July 2023

Daihatsu Applause winner at 2023 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional



An Austin Metro took second,
a Subaru Justy named third

    
(August 1, 2023) OXFORDSHIRE, England — The globally renowned Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional enjoyed another sell-out success at Grimsthorpe Castle on Saturday, with a record attendance of 1200 cars and 3000 guests enjoying the Lincolnshire sunshine. Hagerty created the first Festival of the Unexceptional in 2014 as a celebration of long-forgotten everyday family cars from 1968-1989, now fondly known as the "Unexceptional Era."

High-end vehicles are hot — Lamborghini reports record sales



(August 1, 2023) For the first six months of 2023, Automobili Lamborghini has once again posted record results in terms of sales, turnover and profitability, mainly thanks to the commercial success of the Urus and Huracán families pending the market debut of the Revuelto. The Super SUV and the V10 super sports car, which are sold out until the end of production (expected in the second half of 2024), were instrumental in achieving the global deliveries of 5,341 units, up 4.9% compared to the first half of 2022.

Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center expands with new projects



(July 31, 2023) ANN ARBOR, Mich.  — Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) has announced plans to launch three new projects as part of its next phase of research, dedicated to advancing safety in mobility technologies. The research projects include an investigation on driver support features for vehicle lane centering, the creation of an in-vehicle intervention prototype to promote safe driving and the use of data to help improve technology to aid driver decision making to encourage safer driving behavior.

GM launches effort to bring assisted driving education directly to consumers



(July 31, 2023) DETROIT — General Motors has launched “Hands Free, Eyes On,” a consumer education program to encourage consumer confidence in the use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as part of GM’s larger commitment to the safe deployment of these technologies, like Super Cruise. To avoid concern and confusion about the benefits of ADAS as they become more widely available, GM intends to give consumers more information so that they are informed, excited and confident in the technology.

Ford Performance debuts track-only Mustang Dark Horse R bred



(July 31, 2023) CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ford Performance has revealed the all-new Mustang Dark Horse R, offering the most demanding track enthusiasts a turn-key race car ready to compete in the all-new Mustang Challenge spec racing series, just for Mustang Dark Horse R and sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA).

Turbocharged and ready for action

The second generation Pontiac Trans Am was completely restyled in 1979. Car and Driver magazine named the Trans Am the best handling car of 1979 with the WS6 performance package. This circa 1979 Trans Am was found in Casa Grande, Ariz. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

New Mini family takes digital quantum leap with new operating system



(July 29, 2023) MUNICH, Germany — History-rich British brand Mini is taking a quantum leap into the digital age with its new model family. At the heart of the action is the iconic central instrument – the Mini Interaction Unit. The round OLED display, with its 240 mm diameter and rich colors, blends perfectly into the interior of the new Mini family. Its positioning within the cabin allows it to be used comfortably by the driver and front passenger.

Limited-edition Mopar ‘23 Dodge Challenger, Charger models coming



Dodge commemorates muscle
cars with one last goodbye

(July 28, 2023) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Mopar continues its long-standing, factory-vehicle customization program with the introduction of the Mopar ‘23 Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger special-edition models. Based on the Challenger and Charger R/T Scat Pack Widebody vehicles and featuring unique, performance-oriented looks inside and out, the Mopar ‘23 Challenger and Charger builds will be limited to 220 units each, 200 units for the U.S. and 20 units for Canada.

Seven automakers unite to create new charging network



(July 27, 2023) Seven of the world’s leading automakers — BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group, Stellantis NV — are creating a joint venture to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles in North America, by making EV charging more convenient, accessible and reliable.