May 2012

Clanging Bell falls for a little Chevy

(May 13, 2012) Russ Heaps, purveyor of Clanging Bell, has found himself proclaiming good things about a little Chevrolet. It could never happen to a jaded veteran automotive journalist, Russ thought.

Carroll Shelby in Ford family for more than half century

(May 12, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — Carroll Shelby was a member of the Ford family for the better part of 60 years, producing stunning performance vehicles from concepts to production models. He once said his energy and passion for performance products were always strongest when he was working with Ford.
 
Shelby most recently collaborated with the company on the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, the most powerful production V8 in the world. Working with SVT engineers at Sebring and the Arizona Proving Grounds, at times he drove for more than eight hours — at the ripe old age of 88. He was having so much fun, he didn’t want to stop.

Opel will build Citroen C5 successor, PSA official says

(May 11, 2012) RENNES, France — A report from Automotive News Europe says General Motors Co.'s Opel unit will build the Citroen C5 successor as part of the U.S. automaker's alliance with PSA/Peugeot-Citroen. This information comes from an official at the French company.

Under current plans, production of the replacement C5 mid-sized sedan will move to a GM plant, Jean-Luc Perrard, head of PSA's factory in Rennes, France, told regional newspaper Ouest France.

Ford Fusion provides 'unprecedented' suite of driver assist technologies

(May 11, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford says that the all-new 2013 Ford Fusion leapfrogs the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord with an unprecedented suite of active driver assist technologies usually found only in luxury cars costing twice as much.
 
A package of radar, ultrasonic, optical and motion sensors adds a new level of convenience for midsize sedan customers by transitioning beyond passive safety technology to offer drivers Lane-Keeping System, Driver Alert System, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), active park assist, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, collision warning and a rear view camera.

Each Cadillac XTS buyer will get an iPad

(May 10, 2012) DETROIT — An extensive network of services will accompany the launch of the Cadillac User Experience (CUE), the breakthrough in-vehicle system to access entertainment and information. Each 2013 Cadillac XTS buyer will receive an iPad with their new car as part of the customer experience.

Smart to sell electric Escooter by 2014

(May 10, 2012) STUTTGART – smart will launch the escooter on the market in 2014. For smart, this is the next logical step in implementing its comprehensive concept for future urban mobility.

“The decision in favor of the escooter has been made,” said Dr. Joachim Schmidt, executive vice president sales and marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars. “With this step, we are adding a further important component to our smart mobility concept for urban mobility in the future,” he added.

RV shipments up nearly 10 percent in 2012

(May 10, 2012) RESTON, Va. — Recreation vehicle shipments continued to trend upward in early 2012 despite a jittery economy and elevated fuel prices according to market data collected by Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). Wholesale shipments to retailers in March reached 28,100 — the best March total since 2008. In February, manufacturers shipped 24,600 units, giving the industry its best two-month period since 2008.

Behind the scenes with Marisa Miller on Enclave commercial

(May 10, 2012) DETROIT — Supermodel Marisa Miller hits the airwaves in the latest Buick commercial in a campaign that so far has featured basketball player Shaquille O’Neal being impressed by the LaCrosse luxury sedan’s legroom and actor Ving Rhames using his mastery of intimidation to benefit from the new Experience Buick lease option.

Frito-Lay completes one million electric miles

(May 10, 2012) PLANO, Texas — The all-electric trucks introduced by PepsiCo's Frito-Lay North America division have charged their way to a million miles this month. Over the past two years, 176 all-electric trucks by Smith Electric Vehicles have been added to the Frito-Lay commercial delivery truck fleet.  To date, these trucks have eliminated the need for approximately 200,000 gallons of diesel fuel.

2013 Corvette ZR1 to pace Indy 500

(May 9, 2012) INDIANAPOLIS — A 2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 will lead the starting field of the 96th Indianapolis 500 to the green flag Sunday, May 27, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. With 638 horsepower, the Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful production car ever to pace the race.