Automotive News (Page 1118)

Automotive News

This section of Torque News provides the latest auto news and updates from the car manufacturers. Every day number of news stories and editorials are published here that give our readers an overview of what is happening in the automotive industry. Read this section daily to find out about new cars, vehicle reviews and car pictures. Torque News is an automotive news website by Hareyan Publishing, LLC, dedicated to covering the latest news, reviews and opinions about the car industry.

Chrysler recalls 2009 Dodge Journey for airbag risk

By Patrick Rall on January 3, 2011 - 1:44PM

Chrysler has announced a recall for about 65,000 2009 Dodge Journey crossovers over a wiring issue in the front doors that could lead to the side impact airbags not opening in the event of an accident.

Fiat re-examines its role at Chrysler

By Jeffrey Zygmont on January 3, 2011 - 11:59AM

Details remain sketchy at best, but a news report reveals that the relationship between the European automaker Fiat and its U.S. holding, Chrysler Group, continues to evolve. Fiat currently owns one fifth of Michigan's third largest automaker. But Fiat's chief executive tells reporters that the company's stake in Chrysler could soon rise to more than one half.

Chrysler recalls 56,000 2011 Ram 1500 for axle risk

By Patrick Rall on January 3, 2011 - 11:32AM

Chrysler is recalling 56,611 2011 Ram 1500 pickups over a problem with the rear axle bearings which could lead to the rear wheels locking up while traveling at speed.

Gas Prices Could Hit $5 a Gallon in 2011

By Keith Griffin on January 3, 2011 - 10:58AM

Oil may hit or exceed the all-time high of $148 per barrel – leading to $5 a gallon gas in the United States in 2011, predicts one financial expert. A former Shell oil executive said it could happen as soon as 2012. Both blame bans on offshore drilling by the Obama administration.

Cadillac removes the turbo option from the 2011 SRX

By Patrick Rall on January 3, 2011 - 10:20AM

Due to surprisingly poor sales, General Motors has removed the 2.8L turbocharged engine option from the popular Cadillac SRX crossover for the 2011 model year.

UAW Actively Targeting Foreign Car Makers in New Push

By Keith Griffin on January 2, 2011 - 9:33PM

The United Auto Workers, or UAW, is itching for a fight with foreign car manufacturers with plants in the United States. It wants to organize their workers and it seemingly doesn’t care how much money it has to spend or where it goes to get its message out.

Lebau: Electric Car Market Will Grow Despite Deja Vu

By Armen Hareyan on January 2, 2011 - 8:39PM

Canada based Lebau says that as the cost of oil keeps increasing, the electric car market seems set to continue its growth, moving from hybrid vehicles to fully electric cars like the Nissan Leaf.

Florida Teens Can No Longer Take Driver Permit’s Test Online

By Keith Griffin on January 2, 2011 - 6:49PM

Teens applying for a learner’s permit in Florida can no longer go online. Now they have to report to the local Florida Department of Motor Vehicles office to get their learner’s permits.

UK Electric Car Buyers Get up to Quarter of Purchase Price Returned

By Keith Griffin on January 2, 2011 - 6:19PM

Since January 1, the United Kingdom is offering generous grants to buyers of electric vehicles. They can see the price of their electric vehicle reduced by a quarter, up to 5000 pounds, or about $7500. It’s similar to the federal tax credits offered in the U.S.

$5.43M in contracts express USCAR and DOE collaboration

By Frank Sherosky on January 2, 2011 - 12:31PM

There was a time when collaboration between automakers implied suspicion of collusion and potential price fixing; not anymore, and not with the government. The U.S. DOE's mission to advance the national, economic and energy security of the United States has made cooperation between American automakers much easier.

IFPE 2011 keynote address to feature hydraulic hybrids

By Frank Sherosky on January 1, 2011 - 8:50PM

As the IFPE 2011 enjoins with the 52nd National Conference on Fluid Power (NCFP) in March in Las Vegas, the NCFP will emphasize new technologies and methods related to improved analysis, design, manufacturing and performance of fluid power components and systems. The keynote address will be followed by a course directly related to autos.

Billion dollar lawsuit against Porsche thrown out

By Patrick Rall on December 31, 2010 - 12:17PM

Due to their shady attempt to purchase Volkswagen in 2008, Porsche was sued by investors who claimed that the high end automaker manipulated the investing market, negatively impacting the value of VW stock and costing the plaintiffs over $2 billion.

State of Washington Might Tax Alternative Fuel Vehicles

By Keith Griffin on December 30, 2010 - 9:41PM

The State of Washington is out with a plan to maintain current infrastructure and other needs due to the decline in gas tax revenues. Owners of alternative fuel vehicles may not be happy with what’s proposed.

Alyssa Milano orders Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf to avoid gas usage

By Patrick Rall on December 30, 2010 - 9:32PM

Former Who’s the Boss hottie Alyssa Milano is showing her support for Mother Nature by buying a new-age electric car but since she wasn’t able to pick between the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and the 2011 Nissan Leaf – she bought them both.

