Nissan has issued a recall order for about 10,000 2009 Nissan Sentra models for a possible defect associated with the brake performance. The problem is traced to the vehicle’s master brake cylinder where the brake fluid may leak which may eventually place the brake reservoir level to below minimum thus causing improper braking if not careful. These master brake cylinders assembly will be replaced free of charge. This recall concerns only Nissan Sentra sedans that carry master brake cylinders built by Bosch.

(Source) US News

Tags: bosch, brake cylinders, brake fluid, brake performance, master brake cylinder, Nissan, nissan sentra, reservoir level, sedans

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Thanks to its bold styling and remarkable technology features, the 2010 Kia Forte Koup has been adjudged the “Best of the 2009 Orange County Show” by NADAGuides.com, being only one of five cars to be honored at the said show. The first-ever two-door coupe is the latest addition to the Kia Motors lineup which follows the footsteps of slightly larger four-door sedans released by Kia Motors America. The Kia Forte Koup is available in EX and SX models and comes powered by a 2.0 (EX) or 2.4 (SX) liter inline four cylinder engine, 156 horsepower and a multi-port electronic fuel injection. Other highlights include Bluetooth connectivity, AM/FM MP3 audio systems and SIRIUS Satellite Radio service.

(Source) Press

Tags: bluetooth connectivity, Cars, cylinder engine, electronic fuel injection, footsteps, horsepower, inline four, KIA, kia motors america, latest addition, liter, models, orange county, remarkable technology, satellite radio service, sedans, service source, sx

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Do you want to know more about the 2010 Ford Taurus? Well if you do, you may be able to get them from the designer himself, Earl Lucas. Lucas and the 2010 Ford Taurus will be on hand at the 1st Annual Great American Car Show at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, making attendees the first people to view the actual vehicle in the metal.

Ford Taurus, the brand’s flagship product, defines what to expect from Ford’s future car portfolio: cutting-edge technology, benchmark driving dynamics, premier quality, advanced safety features and unsurpassed value. The Taurus offers more technology features – 10 of them class-exclusive – than more costly premium sedans.

Other cars that will likewise be on display include the new 2010 Ford Mustang Convertible, and the 2010 Lincoln MKZ. Head on to the Larz Anderson Auto Museum and be the first to see this latest vehicle offering from Ford Motor Company.

(Source) Press

Tags: american car show, attendees, benchmark, company source, cutting edge technology, flagship product, ford motor, ford motor company, ford mustang, ford mustang convertible, Ford Taurus, future car, larz anderson auto museum, lincoln mkz, metal ford, safety features, sedans, technology features, unsurpassed value

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The electric car is all the rave these days. And while we have seen a lot of concept cars in the making, many compare it to the route of the Apollo Programs’ Lunar Rover which took years to complete. In the same way, electric cars are still a bit lagging and one derivative is cost. However, most critics feel that pricing structures may be a hindrance, especially if the current economic situation does not improve. For example, would you pay over $15,000 for an electric car?

“What people overlook is that accomplishing ‘big picture’ programs like Apollo require accepting the concept of unlimited spending to achieve the mission,” says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the industry authority Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. “Current levels of unprecedented federal spending notwithstanding, electric cars are not an exclusive answer to future transportation challenges and consumers will not be willing to buy them at all costs.”

The primary culprit is not the car. Automakers in the 1990s proved they could produce full-function electric vehicles offering the attributes that most drivers expect, although with limited driving range of about 100 miles or so. What they couldn’t do was replace a gas tank with an advanced battery pack that cost less than $20,000 to $30,000. Extraordinarily high battery cost is why we’re seeing newly-announced battery electric sedans with a retail cost of $45,000 to $55,000.

