February 2018

Ford and Effat University help women make driving history in Saudi Arabia

(February 20, 2018) DUBAI, UAE — Ford is assisting Saudi Arabian women ahead of them gaining the power of mobility by hosting a special four-day Driving Skills for Life program with Effat University. The groundbreaking course — Driving Skills for Life for Her — follows the landmark decision by the Kingdom, as decreed by His Highness, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to lift the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia.

A very large car



The full-sized Chevrolet Caprice was produced in 1965 as a luxury trim package for the Impala four-door hardtop. Chevrolet expanded the Caprice lineup in 1966 offering a full line of models. It was produced through 1996. This example of a 1968 Caprice was found in North Carolina.
(Photo by Ralph Gable)

A Texas Thunderbird



After starting life as two-seat sports car in 1955, the Ford Thunderbird was turned it into a four-place "personal luxury car" for the 1958 model year. It was a sales success in the first years of its transformation. This rather beaten up 1959 model was discovered in retirement in a Texas field.
(Photo by Peter Hubbard)

Volkswagen to reveal I.D. Vizzion autonomous vehicle in Geneva

(February 20, 2018) WOLFSBURG, Germany — The I.D. VIZZION supports the Volkswagen claim for future individual mobility. Volkswagen says its electric drive system makes the car clean in road traffic, and its automatic driving control will make it safe and much more comfortable. At the same time, this innovative concept car to be revealed at the Geneva International Motor Show demonstrates how elegant and emotional the design of a vehicle of the future can be.

Dodge makes Durango SRT latest competitor in horsepower wars

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(February 19, 2018) At a time when every manufacturer seems to be adding hybrid drivetrains to about every model they put out, electric cars are seen as the future, and self-driving vehicles (ugh) are getting closer and closer to practicality, it’s refreshing, even encouraging, to see that some automakers have yet to drop out of the horsepower wars.

New Subaru Ascent three-row SUV will start at $32,970

(February 19, 2018) Subaru of America has announced pricing on the all-new Subaru Ascent. The new three-row SUV is the biggest Subaru ever built. Expanding on renowned Subaru strengths, the Ascent delivers a spacious interior, comfortable and flexible seating options and a host of new safety, driver assist and in-vehicle technologies. The Ascent is priced from $32,970 including destination charge and arrives at retailers this summer.

The range tops out with the Touring trim, which will go out the door for $45,670.

FCA recalling 180,975 trucks for transmission shift interlock issue

(February 19, 2018) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is voluntarily recalling an estimated 180,975 trucks in the U.S. to help prevent occupants from inadvertently shifting their vehicles out of “park.”

An FCA US investigation discovered the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) may overheat on certain vehicles equipped with steering column gear-shifters. This condition has been linked to protracted brake-pedal application while vehicles idle in “park.”

Ford Driving Skills for Life celebrates Its 15th anniversary

(February 19, 2018) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Driving Skills for Life celebrates its 15th anniversary this year with significant program expansions and the addition of new technologies to help new drivers stay safe on the road.

The 2018 U.S. Driving Skills for Life tour kicks off this month in New Orleans at NOLA Motorsports Park. A signature program of the Ford Motor Company Fund, Driving Skills for Life has provided free driver training to more than 1 million new licensed drivers in 40 countries. Ford has committed more than $50 million to date to this award-winning program.

3D printing — parts, components and cars — has become all the rage

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(February 19, 2018) Additive manufacturing is all the rage these days, particularly when it comes to 3D printing. The idea of creating a new design, testing it in the computer, and outputting it to a 3D printer — thereby bypassing all of the intermediate steps, including component assembly and production — is alluring, especially to low-volume makers.