June 2014

Toyota selects IBM to build platform for advanced In-car services

(June 24, 2014) ARMONK, N.Y. — IBM today announced it has been selected by Toyota to build and design a new application development platform that will foster the creation of in-car services to improve the driver experience. The project is part of Toyota's new telematics service, called T-Connect, and aims to accelerate application development and deployment as well as enhance in-car services that will shape the future of connected vehicles.

Toyota and IBM will work together to create an onboard devices and application development environment for Toyota Open Vehicle Architecture.

Production begins on 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth with automatic transmission

(June 24, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The high-performance 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio, now offering an optional six-speed automatic transmission, begins production today at Toluca Assembly Plant in Toluca, Mexico.
 
The Abarth’s optional six-speed automatic transmission, new for 2015, is mated to the track-proven 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine to deliver up to 183 ft.-lb. of torque and 157 horsepower.
 

New Ford Focus to make global debut at Goodwood in UK

(June 24, 2014) LONDON — The new Ford Focus ST will make its global debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom, June 27. Ford’s new performance model headlines the First Glance category, with professional drivers showcasing the car’s abilities on the world-famous hill climb on all three days of the event.

Benefiting from technology and quality improvements revealed earlier this year for the new Ford Focus, Focus ST will be displayed on the Ford stand at Goodwood. First launched in 2002, Focus ST has now seen sales of more than 140,000 units in more than 40 countries.

Ford cuts water use two years ahead of schedule

(June 23, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford is furthering its commitment to aggressively step up water conservation programs at its global facilities and among the company’s suppliers, according to its 15th annual Sustainability Report, released last week.

How Ford, rail industry created innovative way to ship new Transit van

(June 24, 2014) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford is taking a new approach to shipping its all-new full-size Transit cargo vans and wagons to Ford dealerships across North America. The high-roof Transit measures 110.1 inches tall and offers best-in-class interior cargo height when properly equipped, enabling customers as tall as 6 feet 4 inches looking to stand upright in their vehicles, but it also challenged Ford engineers to develop an innovative vehicle shipping solution.

Nearly 3 million more vehicles recalled over airbag issues

(June 23, 2014) Airbag recalls continued this weekend with Honda, Nissan and Mazda calling back nearly 3 million vehicles to fix possibly defective inflator propellant made in North America.

Honda recalled 2.03 million vehicles worldwide, including 1.02 million in North America, 153,943 in Europe and 668,582 in Japan. The vehicles were manufactured between April 2000 and October 2002. In North America, they cover the Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Element. In Europe, affected models are the Civic, Stream, Fit/Jazz and CR-V.

Nissan tests commercial vehicle toughness in extreme Arizona desert

(June 23, 2014) CHANDLER, Ariz. — How does an automaker evaluate in-house durability testing on a new commercial vehicle? For Nissan, the answer was to get it in the hands of a customer that is going to punish the van and let them go.

Above and Beyond Delivery in Chandler, Ariz., was the right partner. The company operates a fleet of about 20 Nissan NV 3500 cargo vans supporting the mining, pharmaceuticals and food services industries.

Volkswagen continues partnership with PeopleForBikes

(June 22, 2014) HERNDON, Va. — Volkswagen of America has announced the continuation of its partnership with PeopleForBikes for another two years. Since 2012, Volkswagen’s support has helped PeopleForBikes reach nearly five million riders at 165 bike and lifestyle events across the country, nearly double the number of protected bike lanes in the U.S., and engage more than 800,000 Americans in a movement for better biking.

Subaru releases video from record-breaking Isle of Man WRX STI run

(June 22, 2014) CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Subaru of America has released the first video from its record setting lap of the Isle of Man TT Course. Mark Higgins broke the lap record in early June driving a new 2015 Subaru WRX STI on the treacherous 37-mile course with an average lap speed of 117.510 mph and a time of 19 minutes and 15 seconds.

SRT Motorsports Vipers shed skin for classic look

(June 21, 2014) Auburn Hills, Mich. — SRT (Street and Racing Technology) Motorsports is honoring the Dodge Viper’s racing heritage by molting its "skin" and returning to the Viper’s classic red and white livery, beginning at the upcoming Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen race weekend, June 27-29, at New York’s Watkins Glen International circuit.