February 2019

FCA Pentastar engine production hits 10 million

(February 15, 2019) TRENTON, Mich. — The 10-millionth Pentastar engine was produced this week at FCA’s Trenton Engine Complex. Introduced as a 3.6-liter V-6 in 2010, the Pentastar engine family has accounted for six placings among the prestigious annual list of Wards 10 Best Engines and currently comprises six fuel-saving variations that feature technologies from Variable Valve Lift (VVL) to hybridization.

Ram Truck launches new 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock

(February 15, 2019) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Ram Truck has unveiled the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock. The Warlock pays homage to the original Warlock pickups of the 1970s and offers buyers a well-equipped, factory-customized truck with unique style, capability and value.
 
"The Ram 1500 Classic Warlock is proof positive that value never goes out of style," said Reid Bigland, head of Ram Brand, FCA. "With its sinister monochromatic exterior, award-winning interior and great price, this mean machine is certain to resonate positively with consumers."
 

New ARĪV electric bikes from GM available for preorder

(February 14, 2019) DETROIT — GM has announced ARĪV as the name of its new eBike brand, which includes two innovative, integrated and connected eBikes: the Meld, a compact eBike, and the Merge, a folding eBike. The name ARĪV was selected as part of a global crowdsourcing campaign announced in November.

“The crowdsourcing campaign allowed us to bring consumers into the development of our brand,” said Hannah Parish, ARĪV director. “Combine that with our products and our blend of bike and automotive talent, and the result is a unique brand DNA.”

Ford issues recall for 1.48 million F-150 trucks for transmission issue

(February 14, 2019) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Company has issued a safety recall for select 2011-13 Ford F-150 vehicles with 6-speed automatic transmission shift issues. The trucks may experience an intermittent loss of the transmission output speed sensor signal to the powertrain control module, potentially resulting in a temporary, unintended downshift into first gear.

The fastest Mini ever — John Cooper Works GP gets 300 horsepower

(February 14, 2019) The abbreviation GP in connection with Mini regularly sparks the interest of racing enthusiasts who are fans of the British premium brand. And since the name of John Cooper Works is always mentioned in the same breath, the immediate effect is a sense of excitement at the imminent prospect of a very special model.

Double decker



A 1950 Packard rests on top of a 1949 Frazer in a Casa Grande, Ariz., salvage yard. Unfortunately, neither make was even close to the top of the heap at the turn of the decade. Frazer and Packard had both fallen on hard times. Packard's 1950 sales declined by more than 60 percent to 42,627 from 1949. Frazer managed only 21,000 sales in 1949 and would survive only a few more years.
(Photo by Jim Prueter)

Mitsubishi to unveil 2020 Outlander Sport at Geneva motor show

(February 13, 2019) TOKYO – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will globally unveil the 2020 model year Outlander Sport at the 89th Geneva International Motor Show March 5-17. Since its launch in 2009, the Outlander Sport has sold around 1.32 million units globally in nearly 90 countries.

The biggest markets for the vehicle are North America (where it is the highest-selling Mitsubishi vehicle in the United States), Europe, Australia and China. Currently the third-highest selling vehicle offered globally by MMC, the Outlander Sport is key to the company’s global strategy.

Honda picks up two awards in Edmunds' 'Editor's Choice Awards'

(February 13, 2019) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The car shopping experts at Edmunds have announced the winners of the inaugural Edmunds Editors' Choice Awards. Encompassing far more than subjective opinion, these awards factor in 27 criteria in five categories to determine the vehicles that car shoppers can trust as the best in class.

"Our editorial team tests more than 300 vehicles a year ― that's more than a collective 17,000 hours behind the wheel," said Alistair Weaver, editor-in-chief at Edmunds.

BMW to produce two additional vehicles at Spartanburg, S.C., plant

(February 13, 2019) SPARTANBURG, S.C. — BMW Group announced today the addition of the first-ever BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M models to the production line-up at Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina. The two all-new vehicles will bring the total number of BMW X models produced in the United States to nine, solidifying the plant’s position as the global center of competence for BMW X models.