May 2019

2020 Chevy Camaro updates include SS styling changes

(May 3, 2019) DETROIT — A new front-end appearance for the SS and a new LT1 V-8 performance model add style and choice to the 2020 Camaro lineup, while a newly available 10-speed automatic transmission enhances models equipped with the available 3.6L V-6 engine.

The new Camaro SS front-end appearance is based on the distinctive design of the Camaro Shock show vehicle that debuted last fall at the SEMA Show. The SS now features a repositioned bowtie emblem in the upper grille and a body-color bar between the upper and lower grilles.

Chinese automaker Zotye announces T600 to be first vehicle for U.S.

(May 3, 2019) LAKE FOREST, Calif. — Zotye USA's first vehicle for the U.S. market will be a compact CUV, the T600, Duke Hale, chairman and chief executive officer of Zotye USA and HAAH Automotive Holdings announced Thursday. Zotye is anticipated to be the first Chinese automaker to sell vehicles in the United States under its own brand name. 

April a disappointing month for U.S. auto sales

(May 2, 2019) April was a disappointing month for U.S. auto sales as rising car prices pinched buyers' pockets. The average price of a new car was $36,720 in April, according to Edmunds. That's the highest level so far this year and more than $700 above April 2018. Adding to consumer angst,  interest rates continue above 6 percent.

The seasonally adjusted, annualized pace of sales for April tumbled to 16.41 million. The April sales rate — the lowest since 15.54 million in February 2014 — was also down sharply from 17.42 million in March and April 2018’s 17.25 million rate.

Ram truck brand launches 'On to Bigger Things' marketing campaign

(May 2, 2019) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — As the truck that is “built to serve,” the Ram Truck brand is reinforcing its brand values of leadership, integrity and hard work in a new marketing campaign “On to Bigger Things,” including a four-part video series highlighting how the extraordinary capabilities and features of both Ram light-duty and heavy-duty trucks allow customers to push the limits, lead big lives and tackle the biggest jobs.

Aston Martin Vantage AMR — Pure, engaging, manual performance

(May 2, 2019) GAYDON, England — Renowned for delivering one of the most exhilarating driving experiences currently on the market, the Aston Martin Vantage has been given an extra dose of excitement with the addition of a third pedal and manual transmission. The result? Vantage AMR. Vantage AMR fulfills Aston Martin’s promise to deliver a product with the involvement and driver engagement that only a manual can offer.

A post-war Chevrolet panel van



Chevrolet made very few exterior changes to its panel van between 1947 and 1953 after completing reinventing the van — tagging it Advance-Design — following the end of World War II. Starting in 1951, trucks and vans got door vent windows, which would make this Chevy, photographed by Jim Prueter, a 1951-1953 model. Chevrolet pickups and vans is this era were number one in sales in the U.S.

Mercedes-Benz to stop selling Smart Fortwo in North America

(May 1, 2019) Smart is officially exiting the U.S. market and will stop importing its all-electric Fortwo city car to North America after the 2019 model year. A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz said in a statement that the high cost of homologating the Fortwo for the U.S., combined with slow sales, led to the decision.

Smart had already dropped the gasoline-powered Fortwo from its lineup in 2017, leaving only the electric Fortwo that was recently rebadged as an EQ model to correspond with Mercedes-Benz's new electric sub-brand.

General Motors doubles net income, but adjusted earnings drop in Q1

(May 1, 2019) DETROIT — General Motors' first-quarter net income doubled from a year earlier, though operating profit fell 11 percent primarily due to headwinds in China and downtime at the company's full-size SUV plant in Texas.

GM on Tuesday reported net income of $2.15 billion, up from $1.04 billion in the first quarter of 2018. Its adjusted earnings before interest and taxes dropped $300 million to $2.3 billion, as revenue declined 3.4 percent to $34.9 billion. GM's adjusted earnings per share of $1.41, a key estimate for financial analysts, topped Wall Street estimates averaging $1.10. That includes a 31-cent revaluation from GM's stakes in Lyft Inc. and PSA Group.

Petersen explores iconic sci-fi vehicles in new exhibit

(May 1, 2019) LOS ANGELES — The Petersen Automotive Museum has announced that its upcoming “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles of Science Fiction and Fantasy” exhibit will spotlight a unique and immersive mixed-reality experience powered by Microsoft HoloLens.

The display, named “Hollywood Dream Machines: Worlds Reimagined,” will be centered around the iconic Time Machine from “Back to the Future” and the famed Warthog from the “Halo” franchise.