It wasn’t long ago when the best-selling General Motors models greedily guzzled gas, but times have changed due to a large part to rising gas prices. Now, GM’s fuel-effiicient models rule the roads and in March they have reached a milestone. Last month, GM sold more than 100,000 vehicles that achieve 30 mpg or better....
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While many new plug-ins boast the convenience and simplicity of recharging the car battery from a household wall socket, how many vehicles can claim to provide the opposite? Honda has installed an inverter in the trunk of one special FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, providing output power that could supply up to 8 kilowatts of...
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Volkswagen revealed its new Alltrack Concept ahead of the upcoming New York Auto Show. Positioned as a Subaru Outback competitor, the Volkswagen Alltrack concept is virtually identical to the Passat Alltrack displayed at the Tokyo Motor Show last November, which is headed for Summer delivery in some overseas markets. While station wagons have historically seen...
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Things are good for Korean automaker Hyundai as the month’s end approaches and it sits poised to break an all-time sales record. With more than 65,000 units expected to sell in the U.S. alone, it’s safe to say the 40-mpg minimum mantra that made many people eager to buy was a success. By how much?...
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Chevrolet has announced that its turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine equipped Sonic subcompact will now be available with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The quickest of its class, the 6-speed manual turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine propels the Sonic from 0-to-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, faster than the comparable 2012 Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, or Hyundai...
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Toyota supports environmental consciousness by holding the annual Lexus Eco Challenge competition, encouraging middle and high school students to practice eco-friendliness in creative ways. Since the program’s inception, $4 million in scholarships and grants have been awarded to middle and high school students for their distinguished projects. “Through this program, more than 25,000 participants have demonstrated...
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Volkswagen, the German automaker whose name translates to the “People’s Car,” is creating a low-cost sub-brand that will offer products to people in emerging markets. According to Volkswagen head of research and development, Ulrich Hackenberg, the automaker has garnered expertise in low-cost vehicles production and will create products that are tailored to these individual markets....
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When it comes to the next generation of its popular Escape compact crossover, Ford is leaving nothing to chance, perfecting every aspect of the all-new 2013 model. In order to make owning the all-new Escape as enjoyable as possible, a team of sound engineers was assembled to create a concert-hall quality audio experience in the...
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At one point, Japan was among the world’s leading auto markets but the country has yet to regain its stride after last year’s devastating earthquake and tsunami. Japanese auto sales dropped to half the peak rate and a recovery has yet to take hold. Global information company IHS Automotive conducted a study that shows sales in India...
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The 2012 Nissan Versa is not only one of the cheapest new cars for sale in North America, but it is also one of the safest. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) has just awarded the new Versa sedan its top scoring honor of “Good” for front, rear, and side impact protection. It also...
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Ford CEO Alan Mulally has been awarded shares of stock worth $58.3 million in value for his key role in the automaker’s turnaround in 2009. According to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, this top executive award is part of an incentive plan that’s tied to Ford’s 2009 performance. Mulally hit nearly all...
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Next week, Hyundai will unveil its European spec Veloster Turbo at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Contending in a competitive hot-hatch market, Hyundai UK President and CEO Tony Whitehorn said, “Veloster has quickly established itself as fun car and a unique proposition. The enhanced performance will increase the Veloster’s appeal for drivers who want the...
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Earlier this year, Ford announced the official unveiling of its production B-MAX mini-MPV. Today, we learned that the company will release additional new models to join the B-MAX at Geneva — the European 2013 Ford Kuga and Ford Fiesta ST (pictured above). The 2013 Ford Kuga is the European version of North America’s 2013 Escape....
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Could the Volkswagen GTI hot hatch also make for a good cabriolet? The German automaker seems to think so as we learned earlier this month of a production GTI cabriolet to bow at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. In production form, we expect the visual elements to be toned down from the Worthersee concept but...
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Citroën has just released official images of its latest hot-hatch concept model set to premiere at the upcoming 2012 Geneva Motor Show. It’s images like these that convince us the North American market could really use some French metal. In terms of hardware, the Citroën DS4 Racing concept receives the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine found in...
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Based on the C-Evo platform from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback, the American-twin 2013 Dodge Dart will only be available in a four-door body style. During an interview with Chrysler Canada president and Dodge brand CEO Reid Bigland, he noted that sedans make up 90 percent of the compact segment, and are 25 percent of...
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Earlier this month we reported that Honda had launched a recall for 347 Accords and Crosstours subject to the possibility of side curtain airbag failure. The devices may fail to deploy at the moment of strong impact, putting passengers at a higher risk of physical harm. The failure lies in incorrect propellant used in the...
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The acclaimed Hyundai Veloster receives a major upgrade for the 2013 model year. Recognized for its unique three-door configuration, provoking design, build quality, and great value, the Veloster has also been criticized for falling short in the driving department. For 2013, Hyundai answers with the introduction of the Veloster Turbo, armed with a 1.6 liter...
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In an ever continuing effort to provide more active safety technology to more cars, innovations once exclusive to premium and luxury vehicles are trickling down to family vehicles. Mazda will offer its new Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) system for the new CX-5 compact crossover. This new brake controller intervenes to prevent distracted drivers from...
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Later this year, Volkswagen will reveal its all-new Mk7 Golf (Spy photo shown above). A pivotal new car for Volkswagen, the Golf will be improved in almost all aspects, including a swath of more luxurious features. The staple hatchback will receive a wider range of powertrains including a natural gas variant, an electric variant, and...
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According to a statement by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), China’s monthly sales of passenger-vehicles suffered its steepest decline in more than seven years due to a Lunar New Year holiday season hiatus that deprived dealers of a week’s worth of sales. Figures indicated that sales fell to 1.16 million units in January, a...
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Fiat has released pictures of its new 500 “wagon” ahead of the car’s big reveal at the Geneva Motor Show this March. Called the 500L, it’s a replacement product for the infamously ugly Multipla. The “L” stands for “Large” and helps expand the Fiat 500 range to four models. As for sizing, the 500L measures...
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Just when CAFE loosened standards and lowered from 56.5 MPG to 54 MPG by 2025, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has decided to propose new and more stringent conditions for automakers that sell cars in California. The California Air Resources Board will not only enforce CAFE, but will also require at least 15.4 percent of...
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Of the major Japanese Automakers, Nissan Motors has been one of the least affected by natural disasters and the strengthening yen, effectively minimizing exposure to regional risks by erecting facilities overseas. Nissan has announced plans to build another manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes, Mexico, to expand North American production. An investment worth $2.0 billion USD, the...
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