March 2018

Peterson Automotive Museum to open motorcycle exhibit

(March 21, 2018) LOS ANGELES — The Petersen Automotive Museum will open its newest exhibit dedicated to the art of a new generation of motorcycle customizers on Saturday, April 14. Located in the Richard Varner Family Gallery, “Custom Revolution” will gather the works of the most influential and innovative alternative bike builders of the past 10 years in one place for the first time ever.

Volvo S90 impresses with refinement, safety technology

By Peter Hubbard
MotorwayAmerica.com

(March 21, 2018) With apologies to Oldsmobile for “borrowing” their ad slogan from 1988, but – this is NOT your father’s Volvo! The premier Volvo sedan from 30 years ago was the 760 Turbo.  Its 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivered a muscular (for typical death-grip-on-the-steering wheel, safety-obsessed Volvo owners) 182 horsepower, and according to reports from the time, propelled the boxy sedan from 0-60 in under 8 seconds. 

2019 Ford Fusion gets updated styling, Co-Pilot360 technology

(March 21, 2018) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford has announced the 2019 Fusion sedan — the first Ford vehicle globally with standard new state-of-the-art Co-Pilot360 driver-assist technology, plus sleeker styling for all models and greater projected all-electric driving range for the plug-in hybrid Fusion Energi.

The new Fusion, which makes its public debut at the New York Auto Show later this month, will be in showrooms by late summer — complete with new technology to make driving safer and easier.

Kia releases first images of new flagship luxury sedan

(March 20, 2018) Kia Motors has revealed the design of the all-new K900 in a series of exterior and interior images. The all-new K900 has been created in close collaboration between Kia’s global design headquarters in Namyang, Korea, and the brand’s U.S. design studio in Irvine, Calif. The new model will make its world debut at the New York International Auto Show later on March 28.

Nissan Canton celebrates 4 million vehicle production milestone

(March 20, 2018) CANTON, Miss. — Nissan North America on Monday celebrated production of 4 million vehicles at its Canton assembly plant, and announced the addition of a second shift that will create or retain 250 hourly jobs to support increasing demand for NV Commercial Vans.

The announcement came as the plant approaches the 15th anniversary of bringing vehicle manufacturing to Mississippi.

Volkswagen announces new five-passenger Atlas to be built in Tenn.

(March 20, 2018) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Volkswagen has announced that it will be building a new five-passenger SUV at its Chattanooga factory. Based off Volkswagen’s award-winning MQB platform, the new Volkswagen SUV will be a variant of the seven-passenger Atlas that went of sale as a 2018 model and, like its sibling, will be designed and engineered for the American market.

Mercedes-Benz celebrates opening of new U.S. headquarters

(March 19, 2018) ATLANTA – Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) has held the official grand opening of its new headquarters in Sandy Springs, 14 miles outside of the heart of Atlanta.

"All the stars are aligned. Our new Atlanta headquarters marks a highpoint for Mercedes- Benz in the U.S. market," said Dietmar Exler, president and CEO of MBUSA.

Kia Sportage global sales hit five million

(March 19, 2018) Kia Motors is celebrating five million cumulative sales of its global best-selling Kia Sportage compact SUV. Launched in 1993, and spanning four generations since, the Sportage has achieved this milestone on the year of its 25th anniversary. The latest model, launched in 2016, is more popular than ever, with average global sales of 38,000 units per month in 2017.

Ford's road ahead — Neither surprising nor unexpected

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(March 19, 2018) The 2020 Bronco will be based on the Ranger, offered with two or four doors, have Jeep-like capability, and the option of hybrid power.The most important thing Ford announced at its March 15 press event is that it will have the “freshest” lineup of any full-line (car and light truck) automaker by 2020; reducing the average age of its vehicles in its showrooms from 5.7 to 3.3 years as it replaces three-quarters of its lineup and adds four new trucks and SUVs.

All-new Honda Accord Hybrid arrives in showrooms March 23

(March 17, 2018) TORRANCE, Calif. — The 2018 Accord Hybrid will begin arriving in dealerships starting March 23 as the latest addition to Honda's growing portfolio of electrified vehicles. Boasting class-leading power, cabin space, and cargo space, the next-generation Accord Hybrid wholly embodies Honda's unique approach to electrification — infusing fun-to-drive performance, efficiency, premium feature content, and comfort in a sophisticated and affordable package.