September 2011

Ford leads Motorist Choice Awards with four category wins

(September 23, 2011) ANAHEIM, Calif.  —Ford has come out on top in the latest satisfaction survey, the Motorist Choice Awards, conducted by automotive industry research companies IntelliChoice and AutoPacific. The sixth annual Motorist Choice Awards were announced Thursday at the Orange County International Auto Show.

The award series is designed to recognize "those vehicles that deliver the compelling combination of high consumer satisfaction and lower-than-expected ownership costs over time."

Fiat Doblò to enter North American market under the Ram brand

(September 22, 2011) TURIN, ITALY – It has been confirmed that a Letter of Intent has been signed between Fiat Group Automobiles SpA (FGA) and its Turkish joint-venture partner TOFAS to supply the Fiat Doblò vehicle to Chrysler Group where it will be sold in the U.S. and Canadian markets under the Ram brand.

Chrysler putting test fleet of plug-in hybrid pickups in Charlotte

(September 22, 2011) AUBURN HILLS — Ten plug-in hybrid electric Ram 1500 pickups will be supplied to Duke Energy in Charlotte, N.C., as part of a demonstration project by Chrysler Group.

The Plug-in hybrid Ram 1500s are part of a national demonstration fleet of 140 vehicles that will be used during the next three years to evaluate customer usage, drive cycles, charging, thermal management, fuel economy, emissions and impact on the region's electric grid.

Honda shows CR-V concept at Orange County auto show

(September 22, 2011) ANAHEIM, Calif. — The 2012 Honda CR-V Concept made its public debut at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim today, and introduced the styling direction for the all-new, fourth-generation CR-V.

The 2012 CR-V will go on sale in the United States by the end of the year and will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

All-new Chevrolet Colorado prepares for launch in Thailand

(September 21, 2011) BANGKOK — Chevrolet‘s highly anticipated new-generation Colorado has been put through final testing in Thailand as General Motors prepares to produce the midsize pickup in its Rayong assembly plant.

Engineers have been running final shakedown work on pre-production vehicles in a range of conditions. The new Colorado will be sold in markets across Asia Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and South America.

National motorcycle thefts down 24 percent since 2007

(September 21, 2011) DES PLAINES, Ill. —The National Insurance Crime Bureau today reported that in 2010, motorcycle thefts were down 24 percent from their 2007 total. There were 65,678 motorcycles reported stolen in 2007 compared with 49,791 in 2010 — a decline of 24 percent. 

All data is from theft reports contained in the National Crime Information Center. 

Nissan launches 'My Versa Road Trip' social media program

(September 21, 2011) Complementing the success of the current “Most _____ per dollar” campaign, Nissan is amplifying marketing support for the new 2012 Nissan Versa sedan with an interactive social media promotion. The three-phased campaign will demonstrate the Versa’s key innovations while engaging social-savvy audiences.

Shanghai GM celebrates production of Its 5 millionth vehicle

(September 21, 2011) SHANGHAI — Shanghai GM on Tuesday celebrated the production of its 5 millionth vehicle, a Buick LaCrosse eAssist. This is the shortest period of time that any Chinese automaker has reached the milestone. The GM-SAIC joint venture’s first vehicle rolled off the assembly line on Dec. 17, 1998.

Deere dealers to sell Honda products in U.S.

(September 20, 2011) MOLINE, Ill. — Deere & Company announced today a new sales and marketing agreement with Honda Power Equipment to sell Honda premium power products at participating John Deere dealerships in the United States.

Shipments of Honda inventory to John Deere dealerships will be phased in, beginning in 2012.

Nissan pushes for thousands of quick chargers across Europe

(September 20, 2011) ROLLE, Switzerland  — Nissan has teamed up with leading European utility and electrical vehicle supply equipment companies to speed development of cheaper, smaller, quick chargers for electric vehicle batteries, and accelerate the installation of publicly-available Quick Charge points across Europe.

This agreement between Nissan, Circutor, DBT, Efacec, Endesa and Siemens is expected to result in a dramatic reduction in the price of the units — by over half  — paving the way for businesses such as service stations, car park operators and retail outlets to install quick chargers and run them profitably as a commercial enterprise.