Yearly Archives: 2010
Toyota Suspends Sales of Eight Models Due to Sticking Accelerator Pedals
Toyota has officially halted sales of eight models due to the ongoing problems with unattended acceleration. At the end of last year Toyota recalled almost four million vehicles due a problem with floormats getting trapped under the accelerator pedals, which also caused unintended acceleration, leading to vehicle crashes and fatalities. It looks like these two issues are apparently unrelated. Toyota...
Saab Saved! GM Reaches a Deal to Sell the Brand to Spyker
After so much back and forth, GM has officially announced that the automaker has reached an agreement with Spyker concerning the sale of Saab Automobile AB. "Today's announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM," said John Smith, GM vice president for corporate...
Toyota Expects its Sales to Rise 6 Percent in 2010
Toyota expects its sales to grow six percent in 2010 as the auto industry recovers from its worst ever downturn. Toyota is forecasting sales of 8.27 million vehicles in 2010, which is still down from the record 9.37 million units it sold in 2007. "All in all, it's probably an achievable target," said Christopher Richter, auto analyst at CLSA...
Lamborghini Switches Focus from Horsepower to Losing Weight
It looks like Lamborghini is satisfied with current horsepower ratings of its supercars and going forward the automaker is going to focus on reducing weight. "It has come to the point where acceleration equals consumption," said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of the Italian automaker. "More consumption means increased CO2 emissions." According to Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini's R&D chief, stated that once a...
Ford's Chicago Plant to Add 1,200 Jobs to Build the 2011 Explorer
Ford is expected to add 1,200 jobs at its plant in Chicago that will start building the new Explorer by the end of the year. Currently the Explorer is being built at Ford's Louisville, Ky plant. The Chicago plant has been underutilized the past year, but by shifting the Explorer production will likely add a second shift. Currently the factory...
VW Passat CC Now Seats Five
VW has announced that the Passat CC will be available as a five passenger model in Europe. Since it launched the Passat CC, known as just the VW CC in the US has strictly been a four-seater. A new three place, rear bench is now optional. VW hasn't announced if the CC will get this option in the US. The...
Fiat to Merge Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth Brands
According to the latest reports, Fiat is going to merge the Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth brands under one sport sub brand. Abarth and Maserati CEO Harald Wester has been appointed by Fiat as CEO of Alfa Romeo and will now head the three brands. Wester's new role will be to identify synergies between the three brands. Currently his greatest...
2011 Volvo C70 Starts at $39,950, but Gets more Standard Stuff
Volvo has released the pricing for the refreshed 2011 Volvo C70. The Volvo C70 hasn't been a huge hit for Volvo, so the 2011 model is getting a facelift and more standard features to hopefully entice more buyers. The 2011 C70 gets a revised face that looks similar to the XC60 and new C30. The pricing starts at $39,950 and...
2014 Ford Mustang to Go Global and Finally Get an Independent Rear Suspension
The Ford Mustang got all-new engines for the 2011 model year and next up for Ford's ponycar is the 2014 model year. 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the Mustang and according to Motor Trend, Ford aims to have an all-new pony car to celebrate it. The big challenge facing Ford's product planners is how are they going to build...
Kia Ray Plug-In Hybrid Concept to be Unveiled in Chicago
Kia has released a teaser image of the Ray plug-in hybrid concept that will be unveiled next month at the Chicago Auto Show. "Styled by the team at Kia Design Centre America, the Kia Ray project was undertaken to demonstrate how Kia's evolving design direction would be applied in the packaging of a plug-in hybrid vehicle," Kia said in...