(Source) Press

Tags: apollo program, apollo programs, automakers, car journal, cogan, Concept Cars, current economic situation, driving range, editor and publisher, electric car, electric cars, electric vehicles, federal spending, future transportation, gas tank, hindrance, lunar rover, sedans, transportation challenges

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Tata Motors kicks off one leg of its new found business, launching the Jaguar and the Land Rover in India. The re-branding prowess of Tata Motors starts by unveiling the two luxury car brands in Indian waters, launching three models of each brand.

Jaguar will be unveiling the XF, XFR and the XKR sedans while Land Rover will start its business with Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover sport utility vehicles. Being fully imported models, all the six cars carry a heavy price tag starting Rs 63 lakh and going up to Rs 92 lakh.

“The launch of Jaguar and Land Rover is something that is quite memorable in the context of our history and heritage of Tata Motors. This is a company that belongs to us and we are proud of it.”

While the economy is still in turmoil for most parts of the world, no sales forecasts were unveiled by Tata Motors just yet. Right now, all they can do is stay optimistic, similar to what most business are banking on today.

(Source) Business Standard

Tags: car brands, debut, discovery 3, history and heritage, indian waters, jaguar, Land Rover, launch, luxury car, price tag, prowess, Range Rover, range rover sport, sedans, source business, sport utility vehicles, tata motors, turmoil

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Kia has recently iussed a recall for their Optima sedan of the model years 2001-2004 and effects up to or over 36,538 vehicles.

Don’t fret yet as the recall only concerns vehicles sold in the following states:

Connecticut

Delaware

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

New Hampsire

New Jersey

New York

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Rhose Island

Vermont

West Virginia

Wisconsin

District of Columbia

These states were singled out as they were all deemed to have a high rust threat level due to the use of road salt.

Anyways, the recall says that internal corrosion of the front subframe could lead to the connection of the lower control arm coming seperated which could lead to wheel misalinghtment, stress in steering or increased tire wear.

As always, Kia and the NHTSA say to go to your local Kia dealer for an inspection and a repair if necessary.

Read (Autoblog)

Tags: corrosion, optima, Recall, safety, sedans, subframe

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About 259,119 Toyota Camry’s from China have been recalled for problems regarding their brakes. Toyota Motor Corp.’s auto-making joint venture in China with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. is recalling 259,119 Camry sedans due to brake problems, according to a statement posted on China’s product safety regulator’s Web site.

The vehicles were produced between May 15, 2006, and March 3, 2008. In affected cars, a flaw in the braking system may cause the braking distance to increase and may lead to accidents Toyota also has an auto-making joint venture in China with China FAW Group Corp.

(Source) WSJ

Tags: Accidents, automobile, brakes, braking distance, braking system, Cars, guangzhou, safety regulator, sedans, Toyota, toyota camry, toyota motor, toyota motor corp

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Kumho Tires lives up to its name as one of the leading tires in the market today as it has pocketed two “Best Buy” awards in a recent tire evaluation conducted by Consumers Digest magazine. Kumho’s Solus KR21 and Ecsta STX were honored in the Touring Cars and Performance SUV categories respectively. The Consumers Digest evaluation ranged from all-season passenger and performance tires to those for light trucks and SUVs.

The tire Best Buys, which are featured in Consumers Digest’s February 2009 issue, are chosen by Consumers Digest editors based on results from independent testing, technical experts and over-the-road evaluations.

The Solus KR21 is Kumho Tire’s Standard Touring All-Season tire made for the drivers of coupes, sedans, minivans, and crossover and sport utility vehicles. The Solus KR21 boasts a combination of long wear, low noise and superior ride with capable handling and all-season traction, even in light snow.

The Ecsta STX is an aggressive tire designed for quick response and sporty handling. This tire is made for the needs of the SUV and light truck driver. The all season performance provides superior wet and dry handling.

(Source) Press

Tags: best buys, coupes, kumho tire, kumho tires, light snow, light trucks, minivans, sedans, solus kr21, sport utility vehicles

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Hyundai Automotive Groups has announced that approximately 50,000 cars will be recalled due to a light switch problem. The car models affected include that of vehicles produced between September and November of 2006.

