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February 2012

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Post-Super Bowl, Lexus and Kia Hold Biggest Gains in Shopper Consideration, Reports Edmunds.com

Post-Super Bowl, Lexus and Kia Hold Biggest Gains in Shopper Consideration, Reports Edmunds.com

The Lexus GS 350 and the Kia Optima finished last week with bigger increases in consumer interest than any other vehicles advertised in this year’s Super Bowl, according to an analysis of web traffic behavior on Edmunds.com, the premier online source for automotive information. The GS 350, which was prom ... Continue reading

Heels on Wheels: 2012 Honda Crosstour Review by Katrina Ramser +VIDEO

Heels on Wheels: 2012 Honda Crosstour Review by Katrina Ramser +VIDEO

SEE ALSO Honda Specs, Comparisons and Prices HEELS ON WHEELS By Katrina Ramser San Francisco Bureau The Auto Channel INTRO TO THE CROSSTOUR VEHICLE Simply put, the Honda Crosstour is for those who want the versatility of a crossover but do not want to lose full-size sedan styling. And this five-passenger, five-door uti ... Continue reading

RECALL: 2012 Subaru Legacy, Outback

RECALL: 2012 Subaru Legacy, Outback

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): SUBARU / LEGACY 2012 SUBARU / OUTBACK 2012 Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: FEB 09, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:12V047000 N/A NHTSA Action Number:N/A Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW Potential Number of Units Affected:381 Summary: SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN ... Continue reading

Goodyear Wins "Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year" Award

Goodyear Wins "Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year" Award

A Goodyear innovation designed to extend the life of truck tire retread cushion without sacrificing quality and performance has been named "Tire Manufacturing Innovation of the Year" by Tire Technology International. The Retread Multi-Piece Cushion technology was awarded by an independent, international jury of tire pr ... Continue reading

Zipcar Announces Expansion Into the City of West Hollywood

Zipcar Announces Expansion Into the City of West Hollywood

Zipcar, Inc. , the world's leading car sharing network, today joined the City of West Hollywood to announce Zipcar's expansion into West Hollywood. The new Zipcar program will provide West Hollywood residents, businesses and visitors with increased access to affordable, convenient transportation options that are proven ... Continue reading

Ford eNews - Feb. 15, 2012

Ford eNews - Feb. 15, 2012

SYNC goes standard on new Fusion and Flex Drivers of more than 4 million vehicles already take advantage of mobile device connectivity provided by Ford SYNC available as either optional or standard equipment on every new Ford sold in North America. Now, that population is set to grow even more as the all-new Ford Fusio ... Continue reading

Recargo Acquires PlugInCars.com, News and Community Website, for EV Charging App

Recargo Acquires PlugInCars.com, News and Community Website, for EV Charging App

Recargo Inc., developer of mobile applications for connected cars, today announced it has acquired privately held PlugInCars.com. Terms were not disclosed. 'Through this acquisition we will be able to help more people make better decisions about how they drive their daily life.' PlugInCars.com is a popular news and com ... Continue reading

Telogis is a Highlighted SaaS Provider for the IntelliDrive Fleet Safety Solutions Program Offered by Travelers

Telogis is a Highlighted SaaS Provider for the IntelliDrive Fleet Safety Solutions Program Offered by Travelers

Telogis, Inc., the platform for location intelligence, is a highlighted Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider for the new IntelliDrive® Fleet Safety Solutions program offered by Travelers. IntelliDrive Fleet Safety Solutions provides consulting services and resources to help customers create a better understanding of ... Continue reading

Ford Fusion, Ford Explorer and Lincoln MKZ Rank Highest in Durability in 2012 J.D. Power and Associates' Vehicle Dependability Study

Ford Fusion, Ford Explorer and Lincoln MKZ Rank Highest in Durability in 2012 J.D. Power and Associates' Vehicle Dependability Study

Ford Motor Company has six vehicles among the top three in their respective award segments: Ford Fusion, Ford Explorer, Lincoln MKZ, Lincoln MKX, Ford Ranger and Ford Taurus Ford Fusion received the Midsize Car award for the second consecutive year; Ford Explorer received the Midsize Crossover/SUV award; Lincoln MKZ re ... Continue reading

EV Industry Discussed in New IDTechEx Research Study

EV Industry Discussed in New IDTechEx Research Study

Besides the existing huge number making e-bikes, there are about 1,600 manufacturers of electric vehicles and around 500 vertically integrated manufacturers of their key components all over the world. Nearly all of them will collapse owing to wrong technology or market positioning or undercapitalization, while a host o ... Continue reading

