December 2013

McLaren adds five dealership locations in North America

(December 22, 2013) McLaren North America has announced the expansion of its retailer network, with the appointment of five new authorized retailers. The four locations in the U.S. and one in Canada will take the network to 15 retailers representing the North American market

All new Mini to be unveiled; Mini Concept debuts in Detroit

(December 21, 2013) The new edition of an original is the central focus of the Mini presentation at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month. The British premium brand presents the new Mini - with a distinctive and carefully refined design, further increased driving fun and a range of innovative fittings that is unique in the small car segment.

First retail 2015 Mustang to be auctioned for charity

(December 22, 2013) SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The first retail unit of the all-new Ford Mustang will be sold at Barrett-Jackson Auction Company’s event in Scottsdale on Jan. 18. Offered at no reserve, all proceeds will benefit JDRF, the country’s leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research.

Volkswagen of America reaches 100,000 diesel sales in 2013

(December 21, 2013) HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen Group of America reported Friday, Dec. 20, that it has sold 100,000 TDI Clean Diesel vehicles from the Volkswagen and Audi brands this year. This is the first time it has reached this milestone in a calendar year.

Volkswagen and Audi currently offer 12 different TDI Clean Diesel powered models in the United States. 

Lamborghini Huracán — A new dimension in luxury sports cars

(December, 20, 2013) SAINT'AGATA BOLOGNESE, Italy — A new era is beginning for Automobili Lamborghini and the luxury super sports car segment. The new Huracán Lamborghini is not only presenting the successor to the iconic Gallardo, but is also redefining the benchmark for luxury super sports cars in this segment.

Ford announces aggressive 2014 with 23 vehicle launches worldwide

(December 20, 2013) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford next year will launch 23 new vehicles to customers around the world, open three more manufacturing facilities and add more than 5,000 new jobs in the United States to meet growing demand for its products.

Twenty-two vehicles earn Top Safety Pick + in IIHS ratings

December 19, 2013) ARLINGTON, Va. — Twenty-two vehicles earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest safety award for 2014, Top Safety Pick+, thanks to a high level of protection in crashes and the availability of front crash prevention technology to avoid many collisions in the first place.

Honda to debut all-new 2015 Fit at Detroit auto show

(December 19, 2013) TORRANCE, Calif. — Honda will take the wraps off the all-new 2015 Fit at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 13. Honda will showcase significant advancements designed to further extend Fit's status as the benchmark vehicle in the subcompact-car class.

Stair steps to safety

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(December 19, 2013) Today’s safety technologies weren’t created in a vacuum, having arisen from other, sometimes seemingly unrelated, advances that made them possible. What follows are some of the major steps along the way to the automotive safety systems we have today.

Cadillac begins shipping electric ELR vehicles to dealerships

(December 18, 2013) DETROIT — General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly today began shipping 2014 Cadillac ELR electric luxury vehicles to dealerships. The ELR luxury coupe is the first application of Extended Range Electric Vehicle technology by a full-line luxury automotive brand.