May 2014

VW sets new worldwide four-month passenger car sales record

(May 13, 2014) The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand delivered almost two million vehicles for the first time in the first four months of a year, selling 1.99 million vehicles worldwide through April, representing an increase of 4.6 percent over the same period last year.

The brand delivered 513,400 in April, a 6.8 percent gain over April 2013.

VW announces 2015 Golf to start at $17,995

(May 13, 2014) HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen has announced pricing of the all-new 2015 Golf. With a starting at $17,995 for the limited availability two-door Golf Launch Edition model with manual transmission. The seventh-generation Golf features more standard equipment, increased fuel efficiency, and more space than the outgoing Golf models. 

A healthy obsession leads Toyota's Jackie Birdsall to fuel cells

(May 13, 2014) Jackie Birdsall became “obsessed” with cars when she was a teenager. That made her “obsessed” with the history of auto icons like Henry Ford and Lee Iacocca. In 2003, she did an internship with Daimler-Chrysler, leading to an “obsession” with hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Chrysler reports quarterly loss of $690 million on merger costs

(May 12, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group reported a net loss of $690 million in the first quarter as it paid costs associated with its completed merger with Fiat. Without the two unusual charges associated with its merger, profit was $486 million, Chrysler said in a report today. A year earlier, Chrysler posted a net profit of $166 million.

Ford Mustang 50 Years Convertible being raffled to support charity

(May 12, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford continues its longstanding support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by offering a one-of-a-kind 2015 Mustang 50 Years convertible to be raffled off this summer. The winner of this exclusive convertible featuring select content from the 50 Year Limited Edition fastback will be announced in Mustang Alley in Ferndale, Mich., on Aug. 16 during the annual Woodward Dream Cruise.

“We’re thrilled to be able to work with and help The National MS Society again,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, global product development.

BMW motorcycles continues to see double-digit growth

(May 12, 2014) MUNICH, Germany — After achieving record sales during the first quarter of 2014, BMW Motorrad remains firmly on course for success. In April, 16,344 motorcycles and maxi scooters were supplied to customers worldwide. This represents an increase of 12% or 1,757 units as compared to April 2013.

2015 Infiniti Q70 — 'Sleeker, longer, smarter'

(May 12, 2014) With a fresh new exterior and available long wheelbase version, the new 2015 Infiniti Q70 targets a new vehicle class by fusing the emotion-packed character of a performance vehicle with the comfort and exclusiveness of an extended sedan.

It's always Mother's Day for this GM plant duo

(May 11, 2014) DETROIT — For Detroit resident Evetta Osborne, every day is Mother’s Day. That’s because she literally works side by side with her daughter, Monique Watson, at General Motors’ Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant. They have installed the lithium-ion battery pack on nearly every Chevrolet Volt, Opel Ampera, Holden Volt, and Cadillac ELR since production began.

New Ford, Chrysler recalls involve more than 1.5 million vehicles

(May 10, 2014) Two new automotive recalls were reported Friday involving Chrysler and Ford. Fiat Chrysler said it was recalling an estimated 780,477 minivans after reports of overheating, including some fires in third-row power window vent switches. And Ford has issued two more recalls for the Ford Escape putting the number of recalls covering the Escape since its 2013 redesign into double digits.

AAA finds cost of sedan ownership drops 2.7 percent

(May 12, 2014) ORLANDO, Fla. — AAA has released the results of its annual "Your Driving Costs" study, revealing a 2.7 percent decrease in the cost to own and operate a sedan in the U.S. The average cost fell 1.64 cents to 59.2 cents per mile, or $8,876 per year, based upon 15,000 miles of annual driving.