October 2015

Equipment rolls in as first 2016 Chevrolet Camaros roll out

(October 27, 2015) LANSING, Mich. — General Motors on Monday received the first load of massive stamping presses for its $174-million stamping facility, part of the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant where the first 2016 Chevrolet Camaros left for dealers.

The new presses, which will save about $14 million a year in logistics costs tied to material handling, will stamp parts for the Camaro and the Cadillac ATS and the CTS family of vehicles.

Nissan to offer NISMO N Attack package option for GT-R in U.S.

(October 27, 2015) LAS VEGAS — Nissan will reveal the "NISMO N Attack Package," a bundle of dedicated option parts for the Nissan GT-R NISMO (R35), in the U.S. at the upcoming SEMA show in Las Vegas.

The "NISMO N Attack Package" consists of the dedicated parts that were especially developed through the time attack project at Nürburgring in Germany, where the Nissan GT-R NISMO recorded a time of 7 minutes 8.679 seconds, the fastest recorded time for a volume production vehicle.

Volvo celebrates 60 years in North America at Hollywood event

(October 27, 2015) HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Swedish automaker Volvo celebrated 60 years in North America with a special gathering of celebrities and vintage cars at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood Saturday night. Notable cars on display included a 1928 PV4, Volvo’s first covered car; a 1955 PV444, the first Volvo exported to the U.S.; the 1967 P1800S driven by Roger Moore in the hit sixties’ television series, “The Saint;” and the all-new, award winning XC90 sport utility vehicle.

Bridgestone to acquire Pep Boys for $835 million

(October 26, 2015) Tire giant Bridgestone America will purchase iconic auto repair chain Pep Boys - Manny, Moe and Jack, for $835 million, or $15 a share cash, it was announced today.

The all-cash deal, which represents a premium of 23% over the stock's closing price Friday, will be structured as a tender offer to close as soon as next year. At least a majority of shareholders need to agree to tender their shares at the price offered to complete the transaction.

Honda celebrates 50 years in the United Kingdom

(October 26, 2015) It was the year the Beatles performed the first stadium concert in the history of music, while cartoon heroes Tom and Jerry and the puppet-tastic Thunderbirds first aired on TV.  Cigarette advertising was banned on British TV, the Sound of Music premiered and Churchill was buried.  On top of that DJ Jazzy Jeff, Alan Cumming and Brooke Shields were born.

1965 also saw the year Honda first started trading in the UK.  It also saw the first Grand Prix win for Honda in the legendary RA272, thanks to Ritchie Ginther at the Mexico Grand Prix.

Production of refreshed 2016 Nissan Altima begins today in Tennessee

(October 26, 2015) SMYRNA, Tenn. — Production begins today in Smyrna for the updated 2016 Nissan Altima, Nissan's top-selling vehicle. Nissan's Smyrna assembly plant boasts production of two of the best-selling vehicles in the U.S. — the hot selling Rogue compact crossover that was redesigned for 2014, and the Altima that starting today is getting a mid-cycle refresh for the 2016 model year.

Chevrolet Red Line concepts showcase latest accessories

(October 26, 2015) DETROIT — Blending equal parts style and functionality, Chevrolet’s Red Line Series concept vehicles demonstrate the lifestyle and personalization possibilities of the brand’s latest vehicles — all with a street-smart aesthetic.

Chevrolet previewed the Red Line concepts today, including Trax, Malibu, Camaro, Colorado and Silverado 1500 models, ahead of their public debut at the SEMA Show, on November 3. The preview also included the sporty Spark RS concept.

James Bond in the crosshairs of Keno Brothers Rolling Sculpture auction

(October 25, 2015) NEW YORK — Loyal James Bond fans will have more to view in November than just the newest 007 film, as the Keno Brothers present their Rolling Sculpture Fine Automobile Auction on Nov.18-19 at Skylight Clarkson square in Soho, New York City, including two of the most stunning and recognizable Aston Martin vehicles — the 1965 Aston Martin DB5 and 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage — within the Auction’s collection of 40 significant vehicles. 

Petty's Garage to build special Mustang GT models with up to 727 HP

(October 24, 2015) DEARBORN, Mich. — Featuring up to 727 horsepower, the new Petty’s Garage 2016 Mustang GT King edition means that Ford’s pony will be hell for some cats. Petty’s Garage — the in-house speed shop of NASCAR legend Richard “The King” Petty — returns with a limited number of highly modified Mustang GTs built to the specifications of The King himself.

Buick brings book lovers free and convenient listening

(October 23, 2015) DETROIT — Listening to a new book is easy in a Buick, thanks to OnStar 4G LTE being standard on every 2016 model. And thanks to Audiobooks.com, downloads of two books are free through the end of next year. Any Buick customer with an active OnStar subscription can redeem the offer through the RemoteLink smartphone app or a live advisor.