News archive

December 2019

Long gone from U.S., the Mazda2 lives on in Europe with 2020 updates

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(December 15, 2019) Although the sub-compact Mazda2 hatchback was last sold in the United States in 2014, it continues living in Europe where smaller cars are in more demand. And the European Mazda2 has been refreshed for the 2020 model year with a more sophisticated exterior design, new technology, improved refinement and an upgraded interior.

Subaru issues two recalls of more than 600,000 Imprezas

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(December 14, 2019) Subaru has issued two U.S. recalls for 671,225 Subaru Impreza vehicles over loss of power issues. In one recall, which includes 205,000 model year 2017-19 Impreza vehicles, the positive crankcase ventilation valve, an oil flow control device, could separate and allow engine oil to enter the combustion chamber, NHTSA documents said.

With continued driving in this condition, components of the valve may enter the engine causing a loss of power. Drivers may notice a visible change in the appearance or amount of tailpipe exhaust, the documents said.

Honda takes wraps off race-ready Civic Type R TC

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(December 14, 2019) SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Honda has taken the wraps off the latest iteration of the Civic Type R, the race-ready Civic Type R TC race car from Honda Performance Development (HPD). The Type R TC is designed as a turn-key solution for professional racers, and for skilled Type R enthusiasts who wish to transition from track time in a stock Type R to a fully built race car.

2020 Honda Ridgeline gets new 9-speed automatic

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(December 13, 2019) TORRANCE, Calif. — The freshened 2020 Honda Ridgeline arrives at dealerships starting Dec. 16 with a host of updates, including a standard 9-speed automatic transmission, standard Honda Sensing safety and driver-assistive technologies, and a more streamlined trim structure. Now available in four trims—Sport, RTL, RTL-E and Black Edition—the 2020 Ridgeline arrives with a starting price of $34,095 including $1,095 destination charge for the Sport trim with two-wheel drive.

Mercedes trucks using unique MirrorCam digital mirrors

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(December 13, 2019) STUTTGART, Germany — Since the summer, an increasing number of trucks sporting the Mercedes star have been seen on the roads without the typical large exterior mirrors. Instead, small streamlined camera arms are mounted on the roof frame. What's behind this? Since June 2019, Mercedes-Benz Trucks has been supplying the new Actros with the MirrorCam as a standard feature — as the only manufacturer in the industry worldwide to date.

Post-war Chrysler

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Chrysler came out swinging after World War II with a relatively conservative design that appealed to the car-buying public. Chrysler used the same basic design — with some tweaks here and there — from 1946 through 1950 before a complete overhaul in 1951. In those five years Chrysler sold 636,197 copies. This circa 1946-48 Chrysler was found on a snowy day in Nevada. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

Fisker Ocean to make global debut at CES; partners with Electrify America

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(December 12, 2019) LOS ANGELES — Fisker — designer and manufacturer of emotion-stirring, eco-friendly electric vehicles and advanced mobility solutions — has announced that the Fisker Ocean all-electric luxury SUV will make its public debut at the Consumer Electronics Show 2020 in Las Vegas in January.

Reservations are opening worldwide for the Ocean, and at the same time Fisker is revealing its unique partnership with Electrify America, the largest, open DC Fast charging network for EVs in the United States.

BMW 8 Series convertible goes street art cruising in Miami Beach

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(December 12, 2019) MIAMI BEACH — BMW continued its global parternship with Art Basel at the 2019 Miami Beach fair. In line with the brand’s decades-long commitment to culture and the arts, BMW supported panel discussions, VIP shuttle services to and from the fair, and a street art mural tour that paid homage to Miami’s reputation as a hub for such works.

Street artist Spencer Mar Guilburt (below right) and visual artist Alexandre Arrechea (below left) teamed up for the mural tour, taking the BMW 8 Series Convertible for a spin through Miami’s famous Wynwood and Midtown Design Districts.

Mercedes begins production of electric Sprinter at Dusseldorf plant

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(December 12, 2019) DUSSELDORF, Germany — The founder of its own segment — the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — is taking the next step and will, in the future be producing electric vans. This week the Mercedes-Benz Dusseldorf plant celebrated the start of production of the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter.

The Stuttgart-based manufacturer has been building its globally successful vans in Dusseldorf since 1962. Ever since, the plant has continually developed to become in recent years the leading Sprinter plant worldwide and to serve as a benchmark for the other locations.