January 2020

Mercedes E-Class gets a facelift, upgraded assistance systems

(January 25, 2020) With over 14 million units delivered since 1946, the E-Class is the bestselling model series in the history of Mercedes-Benz. Many regard it as the "heart of the brand." In 2016 the E-Class took a major step into the future: The tenth generation set styling highlights with what Mercedes-Benz calls its pure yet emotive design and exclusive, high-quality interior.

New Chevrolet Silverado Realtree Edition answers call of the wild

(January 24, 2020) LAS VEGAS — Chevrolet and Realtree have uncovered their newest outdoor truck collaboration — the 2021 Silverado Realtree Edition. The limited-run truck brings together the rugged capability of Silverado 1500 Custom Trail Boss with exclusive graphics from Realtree, the world’s leading camouflage brand. This is the second collaboration between the two brands, following the success of the 2016 Silverado Realtree Edition.

GM set to open new technical center in Charlotte

(January 24, 2020) CHARLOTTE, N.C. — General Motors will open a new technical center focused on performance and racing in the Charlotte region, a major racing hub in the United States. The facility will expand GM’s performance and racing capabilities, with a focus on transferring knowledge and resources from the racing programs to core vehicle engineering. The goal for the Charlotte Technical Center is to eventually house future technology and engineering development capabilities.

Spike Lee to introduce 2021 Cadillac Escalade on Feb. 4

(January 24, 2020) LOS ANGELES — Oscar-winning auteur Spike Lee will introduce the 2021 Cadillac Escalade in Hollywood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, with the premier of “Anthem,” a short film he directed.

Filmed with Lee’s signature Double-Dolly technique, which heightens the sense of motion to draw viewers closer to the character, the film captures the presence, innovation and movement of the next-generation Escalade, with reverence for its more than two decades as a cultural icon.

A mid-50s Dodge wagon



Dodge was all-new in 1955 with a 120-inch wheelbase and 212.1-inch overall length — huge by today's standards — longer than the 1954 cars. The Dodge shared its basic mechanicals with the DeSoto Custom, but had distinct styling. This style lasted just two years (1955-1956) before being replaced by an all-new 1957 car. This 1956 station wagon was found in Arizona.
(Photo by Jim Prueter)


Honda, Toyota recall 6.1 million vehicles over airbag issues

(January 23, 2020) Toyota and Honda have issued separate recalls on airbag issues for a variety of models totaling 6.1 million. Toyota is recalling 3.4 million vehicles for an electronic glitch that can result in airbags not deploying.  Honda is recalling 2.7 million older vehicles for defective airbag inflators.

The Toyota recall, which includes 2.9 million U.S. vehicles, covers 2011-19 Corolla, 2011-13 Matrix, 2012-18 Avalon and 2013-18 Avalon Hybrid vehicles.

'Holy Jeep!' commercial previews X Games Aspen Best in Snow

(January 23, 2020) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — For the 17th year, the Jeep brand is returning to Aspen’s Buttermilk Mountain as the exclusive automotive sponsor of the world’s premier winter action sports event. In an authentic style as part of the sponsorship, Jeep is launching a 30-second commercial called “Holy Jeep!,” in addition to social, digital and experiential extensions, which include coverage of the first-ever “Jeep Presents: X Games Aspen Best in Snow” award honoring one of the game’s top athletes.

Using a Mini Electric for a skiing trip to the mountains

(January 23, 2020) MUNICH, Germany — The mountain calls and never more so than in winter. In fact, there is an entire choir of mountain peaks which are attractive for winter sports fans particularly in Munich and the surrounding area. A spontaneous away-day for skiing or sledging is a very appealing option for residents living in the Bavarian capital. After all, even from the inner city, the mountains appear to be enticingly close.

Audi, Virginia DOT and Qualcomm announce deployment of C-V2X in Va.

(January 23, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Audi of America, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced this week plans for initial deployments of Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) communication on northern Virginia roadways, employing advanced wireless communications to enhance vehicle safety by using the same portion of the 5.9 GHz band that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed to allocate for C-V2X.