July 2012

Ford recalling 424,000 Escapes over cruise control defect

(July 27, 2012)  Ford is recalling 424,000 Escapes in the United States, model years 2001 through 2004,  because a cruise control defect may cause the throttle to stick, leading to unintended acceleration.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it was investigating the safety defect July 17, based on 99 complaints, including 13 crashes and the death of a 17-year-old Arizona girl.

Production begins for 2013 Cadillac ATS

(July 27, 2012) DETROIT — The first 2013 Cadillac ATS compact luxury sport sedan intended for public sale was built Thursday at the Lansing Grand River assembly plant in Michigan, culminating a massive design and development project.

Willie Nelson's 1986 model tour bus leads Labor Day auction list

(July 27, 2012) AUBURN, Ind. — "Honeysuckle Rose", the famed tour bus of American country music icon Willie Nelson, is on the road again, this time crossing the auction block at Auctions America by RM's third annual Auburn Fall sale, Thursday, Aug. 30, to Sunday, Sept. 2, in Auburn.

Kia to show new Carens at Paris Motor Show

(July 26, 2012) Kia’s all-new Carens compact MPV will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show on Sept. 27. The Carens was sold in the U.S. as the Rondo from 2007 through 2009. No word on whether this new generation vehicle will be sold in North America.

Jaguar, Land Rover creating more than 1,100 new jobs in UK

(July 26, 2012) COVENTRY, UK — Jaguar Land Rover — the UK's largest automotive design, engineering and manufacturing employer — will expand its workforce at its advanced manufacturing facility in Castle Bromwich to support the launch of new Jaguar models.More than 1,100 new jobs are being created, and a recruitment campaign for production operators is being launched on Wednesday.

Scarlet fever at the Silverstone Classic

(July 26, 2012) A world record 60 Ferrari F40s took to the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit during last Sunday’s Silverstone Classic in the UK to mark the Italian supercar’s 25th birthday. The phalanx of scarlet red F40s led a glittering parade of marques, models and car clubs celebrating special milestones in the sun at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.

GM, OnStar seeking to learn how Volt owners operate in sustainable community

(July 25, 2012) AUSTIN, Texas — OnStar and General Motors are partnering in a sustainable residential community demonstration to gain access to real-world driving and charging patterns of the largest community of concentrated Chevrolet Volt owners who also live in managed energy “smart homes.”

Chevrolet made 100 Volts available for purchase on a priority basis last September to residents participating in Pecan Street Inc.’s demonstration project in Austin, Texas.

Red Tails edition Mustang to be auctioned for the Young Eagles

(July 25, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — The engineering and design teams at Ford have produced a truly unique “Red Tails” edition 2013 Ford Mustang GT. This car will be sold at the Gathering of Eagles charity auction Thursday (July 26) during the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh 2012, the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.

Lincoln announces pricing for all-new 2013 MKZ

(July 25, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — Lincoln on Tuesday released the price of the all-new Lincoln MKZ premium midsize sedan, to go on sale this fall, and said that it comes standard with more content and a lower starting price than the new Lexus ES 350.
 

Goodyear discovers soybean oil can reduce use of petroleum in tires

(July 25, 2012) AKRON, Ohio —The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced a development that could help consumers and the environment by reducing the amount of petroleum-based oil used in tires, while at the same time, extending tread life.