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Automotive News (Page 1132)

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.

The Jeep Wrangler lineup to get Pentastar V6, perhaps a diesel option
By Patrick Rall on May 4, 2011 - 12:47PM
Since introducing the new Pentastar V6 in the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the company has slowly spread the powerful yet efficient V6 throughout nearly their entire brand lineup and it looks like the Jeep Wrangler may soon be the next vehicle to pack Pentastar power.
Kia Sorrento
NHTSA recalls Kia Sorrento, Hyundai Santé Fe for transmission troubles
By Patrick Rall on May 4, 2011 - 11:54AM
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall of 2011 Kia Sorrento and 2010 Hyundai Santé Fe sport utility vehicles over a possible transmission problem that could lead to total transmission failure and loss of motive power.
Kia recalls almost 60,000 Spectra models for fire risks
By Patrick Rall on May 4, 2011 - 10:28AM
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall of select Kia Spectra models over concerns of excessive corrosion (rust) on the metal straps that secure the fuel tank in place as, when the corrosion is severe enough, the straps could fail and the fuel tank could literally fall out of the vehicle.
Investors yawn at Ford stock even after upbeat April sales report
By Frank Sherosky on May 4, 2011 - 9:00AM
Despite an April sales report that showed an increase of 16 percent versus a year ago and year-to-date sales up 16 percent, investors did not pump Ford stock, even in after-hours trading. Pre-market trading is no different.
Ford Explorer 2011 Dazzles with Slate of Technical Changes
By Keith Griffin on May 4, 2011 - 6:30AM
From a pure driving standpoint of getting from A to B, there is little that is going to excite you about the 2011 Ford Explorer. What is probably going to get you to sign on the dotted line is new technology that helped make the Explorer the 2011 North American Truck of the Year.
2011 Ford Edge has a "touch" of hi-tech
By Dave Van Sickle on May 3, 2011 - 11:23PM
The first-generation Ford Edge has been a big success for Ford since its launch in 2006, with 400,000 sold. The 2011 Ford Edge is significantly updated with freshened styling and more power, but of most importance, the inclusion of Ford’s new MyFordTouch instrument panel.
iPods, laptops attract burglars to your car or truck
By Don Bain on May 3, 2011 - 7:25PM
WAFB TV9 in Baton Rouge just posted a story concerning a former car burglar revealing just how easily and quickly you can be relieved of your prized possessions – iPods, laptops, purses or cameras – left in plain view inside your car. It takes less than a minute for a thief to smash a window, reach inside and grab an easily pawned item.
Honda recalls 833,000 vehicles for airbag problem, again
By Patrick Rall on May 3, 2011 - 6:13PM
Honda has issued a new recall of 833,000 vehicles to address an airbag issue – all of which have had their airbag system replaced due to problems or collision repairs - to address the same issues that accounted for the airbag recalls from 2008-2010.
The Nissan Leaf beats the Chevy Volt in April sales
By Patrick Rall on May 3, 2011 - 4:06PM
The 2011 Chevrolet Volt comfortably outsold the 2011 Nissan Leaf in the US through the first three months of the 2011 calendar year but even with April bringing about all sorts of production stoppages for Nissan, the all-electric Leaf beat out the extended range Volt sedan in April 2011 sales.
Preparing for a flood of electric vehicles, ANSI seeks input
By Don Bain on May 3, 2011 - 3:23PM
Many people are looking at the constantly rising price of gas and thinking perhaps they could live with an electric car after all. Chevrolet reports nine out of 10 of their recent customers have never even been into a Chevy dealer before and are drawn in to look at or test-drive the new Volt. Others want a fully electric vehicle but are waiting for what’s considered a necessary recharging network.
Win $5,000 from ProCharger for making an awesome video of your car
By Patrick Rall on May 3, 2011 - 3:21PM
The folks at ProCharger have announced the ProCharger Video Challenge 2, offering gearheads all over the internet a chance to upload a video featuring their ride and with it, cash prizes for the most popular videos amounting to $8,000.
Government Approves Solar Powered Charging Station
By Keith Griffin on May 3, 2011 - 3:14PM
The government is demonstrating its willingness to get behind green sources of energy by adding the first solar-powered charging station to the Government Services Administration schedule. That allows it to be purchased by federal agencies for use.
Ford Racing now offering a Boss 302 crate engine
By Patrick Rall on May 3, 2011 - 1:45PM
Ford Racing began offering the new 5.0L V8 engine as a crate motor last year but the aftermarket performance division of Ford Motor Company has announced that they are now offering the high performance Boss 302 variant of the 5.0L V8 – packing 444 horsepower made with the help of improved engine components compared to the standard Ford 5.0L V8.
Volt, Dodge and Fiat 500 winners of Texas top car awards
By Armen Hareyan on May 3, 2011 - 1:36PM
Texas Auto Writers' Association just announced the 2011 winner of its annual awards where Chevy Volt, Dodge and Fiat 500 lead the top places.
Honda delays 2012 CR-V as a result of earthquake impact
By Armen Hareyan on May 3, 2011 - 12:06PM
The impact of the March 11 Japanese earthquake is becoming more visible as Honda decides to delay 2012 CR-V sales in the United States.
