Automotive Headlines: February 2010

Friday, February 26, 2010

Fiat 500C Abarth: 2010 Geneva Auto Show

Post under 2010 Geneva Auto Show, Fiat 500C Abarth at 7:34 AM Posted by Staff

TURIN, Italy — Fiat's Abarth brand will display performance editions of the 500C and the Punto Evo at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.Abarth has kitted out the 500C in a choice of two-tone exterior paint schemes, loud graphics and 17-inch diamond-finish alloy...

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid: 2010 Geneva Auto Show

Post under 2010 Geneva Auto Show, Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid at 12:48 PM Posted by Staff

HETHEL, England — Lotus Engineering has created what the U.K. firm calls a "high-performance technology demonstrator" in the Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid. The Lotus shares elements of its plug-in series hybrid drivetrain with a Giugiaro-designed concept from...

Metro Detroit Toyota suppliers raided

Post under fbi, Metro Detroit, suppliers raided, toyota at 12:46 PM Posted by Staff

The FBI raided the Detroit-area offices of three key Toyota Motor Corp. suppliers Tuesday night, officials said Wednesday.---...M...

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Spyker finalises purchase of Saab from GM

Post under finalises, gm, purchase, Saab, Spyker at 5:46 AM Posted by Staff

STOCKHOLM (AFP) – After months of negotiations and setbacks that left Saab's fate in limbo, Dutch sportscar maker Spyker said Tuesday it had finalised the purchase of the iconic Swedish brand from General Motors.Spyker's CEO Victor Muller told reporters...

Sudden acceleration fix still an issue, Toyota says

Post under acceleration, Fix, still an issue, Sudden, toyota at 5:43 AM Posted by Staff

Toyota Motor Corp. raised more questions about the safety of its vehicles than it answered Tuesday during a congressional hearing filled with dramatic moments and harsh exchanges....M...

Expert Says He Found Flaw in Toyota Electronics System

Post under Expert, Found Flaw, Toyota Electronics System at 5:41 AM Posted by Staff

Dr. David Gilbert, an associate professor of automotive technology at Southern Illinois University, told a congressional hearing that he has found a flaw in the electronics system of a Toyota that "would allow abnormalities to occur."...M...

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

GM to add third shift at Ohio plant

Post under add third shift, gm, Ohio plant at 5:48 AM Posted by Staff

General Motors Co. is expected to announce today that it is adding a third shift of production at its Lordstown assembly plant in Ohio to produce the new compact Chevrolet Cruze, according to a source familiar with the plan....M...

2011 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition: 2010 Geneva Auto Show

Post under 2010 Geneva Auto Show, 2011 Maserati, Awards Edition, Quattroporte, Sport GT S at 5:43 AM Posted by Staff

MODENA, Italy — Maserati will unveil a special Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition at the upcoming 2010 Geneva Auto Show. It will reach U.S. dealers in the second half of 2010 as a 2011 model....M...

Monday, February 22, 2010

Tennessee couple to testify at Toyota hearing

Post under Tennessee couple, testify, Toyota hearing at 12:57 PM Posted by Staff

Washington -- The first witnesses at Tuesday's House hearing into Toyota Motor Corp.'s sudden acceleration woes will be a Tennessee couple who reported a serious incident in 2006.---...M...

Toyota Bragged of Savings From Limiting Recall

Post under Bragged, Limiting Recall, Savings, toyota at 12:47 PM Posted by Staff

A Toyota document — one of thousands the company has turned over to members of two committees in the U.S. House of Representatives — brags that the effort to limit recalls saved the automaker $100 million.---...M...

Friday, February 19, 2010

Toyota Recall Update #29: Corolla, Matrix Targeted in NHTSA Investigation

Post under Corolla, Investigation, Matrix, NHTSA, Targeted, Toyota Recall, Update at 5:48 AM Posted by Staff

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Thursday launched a formal investigation into consumer complaints about unresponsive steering in the 2009-'10 Toyota Corolla and Matrix....m...

Toyoda will appear before Congress

Post under congress, President Akio, Toyoda, Washington at 5:42 AM Posted by Staff

Washington -- Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda will testify before Congress next week -- a dramatic move as the company seeks to stem the fallout from a series of massive recalls....M...

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Toyota Recall News:President Akio Toyoda Will Not Face The American People

Post under Akio Toyoda, American, congress, People, President, Toyota Recall News at 5:11 AM Posted by Staff

With the mounting troubles at Toyota/Lexus they may never be able to recover. They are having steering problems, accelerator issues, floor mats sticking, brakes not working and deaths that maybe directly caused by these defects. Now they are being...

