New shots of the upcoming 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour have been released today by the Japanese automaker. The images feature a red version of the car. Hit the jump for the rest of the images.
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Sep
Toyota hybrid sales top 2 million
Published in Alternative Energy, Business, Cars, Industry, Toyota
Since launching their flagship Prius back in 1997, Toyota has sold over two million hybrid vehicles, as announced by the Japanese automaker today. It has only been 27 months since Toyota reached the one million mark, so it’s clear that the trend is growing rapidly.
The sale explosion can largely be attributed to the recent 2010 Prius. The Prius model equates 1.4 million of the 2 million cars sold in total. Toyota plans to sell 600,000 Prius hybrids annually.
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Sep
MINI to bump prices up next year
Published in 2009 Vehicles, 2010 Vehicles, Business, Cars, Industry, MINI
According to MotoringFile, MINI will be announcing in the following days that they will be bumping the sticker price of their cars starting next year. The price changes range from $300 to $400 in increases on current models.
A few other changes are also mentioned, including both exclusion and extension of certain colors for cars, and elimination of seat back memory position.
Read (MotoringFile)
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Sep
2010 Kia Forte Koup pricing listed
Published in 2010 Vehicles, Cars, Kia
Kia has unveiled the pricing for their 2010 Forte Koup today, starting form $16,595, plus $695 destination. The standard model is a manual EX model, although upgrading to automatic will raise the price to $17,595. A five speed auto-plus will bump the price up to $18,695. Other options include a leather interior ($1,000) and sunroof ($600). No tags for this post.
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Sep
Lotus appoints new CEO: Dany Bahar
Published in Business
Lotus has appointed a new CEO today, which will be Dany Bahar. Bahar was formerly Senior Vice President, Commercial & Brand for Ferrari SpA.
“I am looking forward to taking on the challenges as CEO of this legendary and iconic company with a peerless motorsport history. Lotus has a worldwide reputation for innovative engineering and superb sportscars that lead the world in efficiency, design and dynamics,” Bahar said. “With the recent launch of the award-winning Evora, there is proof that Lotus is better placed than many to capitalise on the rapidly changing automotive market. I can’t wait to get my plans underway in October.”
The move will be effective beginning October 1st.
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Sep
Audi prices 2010 A3 TDI
Published in 2010 Vehicles, Audi, Cars
Audi has finally revealed the official MSRP for their forthcoming diesel 2010 A3 TDI. The standard model will be retailing for $29,950, plus $825 destination. The car boasts a 30mpg city and 42mpg highway rating, and will be hitting the North American market this November. The A3 TDI has “30% better fuel economy and a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas than gasoline engines of comparable size.”
No tags for this post.20
Aug
Tesla Motors co-founder drops lawsuit
Published in Business, Law, Tesla
Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard has dropped the lawsuit for counts of libel, slander, and breach of contract against Tesla Motors today. No explanation was offered for the move.
Back in July, a judge deemed the case to move forward. So, the only explanation is probably a paid settlement. Eberhard’s lawyer Yosef Peretz said to expect some details by the end of September.
No tags for this post.18
Aug
GM boosting North American production
Published in Cars, GM, Industry
General Motors announced today that they will be boosting their North American production by adding new overtime and shifts to their Lordstown, Ohio and CAMI, Ontario production plants. This move will bring back back 1,350 UAW and CAW employees.
“It’s gratifying to see demand for our products accelerate and we are extremely lean with inventories on our launch products like Camaro, Equinox, LaCrosse, SRX, CTS Wagon and Terrain,” said Mark LaNeve, vice president, U.S. sales. “During the third quarter 2009, we’ve added production which will result in 35 percent increase over the second quarter. With today’s announcement of further additions, the fourth quarter will now be at least 20 percent higher than the third quarter, which is a very positive trend.”
