The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

December 2012

Select Another Month

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

BMW M6 Gran Coupe To Bow At 2013 NAIAS in Detroit

BMW M6 Gran Coupe To Bow At 2013 NAIAS in Detroit

By Henny Hemmes Senior European Editor The Auto Channel MUNICH, December 13, 2012. We already know the BMW M6 Convertible and M6 Coupe and this fall it became clear that the third super sporty variant of the 6-Series was well on its way. In October, a barely camouflaged M6 Gran Coupe was spotted testing on the Nürburg ... Continue reading

2013 Nissan Altima Review In The Sonoran Desert By Steve Purdy

2013 Nissan Altima Review In The Sonoran Desert By Steve Purdy

2013 NISSAN ALTIMA IN THE SONORAN DESERT An Arizona Road Trip By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Michigan Bureau [5382] Arizona is one of our favorite travel destinations. We usually go when it’s not too hot in the Desert Southwest, mostly late fall and early spring, and we’re usually able to score a test car ... Continue reading

Big Idea 2013: Governors Take Energy Into Their Own Hands

Big Idea 2013: Governors Take Energy Into Their Own Hands

By T. Boone Pickens December 11, 2012 The development of new sources of energy – at the state level – will be the big idea for 2013. Whether there is a grand bargain, a petite bargain, or no bargain at all on ways to decrease the national debt and avoid the fiscal cliff, one thing is clear: The American spiri ... Continue reading

Finalists For North American Car Of The Year And North American Truck/Utility Of The Year Announced

Finalists For North American Car Of The Year And North American Truck/Utility Of The Year Announced

A group of 49 automotive journalists from Canada and the United States has selected the Cadillac ATS, the Ford Fusion and the Honda Accord as the finalists for the 2013 North American Car of the Year. The Ford C-Max, Mazda CX-5 and Ram 1500 are the finalists for the 2013 North American Truck/Utility of the Year. This y ... Continue reading

Black Air: The Buick Grand National Documentary Review

Black Air: The Buick Grand National Documentary Review

BLACK AIR: THE BUICK GRAND NATIONAL DOCUMENTARY Review By Larry Nutson Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel Auto Central, December 11, 2012; Twenty-five years ago today the last Buick Grand National was built. It signaled the end of GM G-Body production and the only year for the limited-production 547-car run ... Continue reading

Fuel Prices - Fuel Prices - Regular Gas 12.12.12

Fuel Prices - Fuel Prices - Regular Gas 12.12.12

<p>Regular Gas</p> <p> Current Avg. $3.810</p> Yesterday Avg.$3.813</p> Week Ago Avg. $3.789</p> Month Ago Avg.$3.858</p> Year Ago Avg. Current Avg. $3.810p ... Continue reading

Motorsports Brands - MYCLASSICGARAGE.COM Launches Marketplace For Classic Cars

Motorsports Brands - MYCLASSICGARAGE.COM Launches Marketplace For Classic Cars

<b>“Owners& Enthusiasts Can Buy and Sell Collector Cars on MCG Marketplace 24 Hours a Day for Free”</b> Charlotte, Dec. 11, 2012: MyClassicGarage.com has launched the MCG Marketplace. “Unlike most of the collector car classified sites, the MCG Marketplace is completely free and offers a robust environmen ... Continue reading

Special Motorsports Event - Off-Season Sprint Cup Test With Matt Kenseth

Special Motorsports Event - Off-Season Sprint Cup Test With Matt Kenseth

Charlotte, Dec. 11, 2012: MATT KENSETH, No. 20 Dollar General Toyota Camry, Joe Gibbs Racing How did the morning test session go with your new team? "It's gone pretty good except for the last half hour. I guess it was a good icebreaker. I've been kind of nervous coming into this morning and walking to a different truck ... Continue reading

Ford's 2.0-Liter EcoBoost Engine Wins Second Consecutive Ward's 10 Best Engines Trophy; GT500 Engine Also Honored

Ford's 2.0-Liter EcoBoost Engine Wins Second Consecutive Ward's 10 Best Engines Trophy; GT500 Engine Also Honored

Powerful, fuel-efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected EcoBoost engine wins for exceptional performance in Ford Taurus and Focus ST Shelby GT500 5.8-liter V8 'the world's highest-horsepower regular production V8 engine -- also a winner No competitor has won more 10 Best Engines awards than Ford in the last fi ... Continue reading

