Tag Archives: auto news

Microsoft and Toyota Partner on Next-Generation Telematics

Posted on 6 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Microsoft Corp. and Toyota Motor Corp. (TMC) today announced they have formed partnership and plan to build on Microsoft’s Windows Azure platform for TMC’s next-generation telematics services using the Windows Azure or cloud platform. Continue reading →

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Toyota Sells One-Millionth Prius Hybrid in the U.S.

Posted on 6 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A. today announced the one-millionth sale of the Toyota Prius in the United States. Prius was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid gas-electric vehicle, and in its third generation is unquestionably the most successful hybrid, which continues to give Toyota a reputation as an environmentally friendly hybrid. Continue reading →

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Chesapeake Energy Converts 800th Vehicle to Natural Gas

Posted on 6 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Unlike the volatility in gasoline and diesel prices most recently caused by turmoil in the Middle East, the price of CNG remains steady at $1.39 per gallon of gasoline equivalent in Oklahoma. Continue reading →

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Ford Starts €11.6 Million Cologne Design Center Expansion

Posted on 6 April 2011 by Ken Zino

The Ford Fiesta and the Ford Focus are not only manufactured in Germany, but are mainly designed and engineered in Cologne, one of several of Ford’s engineering locations that include the United Kingdom, United States, Australia and China. Continue reading →

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Chrysler Brand Launches “No Pressure” Test Drives at Malls

Posted on 5 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group said today that it is bringing Chrysler brand vehicles to shopping malls so potential customers can drive them in what is claimed to be a no pressure environment.

Shoppers will be able to drive the 2011 lineup, which includes the new, redesigned and 2011 200 sedan and 200 Convertible, the revised Chrysler 300 sedan and the innovative Chrysler Town & Country minivan. Continue reading →

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Mopar Charger Sketch Released. New York Auto Show Debut?

Posted on 5 April 2011 by Ken Zino

All Chrysler Group is saying is here’s a sketch of its new 2011 Mopar Charger. Dodge will release details of the latest Mopar muscle car “later this month,” which points to a New York Auto Show Debut. Continue reading →

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Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept Debuts at 2011 New York Show

Posted on 5 April 2011 by Ken Zino

The Lexus luxury brand of Toyota Motor Sales today said that the LF-Gh hybrid concept will make its world debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show.

The LF-Gh, which stands for Lexus Future Grand Touring Hybrid, “sets out to redefine the premium grand touring sedan,” Lexus said in a statement. LF-Gh is likely the replacement for the current and unsuccessful Lexus GS sedan, whose 1100 unit sales year-to-date are off 35%. Continue reading →

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Volkswagen to Debut New Beetle in China, Berlin, New York City

Posted on 4 April 2011 by Ken Zino

he latest Beetle rollout is a sign of the global automarket times, as well as an ironic nod to the fact that the new Beetle, soon to be in its second generation, is considered too frivolous by Germans to count among best selling cars in Germany. Continue reading →

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AutoNation’s March 2011 New Vehicle Unit Sales Increase 19%. Japanese Model Availability to be Problem in Q2 and Q3

Posted on 4 April 2011 by Ken Zino

AutoNation, Inc. announced that its retail new vehicle unit sales in March 2011 totaled 22,246, an increase of 19%. AutoNation expects production disruptions will significantly impact product availability from Japanese auto manufacturers in the second and third quarters of 2011. Continue reading →

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Audi Prices 2012 A7 Sportback in U.S. Starting at $60,000

Posted on 4 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Audi today announced that pricing for the full size Audi A7 will begin at $59,250 when the models reach U.S. showrooms later this month. At first glance appears to be a hefty price for a V-6 powered, all-wheel-drive 5-door hatchback, … Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Recalls 71,000 Jetta Sedans for Sudden Stalling

Posted on 4 April 2011 by Ken Zino

All Jetta models made in Mexico from March of 2010 unit March 21011 – an entire year of production – have a fuse box design that runs the engine management system, horn, wiper blades and theft alarm through one fuse. If the fuse blows for any reason, the engine quits without warning. Continue reading →

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Toyota Wins New York Unintended Acceleration Case

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. has won an unintended acceleration case where it was alleged that an unsecured driver’s side floor mat was the primary cause of the crash of Scion tC vehicle in August 2005. After deliberating for approximately 45 … Continue reading →

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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.
Continue reading →

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Three Problem Areas for Toyota in U.S. from Japan Earthquake

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Ken Zino

During a press call to discuss March sales results today, Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. (TMS) said “The events in Japan had little if any impact on March sales.”

However, that doesn’t mean that Toyota no longer faces production and resulting sales problems because of the plant shutdowns caused by the Japan earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant meltdowns. Continue reading →

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Ford Motor Company Outsells General Motors in March as U.S. Sales Increase 19%! Ford Q1 Sales also Strong at Plus 6%.

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Ford is clearly benefitting from relatively fresh products, a shift away from trucks to cars and improved fuel efficiency in most vehicle lines as gasoline prices continue to rise above $3.50 a gallon. Continue reading →

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