GM stock closes higher near IPO price after April sales report
By Frank Sherosky on May 3, 2011 - 11:29AM
Market Close Update: Even before the April sales report, General Motors (NYSE: GM) stock gapped higher on the open. While the stock intraday found support at 32.82, it managed to trade even higher, closing near its original IPO offering price of $33.
Spyker sells part of Saab to Chinese Hawtai Motors
By Patrick Rall on May 3, 2011 - 10:55AM
Saab resumed production at their Trollhattan facility yesterday after an April plagued with downtime due to the inability to pay suppliers and today, Spyker announced that Chinese automaker Hawtai Motor Group had invested 150 million Euros (roughly $222 million USD) – allowing Saab to pay its suppliers and send workers back into the production facilities.
BMW X3 is all new for 2011
By Dave Van Sickle on May 3, 2011 - 12:23AM
In 2004 BMW introduced a small, premium Sports Activity Vehicle with all-road capability and typical BMW driving dynamics. That first generation BMW X3 was a big hit and became a best seller in the BMW lineup with 150,000 sold in the USA. The 2011, second generation BMW X3 builds on the success of the original by combining new technologies that improve agility, efficiency and comfort.
Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner under investigation for backglass risks
By Patrick Rall on May 2, 2011 - 8:00PM
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation of select Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner compact SUVs after receiving reports of the rear liftgate glass shattering suddenly and for seemingly no reason.
Ford alters production at Windsor plant due to tire shortages
By Patrick Rall on May 2, 2011 - 7:32PM
Ford has announced production schedule changes at their Windsor engine facility but unlike most other recent production stoppages, this one doesn’t have anything to do with the Japanese earthquake on March 11th and instead – the Canadian engine plant downtime is due to Ford’s inability to get enough tires to build vehicles with the engines built in Windsor.
Search for Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna Ranks First
By Armen Hareyan on May 2, 2011 - 6:40PM
Today we searched for Honda Odyssey and were surprised to see Toyota Sienna ranking first in Google's results. It was an ad, but with a twist.
Make May 8 a Mopar Mother's Day
By Don Bain on May 2, 2011 - 6:29PM
Is your mom an auto-loving, muscle car or minivan driver who spends so much time on the road any little thing to improve her travels would make a treasured keepsake? If so Mopar has gift ideas just for her this Mother's Day, May 8.
Chevy Malibu to be built in Korea and sold as a Chevrolet
By John Matras on May 2, 2011 - 4:45PM
It may seem odd, but the first 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will be built in Bupyeong, Korea. It's leading an international roll-out of the mid-size sedan that will see it built in GM's Korean facility beginning this fall, followed by Jingjiao, China, in late 2011, and Fairfax, Kansas, and Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan, early next year.
Automotive propane fueling makes headway in Oregon
By Don Bain on May 2, 2011 - 3:56PM
Blue Star Gas, with the support of the Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition, announced the grand opening of a public propane autogas station in Salem OR, at 12:30 p.m. last Friday. The new autogas fueling station opened only a few months after the February premiere of the first Blue Star Gas public fueling facility in Medford OR.
VW electronic research lab moved to Silicon Valley
By Don Bain on May 2, 2011 - 2:44PM
Top Volkswagen and Audi executives, Silicon Valley tech innovators, political leaders and educators converged today to celebrate the opening of the VW's new electronic research laboratory (ERL) location in Belmont. The future abilities of cars to process information and provide guidance on spending less time in traffic, saving fuel and even driving safer were demonstrated.
2012 Toyota FT-86: Future Look with Subaru Engine
By Armen Hareyan on May 2, 2011 - 1:53PM
Toyota unveiled further details about its 2012 Toyota FT-86 concept telling more about its future engine sports coupe.
Chrysler posts $116 million profit in Q1 2011
By Patrick Rall on May 2, 2011 - 1:23PM
This morning the Chrysler Group announced their results from the first quarter (Q1) of 2011 and for the first time in a long time, there is a reason to smile as the smallest of the Big 3 posted a profit through the first three months of $116 million.
Lancia Grand Voyager caught in the Detroit area
By Patrick Rall on May 2, 2011 - 11:38AM
The Chrysler Group announced ahead of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show that a handful of Chrysler brand models would be rebadged and sold in the European market under the Lancia brand and yesterday, TorqueNews caught a glimpse of the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country turned Lancia Grand Voyager on the streets of Detroit.
50 mpg needed as gasoline futures nears old 3.63 high
By Frank Sherosky on May 2, 2011 - 8:27AM
Ask anyone and their threshold of financial pain is already on with the latest prices at the gasoline pump. In Clinton Township, Michigan, drivers are paying $4.23 for credit. So, in light of pain at the pump and a rising futures market, when will the automakers make the next jump to 50 mpg for all cars?
Women's car buying habits
Most women buy cars based on lifestyle, price and fuel economy
By Cheryl Phillips on May 2, 2011 - 12:23AM
In a digital age when consumers can educate themselves long before they enter the showroom of a car dealership, women have become savvy shoppers who are using a variety of online resources to do their car buying research.
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