March 2015

Ford honored with Golden Gear Award for its 111-year history of innovation

(March 20, 2015) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ford Motor Company and its founder Henry Ford were honored at the Washington Automotive Press Association’s 30th Anniversary Gala with the organization’s Golden Gear Award. The company and its founder are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to the automotive industry.

Jim Holland, vice president, Vehicle Components and Systems Engineering, Ford Motor Company, was on hand to accept the award.

Ford pushes interior design forward with high-tech tools

(March 20, 2015) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford is working with new research and measurement methods and high-tech tools to collect emotional and logical customer insights and learn more about how people visually discover new cars and trucks. New techniques include eye tracking, measuring where eyesight lingers most and biometrics.

Glow-in-dark Nissan Leaf drives on glow-in-the-dark highway

(March 20, 2015) OSS, the Netherlands — Nissan has blazed a trail by driving its unique glow-in-the-dark zero-emission Leaf along the world's first glow-in-the-dark motorway in Oss, the Netherlands.

Nissan recently became the first modern passenger car manufacturer to apply glow-in-the-dark car paint to a car to showcase how many customers of the world's best-selling electric vehicle are powering their car from solar energy generated at home.

Mini on the Mack back for second attempt at world record

(March 20, 2015) WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Mini USA and Mini of Grand Rapids with the help of the St. Ignace Events Committee are calling all Mini owners to gather in St. Ignace, Mich., this summer for a second attempt at the record for the world’s largest parade of Mini Cooper cars.

 Registration for the Aug. 1 parade across Michigan’s iconic 26,372-foot-long and 500-foot high Mackinac Bridge is now officially open. Mini owners interested in joining the fun can register at MINIONTHEMACK.com.

Ford ninth-generation Bird



This copy of a ninth-generation (1983-1988) Ford Thunderbird seems to be in restorable condition. After lackluster sales of the eighth generation, Ford designed a sleeker Bird for the mid '80s. Two engines were carried over from the eighth generation, a 3.8-liter V-6 and a 4.9-liter V-8. A 2.3-liter 4-cylinder turbo was added to the lineup in 1983.
(Photo by Ralph Gable)

Jaguar to launch second-generation XF model

(March 19, 2015) The all-new 2016 Jaguar XF will make an extraordinary journey across London on March 24, one week ahead of its public motor show debut in New York. Jaguar has teamed up with expert British stuntman Jim Dowdall, veteran of dramatic action stunts in movies including Bond, Bourne and Indiana Jones, to perform a world's first high-wire water crossing in the all-new Jaguar XF.

Chevrolet says the new Camaro all-new from the bowtie up

(March 19, 2015) DETROIT — The 2016 Chevrolet Camaro will be a truly all-new car — from the grille’s bowtie to the rear spoiler. In fact, only two parts carry over from the fifth-generation model: the bowtie emblem on the taillamp panel and the SS badge.

The Gen 6 Camaro is based on General Motors’ award-winning Alpha architecture. Designed to compete with premium European brands, Alpha offers exceptional driving dynamics and refinement, as well as a balance of mass and stiffness necessary for a world-class performance car.

Volvo Trucks introduces rugged version of automated manual transmission

(March 19, 2015) GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks of North America has introduced a rugged version of the Volvo I-Shift automated manual transmission for severe-duty applications. The reinforced I-Shift for severe-duty (SD) applications will be available for order in May in Volvo VHD vocational models.

The I-Shift for severe duty is designed for on- and off-road work in construction and other applications requiring frequent shifting.

Scion does a world debut double-take for New York Auto Show

(March 19, 2015) TORRANCE, Calif. — One look at Scion won’t be enough for guests attending the New York International Auto Show.  It will take two looks (or more) to see the world debuts from Scion. Both the Scion iM and the newly named Scion iA will be revealed on the eve of the show, March 31, 2015.

The Scion iM is a 5-door hatchback that combines maximum versatility with a sporty design and a fun-to-drive experience. Meanwhile the Scion iA sedan is designed to appeal to young people who need a little more practicality, but still want engaging styling and outstanding driving dynamics.

Kia to unveil all-new Optima at the New York Auto Show

(March 19, 2015) Following its 2010 debut at the New York International Auto Show, the Optima became a catalyst for Kia Motors’ tremendous growth and has been the brand’s best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for three years running. Now, five years later, Kia will return to New York on Wednesday, April 1, for the world debut of the passionately designed and obsessively crafted all-new version of its popular midsize sedan.