BMW Group and Boeing to collaborate on carbon fiber recycling

BMW Group and Boeing to collaborate on carbon fiber recycling

The BMW Group and Boeing signed a collaboration agreement to participate in joint research for carbon fiber recycling as well as share manufacturing knowledge and explore automation opportunities. Both the BMW Group and Boeing are pioneering the use of carbon fiber in their products. With the release of the BMW i3 in l ... Continue reading

Honda Issues 2012 North American Environmental Report

Honda Issues 2012 North American Environmental Report

Honda today released its eighth annual report on the environmental impact of the company's operations in the North America region (U.S., Canada and Mexico) and its ongoing efforts to minimize that impact by reducing waste, conserving resources, and improving energy efficiency. The Honda 2012 North American Environmenta ... Continue reading

Vivante Goes Mainstream with OpenCL Computer Vision Products for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Applications

Vivante Goes Mainstream with OpenCL Computer Vision Products for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Applications

Vivante Corporation, a world-wide leader in graphics and compute technologies, today announced its cores have been widely adopted to power the next generation ADAS Computer Vision applications from top tier automotive OEMs. ADAS is a term that describes the latest electronic technologies found in automobiles that focus ... Continue reading

Brits Will Leave £2.4 Billion Worth of Presents at Risk in Cars This Christmas

Brits Will Leave £2.4 Billion Worth of Presents at Risk in Cars This Christmas

30% of Brits say they hide Christmas presents in cars because of 'Christmas Curiosity' by their children or partners, leaving themselves prey to thieves and festive misery Brits will hide an astonishing £2.4 billion¹ worth of Christmas presents in their cars this year, according to new research from leading insurer, ... Continue reading

GEICO hiring more than 4,000 new associates in 2013

GEICO hiring more than 4,000 new associates in 2013

GEICO is revving up for 2013 by announcing it will be hiring more than 4,000 new associates in the upcoming year. The company, which has grown its associate population by nearly 20 percent in the past five years, will be hiring in all GEICO offices, including auto damage adjuster and legal positions in many states thro ... Continue reading

Renault-Nissan and Russian Technologies Create Joint Venture to Finalize Strategic Partnership with AVTOVAZ

Renault-Nissan and Russian Technologies Create Joint Venture to Finalize Strategic Partnership with AVTOVAZ

Renault-Nissan and Russian Technologies create joint venture to accelerate product launches and technology transfer to AVTOVAZ, Russia's largest carmaker. Renault-Nissan will get a majority stake in the joint venture, called Alliance Rostec Auto BV, which will control AVTOVAZ, leader of the Russian auto market. This de ... Continue reading

Quantum Announces the Launch of Fully-Integrated and Assembled Advanced Natural Gas Fuel Storage System Solutions

Quantum Announces the Launch of Fully-Integrated and Assembled Advanced Natural Gas Fuel Storage System Solutions

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. , a leader in natural gas, alternative fuel systems and clean propulsion vehicle technologies, today announced the launch of pre-assembled, quality tested and fully-validated natural gas storage modules and system assemblies for quick integration on to a variety of vehi ... Continue reading

Volvo Car Financial Services Selects Dealertrack as Exclusive Credit Application Processing Platform for Volvo U.S. Dealerships

Volvo Car Financial Services Selects Dealertrack as Exclusive Credit Application Processing Platform for Volvo U.S. Dealerships

Dealertrack Technologies and Volvo Car Financial Services today announced that Volvo Car Financial Services has become a lender on the Dealertrack Credit Application Network. â'This partnership with Dealertrack will significantly enhance support for our retailer's financing process” Dealertrack is the exclusive c ... Continue reading

German Automotive Companies Start Clean-diesel Offensive in USA

German Automotive Companies Start Clean-diesel Offensive in USA

Economical, clean, and powerful - joint website for diesels Six German automotive companies - the passenger car manufacturers Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen, and the supplier Bosch - are starting their first ever joint information campaign for "clean diesels" in the USA. Under the slogan "Clean Diesel. Clea ... Continue reading

New Bentley Brand Identity Speaks The Language Of Success

New Bentley Brand Identity Speaks The Language Of Success

The redesigned reception and entrance area at Bentley Motors'headquarters in Crewe has been announced as the 'Overall Winner' at the 2012 Society of British Interior Design Awards. The prestigious award was judged by a range of influential designers including Professor Jimmy Choo OBE. ... Continue reading

Progressive Reports November Results

Progressive Reports November Results

The Progressive Corporation today reported the following results for November 2012: (millions, except per share amounts and ratios; unaudited) ‚ ‚ ‚ November ‚ ‚ ‚ November ‚ ‚ ‚ Change 2012 2011 ‚ Net premiums written $ 1,129.9 $ 1,071.9 5 % Net premiums earned $ 1,264.3 $ 1,163.7 9 % Net income $ 77.7 $ 124 ... Continue reading

