherokee, an American icon and symbol of the new Chrysler.

It's the most important new product launch of the 2011 model year for the automaker emerging from bankruptcy.

Chrysler Group will celebrate the production launch of the all-new vehicle at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant on Friday.

Questions and answers about 4-cylinder engines

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(May 19, 2010) Nearly half of new-vehicle buyers in April and the first week of May this year purchased or leased new vehicles with 4-cylinder engines, according to Power Information Network (PIN) retail transaction data from J.D. Power and Associates. In relation to recent strong demand for smaller engines, Powergram asked Kevin Riddell, manager of Powertrain Forecasting, J.D. Power and Associates, to answer some questions about why 4-cylinder engines appear to be a more popular powertrain choice:
 
Q: Has the performance of 4-cylinder engines improved significantly?
 
A: Yes, it has. Thanks to increased use of technologies such as dual-variable valve timing, variable valve lift and direct injection, the engines are increasing in power and improving their fuel economy, although the revised fuel economy standards make better performance difficult to compare with older vehicles.

Toyota will recall 11,500 Lexus vehicles for steering problem

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(May 19, 2010) Toyota is preparing to recall 11,500 Lexus vehicles worldwide for problems related to steering.

The company plans to recall 7,000 vehicles overseas, including 3,800 in the U.S., and 4,500 units in Japan, said Mieko Iwasaki, a spokeswoman for the carmaker.

Chrylser recalling 40,000 2010 vehicles for ignition switch problem

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(May 18, 2010) Chrysler Group is recalling more than 40,000 model year 2010 Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger, Charger, Jeep Commander, Grand Cherokee and Dodge Ram Vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with a defective wireless ignition switch (WIN) module that sticks.

The result could be that the key could be removed from the ignition switch prior to placing the shifter in park.

BMW may launch hybrid version of 5-Series as early as 2011

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(May 18, 2010) BMW could launch a hybrid version of the 5-series as early as 2011, CEO Norbert Reithofer told shareholders at the luxury-car maker's annual meeting in Munich on Tuesday, according to AutoWeek and Reuters news service.

A 3-series hybrid employing the same technology could also join at some point. The hybrid underpinnings come from the 5-series ActiveHybrid concept shown at the Geneva motor show in March.

These hybrids would join the X6 SUV hybrid, which is considered a full hybrid, in the German luxury maker's line. The 7-series hybrid, called the ActiveHybrid 7, is due this spring but is a mild hybrid, not capable of being propelled on electric power alone.

Edmunds.com predicts strong new-car sales Memorial Day weekend

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(May 18, 2010) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — May 17, 2010 — Edmunds.com expects that Memorial Day weekend car sales will be especially strong this year.

New car sales have been relatively weak so far this month, suggesting that in May SAAR may drop slightly from April's 11.2 million. However, Memorial Day weekend is traditionally a great opportunity for discounts, and buyers have become conditioned to expect them.

"Over the past week we've seen a notable uptick in the online activity linked to purchase intent," explained Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl. "Given the bargain-hunting behavior we've witnessed throughout the recession, I'm guessing that demand is building for anticipated Memorial Day sales events."

OnStar pairs with Google to develop new mobile app features for upcoming Volt

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(May 18, 2010) DETROIT — OnStar is leveraging the power of Google technology to develop a number of new mobile app features that strengthen Chevrolet’s commitment to providing Volt customers with the most connected vehicle experience possible.

The public will get a peek at what OnStar is working on at the Google I/O conference May 19-20 in San Francisco, where OnStar will debut and demonstrate new functionalities they’re developing for the Chevrolet Volt mobile application leveraging the AndroidTM platform.

“While OnStar will never lose sight of our core focus on safety and security, this relationship is an example of how we’re evolving our leadership position in connected vehicle technology,” said Chris Preuss, OnStar president. “What we’re talking about today is only the beginning.”

Diesel Car magazine names Ford Fiesta 'Best Small Car of the Year'

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(May 18, 2010) The Ford Fiesta has been selected Diesel Car magazine's Best Small Car of the Year 2010. The award comes just as Fiesta has been upgraded to consolidate its number one sales spot in Britain.

The Fiesta can be purchased with a diesel engine in Europe, an option that will not be offered in North America.

Ford Fiesta gets EPA rating of 40 mpg with automatic transmission

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(May 17, 2010) DEARBORN, Mich — Ford’s all-new 2011 Fiesta – an Internet star even before it goes on sale this summer – will now stand out on the highway with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified 40 mpg rating, making it the most fuel efficient car in its class.
 
The Ford Fiesta 40 mpg, achieved with Ford’s new six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission, is 5 mpg better than the Honda Fit and 4 mpg better than the Toyota Yaris.
 
“The new Fiesta is yet another car in Ford’s lineup that delivers class-leading fuel economy,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Global Powertrain Engineering. “From Super Duty to Fusion Hybrid and the new Mustang V-6, Ford is committed to fuel economy leadership with every new vehicle it introduces in all segments.”