May 2014

Snoopy license plate to help fund California museums

(May 25, 2014) SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The California state legislature unanimously passed a bill this past week with bipartisan support to recognize the essential role that museums have in California as educational institutions. This overwhelming endorsement complements a program underway to put the beloved beagle Snoopy on California license plates and help fund the state's museums at the same time.

All-new 2015 Hyundai Sonata to begin under $22,000

(May 25, 2014) FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — Hyundai has announced pricing for the all-new 2015 Sonata beginning at $21,960 including destination charge. From the base model 2015 Sonata 2.4-liter to a new range-topping Sport 2.0T Ultimate that offers class-above features such as hands-free Smart Trunk, Smart Cruise Control with stop/start capability, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel, the 2015 Sonata appeals to a wider range of customers than ever before.

Mini concept blends the traditional with the modern

(May 24, 2014) CERNOBBIO, Italy — The BMW Group celebrates the meeting of the time-honored and the contemporary at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2014 this weekend with a very special concept: the Mini Superleggera Vision. This exclusive interpretation of an open-top two-seater was created by Mini and Touring Superleggera, the tradition-steeped design and coach building house based in Milan.

All-new 2015 F-150 most patented truck in Ford history

(May 24, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — From its tailgate step to the LED spotlights found on the side mirrors, the next-generation 2015 Ford F-150’s new features and technologies make it the most patented truck in company history.

“The all-new F-150 is loaded with innovation,” said Alana Strager, Ford program analyst charged with tracking new innovations for the 2015 truck. “Ford engineers filed more than 100 new patents for technologies on this truck as they have worked to redefine the light-duty pickup for the next generation.”

Ford Otosan opens new $511 million facility in Turkey

(May 23, 2014) YENIKÖY, Turkey — Ford Otosan, the Turkish-based joint venture between Ford Motor Company and Koç Holding, officially launched vehicle production today at a modern, all-new vehicle production facility in Yeniköy, Turkey.

A ceremony marked the start of production at the new $511million plant, which is launching production of the Ford Transit Courier small commercial vehicle and Ford Tourneo Courier entry-level people-mover.

Chevrolet makes stop/start standard in 2015 Impala

(May 23, 2014) DETROIT — Stop/start technology will be standard on the 2015 Impala base 2.5-liter ECOTEC engine, an addition that improves the vehicle’s city fuel economy by nearly 5 percent, or one mile per gallon.

The Impala comes standard with a four-cylinder engine, which currently accounts for more than 30 percent of Impala retail sales. It offers customers higher mpg city ratings and a more affordable entry price into the segment than six-cylinder competitors.

New Toyota recall involves 516,000 vehicles worldwide

(May 23, 2014) Toyota said Thursday it will recall 516,000 vehicles worldwide in three new campaigns for rust, air bag and brake pedal issues.

The automaker said it will recall 2004-2011 Sienna minivans sold or registered in several states that use road salt. The spare tire could fall off if a cable rusts. It affects 450,000 Siennas worldwide and 370,000 in the U.S. Until a fix is ready, dealers will relocate the spare to the luggage compartment.

Accord most popular car in first quarter 2014 based on retail registrations

(May 23, 2014) TORRANCE, Calif. — The Honda Accord is leading in the effort to repeat its 2013 performance as the most popular new car with individual American car buyers. Through the first three months of 2014, four of Honda's five top-selling models — Accord, Civic, CR-V and Odyssey — each led their segments in retail registrations for the first quarter of 2014, according to a Honda analysis of new vehicle registration data from IHS Automotive.

Ford touts new F-650/F-750 diesel with best-in-class HP, torque

(May 22, 2014) DEARBORN — Ford announces the all-new F-650/F-750 medium-duty truck lineup with 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel will feature three engine power ratings, including best-in-class standard diesel horsepower and torque, and no vocational limits on top ratings.

GM outlines efforts to transform transportation

(May 22, 2014) DETROIT — Facing an automotive industry that General Motors says is unsustainable in its current form, it is restructuring its global vehicle portfolio, rethinking manufacturing and collaborating with unlikely partners to advance the industry.

The company is working to transform transportation and describes its efforts in its latest sustainability report.