Tag Archives: automotive news

Ford Shows F150 Atlas Pickup Concept

Posted on 15 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Notably missing was any mention of the extensive weight saving materials that are under exploration at the Dearborn engineering center. Industry insider know that Ford has locked in the purchase of large quantities of aluminum, and are assuming that the next F150 when it appears in 2015 will use the weight-saving, but expensive material to increase efficiencies. How that goes over with conservative truck buyers, remains to be seen, but the time they are a changin’. Continue reading →

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Production Version of Sub-Compact Buick Encore SUV at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Buick is exploring unknown territory with the production version of what it is calling the Encore SUV on display at NAIAS. Last year the tiny Encore concept – 168.5 inches long – also debuted in Detroit. The Encore SUV is about 10 inches shorter than the production Honda CRV. Continue reading →

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Tiny Honda Urban SUV Concept Makes World Debut at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

An all-new Honda “Urban SUV Concept” vehicle made its world debut today NAIAS. The concept points to styling direction of an all-new small SUV slated to launch in Japan by the end of 2013, followed by the U.S. market in 2014. Continue reading →

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Toyota Corolla Furia Concept Appears at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Toyota revealed the Corolla Furia Concept at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit today. This somewhat exaggerated concept hints at the styling cues can expect to see on the next-generation Corolla. The concept represents an exterior styling study by Toyota designers, and it builds on the brand’s product development priority to develop more “dramatic, expressively designed vehicles.” Continue reading →

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BMW Shows a “Concept” 4-Series at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Over the past year, BMW has introduced 14 new and renewed vehicles, the most ever in the U.S. Today in Detroit at the NAIAS BMW unveiled what it says is a Concept 4-Series Coupe that looked production ready. It’s another formidable car from Bavaria. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLA-Class Unveiled in Detroit

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

“In 2012, we sold more than 274,000 cars in the U.S. and thus achieved a new sales record for Mercedes-Benz. Because we are bringing so many new models to market in 2013 – the new E-Class line, the new CLA-Class and the new S-Class – we anticipate that sales will again increase in 2013,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. Continue reading →

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2014 Q50 Infiniti Sedan Appears in Detroit at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Infiniti unveiled an all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50 sedan at a press conference at the 2013 North American International Auto Show – NAIAS – today. Q50 takes many of its exaggerated styling cues from the Infiniti Essence concept, with swooping curves and angular accent lines, in an attempt to separate itself from more traditional German designs, which is not necessarily a good thing. Inside, the Q50 interior offers a driver- oriented cockpit with communications system that has large dual touch-screens. Continue reading →

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2014 Grand Cherokee has a new V6 Diesel, Eight-Speed Transmission

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Jeep revealed a heavily revised 2014 Grand Cherokee with a new V6 diesel engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A new 3-liter “EcoDiesel” V6 engine is claimed to deliver a “best in class” 30 miles per gallon, with a driving range of more than 730 miles, best-in-class towing at 7,400 pounds is also claimed for Jeep’s flagship crossover. Continue reading →

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Revised 2014 Jeep Compass SUV Unveiled at NAIAS in Detroit

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Jeep debuted a mildly revised Compass SUV at NAIAS today. The Belvidere, Illinois-built compact has a new 6-speed automatic transmission with claimed fuel economy up to 30 mpg. The electronic transmission is mated to either a 2-liter or a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. There is no transmission dipstick and transmission filter or fluid changes are not required under normal driving conditions.
Continue reading →

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Mississippi Leaders blast Nissan for Its Anti-Union Efforts

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

On the opening morning of the press previews at the North American International Auto Show, a pressure group called the Mississippi Alliance for Fairness at Nissan – MAFFAN – spoke out in Detroit against what it says is unfair labor practices at Nissan’s non-unionized plant in Canton. Continue reading →

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2014 Corvette Sting Ray Builds on C6 with a new 7-Speed Manual, Cylinder Deactivation for a Front Engine, Rear-Drive V8 Sports Car

Posted on 13 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Seven better be a lucky number for the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. The so-called C7 – for the seventh generation of the fabled – and now fading – All-American sports car is an attempt to revive interest in what might be a dissolving market, the 2-seat, front engine, rear drive American sports car. Continue reading →

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Older C6R Corvette to Race in American Le Mans This Year

Posted on 13 January 2013 by Ken Zino

While the success or failure of a revised 2014 model C7 Chevrolet Corvette will be much debated this week at the North American International auto Show this week in Detroit, the success of Corvette’s racing program seems certain, as the C6.R will return for the 2013 season. The C7.R is expected to make its racing debut in 2014. Continue reading →

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Maserati, Lamborghini End Business Activities in Iran

Posted on 12 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Both Maserati and Lamborghini have ended business activities in Iran after the pressure group UANI protested their presence in the outlaw nation. This means that Fiat, Maserati’s owner, now joins the growing list of auto companies that have pulled out of Iran. Hyundai, Porsche, and Kia have also withdrawn from Iran during the past year. Continue reading →

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NADA Jumps on 2013 Auto Sales Forecast Bandwagon – 15.4 Million

Posted on 12 January 2013 by Ken Zino

The auto sales momentum of new cars and light trucks established last year is likely to continue in 2013, predicts Paul Taylor of the National Automobile Dealers Association. NADA, at 15.4 million, joins Polk at 15.3 million and LMC at 15 million units for total light-vehicle sales and 12.2 million for retail sales. In 2012 14.4 million light cars, SUVs and trucks in total were sold in the U.S. as the auto market continued its slow recovery. Continue reading →

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Ford to Hire 2,200 Salaried Workers in the U.S. During 2013

Posted on 11 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Ford Motor said today that it plans to hire 2,200 salaried workers in the U.S. during 2013 to fill jobs in Product Development, Manufacturing and IT. It is the largest increase in new salaried workers in more than a decade. The announcement follows one yesterday when General Motors said it will hire 1,000 computer programmers to staff a new Information Technology office near Atlanta, Georgia. Continue reading →

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