News archive

April 2014

Cadillac sponsors 'Make Your Mark' film competition

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(April 28, 2014) DETROIT — The Producers Guild of America and Cadillac have announced the start of the "Make Your Mark" short film competition. Producers nationwide will compete for the opportunity to have a portion of their film, and their name, to be featured in Cadillac's 30-second spot that will air on ABC during the 2015 Oscars.

The competition honors the work of renowned Academy Award winning filmmaker Saul Zaentz ("The English Patient," "Amadeus," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"), who passed away earlier this year.

Curbing motion sickness in the Buick Enclave

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(April 28, 2014) DETROIT — You probably won’t recall the number of the road trips when one of your passengers didn’t get car sick while watching the rear DVD entertainment system, like the one in the Buick Enclave. Some credit for that goes to General Motors’ Human Factors group for properly placing the screen outside “the puke zone.”

As part of an effort to continually improve the way customers interact with vehicles, the Human Factors group conducts about 100 studies globally each year, including some with younger subjects who come to check out Mom and Dad’s workplace.

Nissan displays Smart Rearview Mirror; wins award in New York

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(April 28, 2014) NEW YORK — Nissan's Smart Rearview Mirror will be introduced in Japan later this year, but it's already being recognized for the anticipated positive effect it may have on roadways. Last week at the New York International Auto Show, the World Traffic Safety Symposium named the Nissan Smart Rearview Mirror a 2014 Traffic Safety Achievement Award recipient, a recognition given annually to organizations and individuals that help create a safer environment for motorists and pedestrians.

2015 Hyundai Genesis meets Greenville, S.C.: The ideal marriage

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By Russ Heaps
Clanging Bell

(April 27, 2014) GREENVILLE, SC. — I'm not the kind of guy who shows off a lot. I'm old, bald, fat and broke, which doesn't leave me a lot of wriggle room for showing off. But I did get to show off my city this week to about 60 people – 40 or 50 of them had never been to Greenville before. I was only too happy to bask in the deluge of compliments rained down on me by my media brethren and Hyundai internals attending the two-day function.

New Buick LaCrosse Ultra Luxury interior drives fashion forward

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(April 26, 2014) DETROIT — Design statements with staying power are key in the automotive landscape, and Buick’s global network of designers make them by continuously monitoring and interpreting trends in high-end fashion, furnishings, architecture and product design.

An example is the 2014 LaCrosse and its unique Ultra Luxury Interior Package.

2015 Corvette offers Atlantic, Pacific design packages

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(April 26, 2014) BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Chevrolet announced this week the 2015 Corvette Stingray will be available in two new Design Packages: the Atlantic luxury convertible and the Pacific performance coupe. They go on sale later this year with the rest of the 2015 Corvette Stingray lineup.

GM's first-quarter profit falls on $1.3 billion in recall-related expenses

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(April 25, 2014) DETROIT — Surging transaction prices on trucks helped General Motors offset heavy costs from safety recalls and eke out a small profit in the first quarter. GM posted net income of $125 million in the first three months of the year, down 86 percent from a year earlier. The bottom line reflected $1.3 billion in recall-related expenses as well as about $200 million in restructuring costs in GM's European business.

Toyota celebrates a decade of energy excellence

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(April 25, 2014) ERLANGER, Ky. — What do the cities of Dallas, Texas, and Oakland, Calif., have in common?  A lot, according to Toyota’s engineers, despite the two cities being separated by nearly 1,700 miles with different demographics and industries.

Ford reports 19th straight profitable quarter, but net income falls

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(April 15, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford today reported a 2014 first quarter pre-tax profit of $1.4 billion, its 19th consecutive profitable quarter, but net income fell 39 percent from the same period a year ago to $989 million on weaker pricing in the United States and higher warranty expenses.

Nissan develops first 'self-cleaning' car prototype

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(April 25, 2014) ROLLE, Switzerland — Washing a car can be a chore — and a costly one at that. In response, Nissan in Europe has begun tests on innovative paint technology that repels mud, rain and everyday dirt, meaning drivers may never have to clean their car again.

The specially engineered super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint, which repels water and oils, has been applied to the all-new European market Nissan Note to create the world's first self-cleaning car.