March 2014

Ford increases virtual crash computing power

(March 12, 2014) To facilitate growing demands for virtual crash test data, Ford is increasing its investment in computing power an additional 50 percent this year. The technology investment will allow Ford to more quickly conduct virtual crash tests — some of which can take up to a full day to run — while also collecting more data.

Honda to install compressed natural gas fueling station near auto plant

(March 11, 2014) MARYSVILLE, Ohio — As part of its effort to reduce its global CO2 emissions and minimize the environmental impact of its operations, Honda of America Mfg. (HAM) will install a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station on its Marysville Auto Plant property  in Marysville, Ohio.

Honda Civic Si ups the ante with more power, higher tech, sportier styling

(March 12, 2014) TORRANCE, Calif. — With more power, a retuned suspension, an upgraded interior, a host of new features and a restyled coupe model, the 2014 Civic Si is ready to impress, Honda says. Add to this a Best Resale Value Award from Kelley Blue Book and a minimal $275  increase in the starting price, and the 2014 Civic Si is poised for success.

Honda to form separate sales, marketing divisions for Honda, Acura brands

(March 11, 2014) TORRANCE, Calif. — American Honda will strategically realign its automobile sales and marketing operations into separate divisions organized by brand, as the Honda Division and Acura Division.  The moves, effective April 1, are intended to create greater clarity and more cohesive sales and marketing plans that are right for the products and customers of each brand.

Auction of first 2015 Corvette Z06 to benefit Karmanos Cancer Institute

(March 11, 2014) DETROIT — The first retail production 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will be auctioned to benefit the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The Barrett-Jackson auction house will offer the supercar during its Collector Car Auction in Palm Beach, Fla., on April 12.

BMW Group reports record February sales worldwide; U.S. sales off

(March 11, 2014) MUNICH — With 141,093 BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles delivered worldwide, a 5.6 percent gain over February 2013, the BMW Group achieved its best-ever February sales result. A record number of 273,999) automobiles have been delivered to customers since the start of the year, an increase of 6.6 percent  compared with the same period last year.

Volvo tests road magnets for positioning self-driving cars

(March 11, 2014) ROCKLEIGH, N.J. — Volvo Car Group has completed a research project using magnets in the roadway to help the car determine its position. The research, which has been financed in strategic co-operation with the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), is a potential key to the implementation of self-driving vehicles.

Volvo Concept Estate wins multiple 'car of the show' awards in Geneva

(March 10, 2014) Volvo Cars has won a coveted "hat-trick" of awards after its new Concept Estate concept car was named "Car of the Show" by several international media.

Autoblog.com, the respected automotive online commentary site, stated: “You don't have to be a crazy car guy to appreciate that … Volvo is in the middle of a new golden era of automotive design right now." Publications in the UK and the Netherlands reserved similar praise on the Concept Estate, further cementing the car’s status as one of the stars of the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

Volkswagen anticipates new era of auto industry digitalization

(March 10, 2014) HANOVER, Germany — The automobile is approaching a new era of digitalization which will have fundamental impact on the mobility of the future. “The two ground-breaking inventions, the automobile and the computer, are moving closer together. We need to shape the mobility of the future in an even more intelligent, more networked way,” said Dr. Martin Winterkorn, the chairman of the board of management of Volkswagen, at the opening ceremony of CeBIT 2014 in Hanover, one of the premier events in the worldwide digital industry.