Daimler Mercedes-Benz scraps dividend after 2009 loss

Post under Daimler, Mercedes-Benz at 5:09 AM Posted by Staff

STUTTGART, Germany (Reuters) - German carmaker Daimler (DAIGn.DE) scrapped its dividend for the first time in 14 years after it swung to a worse-than-expected 2009 net loss, sending shares down to their lowest level in five months....M...

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to shut down production

Post under plans, production, shut down, Toyota Motor Corp at 6:23 AM Posted by Staff

Washington -- Toyota Motor Corp. plans to shut down production again at two U.S. plants as it copes with the fallout from safety recalls....M...

Chrysler Helps Alfa Romeo Return To America

Post under Alfa Romeo, America, chrysler, Helps, return at 6:22 AM Posted by Staff

Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group LLC chief executive, gave his clearest indication yet yesterday that the Alfa Romeo brand may make a return to the North American market as the Detroit automaker continues to look for ways to integrate its new partner,...

2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible: 2010 Geneva Auto Show

Post under 2010 Geneva, 2011 Bentley, auto show, Continental, Convertible, Supersports at 6:05 AM Posted by Staff

CREWE, England — The new 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible will debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show as a companion to last year's Continental Supersports coupe. Bentley claims its new model is the world's fastest four-seat convertible and...

Toyota probes Corolla steering as its chief says he won't attend U.S. hearing

Post under chief, Corolla, probes, steering, toyota, U.S. hearing, won't attend at 6:01 AM Posted by Staff

Tokyo -- Toyota is considering a recall of its hot-selling Corolla subcompact after complaints about power steering problems -- another blow to the world's largest automaker already reeling from a string of recalls for safety problems...M...

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Chrysler-Fiat make a Huge $3.3 billion deal with a Russian vehicle builder

Post under Chrysler-Fiat, russia, sollers at 9:22 AM Posted by Staff

When Sergio Marchionne, chief executive officer of Fiat Group and Chrysler Group, signed off on a $3.3 billion deal with a Russian vehicle builder, he emphasized technology from Jeep was critical to the new alliance.Fiat is putting up half the $3.3 billion...

Toyota recalls Toyota Tacoma pickups

Post under Tacoma pickups, toyota, toyota recalls at 9:15 AM Posted by Staff

Washington -- Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling 8,000 Toyota Tacoma pickups vehicles over concerns that a faulty propeller shaft may have cracks.---...M...

Friday, February 12, 2010

2011 Ford Shelby GT500 ups horsepower, fuel economy

Post under 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 ups horsepower, fuel economy at 6:22 AM Posted by Staff

The 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 will get even more horsepower and better fuel economy, which could make it the first modern Shelby GT500 to dodge the gas guzzler tax, the company said today.The Shelby GT500 — which was to be shown to the media today in Allen...

Dodge Ram wins 2010 MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice Award

Post under 2010 MotorWeek Drivers, Choice Award, dodge ram, wins at 6:20 AM Posted by Staff

Auburn Hills, Michigan – MotorWeek TV today announced that the Dodge Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 trucks have won the show’s 2010 Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Pickup Truck. This is the second year in a row that MotorWeek has chosen Ram trucks for the a...

2011 Hyundai Azera Gets Horsepower Boost: 2010 Chicago Auto Show

Post under 2010 Chicago Auto Show, 2011 Hyundai Azera, Horsepower Boost at 6:18 AM Posted by Staff

The 2011 Hyundai Azera, unveiled at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, gets a horsepower boost and a new six-speed automatic transmission....M...

Toyota Turns Down Award for Prius in Japan

Post under Award, Japan, Prius, toyota, Turns Down at 6:14 AM Posted by Staff

Accepting kudos for the just-recalled 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid is inappropriate, Toyota said...M...

Thursday, February 11, 2010

2010 Infiniti G37 Convertible

Post under 2010 Infiniti, G37 Convertible at 8:20 AM Posted by Staff

FRANKLIN, Tennessee — Nissan said the 2010 G37 Convertible, on sale now, will be priced from $44,350 for the seven-speed automatic version, up $500 from last year. The G37 Convertible Sport with six-speed manual gets new standard equipment, with a starting...

