Category Archives: new vehicle

Fiat Melfi Plant to Make Two New Cars, Including a Baby Jeep

Posted on 23 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Existing production processes are being modified to handle what’s called a new modular Small Wide platform – one of Fiat-Chrysler’s three principal architectures – that can also be adapted to produce larger vehicles. Fiat confirmed that the platform will have the product and safety aspects that comply with U.S. regulatory standards. This means that vehicles produced at the Melfi plant including the baby Jeep will be export ready, with no requirement for further modifications. Continue reading →

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Jeep Liberty to evolve as a Front-Wheel-Drive Alfa Romeo Derivative

Posted on 21 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group is preparing an all-new Jeep Liberty replacement that will debut within 18 months, eventually going into production in the U.S., Italy and China. As with the just released Dodge Dart, the new Jeep – thus far unnamed – will be based on a corporate platform from owner Fiat. Continue reading →

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GM to Face F-Series, Ram with New 2014 Silverado, Sierra Pickups

Posted on 17 December 2012 by Ken Zino

An initial analysis by AutoInformed indicates that the trucks are good, but the question lingers will they be good enough against Ford’s F-Series and Dodge’s Ram line, both with considerable marketplace momentum, and both with their own unique selling points from recent revisions. Continue reading →

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Car Spy Jim Dunne Catches a Revised 2015 Ford Mustang

Posted on 13 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Jim Dunne caught a look at what Ford Motor is working on for the 2015 model year Mustang, which he opines will have an independent rear suspension. At least that’s the impression he got from viewing this rear view of a Ford Mustang test vehicle. Taillights, upper panels and the license plate mount are the same as current Mustangs, so why cut out the lowest panel? Continue reading →

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Mazda6 Diesel Coming to U.S. Tracks and Roads in 2013

Posted on 29 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Mazda North American today announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show that the racing version of the 2014 Mazda6 diesel would make its motorsports debut at the Rolex 24 endurance race in January 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Japanese automaker also confirmed accurate commentary by AutoInformed earlier this year that the racing program would help promote a new Mazda6 diesel sedan, which will join gasoline engine versions next year on U.S. roads.. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Spark EV $25,000 after Federal Subsidy of $7,500

Posted on 29 November 2012 by Ken Zino

The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV will be priced under $25,000 with tax incentives when it goes on sale starting next summer in California, Oregon, Canada and South Korea. Spark EV will be eligible for controversial high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in California. The price is roughly twice that of a gasoline powered minicar, and that’s with incentives. Continue reading →

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Mazda Atenza on Sale in Japan, Comes to U.S. Next Year as Mazda6

Posted on 21 November 2012 by Ken Zino

The Mazda6 is due in the U.S. next year where the family car market is much larger and much more competitive. Year-to-date Mazda sold 31,000 of the older 6 sedan in a segment dominated by the newly revised Toyota Camry, Honda Accord models, both of which are now selling almost 30,000 units a month and the Nissan Altima at 26,000 a month. Two Japanese variations of the new Mazda6 present additional sales opportunities for the U.S. subsidiary. Continue reading →

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Milestones: One Million Fiat 500 Cars. EV Comes to California in 2013

Posted on 19 November 2012 by Ken Zino

The one-millionth Fiat 500 left the Fiat Auto Poland production line. Since its reappearance in 2007, the tiny Cinquecento or 500 has been sold in more than 100 countries – from Italy to Brazil, South Africa to Japan, and the United States to the Middle East – while also being produced in Toluca, Mexico, since 2011 as a requirement for taxpayer funding for fuel efficient cars that was part of the conditions for Chrysler’s bankruptcy bailout. More than 70,000 have now been sold in the U.S. The 500 in its most fuel-efficient manual transmission version is rated at 31 mpg city and 40 mpg highway by the EPA. Continue reading →

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Hot Wheels Camaro to be Real in Full-Size Production Model

Posted on 19 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Life Imitating art, or rather toys for boys and girls and toys for men and women? Chevrolet has confirmed that the Camaro Hot Wheels concept that debuted at SEMA will appear at Chevrolet dealerships early next year. This is the first time a full-size production version of a toy car has been offered for sale by a manufacturer after decades, if not centuries, of the opposite practice. Continue reading →

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2013 Honda Civic to Debut at Los Angeles Auto Show

Posted on 14 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Honda has released the first photos of 2013 Civic Sedan, ahead of its debut at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show on 29 November. Mild styling tweaks are evident on the best selling compact-class car that goes on sale at Honda dealerships the same day.

The previous Civic was justly criticized for being too cheap as Honda removed content and substituted less expensive materials, but it went on to be best seller in the class in spite of tepid media reviews. Continue reading →

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Honda Motor Unveils Tiny EV in Tokyo – Micro Commuter

Posted on 12 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Honda Motor Company today unveiled a Micro Commuter Prototype, a tiny limited distance electric vehicle. Honda said the EV was developed in response for micro-sized mobility products that are currently being discussed under a government initiative from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan. The EV also could comply with regulations for the L7 category in Europe, which is actually a motorcycle category for vehicles that weigh 400 kg or less, excluding the weight of the battery and have an electric motor output of 15 kW or less. Continue reading →

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Mazda to Make a Tiny Toyota in Mexico for Sale in North America

Posted on 9 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Mazda Motor Corporation today announced that a plant in Mexico, currently under construction, would produce a Toyota-brand vehicle for sale in North America. The sub-compact will be based on the new Mazda2, and will enter production during the summer of 2015. Toyota Motor Corporation is requesting 50,000 units per year for a Yaris-sized car that will be sold through Toyota dealerships. Continue reading →

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Qorus, New Chinese Brand Coming to China, Europe, Mid-East

Posted on 7 November 2012 by Ken Zino

China-based Qoros Auto Company will debut a new compact or C-class sedan at next year’s Geneva Motor Show as part of what it claims will be a series of vehicles aimed at buyers in China, Europe and the Middle East. This business plan, of course is easily done by press release. However, the design, development, manufacturing and wholesaling of actual cars and light trucks sometimes is more difficult, occasionally thwarting even the best of established automakers. Continue reading →

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New 2014 Lincoln Compact SUV Caught by Jim Dunne

Posted on 1 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Look at what Lincoln is planning for the small SUV market of 2014. The 2014 Lincoln prototype is based on the all-new 2013 Ford Escape architecture – wheelbase, drive train, 2-/4-wheel drive, 5-place seating, maybe a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with its alleged fuel economy advantages? Continue reading →

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2014 Corvette Sticks with A Revised LT1 V8 Engine

Posted on 25 October 2012 by Ken Zino

When Chevrolet Corvette arrives late next year, most of the sports car will be all new, but not the 6.2L V8 engine. The latest Corvette LT1 engine, the first of the so-called Gen 5 family of Small Block engines, combines several advanced technologies, including direct injection for the first time, cylinder fuel shut off and continuously variable valve timing to support an advanced combustion system. Zero-to-60 mph times of less than four seconds are predicted for the base car. The new LT1 is the third engine in the Corvette’s history to be so-named, with previous versions introduced in 1970 (Gen 1) and 1992 (Gen 2). Continue reading →

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