Category Archives: new vehicle

Chrysler Group March U.S. Sales Up 31%, Q1 plus 23%

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group LLC today reported U.S. sales of 121,730, a 31% increase compared with sales in March 2010 – Chrysler’s best March since 2008, and the highest sales for any month since May 2008.

Both Chrysler Group car and truck sales posted year-over-year sales gains, led by car sales which increased 46%, the best month for car sales since May 2008 before the financial markets collapsed that fall and Chrysler faced bankruptcy. Overall U.S. auto industry sales were up 17% for the month; 20% for the quarter.
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Toyota Postpones Prius V Japan Launch; With Honda Expects U.S. Plant Shutdowns from Earthquake Parts Shortages

Posted on 24 March 2011 by Ken Zino

At the same time Toyota was telling workers in U.S. plants to expect shutdowns because of parts shortages resulting from Japan’s triple disasters of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear plant meltdowns. Toyota said it did not know at this time when, where or how long the production disruptions would last, but it was likely that some would happen. Continue reading →

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New Ford Ranger Debuts in Bangkok – U.S. Bound?

Posted on 23 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford is billing the compact pickup truck as a global entry – it will be sold throughout Europe, Asia and South America – but remains mute if the Ranger will reappear in the United States, the world’s largest pickup truck market. Continue reading →

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Chevrolet Colorado Show Truck Unveiled in Bangkok

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet today unveiled its Colorado Show Truck on the eve of the Bangkok International Auto Show, where it is making its global public debut.

The is said to be concept virtually identical to the next-generation Colorado mid-size pickup truck that goes on sale in Thailand later this year, and will eventually be on sale in the U.S. Continue reading →

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Million Dollar Porsche 918 Hybrid on Sale – Only “918” Offered

Posted on 21 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The 918’s V8 engine delivers more than 368 kW or 500 horsepower. This is increased by two electric motors with a total of at least 160 kW (218 hp). Fuel consumption of 918 Spyder is estimated at three liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (~ 74 mpg) based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Continue reading →

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Porsche Cajun SUV to be Built alongside Larger Cayenne in Leipzig, Eastern Germany. Huge Plant Expansion Planned

Posted on 16 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Thus the fifth model in the Porsche line is scheduled to appear at the renowned sport car maker that ironically now sells more sedans and trucks than 911 and Boxster models. Cajun will be the least expensive Porsche when it appears. Continue reading →

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U.S. Bound Infiniti Models Damaged in Japanese Port; Nissan to Reopen Some Japanese Plants. V6 Engines a Problem

Posted on 16 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Nissan says that about 1,300 Infiniti vehicles were damaged in port in Japan due to the earthquake and tsunami. However, this equates to a few days’ supply for the luxury brand, which is heavily dependent on Japanese imports for most of its premium vehicles. Continue reading →

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Toyota Extends Production Shut Down at all Japanese Plants

Posted on 16 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has decided to continue the vehicle-production halt started on March 14 at all plants in Japan, including subsidiary vehicle manufacturers, through March 22. Originally Toyota and other major Japanese automakers had said some shut downs would be for a couple of days. Continue reading →

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World First – Suzuki Fuel Cell Motorcycle Street Legal in EU

Posted on 9 March 2011 by Ken Zino

The upshot is that zero emission motorcycles are now a step closer to becoming commercially available, and since motorcycles don’t come in right-hand-drive versions, the motorcycle could – in theory – be produced and sold throughout Europe. Continue reading →

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New Chevrolet Colorado Concept Begs the Fuel Economy Question: Where oh Where is Ford’s Small U.S. Pickup?

Posted on 8 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford, which once dominated the compact pickup truck segment in the U.S., has said that it will close its Twin Cities, Minn, Ranger plant at the end of this year, offering instead more fuel efficient models of the gigantic F-150 pickup the best selling vehicle in the U.S. at 74,000 units year-to-date. The Toyota Tacoma is currently the best selling mid-size pickup truck in the U.S. at more than 15,000 units year-to-date, outselling an ancient Ranger – last major redesign was in 2001 – by more than 2:1. Continue reading →

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Hertz to Offer Rental Renault Electric Vehicles in Europe

Posted on 3 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Hertz said that it plans to add 500 units of the Renault EV range to its fleet over the next two years in what can be characterized as a modest effort to see if there really is a rental market for EVs. Avis claims it has similar, but thus far vague plans in Europe for renting rival Citroen EVs as well.< Continue reading →

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BMW, Peugeot Citroën to Invest €100 Million in Hybrid JV

Posted on 2 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Component parts will be used in various BMW and PSA vehicles starting in 2014. Toyota, of course, is the global leader in hybrid technology that was once dismissed by European automakers as not promising. The JV will focus on battery packs, generators, power electronics, chargers, and software for hybrid systems. Continue reading →

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China Rules as GM Sets February Sales Record

Posted on 2 March 2011 by Ken Zino

General Motors and its eleven government-mandated Chinese joint ventures sold 184,498 vehicles in February, setting a new record for the month, but not, repeat not, outperforming its amazing sales of 207,000 in its home U.S. market. Continue reading →

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Rolls-Royce to Debut Electric Phantom Concept at Geneva

Posted on 21 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today confirmed the existence of the Phantom Experimental Electric, an electric Phantom concept car that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Continue reading →

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BMW i, an Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Sub-Brand, Debuts

Posted on 21 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Both the i3 and i8 models are clearly designed to garner credits so that BMW can continue to sell conventional cars and trucks that emit higher levels of CO2; both use extensive amounts of aluminum and other light weight materials to partially offset the mass of the lithium ion batteries. Continue reading →

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