News By Topic: Industry Insider

Nutson's Nuggets: Last Week's (September 10-16 2012) Automotive News

Sep 16, 2012

* Eight carmakers are on pace to set all-time North American production records, according to a study by LMC Automotive, but none are of the Detroit Three. They are Toyota, Nissan, VW, Hyundai-Kia, BMW, Daimler and Subaru. LMC's prediction for total N.A. auto production is higher than most at 14.9 million units and the ... Continue reading

NHTSA Announces Model Year 2013 Vehicles to be Rated Under Government 5-Star Safety Ratings Program

Sep 14, 2012

Vehicles represent 85 percent of all MY 2013 vehicles sold in the U.S., to be tested as part of tougher safety ratings program WASHINGTON September 13, 2012; The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced the lineup of model year 2013 passenger vehicl ... Continue reading

2013 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD Review By John Heilig

Sep 14, 2012

THE AUTO PAGE By JOHN HEILIG SPECIFICATIONS: 2013 Ford Explorer Model: 2013 Ford Explorer LTD 4WD Engine: 3.5-liter V6 Horsepower/Torque: 290 hp @ 6,500 rpm/255 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm Transmission: 6-speed automatic Wheelbase: 112.6 in. Length/Width/Height: 197.1 x 78.9 x 71.0 in. Tires: P255/50R20 Cargo volume: 21.0/43.8 ... Continue reading

Ford Transit Is 1,000th Minibus Donated By Lord's Taverners

Sep 14, 2012

A Ford Transit Minibus donated to an Essex school was the 1,000th vehicle handed over by The Lord's Taverners. The presentation by the cricketing charity took place at Essex's Ford County Ground. ... Continue reading

Toyota All-Electric 2012 RAV4 EV Rolls Into California

Sep 13, 2012

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS) announced today special financing and a customer lease option for the 2012 RAV4 EV. The all-new, all-electric RAV4 EV receives an EPA rated range of 103 miles, 78 city miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe), 74 highway MPGe and 76 combined MPGe. The RAV4 EV will go on sale the week of Se ... Continue reading

Chrysler Group Introduces Industry-first Vehicle-information Kits in Spanish for USA Market

Sep 13, 2012

More than 50 million Hispanics in U.S. Free kits available at Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Fiat dealerships Vehicle information will be available electronically in both English and Spanish on brand websites by end of year Company continues to enhance customer care with extended weekday and weekend hours Chrysler Grou ... Continue reading

Michelin and Continental Models Top Consumer Reports Ratings of All- Season & Winter Tires

Sep 13, 2012

Test of 78 models finds several good choices YONKERS, N.Y., Sept. 13, 2012 - When it comes to Consumer Reports latest tests of all-season and winter replacement tires, Michelin and Continental lead the way. However, tests revealed that worthy tires were not difficult to find and many provided good overall performance. ... Continue reading

Friedman-Swift Associates: New Car Buyers Clicking Before They Buy

Sep 13, 2012

Nationally, 40 percent of new car buyers visit the web site of the dealership where they buy their car. This statistic is based on 10,338 new car buyers Friedman-Swift Associates surveyed across the United States from January 2011 to July 2012. ... Continue reading

2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser New Color Scheme

Sep 12, 2012

TORRANCE, Calif., September 12, 2012 -- The Toyota FJ Cruiser, which uniquely melds the brand’s off-road performance legacy with distinct heritage design in a modern SUV, rolls into 2013 with a new color scheme choice for the high-capability Trail Teams Special Edition. Even with its considerable off-road capabili ... Continue reading

2012 Ford Edge Ride and Review By John Heilig

Sep 12, 2012

THE AUTO PAGE By JOHN HEILIG SPECIFICATIONS : 2012 FORD EDGE SEL Model: 2012 Ford Edge SEL Engine: 2.0-liter Ecoboost I4 Horsepower/Torque: 240 hp @ 5,500 rpm/270 lb.-ft. @ 3,000 rpm Transmission: 6-speed automatic Wheelbase: 111.2in. Length/Width/Height: 184.2 x 76.0 x 67.0 in. Tires: P245/60R18 Cargo volume: 32.2/68. ... Continue reading

2012 Scion iQ Ride and Review By Larry Nutson

Sep 12, 2012

2012 Scion iQ - Spacious for two and then some By Larry Nutson Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel (IMG_4127) As I write this review the August 2012 auto sales reports show a surge as drivers react to high gas prices and seem to be buying fuel-efficient cars as quickly as possible. Gas prices neared or excee ... Continue reading

Fireball Tim Dissects the Audi R8 +VIDEO

Sep 12, 2012

Welcome to Fireball Tim's Auto Dissection, the show that gets down to the guts of car design. This episode: The Audi R8, the first rear engine Audi that isn't a race car. Our host Fireball Tim takes a look at the Audi R8 to dissect the design. ... Continue reading

2013 Chevrolet Spark Review By Larry Nutson

Sep 11, 2012

2013 Chevrolet Spark Colorful city-slicker By Larry Nutson Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau The Auto Channel (IMG_4316) Chicago, September 2012 – Chevrolet just recently ignited a flash of attention from the Chicagoland automotive media with a stop on its multi-city Spark Media Drive. It was actually quite appropriat ... Continue reading

Maserati, Ferrari, Monte Carlo, Italy In This Months Letter From Europe

Sep 11, 2012

By Andrew Frankl European Bureau Chief The Auto Channel This is one letter that very nearly never made it to our HQ in Kentucky. Yours sincerely was rather ill during the summer and spent most of it in intensive care. The good news is that we are back in sunny California and the operation which should take care of thin ... Continue reading

First Drive Europe: 2013 Honda CR-V By Henny Hemmes

Sep 10, 2012

Europe to get 2013 Honda CR-V in November By Henny Hemmes Senior European Editor The Auto Channel MUNICH, Germany, September 10,2012. Almost a year after the market launch of the 2012 CR-V in North America, the fourth generation of Honda’s crossover will hit the European market. But that’s nothing new! Since ... Continue reading