Penske Automotive Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

Penske Automotive Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

Penske Automotive Group, Inc. , an international automotive retailer, announced today that fourth quarter 2011 income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders increased 22% to $42.5 million and related earnings per share increased 24% to $0.47 per share. This compares to income from continuing ope ... Continue reading

OAIN: New Auto Insurance Verification Bill Submitted by Miss. Lawmakers

OAIN: New Auto Insurance Verification Bill Submitted by Miss. Lawmakers

Mississippi lawmakers are trying once again to get an online car insurance verification system set up in their state after Gov. Haley Barbour vetoed a similar proposal last session, Online Auto Insurance News reports. It might be a while before we see whether Gov. ... Continue reading

2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Review and Fun Drive by Larry Nutson +VIDEO

2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Review and Fun Drive by Larry Nutson +VIDEO

2012 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Caution: Fun-to-drive! By Larry Nutson Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel (IMG_2944) Yes. Fun-to-drive; lots of fun. With 200 horsepower at my command, for me every Stop sign was a temptation for a full-throttle blast. Back nearly thirty years ago the Volkswagen brand “ownedâ ... Continue reading

96 Percent of Auto Repair Shops Recycle Scrap Metal

96 Percent of Auto Repair Shops Recycle Scrap Metal

Auto repair shops are playing a key role in protecting the environment with 96 percent reporting they recycle the scrap metal from automotive components, according to a study done by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). Shops are recycling the scrap metal from many auto parts, including alternators, ... Continue reading

Ryder Chairman & CEO to Address 27th Annual BB&T Capital Markets Transportation Services Conference

Ryder Chairman & CEO to Address 27th Annual BB&T Capital Markets Transportation Services Conference

Ryder System, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Swienton will present a Company update at the 27th Annual BB&T Capital Markets Transportation Services Conference. Who: Ryder System, Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Swienton What: 27th Annual BB&T Capital Markets Transportation Services Confer ... Continue reading

2012 Mazda3 Grand Touring SKYACTIV Review By John Heilig

2012 Mazda3 Grand Touring SKYACTIV Review By John Heilig

THE AUTO PAGE By John Heilig The Auto Channel SPECIFICATIONS: 2012 Mazda3 Grand Touring SKYACTIV Model: 2012 Mazda3 Grand Touring SKYACTIV Engine: 2.0-liter I4 Horsepower/Torque: 155 hp @ 6,000 rpm/148 lb.-ft. @4,100 rpm Transmission: 6-speed automatic with manual mode Wheelbase: 103.9 in. Length/Width/Height: 180.9 x ... Continue reading

Second Generation Kia Ceed is Ready to Go

Second Generation Kia Ceed is Ready to Go

Combining dynamic, sophisticated styling with maturity and prestige, the all-new cee'd five-door hatchback makes its world debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The new cee'd is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, with the same long wheelbase. The elegant simplicity of its coupe-like proportions is emphasised ... Continue reading

Altair Introduces Innovative Full-Vehicle NVH Simulation Solution

Altair Introduces Innovative Full-Vehicle NVH Simulation Solution

Altair Engineering, Inc., a leading global provider of simulation technology and engineering services, today announced the release of NVH Director, the first commercial software tool that makes full-vehicle noise-vibration-harshness (NVH) simulation possible in the most advanced and streamlined form. Altair will demons ... Continue reading

New 2012 Fiat 500 Named "Best Car" in Travel + Leisure's Annual Design Awards Issue

New 2012 Fiat 500 Named "Best Car" in Travel + Leisure's Annual Design Awards Issue

Travel + Leisure Design Awards recognize thoughtful design that improve the travel experience New 2012 Fiat 500 models deliver contemporary Italian styling, beautiful craftsmanship and city-friendly proportions combined with intelligent adaptations for American roads New 1.4-liter engine with state-of-the-art MultiAir ... Continue reading

Toyota Vehicles Dominate J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study

Toyota Vehicles Dominate J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Vehicle Dependability Study

Eight Lexus, Toyota, and Scion models captured segment awards in the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study, a performance equal to all other vehicle brands combined and more than twice as many as the runner-up nameplate. The study also found: Lexus is the number one nameplate improving by 23 fewer ... Continue reading

J.D. Power: Overall Vehicle Dependability Improves Substantially, Perceptions of Dependability for Certain Brands Continue to Lag

J.D. Power: Overall Vehicle Dependability Improves Substantially, Perceptions of Dependability for Certain Brands Continue to Lag

