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Category Archives: new vehicle
First Look – 2013 Ford SVT Raptor Off-Road Pickup Truck
Since launching as a 2010 model, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor has gathered small notoriety as an off-road performance pickup truck. A two-door Super Cab debuted first, then came a 2011 add, a four-door Super Crew model. Prices now start at more than $44,000. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, new vehicle, performance
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, f-150, Ken Zino, off road, raptor, svt
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First Drive – 2013 Lexus ES 350 and ES 300h Hybrid Sedans
A day of test-driving both of the front-drive mid-size cars shows that once again, these are well-equipped, quiet luxury models. However, Lexus engineers have abandoned the plush ride that made its name, for a distinctly German chassis setup that verges on the harsh and intrusive. Lexus executives claim that this is what customers want, which could come as news to the one million ES owners. This theory will be tested after the cars are priced – and the strong Yen will be a factor here – and final EPA numbers are attached to their window stickers. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, marketing, new vehicle
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Avalon, es 300h, hybrids, Ken Zino, lexus, luxury cars, mid-size cars
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Tesla Motors Delivers First Model S EVs at $100,000
Tesla Motors delivered its first electric Model S sedan over the weekend at its factory in Fremont, California. The financially challenged company – it has never earned a profit – says it will build 5,000 electric vehicles by the end of 2012, followed by 20,000 cars in 2013. Tesla claims it has already received more than 10,000 reservations worldwide for Model S. Continue reading
Mini Clubvan Goes Commercial, So to Speak
In its latest marketing move for the successful Mini line, BMW is offering a commercial version of the sub-compact small car. With two seats and five doors the Mini Clubvan is said to be the world’s first premium priced delivery van. The concept comes from the original Morris Mini van introduced in 1960, albeit at a down market price point back then. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, new vehicle
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, BMW, commercial vans, Ken Zino, mini, mini Clubvan
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Ford Inflatable Rear Seat Belt to Debut on New Mondeo
Ford Motor Company announced today that an inflatable rear seat belt would make its European debut next year on the all-new Mondeo. The inflatable belt is designed to reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear-seat passengers. Ford said that often children and older passengers who can be more vulnerable to such injuries are in the rear seat. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, new vehicle, safety
Tagged airbags, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, center airbag, GM, inflatable seat belts, Ken Zino, restraints, safety belts
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New 2013 Ford Escape Enters Production in Louisville Plant
The upgraded plant is in theory capable of making up to six different vehicles at the same time, thus it is Ford’s most flexible U.S. plant. Louisville is also one of 11 Ford facilities in the U.S. that is participating in the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program – in Ford’s case almost $6 billion total – initiated by Congress under the Obama administration, which also put $80 billion into other auto bailouts, including the forced and politically contentious bankruptcies of Chrysler and GM. Continue reading
Some Saab Assets Sold to a New Electric Vehicle Company
National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB (NEVS), a new firm established to purchase bankrupt Saab, and the receivers of Saab today signed a purchase agreement that covers some of the assets of Saab Automobile AB, Saab Automobile Powertrain AB and Saab Automobile Tools AB. The selling price was not disclosed. The company will establish a new automobile venture in Trollhättan, dedicated to the development and manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs). The intellectual property rights for the aging 9-3, introduced in 1992, were part of a deal that includes all outstanding shares in the company that owns the Saab Automobile facilities in Trollhättan, Sweden. Continue reading
New Smart ForTwo EV now in Production in France
Daimler AG started production today of the new Smart ForTwo electric vehicle built at the Smart Hambach, France plant. An investment of €200 million was required to integrate the tiny EV into the production processes of the plant, which also builds gasoline versions. Continue reading
Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, manufacturing, milestones, new vehicle
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, EVs, fortwo, hamback, Ken Zino, smart
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Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV Starts Production in Thailand
In the U.S., the body on frame Trailblazer was discontinued after 2009, and replaced by the unit-body Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. Trailblazer is a traditional American truck although it was developed along with the all-new Chevrolet Colorado pickup by GM do Brasil. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, manufacturing, milestones, new vehicle
Tagged auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Chevrolet, Ken Zino, midsize trucks, thailand, trailblazer
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Family Car Wars Revived as Nissan Ships New 2013 Altima
Nissan has started shipping the new 2013 Altima, its best selling mid-size car and longstanding contender in the family car wars. The all-new 2013 Altima, which has been produced at Nissan’s Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant in Tennessee since the first generation rolled off the line in 1992 is now also produced at Canton, Mississippi because of the high volumes involved. Altima will take on the reigning champion – Toyota Camry revised this year, and the upcoming new Honda Accord in a battle royal. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, marketing, new vehicle
Tagged accord, altima, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Camry, chevrolet malibu, family cars, Ken Zino, midsize cars
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BMW Zagato Coupe: Concept or a Small Production Run?
The Concorso on the shores of Lake Como began as a get-together of coachbuilders presenting one-off hand-built creations, but some of the press photos supplied by BMW were taken at its test track in Germany, a sign that more than one copy of the coupe will appear for wealthy buyers. Continue reading
Fiat and Mazda to Develop a Sports Car for Alfa and Mazda
The non-binding MoU states that both Fiat and Mazda will develop two “differentiated, distinctly styled, iconic and brand-specific light weight, roadsters featuring rear-wheel drive.” The Alfa Romeo and Mazda models will each be powered by specific proprietary engines unique to each brand. Continue reading
Posted in auto news, financial results, milestones, new vehicle, news analysis
Tagged alfa romeo, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, Fiat, Ken Zino, mazda, mx5
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Chevrolet Colorado Midsized Pickup to be Made in Wentzville as GM Tries to Forget Bankruptcy, Hummer and Shreveport
General Motors broke ground today on a $380 million plant expansion to its Wentzville Assembly facility to build the newly re-designed Chevrolet Colorado midsize pick-up in 2013. In the sad language oft used when describing the floundering U.S. economy, GM said it is “creating or retaining” about 1,260 jobs hourly and salaried jobs. The new Chevrolet Colorado is based on an all-new midsize truck architecture developed by GM do Brasil within GM’s global product development organization. Continue reading
Honda Uni-Cub Electric Unicycle Enters Testing in June
Honda Motor Company today unveiled its new Uni-Cub personal mobility device, a computer-controlled electric unicycle that looks to be a production ready outgrowth of the U3-X first shown in 2009. The compact EV with a saddle provides the same freedom of movement in all directions that a person has while walking. Since it doesn’t replace body parts, Uni-Cub is not technically a prosthetic device, but will have widespread applications in manufacturing or warehousing and any other indoor occupation that requires walking. Continue reading
Posted in electric vehicles, new vehicle, news, transportation
Tagged asimo, auto informed, autoinformed.com, automotive news, honda uni-cycle, Ken Zino, u3-x
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Offshore Brands Down Slightly in U.S. Market Share in April
Auto brands from offshore automakers held a 55.3% of the U.S. auto market in April, a slight decrease from a 56.3% in March. In raw numbers this accounted for 654,086 units, compared with 791,169 in March.
This is hardly a ‘Buy American’ trend though, because in the first four months of 2011, foreign-owned brands averaged a strong 55.6% share of the U.S. auto market. Simply put the Detroit Three in spite of the demonstrably best most fuel efficient car offerings in history haven’t laid a glove on the invaders. Continue reading
