Category Archives: new vehicle

2015 Mustang Goes Global with RHD models. Confirmation Coming in August at Jim Farley Australian Press Bash

Posted on 18 July 2013 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor, reeling from the negative backlash on plans to shut down all its manufacturing operations in Australia, will counter with what it hopes will be good news by confirming the next generation Mustang due in 2015 will go global and offer right-hand-drive models. Continue reading →

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Light Duty Diesel Ram Ups Fuel Economy Ante in 2014

Posted on 1 July 2013 by Ken Zino

The comeback automaker, Chrysler Group, ups the ante in the ongoing pickup truck fuel economy wars by offering the first light duty diesel engine pared with an 8-speed automatic transmission, both exclusives in the segment. Just bring money – this is going to be a +$45,000 (or more) set of wheels, AutoInformed predicts. Continue reading →

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New GM Pickup EcoTech3 V6 Rated at 24 and 22 MPG

Posted on 19 June 2013 by Ken Zino

The new 4.3-liter V6 engine used in the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size pickup trucks is rated at 22 mpg EPA highway for 4×4 versions and 24 mpg for 2wd. This means they are competitive with – or better than V6 engines – used in the Ram, Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra pickup trucks. Continue reading →

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Rogue Named Cadillac Creative Agency

Posted on 12 June 2013 by Ken Zino

Cadillac says it has selected a new agency called Rogue as its creative agency of record, following a review process. Continue reading →

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Revised 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Coming after 2013 Flop

Posted on 31 May 2013 by Ken Zino

The badly outclassed Malibu raises once again the critical question whether General Motors is reformed after a $49.5 billion taxpayer funded bailout or has simply resumed its old losing ways that saw market share erode from almost 60% in 1960 to 18% today. Continue reading →

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First Drive – 2014 Lexus IS Sedan

Posted on 15 May 2013 by Ken Zino

Unlike earlier electronic traction, anti-lock braking, yaw control and computerized damping systems, the latest ones are slickly integrated and even predictive, instead of slowly reactive. The upshot is a fully electronic car that is capable of driving at the limits all the time. These systems are now capable of producing faster lap times than professional racing drivers can without them, and the IS system is state of this dark electronic art. Continue reading →

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GM to Rebadge Nissan NV200 as Chevrolet City Express

Posted on 14 May 2013 by Ken Zino

General Motors and Nissan announced today that the companies signed an agreement for Nissan to produce a small cargo van that GM will sell in the United States and Canada. GM will rebadge the Nissan NV200 as the Chevrolet City Express, which will go on sale in the fall of 2014. 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 →

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Car Spy Catches 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe

Posted on 6 May 2013 by Jim Dunne

Running under full camouflage is this prototype of the next Chevrolet Tahoe, the 2015 model. While the cover-up is extensive, several proposed changes in the full size SUV are evident from this photograph taken during testing at one of GM’s proving grounds. Continue reading →

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Pony Car Wars – 2015 Mustang Mule

Posted on 30 April 2013 by Jim Dunne

The 2015 Mustang caught in this photo is in what you might call the late “pupa stage” – completely developed but not quite ready for testing on the road. Continue reading →

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Some Corvette Prices Revealed – $51,995 to more than $73,000

Posted on 26 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet revealed today some of the prices of the 2014 Stingray that goes on sale this summer but held back the MSRP of the highest performing Corvettes. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Group Increases Torque Converter Output at Toledo

Posted on 26 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group announced today that it would invest $19.6 million in its Toledo Machining Plant in Perrysburg, Ohio to increase capacity of the torque converter it is making for the nine-speed transmission of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Continue reading →

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Lexus GS 300h debuts at Shanghai Motor Show

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Ken Zino

While this latest Lexus hybrid has fuel economy and tax advantages in global markets, particularly against German luxury cars with diesel engines, it is not clear whether Lexus needs the smaller engine GS hybrid in North America where GS sales have been softening. Lexus already sells a GS 450h here with 338 total system horsepower. Continue reading →

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Ford Debuts All-New Mondeo in China, Not Europe

Posted on 23 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Ford’s long-standing flagship car, the Mondeo, debuted its latest major revision in China at the Shanghai Motor show instead of its European home market. Ford Europe has pushed back the introduction of the 2015 model to save money as its losses grow to a projected $2 billion this year. In China, the Mondeo is one of 15 vehicles the company has promised to bring to the country by 2015. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Rated at 46 MPG Highway

Posted on 22 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet said that its new 2014 Cruze Diesel will be rated at an EPA-estimated 46 MPG on the highway, better than any non-hybrid passenger car in America. It will be available in some cities this spring and nationwide and in Canada in the early fall. Continue reading →

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First Fiat Platform Jeep Debuts in fall – 2014 Cherokee

Posted on 8 April 2013 by Ken Zino

Jeep has revealed full details on its upcoming Cherokee mid-size SUV that will be first offering from the famous off-road brand that will use a Fiat-derived platform. When it goes on sale this fall, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee will debut three four-wheel-drive systems, a 9-speed automatic transmission and a new 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 4,600 pounds of towing capacity. There is also 2.4-liter “Tigershark” MultiAir four-cylinder that will deliver a 45% fuel economy improvement compared to the outgoing unloved and slow selling Liberty model. Continue reading →

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