Automotive News (Page 1108)

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.

Coalition on a roll to upgrade fuel rules

By Hawke Fracassa on July 28, 2011 - 8:42PM

Friday could be historic for the auto industry as President Obama creates future fuel rules for new vehicles that will be assembled in the U.S. from 2017 to 2025. Lobbying has been intense. Protagonists in the movement are Honda and other OEMs, economists and the National Wildlife Federation. All expect to make higher fuel standards happen.

EV pioneer seeks online interaction

By Hawke Fracassa on July 28, 2011 - 8:03PM

AC Propulsion, a pioneer in electric-car technology founded in 1992 that specializes in electric drive design, development and manufacturing, has joined the social media world with new Facebook and Twitter pages. Besides designing electric cars, the niche company sells them. Actor Tom Hanks bought AC's first car.

The Audi RS line returns to American soil

By Don Bain on July 28, 2011 - 7:19PM

It was 2008 when the last Audi models with an RS badge were sold in America – namely the impressive RS4 and its matching Cabriolet. After three years of absentia, the RS line returned to America this week as Forth Worth Audi in Texas handed over the keys to the first 2012 Audi TT RS in the country to veteran racecar driver Don Istook.

Fiat announces new managerial format

By Patrick Rall on July 28, 2011 - 3:59PM

Fiat had moved one step closer to their official merger with the Chrysler Group as CEO Sergio Marchionne has unveiled his new managerial plan with includes a group of 22 management members who will form the "group executive council" – including 4 individuals who will head up the company’s efforts in the various geographic regions.

Proposed Natural Gas Act running out of fuel

By Don Bain on July 28, 2011 - 3:30PM

Known as the New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act, or the NAT GAS Act, the bill intended to jump-start the use of natural-gas-powered heavy-duty trucks by giving tax incentives and subsidies to purchasers and manufacturers of such vehicles seems likely to expire.

Husband of drunk, stoned driver and killer of 7 sues New York

By Patrick Rall on July 28, 2011 - 1:25PM

On July 26, 2009 Diane Schuler drove her brother’s Ford Windstar the wrong way down the Taconic State Parkway in New York for 1.7 miles while other motorists veered to avoid her, only to have her slam head-on into a Chevrolet Trailblazer – killing herself, the four of the five children in her van and the three adult occupants of the SUV. Now, her husband Daniel is suing the state of New York, claiming that it is entirely the fault of the state and not his drunk, stoned wife.

The 2012 Ford Explorer EcoBoost models to yield 20/28mpg

By Patrick Rall on July 28, 2011 - 11:35AM

The redesigned For Explorer has been selling like hotcakes since being introduced even though it was only offered with one engine option but all along, Ford has promised that there would be a 4 cylinder EcoBoost model coming in 2012 – and now we have the official fuel economy numbers for the new engine option for the Explorer.

Kia finds a smart way to compete with Fiat 500 and Ford Ka

By Armen Hareyan on July 28, 2011 - 10:59AM

How many nail bottles of nail polish will it take to pain a new Kia is one of the questions the company tackles in a new Picanto ad by targeting women and competing with Fiat 500, Ford Ka and Renault Twingo. It's called Kia Picanto nail art animation.

2011 CAR Management Briefing Seminar Update: Economic plan overriding Obama mileage plan

By Frank Sherosky on July 28, 2011 - 9:39AM

As leaders of the auto industry share their vision of the industry’s future and its connection to success at the start of the CAR Business Seminars in Traverse City tomorrow, running from August 1 - 4, many wonder if President Obama's new mileage proposal is being drowned in the news by the debt plan, or lack of it.

Mercedes-Benz MLC 2015 takes aim at BMW X6

By Armen Hareyan on July 28, 2011 - 7:31AM

Although the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML has just presented to us, the German manufacturer decides to give it a big brother, which should be called C and ML. Its mission is to confront the popular BMW X6.

Economists push U.S. to elevate fuel rules

By Hawke Fracassa on July 27, 2011 - 10:53PM

The U.S. government on Friday will announce fuel rules for new cars and trucks that will be assembled in America from 2017 to 2025. As politicians weigh what makes sense, economists are lobbying hard for substantially better fuel-economy standards.

Auto dealer's video inventories linked to Facebook users

By Don Bain on July 27, 2011 - 8:58PM

Liquidus, a multimedia and video marketing firm, announced the launch of its new Socialink Facebook application yesterday, enabling car dealers to provide customers a video of every vehicle in inventory to the multitudes of Facebook users.

British Green Racing gets a boost from HaloIPT

By Don Bain on July 27, 2011 - 7:12PM

Remember racing those little 1/32nd scale cars around an electrified track? Now drivers will be maneuvering their full size race cars about a track using inductive power transference to charge the vehicles as they race. Electricity is powering the future of British Green Racing thanks to an agreement between Drayson Racing Technologies and HaloIPT.

Infiniti builds QX-powered luxury boat with the help of Tennessee technical students

By Gordon Block on July 27, 2011 - 12:16PM

Infiniti has donated a QX56 to the Nashville State Community College to give automotive technicians in training the chance to be part of a very unique project: to build a luxury boat powered by the SUV's 400hp V8 engine.

