September 2013

Chevy Silverado edges Ram 1500 in Consumer Reports' testing

(September 17, 2013) YONKERS, N.Y. — In a heavy-metal duel between two top pickup trucks, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500's "Excellent" road-test score makes it Consumer Reports' top-rated truck. But testers point out that the second-place Ram 1500 may be a better daily driver.

Lansing Grand River plant builds its millionth Cadillac

(September 17, 2013) LANSING, Mich. — The millionth Cadillac built at the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant rolled off the line on Sept. 16. Fittingly, the milestone vehicle is an early model of the redesigned 2014 CTS sedan, which goes on sale in October. Lansing Grand River, or LGR as it is known, has been a dedicated rear wheel-drive assembly plant since it opened in late 2001. Every CTS ever made has been built there.

Honda's Project Drive-In adding four more digital projectors

(September 16, 2013) TORRANCE, Calif. — Based on the overwhelming response from fans and communities across the country for Project Drive-In, Honda is adding four more digital projectors to its national effort to save drive-ins facing closure due to the end of 35mm film distribution. 

This brings to nine the number of drive-in theaters aided by the program. Voters can continue to visit www.projectdrivein.com to help determine which of the remaining 116 participating drive-ins, will be awarded one of the four additional digital projectors.

Volkswagen for first time sells six million vehicles in eight months

(September 16, 2013) WOLFSBURG, Germany — For the first time the Volkswagen Group delivered over six million vehicles in the first eight months of a year. The company grew deliveries from January to August to 6.17 million vehicles. August deliveries remained stable at 720,400 units (up slightly from 719,500 in 2012).

Ford's electric vehicle push — 30 million all-electric miles

(September 16, 2013) Ford delivered its best August U.S. electrified vehicle sales ever with 8,292 vehicles sold, up 288 percent over the same period a year ago. August marks the 11th consecutive month Ford achieved electrified vehicle sales records.

And Ford says soon more of its employees will be able to drive to work entirely on electricity, thanks to a new workplace charging network being installed at nearly every Ford facility in the U.S. and Canada.

Nissan to restore legendary Safari Rally Z

(September 15, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — Few true sports cars in history can lay claim to not only being a road-racing champion, but also a rally legend. One such car is the Fairlady Z, which provided the basis for the renowned off-road race machine, the Safari Rally Z.

At Nissan 360, it was announced that Nissan's Restoration Club has decided to bring the Safari Rally Z back to its original running condition.

GM dominates full-size SUV market

(September 15, 2013) When it comes to full-size SUVs, Chevrolet and GMC together are responsible for three of every four vehicles sold. The sales and revenue generated would be equal to a Fortune 400 company.

Mustang: Ideas, concepts and false starts

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(September 15, 2013) Speculation on what form the 2015 Mustang will take is rampant. Rumors suggest a car much like the 2011 Evos concept could have moved to production had not Ford's plans for a global rear-drive platform fallen apart. It's not the first time the Mustang has taken a detour, nor will it be the last; as can be seen by the concepts and ideas that never made it intact into production.

1967 Corvette 427/435, 1960 Mercedes 190SL Roadster headline Carlisle fall event

(September 14, 2013) AUBURN, Indiana — Following its most successful Auburn Fall event to date, Auctions America will round out its 2013 auction season with its annual Fall Carlisle sale, Oct. 3 – 4 at the Carlisle Expo Center in Carlisle, Pa.

Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre gets second Digital Projector Award from Honda

(September 13, 2013) Cherry Bowl Drive-In has become one of five drive-in theaters no longer in jeopardy of closing its doors thanks to Honda's Project Drive-In. With the end of 35-mm film distribution this year, and the costly switch to digital projection nearing, Honda created Project Drive-In as a national effort to save as many of America's remaining drive-ins as possible.