July 2014

Innovation marks Honda's 2015 new-model motorcycle, ATV expansion

(July 10, 2014) TORRANCE, Calif. — Whether you enjoy riding on the street or off-road, this latest introduction of new models from Honda gives you more choices than ever. Honda's engineering prowess paves the way with a new street bike plus some new and returning popular ATVs join the lineup.

U.S. clean diesel car sales increase 25% in 2014

(July 10, 2014) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. clean diesel car sales have increased 25 percent during the first six months of 2014 while the overall U.S. car market has increased by 4.2 percent, according to data compiled by Hybrid Cars.com and Baum and Associates.

Fiat launches web series 'Neighbors" in conjunction with Funny or Die

(July 10, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Fiat Brand North America has launched a web series titled “Neighbors” in conjunction with the comedy video website Funny Or Die. The web series features five webisodes showcasing the 2014 Fiat 500L as it follows the adventures (or misadventures) of a suburban American couple as they interact with their new Italian neighbors.

Jaguar Land Rover develops the self-learning intelligent car

(July 10, 2014) WHITLEY, United Kingdom — Cutting-edge technology is being pioneered by researchers at Jaguar Land Rover to develop a truly intelligent self-learning vehicle that will offer a completely personalized driving experience and help prevent accidents by reducing driver distraction.

Volkswagen takes orders in Europe for new Scirocco

(July 9, 2014) If Volkswagen truly wants to revitalize its flagging sales in the U.S., bring on more up-to-date products. A good example is the new more powerful sporty Scirocco, which just went on sale in Europe. Prices for the revised Scirocco, which opened for orders on July 8 ahead of first deliveries in October, start at £20,455 ($34,773) for the 1.4-liter TSI 125 PS manual and rise to £33,795 ($57,451) for the 2.0-liter TSI 276-horsepower Scirocco R. 

Volkswagen exceeds 3 million first-half sales for first time ever

(July 9, 2014) WOLFSBURG, Germany — For the first time in company history, Volkswagen has sold over three million cars in the first half of a year. A total of 3.07 million vehicles were handed over to customers worldwide, representing an increase of 3.8 percent. Volkswagen Passenger Cars delivered 514,900 models in June, up 1.1 percent from June 2013.

Chevrolet helping fuel exploding small crossover segment

(July 9, 2014) DETROIT — Versatility and value are helping make compact crossovers and SUVs among the hottest vehicles in the country. Chevrolet is helping meet the demand with its strongest lineup in history, including the Equinox and — early next year — the new Trax.

“Compact crossovers and SUVs make sense for so many consumers,” said Steve Majoros, marketing director, Chevrolet. “Suited to adapt to whatever life throws at them, our customers want a vehicle that can do — and go — anywhere, and they want it with expressive design and fuel efficiency.

Mitsubishi Owner's Day is Saturday in Cypress, Calif.

(July 9, 2014) CYPRESS, Calif. — Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) will host its biggest and best-ever annual celebration for thousands of loyal Mitsubishi Motors brand enthusiasts at the 2014 Mitsubishi Owner's Day (MOD) July 12 at the company's North American headquarters, 6400 Katella Avenue, in Cypress. The festivities kick off at 9 a.m. on Saturday with the event open to the public and admission is free.

New Callaway Corvette pumps out 627 horsepower, SAE certified

(July 9, 2014) Callaway engineers have finalized Callaway Corvette powertrain management system calibration, following comprehensive vehicle testing and validation. Based on dynamometer testing with production-level components and calibration, the 2014 Callaway Corvette has been rated at 627 horsepower at 6400 rpm, a 167 horsepower increase over the stock Corvette baseline.

BMW sales break one million mark in first six months of 2014

(July 8, 2014) MUNICH — The BMW Group sold more than a million vehicles in the first half of 2014, more than ever before in the first six months of the year. A total of 1,020,211 vehicles were delivered to customers worldwide, an increase of 6.9% over the same period last year when 954,501 were sold.

Sales in June also reached an all-time high: deliveries increased 4.8% with 193,342 vehicles sold.