April 2019

The Final Edition — VW Beetle leaving the market in 2019

By Casey Williams
MyCarData

(April 25, 2019) It’s a sad day.  This is likely my last review of a Volkswagen Beetle — mainly because the Volkswagen Beetle will be discontinued after 2019.  It’s an especially sad day because I have very fond memories of the car.  I’ve of course driven many over the years, but I remember riding in the back of my uncle’s orange Beetle in the ‘70s.  I was at the unveiling of the New Beetle in 1998 and owned a 2005 edition for six years.  But, the car we have here may be my favorite of the bunch.

Rivian announces $500 million investment from Ford

(April 24, 2019) DEARBORN, Mich. — Rivian today announced an equity investment of $500 million from Ford Motor Company. In addition to the investment, the companies have agreed to work together to develop an all-new, next-generation battery electric vehicle for Ford’s growing EV portfolio using Rivian’s skateboard platform.

“This strategic partnership marks another key milestone in our drive to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility,” said RJ Scaringe, Rivian founder and CEO.

Construction on Mazda Toyota plant well underway

(April 24, 2019) HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — With the first steel column now in place, construction is well underway for Mazda Toyota Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. (MTMUS). Team members celebrated the milestone with a small gathering at the plant site. Despite a heavy rain season, construction of the advanced manufacturing facility near Huntsville remains on schedule.
 

Ford, Autonomic collaborate to advance vehicle connectivity services

(April 24, 2019) PALO ALTO, Calif. — Ford and creators of the Transportation Mobility Cloud (TMC) Autonomic have signed a multi-year, global agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS), which will expand the availability of cloud connectivity services and connected car application development services for the transportation industry.

Ram unveils special-edition Kentucky Derby 2019 Heavy Duty pickup

(April 24, 2019) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Ram Truck brand has unveiled a limited edition of its new 2019 Ram Heavy Duty to commemorate the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby. The 2019 Ram Heavy Duty Kentucky Derby Edition is fittingly based on the brand’s top Limited trim and features segment-leading capability and technology.
 
The May 4 running of the race marks the 10-year anniversary for Ram as the Official Truck of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.

Kia continues to 'give it everything' in new Soul marketing campaign

(April 23, 2019) IRVINE, Calif. — It has been said that, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” And now, with an all-new and greatly expanded Kia Soul lineup in showrooms, Kia Motors America has launched an entirely different marketing campaign that builds upon the brand’s “Give It Everything” mantra and heralds the arrival of the most adaptable version ever of the brand’s iconic urban runabout.

7th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute Car Show is May 3-4

(April 23, 2019) GARDENA, Calif. — The second Team Shelby Movie Night and 7th Annual Carroll Shelby Tribute Car Show on May 3 - 4, will deliver a high-octane celebration worthy of the talents, energies and legacy of Carroll Shelby. The two-day event will include a display by Shelby American, Ford powered performance car show, entertainment, automotive celebrities and gathering by all facets of the Shelby community, including many brand partners at the headquarters of Carroll Shelby International in Gardena, Calif.

Future of zero-emission trucking takes another leap forward

(April 23, 2019) LOS ANGELES — Toyota, Kenworth, the Port of Los Angeles and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on Monday took the next great leap towards the future of zero-emission trucking, unveiling the first of Toyota and Kenworth’s jointly developed fuel cell electric heavy-duty trucks (FCET). The unveiling was held at the Port of Los Angeles.

Special Edition Kia Stinger GTS — Enthusiasts rejoice

(April 22, 2019) Since its debut nearly two years ago, the Kia Stinger has quickly become a crowd favorite, and Kia Motors America has given driving purists yet another compelling reason to check out Kia’s highest performing sport sedan. Limited to just 800 units, the special edition Stinger GTS punches up its on-road prowess with a newly developed dynamic all-wheel drive system (D-AWD) that inspires more spirited driving.

Nissan celebrates 50 years of the Z car with 2020 370Z

(April 22, 2019) NEW YORK — The 2020 Nissan 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition, with a distinctive racing livery appearance, was unveiled to the world last week in New York — the same city where the original Datsun 240Z made its U.S. debut half a century ago. The special edition pays homage to the #46 BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises) Datsun 240Z that won multiple SCCA National Championships with John Morton behind the wheel.