October 2014

A tree grows in a Ford

This 1980s era Ford F-150 has become a planter of sorts with a tree growing out of what once was the bed of the truck. Seems the tree, along with other vegetation, has grown quite attached to the retired pickup. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival to feature cars of rich and famous

(October 6, 2014) HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — The Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival & Concours d’Elegance, one of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing automotive and motorsports enthusiast event weeks, takes a more glamorous approach with its annual “Life” exhibit and presents Life of the Rich & Famous sponsored by Marriott Vacation Club.

Life of the Rich & Famous is the sixth annual “Life”-themed exhibit on the Festival’s Motoring Midway. Past themes include Life on the Beach, Life on the Farm and, the one that kick-started it all, Life on the Road.

Chrysler recalling ProMaster vans for head restraint fix

(October 6, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group is voluntarily recalling an estimated 31,497 full-size vans to replace their head restraints. The vehicles were assembled with head restraints that may exceed the allowable gap between an occupant’s head and the restraint.

Chrysler Group is unaware of any related injuries, accidents or complaints.

Jaguar launches 'British Intelligence' campaign featuring Nicholas Hoult

(October 6, 2014) MAHWAH, N.J. — Jaguar today debuts its "British Intelligence" global marketing campaign, led by a new cinematic 30-second television advertisement running first in the United States, and includes the recently launched "Why Jaguar" landing page on JaguarUSA.com and multiple first-to-market media platforms such as Google Glass and SoundCloud.

2014 Toyota Tundra — A real nice truck


By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(October 6, 2014) Full year sales for the Toyota Tundra in 2013 were 112,732. To date, Tundra sales sit at 80,133, an increase of 10.7% over 2013 year-to-date. Even at that rate, Toyota’s full-size pickup won’t come close to reaching 200,000 units.

Dreaming and driving: Scion blends both in new brand campaign

(October 5, 2014) TORRANCE, Calif. — Scion customers are driven to make their dreams come true and that dedication is reflected in Scion’s new, national “For the Driven” brand campaign. The campaign, which launched Friday, focuses on the five models in Scion’s line-up and includes a collection of ads and advice-focused vignettes featuring modern business owners.

A little track time in the all-new Lexus RC

By Russ Heaps
Clanging Bell


(October 5, 2014) I'm not the kind of guy who gets all giddy over driving on a race track. Truth be told: I'd much rather spend the day off roading than taking laps at a track. Don't get me wrong; zipping around a track is fun, but it's not my favorite thing. Fortunately, in my line of non-work, I occasionally get to off road as well as clocking some track time.

Audi achieves 45th consecutive month of record U.S. sales

(October 4, 2014) HERNDON, Va. — Audi reported that its September 2014 sales increased 14.2% to 14,917 vehicles, a total that stands as the 45th consecutive month of record monthly U.S. sales for the brand. Audi U.S. sales year-to-date have increased 14.5% to 130,983 vehicles.

Audi has maintained a solid and consistent record sales pace throughout 2014, with the best-ever September results following the best-ever sales month in sales history in August. The previous September record was set in 2013 with sales of 13,065 vehicles.

Hyundai Equus earns third straight win as Popular Luxury Lifestyle Vehicle

(October 4, 2014) FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — Hyundai’s flagship Equus sedan received its third Motorist Choice Award in a row as the Popular Luxury Lifestyle Vehicle from automotive industry research firms AutoPacific and IntelliChoice. The Equus earned high marks among more than 92,000 new vehicle buyers for overall satisfaction and low ownership costs over time.

“The Motorist Choice Awards are meaningful because they are based on the feedback of new car owners,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America.

Spirit of Dodge Brothers lives on 100 years later in new ad campaign

(October 4, 2014) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — One-hundred years after John and Horace Dodge created the Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company, the brothers’ spirit lives on in a new advertising campaign launching this weekend with television spots for the 2015 Dodge Challenger.