January 2015

FCA minivans account for nearly half of all sales in U.S.

(January 18, 2015) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan finished 2014 as the top two minivans in sales in 2014. Their combined sales of 272,192 units accounted for nearly one-half of all minivans sold in the Unites States, according to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
 

Ducati racks up another record sales year

(January 17, 2015) BOLOGNA, Italy —  Ducati achieved a new sales record in 2014 by delivering 45,100 bikes to customers, 2% more than in 2013, marking the fifth consecutive year of growth.

This increase also stemmed from the introduction of new products that, despite market uncertainty, made a clear contribution to what has been an outstanding result for Ducati. More specifically, with the introduction of the new Monster 1200 and Monster 821, Monster family sales rose by 31%, with 16,409 new bikes sold.

Ford donates all-new GT350 Mustang to JDRF at Barrett-Jackson auction

(January 17, 2015) The first retail production Shelby GT350R Mustang, the most track-ready road-going production Mustang ever built, was auctioned off at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale today with all benefits going to JDRF.

In 1965, Ford and Carroll Shelby developed a road-racing version of the popular Ford Mustang — the Shelby GT350 Competition model. Lighter, more powerful and with a highly developed suspension, it is one of the most iconic racing Mustangs ever produced.

Toyota Camry ads focus on dads, Super Bowl XLIX

(January 16, 2015) TORRANCE, Calif. — The new 2015 Toyota Camry has earned a much-deserved place in the most talked about sporting event of the year. Today, America’s best-selling car for 13 consecutive years kicks off the next phase of its “One Bold Choice Leads to Another” marketing campaign for Super Bowl XLIX.
 

Mercedes-Benz sets starting price of new Maybach — $189,350

(January 16, 2015) MONTVALE, N.J.  — The S-Class range has a long established tradition of setting the benchmark in the luxury segment, and the launch of the highly-anticipated new Mercedes-Maybach S600 in April will further assert its leadership position in the U.S. market.

Priced from $189,350, this exceptional addition to the product lineup offers more than eight inches in total length when compared to the standard S-Class and features a suite of intelligent safety technologies and exclusive appointments that complete the opulent package. 

Fiat Chrysler sales up 3.5% in Europe for 2014; Jeep sales soar

(January 16, 2015) LONDON — FCA closed 2014 with sales in Europe up 3.5% to approximately 768,000 vehicles. In December, the group outpaced the market with a 7.2% year-over-year increase. For the Jeep brand, which posted worldwide sales of more than 1 million vehicles, European sales were up close to 70% for the year and 189.7% for the month of December.

Mercedes-Benz shows C-Class plug-in hybrid — 20 miles on electricity

(January 16, 2015) Following its premiere in the S-Class, Mercedes-Benz is now offering its most advanced hybrid technology yet in the C-Class. With a range of 20 miles in purely electric mode, local emission-free driving is now a reality. Its four-cylinder gasoline engine, in conjunction with a powerful electric motor, gives it a total system output of 275 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque.

Harley-Davidson and Sturgis plan 75-year agreement

(January 15, 2015) Harley-Davidson and the city of Sturgis, S.D., are setting their sights on the future — far into the future. In the spirit of this year's 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the company and city officials are finalizing an agreement covering the next 75 years, making Harley-Davidson the official motorcycle of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Camouflaged Ford



A mid-60s Ford F-850 commercial truck is camouflaged in the woods near Chapel Hill, N.C., its work life long over.
(Photo by Ralph Gable)

Kia sets new European production record in 2014

(January 15, 2015) Kia Motors Slovakia broke its European production record in 2014, producing more than 323,000 cars — a three per cent increase over 2013 — at its Žilina production facility. A small increase in engine production to 493,000 units also represented a new record.