January 2019

Volkswagen unveils new 2020 Passat at Detroit Auto Show

(January 14, 2019) DETROIT— Volkswagen of America unveiled the new 2020 Passat at the North American International Auto Show today. Eight years ago, Volkswagen completely overhauled the midsize sedan to cater specifically to American buyers, with more interior space and creature comforts.

Genesis G70, Ram 1500 and Hyundai Kona win North American awards

(January 14, 2019) DETROIT — Hyundai Motor Group won two of the three categories in the North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year competition announced this morning at the opening of the 2019 North American International Auto Show.

The South Korean automotive company won Car of the Year with the Genesis G70 and the Utility of the Year with the Hyundai Kona. The all-new Ram 1500 continued to amass awards winning the Truck of the Year category.

BMW Designworks collaborates with North Face on lightweight material

(January 13, 2019) The BMW Group subsidiary Designworks has unveiled a new camper concept and virtual reality experience, in partnership with The North Face, to imagine the future of protection from the elements. The lightweight camper concept and virtual experience were designed by Designworks to showcase a new fabric innovation from The North Face called FUTURELIGHT, which uses Nanospinning technology to create the world’s most advanced, breathable, waterproof material.

Cadillac expands crossover lineup with introduction of 2020 XT6

(January 13, 2019) DETROIT — Cadillac expands its popular crossover and SUV lineup with today’s global debut of the 2020 XT6. Created to make the most of passengers’ time on the road, this all-new three-row crossover centers on a luxurious, adaptable and connected cabin, complemented with responsive handling and a comprehensive suite of standard and available safety technologies.

BMW achieves eighth consecutive annual worldwide sales record in 2018

(January 12, 2019) MUNICH, Germany — The BMW Group has achieved its eighth consecutive annual sales record with a total of 2,490,664 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce delivered around the world in 2018, a  1.1% gain over 2017.  Best-ever figures were achieved by both BMW and Rolls-Royce, while the company’s portfolio of electrified BMW and MINI vehicles grew sales by 38.4% compared with the previous year.

BMW says this sales result reconfirms the BMW Group’s position as the world’s number one premium automotive manufacturer.

Lexus LC Convertible Concept makes world debut in Detroit

(January 12, 2019) DETROIT — Lexus shocked the automotive world in Detroit three years ago with the debut of the LC coupe. It was a testament to the brand’s new sense of creative ambition, but it was only just the beginning. Since then, the Lexus design team has been exploring the brand’s evolution and the latest result of those explorations will make its debut at the 2019 North American International Auto Show with the world premiere of the Lexus LC Convertible Concept.

Toyota adds about 1.3 million vehicles to Takata airbag recall

(January 11, 2019) PLANO, Texas — As a result of the most recent action taken by Takata under its 2016 agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to fix defective airbag inflators, Toyota is adding vehicles to the series of safety recalls it has been conducting.

The subject vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators that contain a non-desiccated, phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant.

Porsche worldwide sales beak record in 2018

(January 11, 2019) STUTTGART, Germany — Porsche delivered 256,255 vehicles worldwide in 2018, more than ever before. This represents a growth of 4 percent compared to the previous record the year before. Of the model series, the Panamera recorded the strongest growth with a 38 percent increase to 38,443. The 911 also experienced a double-digit rise. Despite the release of a new generation late in 2018, 911 deliveries increased by 10 percent to 35,573 vehicles.

2020 Mercedes CLA Coupe — Automotive intelligence can be beautiful

(January 11, 2019) Mercedes-Benz says its 2020 CLA Coupe is not only the most emotional vehicle in its class, it is also highly intelligent — from MBUX Interior Assistant, which recognizes operational demands from gestures and equips the interior with intelligence, through Augmented Reality for Navigation and understanding indirect voice commands, the new CLA offers an array of clever solutions.

Barrett-Jackson has record 1,800 'No-Reserve' cars in auction

(January 10, 2019) SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. —  Barrett-Jackson has consigned an historic 1,800 No-Reserve vehicles, the most on record for any public collector car auction, for its 48th Annual Scottsdale Auction, Jan. 12-20 at WestWorld of Scottsdale.