Ford Marks 12/12/12 With 12 Car Line-Up

Ford Marks 12/12/12 With 12 Car Line-Up

Ford has marked this year's alliteration date - the 12th day of the 12th month in 2012 - with the arrival of its 12th passenger vehicle. ... Continue reading

David McDavid Lincoln Moves Make-A-Wish 'Drive Smart' Event to Q1 2013

David McDavid Lincoln Moves Make-A-Wish 'Drive Smart' Event to Q1 2013

David McDavid Lincoln of Plano will make an attempt to raise $6,000 for The Make-A-Wish Foundation during their "Lincoln Drive Smart" Event. This event originally scheduled for December 12, 2012 has been moved to 1st Quarter 2013 due to inventory constraints. "It's important to all of us to make sure programs like this ... Continue reading

Tesla Motors Announces Major European Distribution Center in the Netherlands

Tesla Motors Announces Major European Distribution Center in the Netherlands

New facility will serve as final Model S assembly point, vehicle distribution hub and regional service center As a key step towards beginning worldwide distribution of Model S, Tesla Motors announced today that it will begin operations this month at its new European Distribution Center in Tilburg, Netherlands. This new ... Continue reading

Aisin Drivetrain Celebrates First Shipment of Six Speed Automatic Transmissions

Aisin Drivetrain Celebrates First Shipment of Six Speed Automatic Transmissions

Aisin Drivetrain, Inc. (ADI), a business unit of Aisin Seiki, the world's largest automotive transmission supplier, today announced that it has begun shipping new six speed automatic transmissions manufactured for light and medium-duty commercial Ram trucks. The new six-speed transmission is designed for Class 3, 4 and ... Continue reading

Should Carmakers Instead Use a Big Green Bow this December?

Should Carmakers Instead Use a Big Green Bow this December?

Tis the season for "December To Remember" and the Big Red Bow holiday advertising. However, based on recent December car-shopping patterns, should we be placing big, green eco-friendly bows on the top of those vehicles? According to vehicle search patterns and lease transfer data from national car-leasing firm, Swapale ... Continue reading

AUDI AG Launches All-new Driving Technology Simulation Game to Celebrate their 3rd Anniversary on PlayStation

AUDI AG Launches All-new Driving Technology Simulation Game to Celebrate their 3rd Anniversary on PlayStation

Today AUDI AG, the first automotive manufacturer to release a space in PlayStation Home are now taking their partnership to the next level with the launch of an all-new driving technology simulation game. The game focuses on three core AUDI AG technologies: Quattro; Transmission; and Ultra. Players learn about these di ... Continue reading

NICB: New York Questionable Claims Rise Nine Percent 2009-2011

NICB: New York Questionable Claims Rise Nine Percent 2009-2011

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today released its 2009-2011 New York questionable claims referral reason analysis. Questionable claims (QC) are those claims that NICB member insurance companies refer to NICB for closer review and investigation based on one or more indicators of possible fraud. A single clai ... Continue reading

Daimler Supervisory Board appoints Hubertus Troska as Board of Management Member for China and extends contract of Andreas Renschler

Daimler Supervisory Board appoints Hubertus Troska as Board of Management Member for China and extends contract of Andreas Renschler

In its meeting today, the Daimler Supervisory Board appointed Hubertus Troska (52) as the member of the Board of Management for the newly created position of "China" effective December 13, 2012 until December 31, 2015. Troska will thus be CEO and Chairman of Daimler Northeast Asia and responsible for all of Daimler's s ... Continue reading

China Yuchai Leads Natural Gas Bus Engine Market in Shaanxi Province

China Yuchai Leads Natural Gas Bus Engine Market in Shaanxi Province

China Yuchai International Limited ("China Yuchai" or the "Company"), announced today that natural gas engines produced by the Company's main operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited ("GYMCL"), have been penetrating the key Shaanxi Province market in North-West China since their introduction in ea ... Continue reading

NICB: New Jersey Questionable Claims Rise 26 Percent 2009-2011

NICB: New Jersey Questionable Claims Rise 26 Percent 2009-2011

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today released its 2009-2011 New Jersey questionable claims referral reason analysis. Questionable claims (QC) are those claims that NICB member insurance companies refer to NICB for closer review and investigation based on one or more indicators of possible fraud. A single cl ... Continue reading