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Aug
2011 Peugeot RCZ revealed
Published in 2011 Vehicles, Cars
Peugot Automobiles has revealed new images today of their forthcoming 2011 RCZ. The official unveiling is scheduled to happen at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
The RCZ will come in three powertrains, and we don’t know exactly what the specifications on these are just yet. However, we do know that the 2+2 coupe will be available with a 1.6L unit developing 200 horsepower.
Keep an eye out for the 2011 RCZ when it hits the market this Spring.
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Aug
GM aiming for $4,000 car in Asia to compete with Tata Nano
Published in Cars, GM, Industry
General Motors is aiming to release a $4,000 car to compete in Asia. Currently, the Tata Nano retails for $2,500 and dominates the Asian market.
“We are not going to make cars that cheap because that is really a specific car for a very specific market that has different emissions standards and specifications than markets like the U.S. and Brazil,” said Reilly at a media briefing late Friday in Brazil. “So we are looking at lower cost vehicles, but do not know yet where it will be made or where will it be sold, though most likely in Asia.”
Read (NASDAQ)
No tags for this post.17
Aug
New Lexus teaser for concept car
Published in Cars, Concept Cars, Lexus
Lexus has unveiled a new teaser today for their forthcoming premium compact car concept set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. According to the automaker, the concept car “will demonstrate a mix of technical innovation and ground-breaking design that promises to raise the bar in the premium compact segment.”
From the looks of the illustration, it’s a compact hatchback. But, teasers should only be taken seriously for face value.
The Frankfurt Motor Show will be held this year on September 15th.
No tags for this post.17
Aug
Chrysler to assemble Fiat 500 in Mexico?
Published in Cars, Chrysler
According to the Wall Street Journal, Chrysler will supposedly be assembling the Fiat 500 in a small plant in Mexico. This report is cited from many anonymous sources, so it’s unconfirmed at the time. Chrysler declined to comment on the matter.
The automaker could also build an engine for the 500 at a Chrysler plant in Trenton, Michigan. Chrysler is also considering building another compact car, similar to the 500, in the United States.
Read (Associated Press)
No tags for this post.17
Aug
Volkswagen looking for new agency of record
Published in Business, Industry, VW
Volkswagen of America is currently shopping around for a new agency of record. Agencies of record are responsible for purchasing and placing ads in multimedia, whether it be commercials on television or print ads in the newspaper.
“Volkswagen has embarked on a mission to significantly grow our business here in this market. Our goal of rapidly increasing our volume in a mature market requires the Volkswagen brand to evolve into a more relevant mainstream choice,” said Tim Ellis, Vice President Marketing, Volkswagen of America, in a press statement.
Crispin Porter + Bogusky is currently the automaker’s advertising agency. Their clients include Burger King, American Express, and Buell Motorcycle Company.
“The Volkswagen Brand needs to inspire our base of enthusiasts as well as reach out and captivate those in mainstream America. Therefore, we are re-evaluating all areas of our business, and after careful considerations have decided to take the necessary steps to ensure we have the right agency partner in place.”
No tags for this post.14
Aug
Honda boosts production in two US plants
Published in Cars, Honda, Industry
In response to the recent increase in sales, Honda has announced that it will be boosting its production in two of its United States plants by adding overtime shifts.
“In the last couple of months, we’ve noticed these upticks in sales of certain models, so we felt we had to adjust upward,” Honda spokesman Ed Miller told Automotive News.
Honda’s Lincoln, Alabama plant will be working three Saturdays in September and October, while the automaker’s East Liberty, Ohio plant will be adding multiple Saturday shifts throughout the year. The Ohio plant is responsible for producing the Honda Element and CR-V.
No tags for this post.13
Aug
Three-point-safety belt celebrates 50 years
Published in Industry
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the three-point-safety belt. The design was first introduced by 1959 by Nils Bohlin, which was then later adapted by Volve in 1963 as a standard.
Now, safety belts are required by law in most advanced countries, and are responsible for saving lives every day. Some take the technology for granted, but it should truly be appreciated for being a life-saving mechanism that should be worn at all times.
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