September 2011

Infiniti will use small-car platform from Mercedes for new compact car

(Sept. 14, 2011) FRANKFURT – Nissan Motor Company's Infiniti brand plans to build a compact car based on a small-car platform from Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said in a joint press conference with Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG.

The new model based on the concept Etherea, will mark an expansion of the cooperation between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan alliance, Ghosn said at the Frankfurt auto show earlier today.

Alfa pushes back its return to U.S.

(Sept. 14, 2011) FRANKFURT – Automotive News reports that Alfa Romeo has delayed the U.S. introduction of several key models by at least another year and has cancelled plans to build a mid-sized SUV at Chrysler Group's factory in Toledo, Ohio.
 
Alfa Romeo CEO Harald Wester, in a presentation to financial analysts here today in connection with the Frankfurt auto show, said Alfa Romeo was scaling back its global expansion plans.

1969 Camaro named 'Best Chevy of All Time'

(September 14, 2011) DETROIT — Nearly 125,000 Chevrolet fans have spoken, naming the 1969 Camaro the “Best Chevy of All Time.”

As part of Chevrolet’s Centennial celebration, fans were asked to vote for their favorite vehicle from Chevrolet’s 100-year history. During the four-round, elimination bracket, the 1969 Camaro garnered 25,058 of the 124,368 votes cast, edging out the 1970 Chevelle SS in the final round.

Jennifer Lopez and Fiat team up

(September 14, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Fiat has announced its collaboration with actress and entertainer Jennifer Lopez. The first element of the relationship, which debuted Monday around the world, includes the placement of the all-new 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio in Lopez’s new music video, “Papi,” which is the latest single from Lopez’s new album, “Love?”

South Korea's SsangYong shows off SUV concept

(September 14, 2011) FRANKFURT — The XIV-1 concept, shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week, is a showcase for South Korean automaker SsangYong’s design and engineering talents. The name XIV-1 is derived from the phrase "eXciting user Interface Vehicle," highlighting the show car’s focus on interaction with the driver and passengers.

Johnson Controls to build $100 million start-stop battery plant in China

(September 14, 2011) FRANKFURT, Germany — Due to increasing global demand for Start-Stop technology, Johnson Controls is investing $100 million to build a Start-Stop vehicle battery plant in China. The plant will supply global and local automakers in Asia and is expected to start production in early 2013.

Nevada father and son team find hidden Dodge Journey

(September 13, 2011) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — An adventurous outdoorsy father and son from Nevada proved that family teamwork and hiking trips pay off, as they were the first to find one of three 2012 Dodge Journey vehicles hidden across America in the Dodge brand’s “Search Engine for the Real World” giveaway.

Ford reveals Fiesta ST concept

(September 13, 2011) FRANKFURT, Germany — Ford today showcased the company’s vision to take its ST performance family around the world with the surprise reveal of an exciting new Fiesta ST Concept alongside the production debut of the all-new Focus ST at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

For complete coverage of the show click here.

Honda launches Civic five-door for European market

(September 13, 2011) Honda has launched the new European market Civic at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Civic will be offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback and will compete in the C-segment, the heart of the European Car market. It will reach European showrooms in early 2012. For complete coverage of the show click here.

Ford to put new 1.0-liter EcoBoost in Focus, C-MAX and new B-MAX

(September 13, 2011) COLOGNE, Germany — Ford has confirmed the first production applications for its smallest-ever EcoBoost engine at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. With only 3 cylinders and 1.0 litter of displacement, the new EcoBoost engine will provide fuel-efficient power for three models in the European product range — first the Focus, followed by C-MAX and the all-new Ford B-MAX.