NICB Reports 13 Percent Increase in Connecticut Questionable Claims 2009-2011

NICB Reports 13 Percent Increase in Connecticut Questionable Claims 2009-2011

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today released its 2009-2011 Connecticut questionable claims referral reason analysis. Questionable claims (QC) are those claims that NICB member insurance companies refer to NICB for closer review and investigation based on one or more indicators of possible fraud. A single c ... Continue reading

NICB: Ohio Questionable Claims Rise 36 Percent 2009-2011

NICB: Ohio Questionable Claims Rise 36 Percent 2009-2011

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today released its 2009-2011 Ohio questionable claims referral reason analysis. Questionable claims (QC) are those claims that NICB member insurance companies refer to NICB for closer review and investigation based on one or more indicators of possible fraud. A single claim ma ... Continue reading

NICB: Michigan Questionable Claims Rise 49 Percent 2009-2011

NICB: Michigan Questionable Claims Rise 49 Percent 2009-2011

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) today released its 2009-2011 Michigan questionable claims referral reason analysis. Questionable claims (QC) are those claims that NICB member insurance companies refer to NICB for closer review and investigation based on one or more indicators of possible fraud. A single clai ... Continue reading

Emphasizing Performance and Reputation Attracts Luxury Automotive Consumers

Emphasizing Performance and Reputation Attracts Luxury Automotive Consumers

Emphasizing Performance and Reputation Attracts Luxury Automotive Consumers Phoenix Marketing International's Automotive Purchase Influence Study: Most Important Factors that Motivate Automotive Purchase Decisions Detroit, MI -- December 12, 2012 -- Phoenix Marketing International (PMI), a Honomichl Top-50 market resea ... Continue reading

New Nissan Navara Visia Means Business

New Nissan Navara Visia Means Business

In response to strong fleet and business demand, Nissan is introducing a new, highly affordable entry-level version of its popular Navara double cab pick-up starting at £17,995 CVOTR. ... Continue reading

Race2recovery Readies For 2013 Dakar With Land Rover

Race2recovery Readies For 2013 Dakar With Land Rover

Race2Recovery, the team of wounded servicemen aiming to be the first disabled crew to complete the Dakar Rally, has successfully completed their final training session ahead of the race in January 2013. ... Continue reading

Honda (UK) Apprentice Graduation Day Celebrates Class Of 2012

Honda (UK) Apprentice Graduation Day Celebrates Class Of 2012

Seventy apprentice graduates from Honda (UK)'s Car, Motorcycle and Power Equipment business areas took to the stage last week to receive certificates confirming their successful completion of Honda's acclaimed UK apprenticeship programme. ... Continue reading

Ford Mykey Gives Young Drivers 'Face-Saving' Excuse To Avoid Risks, Says Driver Behaviour Expert

Ford Mykey Gives Young Drivers 'Face-Saving' Excuse To Avoid Risks, Says Driver Behaviour Expert

Ford's unique MyKey technology which enables parents to place restrictions on young drivers can also help them resist peer pressure while behind the wheel, according to a leading driver behaviour expert. ... Continue reading

Honda Compact "URBAN SUV CONCEPT" To Make World Debut At The 2013 North American International Auto Show

Honda Compact "URBAN SUV CONCEPT" To Make World Debut At The 2013 North American International Auto Show

An all-new Honda compact URBAN SUV CONCEPT vehicle will make its world debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on 14 January. ... Continue reading

The New Skoda Octavia: A Class Of Its Own

The New Skoda Octavia: A Class Of Its Own

The new Skoda Octavia sets standards in the compact segment. ... Continue reading

The Royal Children's Hospital and HeartKids Give Heartfelt Thanks to The Honda Foundation

The Royal Children's Hospital and HeartKids Give Heartfelt Thanks to The Honda Foundation

The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) and HeartKids, with the support of The Honda Foundation, have launched a first-of-its-kind-in-Australia, interactive website to shed light on the hospital experience for the thousands of children diagnosed with a heart condition each year. ... Continue reading

Full Opel Performance Centre (OPC) Line Up Set to heat up Australian Roads from March 2013

Full Opel Performance Centre (OPC) Line Up Set to heat up Australian Roads from March 2013

The Opel Australia family is set to get even hotter with the confirmation of the Insignia OPC and Corsa OPC to join the Astra OPC from March 2013. ... Continue reading

Search The Auto Channel

The Auto Channel content library (since 1996) has grown to become the world’s most extensive and complete interactive archive of automotive centric news, articles, reviews and intense event coverage, presented to viewers as Text, Video and Images.

The Auto Channel Content by Topic

Vehicle manufacturers and alt fuels.