May 2020

Ford to provide Covid-19 testing for symptomatic employees in four states

(May 18, 2020) DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford has announced it had signed contracts with health systems in four metro areas with major company facilities to quickly test hourly and salaried employees with suspected symptoms of COVID-19.

Ford over-the-air updates will help Mustang Mach-E get better with time

(May 18, 2020) DEARBORN, Mich. — Owners of the all-new all-electric Mustang Mach-E won’t need to worry about keeping up with the Joneses, thanks to over-the-air updates that work to continuously improve the SUV over the vehicle’s life without leaving home. And unlike some vehicles that require owners to wait while a software update takes place, Ford has developed a way to allow secure updates to download in the background, and in some cases, be completed in under two minutes.

Mini owners take part in 'The Italian Job' virtual screening

(May 17, 2020) WOODCLIFF, N.J. — MINI USA hosted a virtual movie night in collaboration with Paramount Pictures, presenting The Italian Job (2003) to hundreds of MINI enthusiasts across the country. The virtual screening held online May 13 and was attended by more than 350 Mini owners who generated over 1,470 chat messages in the virtual screening platform.



Emotional and highly dynamic — The design of Mini John Cooper Works GP

(May 17, 2020) MUNICH, Germany — The Mini John Cooper Works GP distills the racing essence of the modern Mini. Inspired by the brand’s legendary motor racing achievements, this model — limited to just 3,000 units — embodies maximum performance and uncompromising dynamics.

This can be seen instantly in the car’s design — a purist yet highly emotional exterior and interior visualize the GP genes more radically than ever before. The Mini John Cooper Works GP follows on from the likewise limited-edition John Cooper Works GP small series of 2013 and 2006.

Acura to terminate slow-selling RLX flagship sedan

(May 16, 2020) Acura will stop making its RLX flagship sedan in North America after the 2020 model year as the luxury brand regroups around sports sedans and crossovers because of changing consumer tastes. According to Automotive News,  Honda told dealers Thursday that the slow-selling RLX will no longer be imported from Japan, where it's sold as the Honda Legend. The Legend will continue to be offered in Japan and other markets.

The new Golf GTI takes hot hatch driving dynamics to a new level

(May 16, 2020) WOLFSBURG, Germany — The Golf GTI is considered an icon around the world, with great handling and a pure design DNA. Launched at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September 1975, it created an automotive category that hadn’t actually existed until that moment—sporty front-wheel-drive compacts, or hot hatches. With its six successors to date, it has become the world’s most successful hot hatch and more than 2.3 million units had been produced by the end of 2019.

General Motors expands customer care initiatives with 'CLEAN' program

(May 15, 2020) DETROIT — As part of an ongoing commitment to enhance and improve the entire customer experience from shopping to delivery, today General Motors announced an initiative inviting U.S. dealers to participate in a program embracing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in the operations of their businesses.

Karma shows its extended-range E-Flex platform to support pickup trucks

(May 15, 2020) IRVINE, Calif.  — Karma Automotive has announced its newest flexible and modular E-Flex platform with two motor all-wheel drive (AWD) and extended range electric vehicle (EREV) architecture. The new platform is the final of five demonstration projects designed to illustrate Karma’s technical direction and capabilities using highly versatile EREV and battery electric vehicle (BEV) based rolling chassis systems.

GM's Spring Hill Manufacturing plant to run totally on the sun

(May 15, 2020) SPRING HILL, Tenn. — General Motors’ Spring Hill Manufacturing plant is expected to be powered by 100 percent solar energy beginning in late 2022. A green tariff agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority is expected to supply up to 100 megawatts of solar energy per year, or the amount of electricity consumed by 18,000 United States households annually. The energy will be supplied by a solar farm in Lowndes County, Miss., currently under development by Origis Energy.

Lotus and Centrica agree to partnership to develop electric vehicle

(May 14, 2020) HETHEL, UK  — Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, and British motor manufacturer Lotus are working together to develop a new model for electric vehicle ownership that fully integrates future mobility and energy. By making the car an extension of the home, capable of storing electricity, minimizing emissions and generating new income by providing services to the energy market, the companies aim to redefine the customer relationship with cars — one controlled by smart devices at home and on the move.