February 2014

Kia pioneers energy-saving ventilation systems for Soul EV

(February 13, 2014) Kia’s Soul EV electric vehicle is undergoing a comprehensive winter testing program in northern Sweden to test its innovative new drivetrain and on-board technologies ahead of going on sale in the UK and North America late in 2014.

All-new compact Mercedes-Benz GLA250 arrives in showrooms this fall

(February 13, 2014) MONTVALE, N.J. — Progressive design, serene day-to-day driving and offroad capability: easily handling various automotive applications, the all- new Mercedes-Benz GLA impressively reinterprets the compact SUV segment. It effortlessly masters day-to-day driving and is also robust enough for off-road excursions. The 2015 GLA will arrive in U.S. showrooms in the fall of 2014.

'Greenest' vehicles for 2014 ranked in environmental ratings

(February 13, 2014) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Looking forward to vehicle sales above 16 million in 2014 for the first time in seven years, automakers are capitalizing on the market upswing by offering customers a vast array of vehicle options. Included are vehicles considered "green" or energy efficient and to give consumers insight into the "greenest" cars, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) through greenercars.org has released its 17th annual comprehensive environmental ratings for vehicles.

Honda Civic Type R Concept set for worldwide debut at Geneva

(February 13, 2014) — Honda has revealed its 2014 Geneva Motor Show line-up, including the worldwide debut of the Civic Type R Concept model, the European debut of the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Concept, the powertrain layout of the new NSX and the 2014 Civic World Touring Car Championship race car.

Ferrari California T to be unveiled at Geneva with new V8

(February 12, 2014) MARANELLO, Italy — The Ferrari California T epitomizes elegance, sportiness, versatility and exclusivity: characteristics that have distinguished every California model since the 1950s. It will be unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March.

The California T boasts striking standards of innovation while retaining signature features such as the successful 2+ concept, a refined cabin and, of course, the retractable hard top which transforms it from a chic coupé into a sleekly sophisticated spider in a mere 14 seconds.

Toyota recalling 713,000 Prius cars in North America for software fix

(February 12, 2014) Toyota dealers will reprogram software in about 713,000 Toyota Prius cars in North America that are being recalled to fix a hybrid control unit glitch that can cause the cars to automatically shut down and enter a limp-home failsafe mode. The software update also affects 997,000 cars in Japan and another 130,000 in Europe.

Ford strong out of the gate in China with January sales up 53 percent

(February 12, 2014) SHANGHAI — Ford China gallops into the Year of the Horse with record January sales, posting 53 percent growth and sales of 94,466 wholesale vehicles, compared to 61,567 in January 2013.

Ford China passenger car sales — which include imported cars — accounted for 72,598 vehicles, a year-on-year sales increase of 63 percent compared to 44,439 sold in January 2013.

Nissan Leaf best-selling electric car in Europe in 2013

(February 12, 2014) ROLLE, Switzerland — Nissan today announced that sales of the world's best-selling electric vehicle (EV), the 100 percent electric Nissan Leaf, recorded its best year yet in Europe selling 25 percent more units in 2013 than the next best seller.

2015 K900 luxury sedan signals a new era for Kia

(February 11, 2014) IRVINE, Calif. — The all-new 2015 K900 is poised to challenge the rear-drive luxury sedan segment with an extensive list of standard equipment, world-class accommodations, premium driving dynamics and stunning design that will redefine consumer perception and expectations of the Kia brand.

The K900 is expected to go sale early this spring in the U.S.

GM sets all-time monthly sales record in China

(February 11, 2014) SHANGHAI — In January, General Motors and its joint ventures set an all-time monthly sales record in China with sales of 348,061 units, an increase of 12.0 percent from January 2013, the previous record month.

Domestic sales by Shanghai GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling and their Buick and Wuling brands all reached all-time highs as well i
n January.