July 2011

Ford's June sales up 6.6 percent in European markets

(July 18, 2011) COLOGNE, Germany — Strong demand for the all-new Ford Focus, Ford C-MAX and the Ford Transit helped Ford increase sales by 6.6 per cent in June to 151,700 units across the 51 European region markets.

In the traditional 19 Western European markets, Ford sales in June increased by 0.1 per cent, despite a 7.4 per cent decline in overall industry sales. As a result, Ford’s market share in June increased by 0.6 percentage points to 8.5 per cent.

Aston Martin to continue expansion in China

(July 18, 2011) GAYDON, UK — Aston Martin is pressing ahead with ambitious growth plans for the brand in China after debuting the new Virage and Vantage S in the region and announcing plans for up to four new dealer sites over the next 12 months.

Ford goes extreme with Octane Academy

(July 17, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford is taking action sports to the extreme with the launch of Octane Academy, a new consumer-focused program aimed at a younger, more diverse generation of action sports and race enthusiasts.

The Ford Octane Academy will unite ultimate fans with their favorite Ford action sports drivers — Ken Block, Brian Deegan, Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin Jr. — for the unique opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience the extreme excitement of performance driving.

Volvo to begin testing electric cars with 'range extenders'

(July 17, 2011) Volvo this past week announced the next step in the company's electrification strategy by producing three test cars with Range Extenders — electric cars that are fitted with a combustion engine to increase their effective range.

Range extenders add an internal combustion engine to a primary electric motor to generate electricity once the battery gets low, meaning owners can use them for long journeys without the need to stop the car and plug in for a recharge.

Ford recalls '07 Five Hundred models over fuel tank issue

(July 16, 2011) Ford announced today that it is recalling nearly 3,000 model year 2007 Five Hundred and Mercury Montego sedans to replace the fuel tanks.

In a notice posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, Ford said the fuel tanks on 2,945 vehicles may not have proper welds between the fuel tank and fuel filler neck.

Chrysler performance SRT brand expands lineup with 470 horsepower Hemi

(July 16, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group has officially elevated its in-house performance division — the Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team — to a separate company brand that promises to maintain its successful formula to design, engineer and build benchmark American high-performance vehicles for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge.

MoVenture to pit 10 teams on 1,900-mile cross-country jaunt

(July 16, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — As far as we know, Jesse James’ hideout didn’t make the list and neither did Dogpatch, USA. There also is nothing on the scavenger hunt list about viewing “live rattlers” or stopping to collect fireworks.

But for 10 pairs of drivers and navigators driving new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat vehicles, the next seven days will take them on a “MoVenture” road rally along 1,900 miles of roads with stops at nearly every form of Americana that many enjoyed from the third seat of the family station wagon.

Alfa Romeo MiTo gets flamboyant art treatment

(July 16, 2011) The British division of Alfa Romeo has presented an exclusive work of art commissioned by the Italian brand to celebrate the launch of the new eco-friendly Alfa MiTo 1.3 JTDM-2 85 horsepower Sprint. Artist Louise Dear used a complex method of layered paint onto aluminum.

The flamboyant art, entitled "Because I Can," was modeled on Louise’s 17-year-old daughter and introduced influences from the Alfa MiTo into the work, such as the vehicle’s low emissions.

General Motors says GMC depreciation lower than last year

(July 15, 2011) DETROIT – General Motors says the overall residual value of GMC vehicles — what a vehicle is worth after three years on the road — is outpacing the competition and reducing the total cost of ownership for GMC customers.

Ford Sync to get 'Operator Assist' feature

(July 15, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich.— Getting directions or finding a business using Sync Services has become even easier thanks to a new feature called Operator Assist that allows users to instantly connect with a live person.