Honda Recalls 378,758 Vehicles for Defective Air Bag Inflator

Post under 378, 758 Vehicles, Defective Air Bag Inflator, Honda Recalls at 8:17 AM Posted by Staff

TORRANCE, California — Honda announced late Tuesday that it is expanding a recall to replace a defective air bag inflator in an additional 378,758 vehicles in the U.S. This latest action adds to the mounting recall woes of Honda, which last month announced...

Toyota loses its way

Post under loses its way, toyota at 8:16 AM Posted by Staff

Five years ago, Yoshi Inaba, then president of Toyota Motor Corp.'s U.S. sales operations, disclosed his biggest fear. It was that someday, some flaw in Toyota vehicles might go undetected and cause injuries, or worse, to the companys customers.---...M...

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

State Farm says it warned NHTSA on Toyota in 2007 (AP)

Post under 2007, NHTSA, Prius, State Farm, toyota, warned at 7:05 AM Posted by Staff

AP - The nation's largest auto insurer said Tuesday it alerted federal safety regulators in late 2007 about a rise in reports of unexpected acceleration in Toyota vehicles, the latest warning sign to emerge about the massive recall---...M...

2010 Dodge Challenger Furious Fuchsia Editions Unleashed

Post under 2010 Dodge Challenger, Furious Fuchsia, Unleashed at 5:23 AM Posted by Staff

It's a far cry from the girlie Dodge La Femme of the Eisenhower era, but as close as the automaker is going to come to a pink Challenger. The 2010 Dodge Challenger Furious Fuchsia models were unveiled on Monday ahead of the 2010 Chicago Auto Show and...

Fiat 500 Production Starts Soon

Post under Fiat 500, Mexico, production at 5:16 AM Posted by Staff

TOLUCA, Mexico, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Mexico could produce up to 130,000 Fiat 500s a year, seen as key to the recovery of Chrysler in the United States, with a $550 million investment, Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Monday.A Chrysler plant...

Monday, February 8, 2010

Ford Making Fix to 2010 Mustang Shelby GT500 Tire Information

Post under 2010 Mustang Shelby GT500, Fix, ford, Tire at 6:19 AM Posted by Staff

DEARBORN, Michigan — Ford is making a fix to 243 of its 2010 Mustang Shelby GT500 cars because the rear tire size information was incorrectly marked on the label.The recall affects 2010 Shelby GT500s built between October 28 and December 3, 2009. Ford...

Ford: Braking Glitch in 2010 Fusion and Milan Hybrids Will Be Remedied

Post under 2010 Fusion, Braking Glitch, ford, Milan Hybrids Will Be Remedied at 6:12 AM Posted by Staff

DEARBORN, Michigan — Ford said Thursday it will update the software of the regenerative braking system on some 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrids that are already in customers' hands. Ford's action comes on the heels of a similar issue...

Dodge Charger Super Bowl Ad - Man's Last Stand

Post under advertising, Charger, dexter, Dodge, hemi V8, man's last stand, michael c. hall, super bowl, superbowl ad spot commercial at 5:57 AM Posted by Staff

The Super Bowl 2010 had some fun ads and One of the fan favorites was the Dodge commercial with Dexter Star Michael C. Hall voice over. "Man's Last Sta...

Sunday, February 7, 2010

GM China sales nearly doubled in January

Post under China, doubled in January, gm, sales at 9:16 AM Posted by Staff

General Motors Co., which has long looked to China as a growth market, nearly doubled its sales there in January, a record for the month...M...

Nissan 40th Anniversary Z: 2010 Chicago Auto Show

Post under 2010, 40th Anniversary Z, auto show, Chicago, nissan at 9:12 AM Posted by Staff

LONDON — Nissan in April will begin delivering the first of a limited run of cars to mark the 40th anniversary of the Z-car. In the U.S., the car will be called the 40th Anniversary Z, and it will debut at next week's 2010 Chicago Auto Show.In Europe,...

Recall:Toyota to announce action soon for Prius hybrids

Post under announce, Prius hybrids, Recall, toyota at 8:27 AM Posted by Staff

TOKYO (AP) -- Toyota said Sunday that it will soon announce plans to deal with braking problems in its prized Prius hybrid amid reports it has decided to issue a recall for the latest model in Japan, a possible new embarrassment for the world's biggest automaker---...M...

Friday, February 5, 2010

Tesla Launches RHD Roadster

Post under launches, RHD Roadster, Tesla at 5:32 AM Posted by Staff

LONDON — Tesla Motors said a right-hand-drive version of the Roadster is going into production for the U.K. and other markets, with test drives available at the company's exclusive showroom in Knightsbridge. The projected price is $137,850.Tesla said...