Feb. 15, 2012 -- Strong initial quality of 2009 model-year vehicles—which were produced during one of the toughest years for the automotive industry—has translated into historically high levels of vehicle dependability in 2012, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. V ... Continue reading

Hyundai Genesis Named Most Dependable Midsize Premium Car by J.D. Power and Associates

Hyundai Genesis Named Most Dependable Midsize Premium Car by J.D. Power and Associates

The Hyundai Genesis sedan is the highest-ranked model in the midsize premium car category in the 2012 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Released today, the study also shows that Hyundai finished ninth overall, demonstrating that the company's commitment to quality translates into long-term de ... Continue reading

2012 Mazda3 With SKYACTIV Technology Review and Roadtest by Larry Nutson +VIDEO

2012 Mazda3 With SKYACTIV Technology Review and Roadtest by Larry Nutson +VIDEO

2012 Mazda3 With SKYACTIV Technology By Larry Nutson Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel (2012Mazda3(o1).jpg) Hollywood, California, October 2011; It was just 2 months ago and 1100 miles further north on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Vancouver, Canada when I first learned the details about Mazda’s n ... Continue reading

Infiniti Puts The Spotlight On Asian Film

Infiniti Puts The Spotlight On Asian Film

Infiniti, the luxury performance automotive brand from Japan, is to sponsor an international film festival celebrating East Asian cinema to be held at Coventry University, UK, from March 2 to 4, 2012. ... Continue reading

All-New Kia Cee'd Has Designs On The Future

All-New Kia Cee'd Has Designs On The Future

Kia's all-European cee'd stunned audiences when it was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show just six years ago and at Geneva this year the all-new version is set to repeat that feat thanks to its elegant lines - heralding an even more successful future for the company's bed-rock C-segment model. ... Continue reading

Hare Off To Beaulieu For An Easter Egg-Stravaganza 31st March - 15th April 2012

Hare Off To Beaulieu For An Easter Egg-Stravaganza 31st March - 15th April 2012

During the Easter holidays, 31st March - 15th April, young visitors to Beaulieu can join in a Hare-Brained Easter Trail. Look for the hares, find the answers to the clues and collect a sweet treat at the end of the trail. ... Continue reading

Brawn In The Usa (And Now, In The UK...)

Brawn In The Usa (And Now, In The UK...)

There ain't no muscle like Detroit muscle, and British fans of the iconic cars that ruled American roads throughout the 1960s can now place orders for the modern incarnation of one of the greatest muscle cars of all time - the Chevrolet Camaro. ... Continue reading

There's Still Time To Enjoy The Game With Seat!

There's Still Time To Enjoy The Game With Seat!

As the Seat-sponsored UEFA Europa League gears up for the nail-biting knockout phase this week, the sporty Spanish car maker is reminding fans that it's not too late for them to 'Enjoy The Game' and stand a chance of winning a brand new Leon SE Copa in the process! ... Continue reading

All-New Mazda CX-5 UK Prices Announced

All-New Mazda CX-5 UK Prices Announced

Last year's Frankfurt Motor Show saw the world premiere of Mazda's first sixth generation vehicle, the all-new Mazda CX-5, and with the UK launch of this eagerly awaited model imminent, Mazda has announced UK pricing and a pre-order facility available for customers through their local Mazda dealer. ... Continue reading

Church Pastor Benefits from Kia Australian Open Competition

Church Pastor Benefits from Kia Australian Open Competition

The winner of an all-new Kia Rio has donated his prize to his local church pastor after his name was drawn from the barrel in the recent "Win a Reborn Rio" competition at this year's Kia Australian Open tennis championship. ... Continue reading

Honda Models Make Greenest Vehicles List 2012 In U.S

Honda Models Make Greenest Vehicles List 2012 In U.S

The Honda Insight, Civic Hybrid and CR-Z have been recognised by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) as the Greenest Vehicles of 2012. ... Continue reading

BMW Launches New 6th Generation 3 Series Sedan

BMW Launches New 6th Generation 3 Series Sedan

BMW has raised the benchmark for premium sporting sedans with the launch of the new 6th generation 3 Series Sedan. ... Continue reading

Nissan Australia Announces Appointment of William Peffer, CEO & Managing Director

Nissan Australia Announces Appointment of William Peffer, CEO & Managing Director

Nissan Australia today confirmed the appointment of William (Bill) Peffer as CEO and Managing Director, effective April 1, 2012. ... Continue reading

Sharper Edge for 2012 Nissan Navara

Sharper Edge for 2012 Nissan Navara

The Nissan Navara, is set to extend its popularity in 2012 with a revised model range, significant equipment upgrades and even better value. ... Continue reading

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