August 2011

High-perfromance SRT brand hits the road for 40-stop tour

(August 12 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler's newly formed Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Brand is hitting the road with its first-ever, "SRT High Performance Tour" featuring four drivers, four vehicles — the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8, Dodge Challenger SRT8, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Chrysler 300 SRT8 — visiting more than 40 clubs and events in the next four months. 

Rand McNally introduces new GPS for RVers

(August 12, 2011) MADISON, Wis. (PRNewswire) — Rand McNally has introduced the latest addition to its line of navigation devices at the Family Motor Coach Association's 86th Family Reunion. The TripMaker RVND 7710 provides a large 7-inch high-definition screen and 8 GB of onboard storage for RV-related information.

One millionth Kia comes through the Port of Tacoma

(August 12, 2011) TACOMA, Wash. (PRNewswire) — The one millionth Kia vehicle to come into the United States through the Port of Tacoma — a 2011 Optima Hybrid, still covered in protective wrap — rolled off a ship at the Port's Blair Terminal on Aug. 11.

"We congratulate Kia Motors on reaching this milestone at our port," said Connie Bacon, commission president, Port of Tacoma."

Ram hooks up with Wal-Mart for fall promotion, announces new TV ads

(August 12, 2011) In 2009 the Dodge Ram pickup got its own division within Chrysler and became just the Ram. Life has been good for the new division with the Ram truck picking up awards here and there and earning strong reviews.

Sales have also be on the upswing and to reenforce the brand image and its new "Code of the West" campaign, Ram has announced two new Western-themed television spots that will debut nationwide in September.

GM awards contract for advanced lithium ion batteries for future vehicles

(August 11, 2011) DETROIT — General Motors has awarded a production contract to A123 Systems, a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate lithium ion batteries and systems, for batteries to be used in future GM electric vehicles to be sold in select global markets.

Audi concept puts new spin on urban transportation

(August 11, 2011) Audi will unveil its new Urban Concept ultra-light battery car for congested urban spaces at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September.

The Audi urban concept is not based on any previous model — its development is solely oriented on the strict principles of lightweight construction, efficiency and reduction. The result is a concept car with no unnecessary weight, and one that concentrates on the pure essence of sporty motion.

Ford realigns global leadership team

(August 11, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Company today announced a realignment of its global Product Development leadership team, naming Barb Samardzich, vice president, Global Product Programs, to the position of vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe.

Effective Sept. 1, Samardzich, 52, will oversee all Product Development activities in the European region.  She will report to Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe and Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development.

No payments for 90 days! A new Chrysler deal

(August 11 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler has announced a “No Payments for 90 Days” promotion on all 2011 and 2012 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram Truck models financed through Ally Financial.

The deferred retail payment program is effective immediately and will continue through Chrysler Group’s “Summer Clearance Event” which ends Sept. 6.

Mazda opens parts distribution center in Texas

(August 11, 2011) DALLAS — Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) has announced the opening of its Dallas/Fort Worth Parts Distribution Center.  The new center, located in Grapevine, Texas, will supply Mazda automotive parts to more than 100 dealers across the Southwest U.S. and Mexico, and host a state-of-the-art training center for service technicians. 

Chevrolet Malibu engineers are all ears

(August 11, 2011) MILFORD, Mich. — A room full of audiophiles may not agree on a single style of music, but most concur that ordinary MP3 player ear buds don’t have the technology to deliver concert-quality sound. Likewise, Chevrolet noise engineers threw out conventional tools to evaluate the interior sound quality of the all-new 2013 Malibu sedan.