Hyundai Automotive Group consists of Hyundai Motor Co. (005380.SE) and Kia Motors Corp. (000270.SE), which together form the world’s fifth-largest car maker by sales.

“Brake lights of some of Hyundai and Kia models were found not to function when drivers stepped on brakes due to the switch flaws,” the ministry said in a statement.

Hyundai will recall a total of 37,794 cars of five models and Kia a combined 10,842 vehicles of five models, the statement said.

The cars subject to be recalled include: new Santa Fe, Veracruz sport utility vehicles, new Avante, new Sonata and new Grandeur sedans from Hyundai and Grand Carnival, new Carnival, new Sportage, new Carens and Sorento SUVs from Kia Motors, it said.

(Source) Wall Street Journal

Tags: avante, car maker, car models, grand carnival, grandeur, hyundai motor, hyundai motor co, kia models, kia motors corp, light switch, new sportage, sedans, sorento, sport utility vehicles, switch problem

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Volvo has announced a recall on about 1,247 new S80 Sedans due to manufacturing defects. The recall came as defects were found in the air-conditioners, which have difficulty letting out water, affecting the cars’ electric systems. This can lead to overheating that produces smoke and a burning smell, even causing fires in the worst cases.

Subject to the recall are the 2007, 2008, and 2009 Volvo S80 D5 models produced and imported to the local market between Aug. 31, 2006 and Aug. 14 of last year.

(Source) English Chosun

Tags: air conditioners, Cars, models, sedans, Volvo, volvo s80, volvo s80 d5

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It looks like Mercedes Benz is not exempted from making recalls as they have reportedly issued a recall on their S-Class for faulty shock absorbers. According China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, Mercedes-Benz China will recall about 555 imported S-class sedans in China.

Mercedes-Benz China submitted a report to AQSIQ, saying that from February 18, 2009, it would recall S-class sedans which were produced before August 15, 2006 because the front shock absorber of those sedans may fail to operate because of manufacturing flaws and this could lead to steering problems. About 555 of these cars had been sold in China.

Mercedes-Benz and its authorized dealers reportedly will check and replace the faulty shock absorbers free of charge.

(Source) China CSR

Tags: china, class cars, general administration, Mercedes-Benz, sedans, shock absorber, shock absorbers

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To most of us, the name Zeppelin may be linked to a rock band. However, it is really a model in the late 1930s, a sedan that was pretty much in the class of the Rolls Royce Phantom. Maybach is reintroducing the Zeppelin brand to bring back the glory days at the Geneva Auto Show.

The new edition is limited to a mere 100 units worldwide. However, the very wealthy buyers who get to snatch one up will benefit from a few perks compared to the lesser mortals who can only afford the “normal” versions.

The new Zeppelins will start at US$524,000 for the 57 and an outrageous US$610,000 for the 62 version, making them the most expensive sedans in the world, even before any options are tagged on. This latest version brings the number of Maybachs to seven: the 57, 57S, 57 Zeppelin, 62, 62S, 62 Zeppelin and 62S Landaulet.

(Source) Auto123

Tags: geneva auto, maybachs, new edition, rolls royce phantom, sedans, zeppelins

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A steering wheel issue has forced Japan car manufacturer giant Toyota to pull out approximately close to 120,000 cars for brands that was divided between new model cars Reiz, Crown sedans and Lexus Luxury models.

Cars that were manufactured back in February, 2005 until October, 2006 seems to be the ones affected, owing to a probable defect that came about in their tie up with the FAW group during this period.

Considering the number of cars being recalled, that is indeed a lot. Just some days back, Toyota was announcing that it would be incurring its first-ever annual operating loss. With this recall, this is bound to toggle the figures more to the red.

Source

Tags: car manufacturer, february 2005, giant, japan car, Lexus, luxury models, model cars, new model, sedans, steering wheel, Toyota

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