December 2012

Jaguar Land Rover opens winter test facility in Minnesota

(December 12, 2012) INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — Jaguar Land Rover has officially opened its new winter test facility in International Falls, Minn.. This facility includes cold testing chambers, snow covered test surfaces, a frozen lake, and a concrete test rack.

Chrysler employees supply art for 2013 calendar


(December 12, 2012) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Chrysler Group employees, contractors and interns recently had the opportunity to showcase their photography expertise in Chrysler Group’s first-ever calendar contest. Twenty-four winning images were selected from 230 entries submitted by Chrysler Group workers all over the world.

Honda recalling 870,000 SUVs, minivans for faulty ignition interlocks

(December 12, 2012) Honda said today it is recalling 870,000 SUVs because they could roll away after being shifted into park. The Japanese automaker said it is recalling 807,000 vehicles in the United States and about 63,000 in 28 other countries, the Detroit News reported.

World’s oldest Ford vehicle returns home to kick off celebration

(December 12, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — A key part of Ford Motor Company’s heritage returns home as a Model A built in 1903 is again with the Ford family, kicking off the yearlong celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of company founder Henry Ford.
 
Considered the oldest surviving Ford vehicle, the 1903 Model A was unveiled Tuesday to Ford Motor Company employees by Executive Chairman Bill Ford, who purchased the vehicle at an auction in October.

Hertz and Nissan launch electric vehicle initiative in Milan, Italy

(December 11, 2012) LONDON — The Hertz Corporation, the world's largest general use car rental brand, has launched an ElectriCity initiative in Milan, Italy, to provide Nissan Leaf electric vehicles for rent by the hour or day. The Nissan Leafs can be rented from Hertz Milano Centrale railway station location.

World's lowest car — the Flatmobile — sells at auction for $15,000

(December 11, 2012) Seems like a low price for such an unusual car, but the Flatmobile, just 19 inches tall, commanded only $15,000 at suction earlier this month in England. The Flatmobile, which Perry Watkins of Perrywinkle Customs built in 2007, started out as a 1963 Hillman Imp.

Honda Civic's new 1.6-liter diesel becoming popular in UK

(December 11, 2012) The appealing combination of emissions, refinement and power provided by the Honda Civic’s new 1.6-liter i-DTEC diesel engine has helped it secure another large fleet contract. The Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) is based in Northampton and has ordered 40 cars from local retailer Avonvale Honda.

Ford to use software updates to fix engine overheating problem

(December 11, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford has announced a corrective action to address potential engine overheating that could result in engine fires in SE and SEL models of the 2013 Ford Escape and Ford Fusion models equipped with 1.6-liter engines. The vehicles were subjects of a voluntary safety recall announced Nov. 30.
 

Honda provides teaser sketch of SUV concept

(December 11, 2012) TORRANCE, Calif. — An all-new Honda compact "Urban SUV Concept" vehicle will make its world debut in January at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Honda announced today.

Volkswagen's worldwide sales grow 11.2 percent in first 11 months

(December 11, 2012) WOLFSBURG — Through the first 11 months of 2012, the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand handed over 5.22 million vehicles to customers worldwide, an 11.2 percent increase over the same period in 2011.

The brand also recorded an increase of 11.5 per cent for November, delivering 504,800 units.