Category Archives: new vehicle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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Volkswagen to Debut Revised Tiguan at Geneva Motor Show

With more than half a million of the multi-activity-vehicles delivered by VW since its debut in 2007, the Golf derived compact follows a design trend – now widely imitated – that was established by Renault with its Megane Scenic back in 1997. Continue reading

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Global Vehicle Sales to Top 72 Million in 2011 in Latest Forecast

The sale of new cars and light trucks in 2011 are projected to reach 76.5 million units, which would surpass the record of 72 million light vehicles sold 2010, according to J.D. Power and Associates Automotive Forecasting. If accurate, this … Continue reading

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General Motors to Introduce 20 New Models in China, Add Jobs

The world’s largest auto market, China, has been good to General Motors, the world’s largest automaker. So no surprise when General Motors Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson said today in Beijing that GM will introduce more than 20 new and upgraded models during the next two years, as well as strengthen Chinese product development capability. Continue reading

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Mercedes-Benz Wants Smart Distribution Back from Penske

Smart had U.S. sales of 5,927 in 2010 compared with 14,595 in 2009, a -59.4% decrease. The tiny two-seat car, designed by Mercedes more than 20 years ago, is struggling in the marketplace. However, credits for the sale of small cars will be crucial going forward for makers of larger, gas guzzling luxury cars. Continue reading

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Infiniti Etherea Debuts at Geneva Motor Show in March

Infiniti today released photos of a compact concept car that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Etherea is said to combine the elements of a coupe, sedan, hatchback and crossover in one “highly sculptural” form. Continue reading

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Ram Tradesman – A Truck for Those Who Shower After Work

Ram Tradesman, which goes on sale this spring. Instead of marketing a pickup truck as a fashion accessory for Saturday night cowboys, the Tradesman package is named for the people who take a shower after work, not before.

The Tradesman at $22,780, including a $975 destination charge, is said to be a value-priced option package designed for small businesspeople, construction sites and commercial fleets. Continue reading

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CAR Says Electric Vehicles Will Follow the Incentives at the Federal, State and Local Levels. Budget Battles Loom?

Executive summary – taxpayer money on the hood moves the sheet metal, but auto company press release predictions are dubious. Continue reading

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General Motors Sets January Vehicle Sales Record in China

General Motors had a record sales month in China in January, as GM’s two largest manufacturing joint ventures new monthly highs for vehicle sales in the world’s largest auto market of more than 18 million vehicles. It’s a continuation of GM’s strong performance in China during 2010, where it sold more cars and trucks than it did in the U.S. Continue reading

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Acura 2012 TL Luxury Sedan Debuts at Chicago Auto Show

Parent company Honda is expected to report strong financial results tomorrow in Tokyo, roughly twice that of global sales leader Toyota, but its U.S. sales results have been tracking below overall market growth recently Continue reading

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