The 308hp 2012 Cadillac SRX priced at $36,060

By Patrick Rall on July 27, 2011 - 11:31AM

When the 2012 Cadillac SRX hits the streets later this year, it will be powered by a new 3.6L V6 churning out 308 horsepower – more power than either of the 2011 model year engines offered – but that comes with a slight price increase as the 2012 SRX starts at $36,060 including a destination charge of $875.

Chrysler’s SRT brand could offer supercharged 2013 models

By Patrick Rall on July 27, 2011 - 10:43AM

The 2012 SRT models including the Dodge Charger SRT8, the Dodge Challenger SRT8, the Chrysler 300C SRT8 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 are just hitting the streets but an exciting rumor has Mopar lovers looking to next year as it has been whispered by the masses that the SRT brand could offer a supercharged package for the 2013 model year.

White House revises 2025 CAFE Standard proposal from 56.2 to 54.5 mpg

By Frank Sherosky on July 27, 2011 - 10:06AM

Who knew that a 1.7 mpg change in CAFÉ standard proposal could make such a difference in attitude and acceptance by the auto industry?

Ford, ROUSH, Blue Bird team on new green school bus

By Hawke Fracassa on July 26, 2011 - 8:55PM

The next-generation Blue Bird propane-powered Vision school bus, complete with a Ford engine and ROUSH fuel system in tow, made its debut today at an expo in Reno, Nev.

Saab cannot pay salaried workers this month

By Patrick Rall on July 26, 2011 - 4:38PM

Even with the multi-million dollars investment deals with various hedge fund and Chinese distribution deals, things are still going downhill for Saab as now the Swedish automaker has announced that they will be unable to pay salaried workers this month.

Mini Cooper plans 10 models for 2013 with an expected plug-in

By Richard Gray on July 26, 2011 - 2:46PM

The Mini Cooper is maximizing the configurations for its third generation by offering 10 different concepts that include engine and drive choices.

Ken Block introduces a new Ford Fiesta multipurpose racer

By Patrick Rall on July 26, 2011 - 1:32PM

The world of rally cross, stage rally and gymkhana racing have slowly shoved their way into the mainstream auto racing world and with the 2011 X Games just a few days away, Ken Block and the folks from the Monster World Rally Team have introduced the Ford Fiesta HFHV – or Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle.

Porsche Designs builds a high performance bicycle

By Patrick Rall on July 26, 2011 - 11:48AM

The folks at Porsche Designs have entered yet another new market as they have introduced a line of high performance bicycles offering high performance features – and a very high price.

AeroVironment (Nasdaq: AVAV) expands relationship with Nissan into Canada

By Frank Sherosky on July 26, 2011 - 11:08AM

AeroVironment (Nasdaq: AVAV) announced that it is expanding its relationship with Nissan internationally into Canada as its official home EV charging station and installation provider for the Nissan LEAF. AeroVironment was selected as a result of its leadership in EV infrastructure.

Chrysler reports $370 million net loss in 2011 Q2

By Patrick Rall on July 26, 2011 - 8:59AM

The Chrysler Group announced the results of their second quarter for 2011 and unlike the first three months of 2011, the smallest of the Detroit Big 3 posted a loss of $370 million – much of which was due to the company’s aggressive efforts to pay off the government bailout loans.

Fla. expo pushes virtues of propane autogas

By Hawke Fracassa on July 25, 2011 - 9:42PM

The 11th annual National Motor Vehicle and Aviation Workshops and Exposition for federal fleet managers runs through the end of this week at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. There, managers nationwide will learn how propane autogas can cut down on their operating and maintenance costs without harming performance or affecting the reliability of their vehicles.

Nissan LEAF earns five-star NCAP rating

By Gordon Block on July 25, 2011 - 9:23PM

The Nissan LEAF is the first 100% electric vehicle to receive the NHTSA's highest five-star crash rating.

Ducati leading the way with a huge 61% increase in sales

By Roman Rosa on July 25, 2011 - 4:55PM

Ducati increased their sales 61% in this quarter on the back of a fantastic range of new and updated motorcycles and a whole lot of self-improvement.

Honda introduces its future style: The 2012 CR-V Concept

By Hawke Fracassa on July 25, 2011 - 12:32PM

The fourth-generation street Honda CR-V will be in dealer showrooms by December, and today's introduction of the 2012 Honda CR-V Concept shows off the style future Hondas will follow.

Chrysler repays TARP loans six years early

By Patrick Rall on July 25, 2011 - 12:15PM

Late last week, the Chrysler Group announced that they made some $560 million in payments to the US Federal Government and the UAW – officially paying off the TARP loans (Troubled Asset Relief Program - more commonly referred to as bailout loans) six years ahead of schedule.

Ford stock depends on hybrids winning reliability race as well as efficiency

By Frank Sherosky on July 25, 2011 - 10:50AM

New technology oftentimes experiences a decrease in initial quality and reliability. Not so with Ford's hybrid technology, which is good news for Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) stock holders.

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