March 2014

Aston Martin launches ice driving program in U.S.

(March 18, 2014) IRVINE, Calif. — Aston Martin has launched the company’s first ice driving program in North America, hosted at Crested Butte, Col., providing customers with the ultimate driving experience against a stunning mountainous backdrop. 

Offering customers the opportunity to experience the full potential of the Aston Martin range and hone their driving skills, the new On Ice program took place in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains in a unique setting, with an ice track custom built for the occasion as illustrated in a new film from the event, released today.

GM announces recalls of 1.5-million additional vehicles involving three defects

(March 17, 2014) DETROIT — As a result of Mary Barra’s request for a comprehensive internal safety review following the ignition switch recall, General Motors today announced three separate recalls involving U.S. production and sales involving about 1.5 million vehicles.

Honda recalling 886,815 Odyssey minivans over fuel pump issue

(March 17, 2014) Honda is recalling nearly 900,000 Odyssey minivans that could catch fire, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a recall notice posted on Friday. In a March 13 filing with NHTSA, Honda said 2005-2010 Odysseys built in Alabama have a fuel pump part that could crack and cause a fuel leak, increasing the risk of fire.

Renault, Nissan to converge four major functions

(March 17, 2014) AMSTERDAM — The Renault-Nissan Alliance today announced it will begin implementing convergence initiatives in four key operational areas starting 1 April, with the goal of achieving at least €4.3 billion ($5.9 billion) in annualized synergies by 2016.

Management teams and the boards of Renault and Nissan finalized the convergence plans following consultations with employee representatives. The Alliance initially launched convergence study projects in late January in four key areas: Engineering, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, and Human Resources.

Volvo conducts research into driver sensors to create safer cars

(March 17, 2014) ROCKLEIGH, N.J. — Through systems that can recognize and distinguish whether a driver is tired or inattentive, the car of the future can become even safer. Examples of this include technology that detects what the driver is looking at or whether he or she has closed eyes.

Top mark in Mitsubishi's Extreme MPG Hypermiling Challenge is 74.1

(March 16, 2014) CYPRESS, Calif. — Aaron Gold of About.com, with an astounding fuel efficiency of 74.1 mpg driving his Kiwi Green 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage, finished with the highest MPG in the Mitsubishi Motors Extreme MPG Hypermiling Challenge.

Following Aaron in the 275-mile trek from Las Vegas, Nev., to the Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) headquarters in Cypress was Mike Austin from Popular Mechanics in his Plasma Purple Mirage and Joni Gray of Autobytel in her Sapphire Blue Mirage. Both Mike and Joni tied with an average fuel economy rating of 68.5 mpg.

2015 Cadillac ATS Coupe elevates in-vehicle connectivity

(March 16, 2014) DETROIT — Cadillac will add enhanced in-vehicle connectivity with the addition of OnStar 4G LTE and the CUE Collection suite of applications. The 2015 ATS Coupe will be among the first Cadillac models equipped with both advanced technologies when it goes on sale this summer.

Chrysler adds 800 employees at Sterling Heights plant to build the 200

(March 15, 2014) STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. — Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne announced Friday that 800 jobs have been added to the rolls at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant, a facility that was slated to close in 2010, to support production of the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200.

Marchionne confirmed the hiring during a plant event celebrating production of the new mid-size vehicle.
 

First Datsun cars sold in 21st Century to be delivered in India

(March 15, 2014) YOKOHAMA, Japan — On March 19, the first Datsun cars sold in the 21st century will be delivered to customers in India. It fulfills a promise made two years ago to bring back the marque that made car ownership mainstream in Japan and numerous other countries, and now returns as the brand of choice for the risers in today's high-growth markets.

Ferrari Land theme park to be developed in Spain

(March 14, 2014) PortAventura Entertainment S.A.U., a subsidiary of Investindustrial, has signed a licensing agreement with Ferrari to build Ferrari Land, a new Prancing Horse theme park, inside the PortAventura resort and theme park outside Barcelona in Spain.

Ferrari Land will cover 75,000 square meters and include a variety of new and exciting attractions for Prancing Horse enthusiasts of all ages, including Europe’s highest and fastest vertical accelerator. An opportunity for the whole family to experience and discover the world of Ferrari.