April 2016

Nissan, Honda, FCA and Ford lead March sales gains

(April 2, 2016) Nissan, Honda, Fiat Chrysler and Ford Motor all reported solid U.S. sales gains in March as higher spending on incentives and strong demand for light trucks lifted the industry to another monthly advance.

Nissan led the way with a 13 percent jump in March deliveries. Volume rose 9.4 percent at American Honda Motor, with sales up 11 percent at Honda Division and 1.2 percent at Acura.

27 Porsche 911s fill the grid for LiveAuctioneers sale April 14

(April 2, 2016) NEW YORK — In the 1970 tune titled Mercedes Benz, Janis Joplin sang, “My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.” In real life Joplin, too, drove a Porsche, a 1964 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet. Her classic sports car with a psychedelic paint job sold for $1.76 million at an auction last December.

1930 Cord L-29 named 'Best Preserved Vehicle' at Amelia Island Concours

(April 1, 2016) FIVA’s latest initiative to mark World Motoring Heritage Year 2016 is the presentation of a series of awards for Best Preserved Vehicle at top concours events around the world followed by an end-of-year invitation for the award-winning cars to assemble in Paris. The plan is then to put the cars on display at UNESCO’s international headquarters in the heart of the French capital.

Ford posts best March sales in 10 years on strength of trucks, SUVs

(April 1, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford sold 254,711 vehicles in the U.S. in March — an 8 percent gain versus a year ago — while first quarter sales of 645,626 vehicles were up 9 percent. This represents the company’s best sales performance for March and first quarter since 2006.

Fiat Chrysler reports 8 percent March sales increase

(April 1, 2016) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — FCA today reported U.S. sales of 213,187 units, a 8 percent increase compared with sales in March 2015 (197,261 units), and the group’s best March sales in a decade.

The Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck brands each posted year-over-year sales gains in March compared with the same month a year ago. The Jeep brand’s 15 percent increase was the largest sales gain of any FCA US brand during the month.

Volvo announces new 367-horsepower S60 and V60 Polestar

(April 1, 2016) Volvo Cars and Polestar, the performance brand owned by Volvo Cars, have announced the launch of the quickest cars they have ever made — the new 367 horsepower Polestar S60 sedan and V60 wagon. Both cars make the zero to 60 mph sprint in 4.7 seconds.  They are limited to a top speed of 155 mph, powered by a specially-enhanced version of Volvo’s award-winning four cylinder Drive-E powertrain.

Ford issues three safety recalls involving 48,300 vehicles

(April 1, 2016) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford has issued three safety recalls in North America involving 48,300 vehicles including 38,000 Transit vans to inspect and adjust side-curtain airbags.

The Transit recall involves 2015-2016 low-roof vehicles to inspect and adjust side-curtain airbags as needed. In some vehicles, it is possible the side-curtain airbags are positioned incorrectly on either or both sides of the vehicle, which may influence side-curtain airbag performance and increase the risk of injury in a crash.

2017 Subaru Impreza — More space, more horsepower

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(April 1, 2016) Subaru launched its 2017 Impreza sedan and 5-door at the 2016 New York Auto Show, the first vehicle to be built off the Japanese automaker’s Global Platform architecture. And it will be built in the U.S. As expected, it comes standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, and will be available in 2.0i base, Premium, Sport and Limited trim levels.