January 2014

New luxury British sports car brand to launch in 2014

(January 17, 2014) LONDON — An all-new, British luxury automotive brand is to be launched in April 2014, promising to refresh the classic British sports car, for the 21st Century.

Successful British businessman and car enthusiast, David Brown, has created a brand in his own name — David Brown Automotive — to deliver his vision for a new take on the British sports car.

Export sales jump for British sports car maker Caterham

(January 17, 2014) LONDON — Caterham Cars has sold more vehicles to overseas buyers in 2013 than in any other year in the firm’s history. Its export sales now represent over 61 percent of all units sold. Thanks to its expanding export team, the British sports car marque has notched up over 300 export sales of its famous two-seater Seven model in 2013, outstripping last year’s total by 25 per cent.

GM predicts profits to rise in 2014 on new vehicles

(January 17, 2014) DETROIT — General Motors forecasts modest global industry growth in 2014 driven by the United States, China and Europe. Based on this outlook and the introduction of key vehicles globally, the company expects its total earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) adjusted to be modestly improved with improved underlying operating performance more than offsetting increased restructuring expense.

Production of new Volkswagen Golf begins in Mexico

(January 16, 2014) PUEBLA, Mexico — Production of the new Volkswagen Golf began Jan. 14 at the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico. The facility is to build further models from the Golf family for the North America region going forward.

Nearly 1,000 new hires start work at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant

(January 16, 2014) KANSAS CITY — Ford this week begins welcoming nearly 1,000 new employees at its Kansas City Assembly Plant to prepare for the launch of the all-new Ford Transit that goes on sale in the United States this summer.

The company also is announcing that 175 additional employees will be hired by March to help build the new Transit. The new employees put Ford Motor Company on the top 10 list of Missouri employers.

Volvo Concept XC Coupe wins auto show design award

(January 16, 2014) DETROIT — The Volvo Concept XC Coupé won two prestigious design awards this week, further raising the excitement around Volvo Car Group’s new design language. The Concept XC Coupe was awarded the title “Best Concept Car” at the 2014 EyesON Design Awards at the 2014 Detroit auto show, while Volvo’s latest concept vehicle also won the award for “Best use of Color, Graphics and Materials.”

London taxi drivers to test new electric London-style cab

(January 16, 2014) LONDON — The British designed, engineered and built Metrocab, from Mytchett Surrey-based Ecotive and Frazer-Nash, is a new generation zero-emissions electric-powered taxi for London, and represents the cutting edge of green transport technology with a design both evolutionary and sympathetic to the iconic black cab silhouette.

Nissan's Project Titan asks truck enthusiasts to help build new pickup

(January 16, 2014) LAS VEGAS — Nissan's full-size Titan pickup will become the automaker's next crowd-sourced project vehicle. Nissan made the announcement today during a special media event at the 2014 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show and Conference in Las Vegas.

Cadillac crest evolves to reflect brand growth

(January 15, 2014) DETROIT — Cadillac is introducing an evolution of the historic Cadillac Crest, a revision in synch with new products such as the award-winning 2014 CTS and 2015 ATS Coupe. The new Cadillac Crest will begin appearing on vehicles in the second half of 2014.

Ford posts strong retail sales growth in Europe in 2013

(January 15, 2014) COLOGNE, Germany — Ford of Europe reported today that its retail sales increased 14 percent for full-year 2013, driving the company’s retail market share up a full percentage point to 8.2 percent. The improvement in retail sales — sales to individual customers — was the result of a strategic shift in 2013 to target healthier sales channels.