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Volkswagen Makes Bid For MAN Heavy Trucks
Both MAN and Scania are somewhat unique in the commercial vehicle sector in that they don’t rely on proprietary sources for major components such as engines, choosing instead to build their own. This aspect alone will give a new triumvirate a very solid position in the commercial vehicle market.
Despite A Slow May, Auto Sales Expected To Reach Highest Level Since 2008
Nevertheless, the overall outlook remains optimistic. Among the automakers; Toyota says it expects production to return to around 70 percent of normal levels by June, while Honda says it will resume full capacity by August.
New BMW 3-Series Sedan Due in Early 2012
In an effort towards increased efficiency, the 2012 3-Series will employ such technologies such as aerodynamically tuned wheels, a solar roof panel, a stop/start engine feature and re-generative braking.
Jaguar Land Rover To Build Engine Plant In India
Both facilities have been conceived so that Jaguar Land Rover can replace, as quickly as possible the four-cylinder gasoline and turbo diesel engines it currently sources from Ford Motor Company, which have proven to be relatively expensive.
Mopar “Ram Runner” Pricing Announced
If you add the cost of all this additional stuff, then by the time you’re done, you’re probably looking at close $50,000 by the time you’ve added the cost of the truck, the taxes and labor charges.
Nissan Titan Diesel Test Program Underway
However substantial gains in fuel economy have already been achieved, the diesel is said to currently allow a 2WD Titan to achieve around 28 miles per gallon, a sizeable improvement on the V-8 truck’s 13/18 mpg (city/highway).
Next Generation Mercedes-Benz SL Will Go On A Diet
In terms of engines, a 302 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and a 429 hp twin-turbo 4.6-liter V-8 are likely on the cards, as is a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-12, said to produce around 630 hp. The latter will incorporate cylinder shutdown and part throttle in an effort to save fuel economy.
Mercedes Vito Van May Join Sprinter in U.S. Lineup
On sale in European markets since 1996 both as a commercial panel van and passenger carrier, the Vito is currently offered in three different lengths across the pond, along with two roof heights, a choice of rear or all-wheel drive and a range of CDI direct injection diesel engines.
Volvo Says Driverless Cars Will Become A Reality
Yet Volvo is taking radical steps, setting a lofty goal of nobody dying in any of its cars by 2020, but says it “needs to understand the mechanisms about how people think,” in order to get there.
BMW 5-Series GT Proving To Be Slow Seller
In 2010, the company sold just 2,848 of them and in the first four months of this year, just 720 copies. Not surprisingly given those numbers, perhaps the decision to drop the 5-Series Touring (wagon) perhaps wasn’t such a shrewd move after all.
Honda Dealers To Get More Inventory Starting In July
However supplies of bread and butter models such as the Civic and Accord remain low, with most current inventory currently comprising of traditionally slower selling vehicles
What Could Have Been: Pontiac Was to Get a Sporty Offering Based on Cadillac Architecture
As for Pontiac, it’s this one that he laments the most. Not only did GM’s sporty division already boast a great lineup with cars like the G8 and the Solstice, but before the decision was taken to shutter the brand, Pontiac was also working on another sporty, rear drive offering, likely based off the Alpha...
Jaguar To Introduce Bigger XF, Smaller Model
Originally, Jaguar had planned to offer a new, baby offering ahead of the XF redesign, but there were some that felt it could potentially steal sales away from the current XF, the car which ‘saved,’ Jaguar, since the two models would likely be harder to differentiate.
Ram to Offer Minivan-Based Pickup
Dubbed the TR Life Style truck, Chrysler projects it’s Ram division to sell between 15,000 to 20,000 units annually (for the record the Ridgeline sold 16,142 copies last year, a drop of two percent from 2009).
GM Alpha Platform Goes on a Diet
As a result, new powertrain ideas, weight saving composite materials and a re-think of suspension design are just a few of the options being considered.
Toyota Tundra Recalled for Faulty Tire Pressure Monitor
A recall has been issued for a number of 2007-11 model year Tundras because they may have incorrectly calibrated TPMS systems, preventing warning lights from operating when tire pressures are low.
1971 Indy 500 Special Goes Under the Hammer
The car finished the race in sixth place that year, behind Bill Vukovich Jr. Foyt, driving another Coyote finished third, having qualified second behind eventual race winner Al Unser.
McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Pricing Announced [Video]
Andrew Kirkaldy, head of CRS Racing, who was also project manager on the GT3 program said that, “having been a customer of GT car manufacturers for many years I’m delighted we are now able to offer a carbon chassis based GT3 car for £310,000.
General Motors Named Innovation Leader by Patent Board
The announcement comes on the heels of news that GM recently received more patents for clean energy technology last year than any other organization, based on findings from the Clean Energy Patent Growth Index.
Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards
During a test conducted by the institute, where a large plate of steel is pressed against the corner of the roof, the Tundra was able to support 4.5 times its own weight; the F-150 4.7 times.
Cadillac Revives Certified Pre-Owned Program
In order to stay ahead of the game, GM’s flagship division is re-launching it’s certified pre-owned program, tweaking it to include a more thorough, 172-point vehicle inspection system, a six-year 100,000 mile limited warranty, as well as courtesy transportation for warranty work and 24-hour roadside assistance.
Saab, Hawtai Deal Terminated
Saab parent, Spyker Cars, said that Hawtai was unable to obtain all the necessary consents, as a result; the arrangement has been terminated with immediate affect, though there still is the possibility the two companies might continue discussions, albeit on a non-exclusive basis.
Ford F-150 Plug-In Hybrid Takes Aim at Fleet Users
According to a press release issued by Quantum, the system is compatible with both two and four-wheel drive versions and enables the truck to travel up to 35 miles on pure electric power alone, before switching to hybrid mode, for a total range of more than 400 miles
Detroit Automakers Close in On Pre-Recession Employment Numbers
GM plans to ramp up Volt production in the next few years, from the current 10,000 cars per annum to 25,000 – CEO Dan Akerson says he’d ultimately like to see more than 100,000 Volts roll off the assembly line, though recognizes that any increases also hinge on battery production.