Toyota Recall Update #21: NHTSA Opens Prius Brake Probe

Post under NHTSA, Opens, Prius Brake Probe, Toyota Recall at 5:30 AM Posted by Staff

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday joined Japan's Ministry of Transport in opening a formal defect investigation into brake problems on the 2010 Toyota Prius.The U.S. investigation, to be conducted by DOT's National Highway...

Seat Ibiza ST: 2010 Geneva Auto Show

Post under 2010, auto show, Geneva, Ibiza ST, Seat at 5:28 AM Posted by Staff

The sport tourer from VW's Spanish subsidiary is the third entry in the Ibiza range.---...M...

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Geneva auto show: Kia Sportage set for reveal

Post under auto show, Geneva, Kia Sportage, reveal at 6:53 AM Posted by Staff

The world premiere of the all-new Kia Sportage is set for the Geneva motor show in March. The Sportage sports a dramatic makeover that helps should bolster the Korean brand's image.....M...

Toyota conducted fix of Prius brakes but didn't notify drivers

Post under Brakes, didn't notify drivers, Prius, toyota at 6:51 AM Posted by Staff

Toyota Motor Corp., under fire from fresh quality complaints about its popular Prius hybrid, says it conducted a software fix to address reports of slipping brakes.But the world's biggest carmaker didn't notify customers at the time of the change. And...

Shanghai GM Sales Way Up

Post under gm, sales, Shanghai, Way Up at 6:45 AM Posted by Staff

SHANGHAI, China — General Motors' Shanghai GM Chinese venture reported that its sales more than doubled in January over the same period in 2009, with 90,202 units sold.GM's flagship venture attributed the robust sales in part to its new generation of...

Imports Expected To Climb 20 Percent in China

Post under 20 Percent, China, Imports at 6:43 AM Posted by Staff

SHANGHAI, China — Imports of vehicles into China are expected to climb 20 percent to 420,000 units this year, an industry insider has said. Of the sectors, sport-utility vehicles contributed the most to the growth. Last year, SUV imports rose 37 percent and accounted for 54.8 percent of total imported vehicles.Auto imports began to rebound in the second...

Toyota says Prius had brake problems

Post under brake problems, Prius, toyota at 6:41 AM Posted by Staff

Toyota acknowledged design problems with the brakes in its prized Prius, adding to the catalog of woes for the Japanese automaker as it reels from massive gas-pedal recalls in the U.S---...M...

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Toyota Pedal Recall Update #17: Electronic Throttle System Under Microscope

Post under Electronic Throttle System, Microscope, Toyota Pedal at 12:50 PM Posted by Staff

U.S. Department of Transportation is considering whether electronic system is the reason Toyotas are plagued with unintended-acceleration problems---...M...

Toyota Prius Brakes Latest Focus of Safety Investigation

Post under Brakes, Latest Focus, Safety Investigation, Toyota Prius at 12:48 PM Posted by Staff

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is one of many Prius owners to say they've experienced the acceleration problem with the hybrid cars---...M...

Toyota Pedal Recall Update #18: Recall Expands to Mexico

Post under Mexico, Recall Expands, Toyota Pedal Recall at 12:47 PM Posted by Staff

Following Toyota's massive recall of vehicles in the United States, Europe and China, the company is now extending repairs to Mexico---...M...

Toyota probe deepens amid confusion over risk (AP)

Post under amid, confusion, probe deepens, risk, toyota at 12:36 PM Posted by Staff

AP - Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told Toyota owners Wednesday they should stop driving their vehicles, then quickly took back his words, adding to confusion over the safety of millions of recalled cars. Toyota, for its part, tried to reassure drivers that sticky gas pedals have been rare ? and the cars can be stopped in any event by firmly...

Toyota's reputation takes a costly hit

Post under brake, defects, electrical, gas pedal, toyota recalls at 11:05 AM Posted by Staff

Damage to name may top millions for repairs, analysts say The cost of Toyota Motor Corp.'s two high-profile recalls totaling 9 million vehicles may run as high as $2 billion, analysts say. But the final tab for Toyota's sudden fall from grace in the...

LaHood says he misspoke on advice to Toyota owners

Post under lahood, toyota at 10:43 AM Posted by Staff

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood now says he misspoke when telling owners of recalled Toyotas to stop driving then. Instead, LaHood says take them to dealerships to get them repaired.LaHood told reporters it was "obviously a misstatement"...

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