NHTSA announces 2011 Ford and Lincoln recall over fire risk

By Patrick Rall on December 30, 2010 - 7:31PM

Ford Motor Company and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced a recall of a variety of 2011 Ford and Lincoln trucks and crossovers due to a fire risk stemming from an overheating body control module.

The 2011 Dodge Journey to be sold by Fiat in Europe

By Patrick Rall on December 30, 2010 - 6:35PM

The 2011 Dodge Journey received a lightly refreshed exterior, a sharpened interior and a revised suspension setup but when this (somewhat) new crossover hits Europe, it will wear the Fiat logo.

Former Government Motors Czar to pay $10 million fine to New York

By Frank Sherosky on December 30, 2010 - 5:16PM

While the Obama administration focused on how the auto companies in Detroit were going to pay back its loans to the U.S. taxpayers, it failed to notice its own “auto czar” Steven Rattner had skeletons in his own trunk.

Audi Will Raise Prices on Certain Models in January

By Keith Griffin on December 30, 2010 - 4:18PM

There are still a couple days left to save 1 percent on the purchase of certain 2011 models. As of Tuesday, prices will be rising on the Audi A4/S4, A5/S5, Q7, and R8V10 in what the German automaker euphemistically calls a price adjustment.

New Car Sales Up 10.5 Percent for 2010 – Fleet a Large Reason

By Keith Griffin on December 30, 2010 - 8:53AM

There’s no denying that the automotive industry is still in a bit of a sales slump when compared to historical figures, but 2010 is going to see new car sales up 10.5 percent (with fleet and rental car sales a large reason) when compared to 2009 with a similar bump predicted for 2011.

China puts squeeze on rare earth customers with export restrictions

By Frank Sherosky on December 29, 2010 - 6:21PM

China is cutting exports in 2011 by another 11% after a 40% cut in 2010. Question is, will it drastically affect electronic manufacturers and electric vehicle battery suppliers who depend on lithium?

Ford's Quick Lane retains title to fastest-growing automotive service brand

By Frank Sherosky on December 29, 2010 - 1:38PM

Ford Motor Company’s Quick Lane® vehicle maintenance business has been rated the fastest-growing service brand in the industry. Having sold a record 1 million tires in 2010, the company is on track to post record sales of more than $550 million for the year.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze hatchback patent drawings revealed

By Patrick Rall on December 29, 2010 - 1:26PM

The sporty Chevrolet Cruze hatchback made its conceptual debut at the 2011 Paris Motor Show and thanks to the folks at CarScoop, we have a look at patent renderings issued to the European patent office, giving us an idea as to what will change from concept to production.

Portugal's Prime Minister accepts 2011 Nissan Leaf

By Patrick Rall on December 29, 2010 - 12:51PM

The 2011 Nissan Leaf has reached the point where it is being delivered to customers all over the world and as the first wave of the new electric cars hit Portugal, the country’s Prime Minister became the first world leader to drive the Leaf.

Automobile Magazine Picks Best and Worst for 2010

By Keith Griffin on December 29, 2010 - 11:02AM

It’s that time of year: the Best of and Worst of lists for 2010. Automobile Magazine is out with one of the better “best of and worst of” lists for 2010 because of its depth on various automotive topics.

Auto Recall Numbers Point To Interesting Trends

By Keith Griffin on December 29, 2010 - 10:06AM

Conventional wisdom would be the number of recalls is increasing. After all, you can’t log onto a website without reading about another recall. Well, conventional wisdom could be wrong.

One in Ten Admit To Driving Drunk in Last 12 Months

By Keith Griffin on December 28, 2010 - 10:41PM

As New Year’s Eve approaches, keep two things in mind. Odds are probably one in 20 drivers will be legally drunk behind the wheel and the incidence of drunk driving fatalities is 2.5 times higher on New Year’s Day.

China increasing sales tax on small cars in 2011

By Patrick Rall on December 28, 2010 - 8:54PM

When the Chinese economy took a dive in 2009, the government cut the sales tax rate on cars with engines measuring 1.6L or smaller to just 5% but starting in 2011 the tax rate returns to 10%.

ALG checks public perception with automotive residual value ratings

By Frank Sherosky on December 28, 2010 - 8:13PM

Value ratings play a major role in automotive purchases as do automotive awards. Sometimes they even conflict with public perception. Award winners, though, are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. One stand-out is the Automotive Lease Guide.

Dodge preparing huge ad plan including Super Bowl commercial in 2011

By Patrick Rall on December 28, 2010 - 6:16PM

The Dodge lineup has remained fairly steady (for some, stagnant) for the past few years but in 2011, the automaker will roll out 6 new or heavily refreshed models and to show off those new models, Dodge will put together a massive advertising effort early in 2011 which will include an ad during Super Bowl XLV.

GM recalls 2011 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC trucks over axle risks

By Patrick Rall on December 28, 2010 - 2:40PM

General Motors has announced a recall of 1,262 2011 model year light duty trucks from Cadillac, GMC and Chevrolet due to a concern over the reliability of an improperly manufactured cross pin in the rear axle assembly.

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