Category Archives: new vehicle

Hydrogen Bomb! Toyota Opens Its Fuel Cell Patents for Industry Use

In a deft P.R. move that also has abundant self-interest, Toyota Motor Corporation will allow royalty-free use of 5,680 fuel-cell-related patent licenses, including pending applications, it holds globally. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Volt Camouflage Designed to hide Freshened Sheet Metal

The camouflage package on the next-generation Volt was started six months in advance of early development. The tricks are constantly updated to keep spy photographers – Jim Dunne, who graciously contributes to AutoInformed – and the curious guessing. Continue reading

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, awards, car sharing, design and styling, electric vehicles, electronics, marketing, new vehicle, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid to Debut in Paris

The Cayenne is a success story, with the company introducing the first model in 2002. Sales have exceeded all expectations in spite of grumbling from traditionalists that an SUV is not a true Porsche. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, new vehicle | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

GM Throws Technology Gauntlet – V2V Cadillacs in 2 Years

GM’s CEO Mary Barra said yesterday that GM would offer vehicle-to-vehicle communication, V2V in that awful techie jargon, as well as vehicle-to-infrastructure communication, and ultimately, fully autonomous driving starting two years from now in a 2017 model Cadillac CTS. Continue reading

Posted in distracted driving, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

First Look – Volvo XC90 SUV

Volvo Cars has unveiled its new XC90, which was under development for three years at the Chinese-owned automaker. The 7-seat crossover SUV, says Volvo, is the result of s $11 billion product development program that is the company’s latest attempt to use a scalable architecture, a fancy way of saying a common platform that can be used for larger and smaller vehicles. Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Car Spy Jim Dunne on Mustang Mule

Note that those excessively covered exhaust pipes are four in number, duals to each side, which is a big change for Mustangs? Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Right-Hand-Drive Mustang Testing Begins

A right-hand-drive prototype of the upcoming 2015 Mustang has been spotted as it underwent initial testing. Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

2016 Model Volt Debuts at NAIAS Next January

Global Chevrolet Chief Marketing Officer Tim Mahoney says the next generation Chevrolet Volt hybrid will debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, new vehicle | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Giant Sucking Sound – Nissan and Daimler to Build Luxury Cars in Mexico under new Joint Venture

The new plant will be built close to an already existing Nissan plant, and will have an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles when completely operational. Many of the common platform luxury models – 2017 Infiniti, 2018 Mercedes-Benz – will of course be headed in the U.S. under the job destroying NAFTA deal. Continue reading

Posted in economy, manufacturing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gibbs Adds 2-Seat Quadski to 2014 Lineup

In the expensive toy or useful tool world of amphibious vehicles, Gibbs with its high-speed sports approach is expanding its line to include a two-seat Quadski XL. Compared to the standard solo seat Quadski, XL has seating for two at an overall length of 140.2 inches, compared to 128.3 inches for the standard model with increased storage capacity. Prices for the small one start at about $40,000 and float up from there. Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle, transportation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Small Lexus NX Crossover Launches in Beijing. U.S. Snubbed

Aside from the fact that this is the first turbocharged engine in the lineup, Lexus is ignoring the New York Auto Show, which runs just after Beijing in what, was formerly its most important market. Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

BMW X4 Crossover Debuts at New York Auto Show

Like the X6 before it, the BMW claims the X4 combines performance and capability with “the style and elegance of traditional coupe.” In reality – once you get away from such marketing babble – it is a 4-door hatchback. There no doubt about the premium price, though. In the U.S., the X4 will be offered with a choice of two turbocharged engines. The xDrive28i has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $45,625, including destination and handling. It comes with a 240 horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine that produces peak torque of 260 lb.-ft. (350 Nm) and a claimed zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds flat. Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Diddy Combs Hyping Fiat 500L Cars in North America

With two more doors, accommodations for five, smallish people and 42% more interior space than the regular 500, it’s hope that the larger car will boost sales from the 36,000 500 models sold during 2013, which represented a -18% decline year-over-year. So far in January 2014, the newly introduced 500L has sold 729 compared to its intro year of 2013 when 7400 were delivered. Continue reading

Posted in marketing, new vehicle | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Rebadged Nissan Van Shown as 2015 Chevrolet City Express

Why the world’s second largest automaker needs to go outside for a small commercial van goes back to a decades old Opel decision to outsource small van production in Europe. Ford, Renault and Citroen all thrive in the segment. It is an embarrassing position for GM in AutoInformed’s view. Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New 2015 Ford Mustang Brings $300,000 at Auction

The first retail 2015 Ford Mustang GT Fastback when it goes into production this fall was sold for $300,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, AZ. A car collector and North Texas Ford dealer, Sam Pack, helped Ford Motor Company increase its charity vehicle sales to more than $3.5 million for JDRF, a leading diabetes research organization. Continue reading

Posted in new vehicle, people | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment