News By Topic: Industry Insider

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

Small Cars Are Changing; Will They Fit in the U.S.?

Sep 10, 2012

Washington DC September 0, 2012; The AIADA newsletter reported that cars have scale; they look different depending on the background they are set against. According to The New York Times, the need to maintain a sense of scale makes it hard to simply ship small cars from Europe and Asia – many of which are so wonde ... Continue reading

Automakers Update Horn Sounds to Changing Markets

Sep 10, 2012

Washington DC September 10, 2012; The AIADA newsletter reported that cars have gotten a lot more advanced in the last few decades, but at least one part – the humble car horn – has remained virtually untouched. Until now. According to The Detroit News, as carmakers sell more vehicles globally, they're changin ... Continue reading

2013 Honda Accord Adds No Charge Standard Features with an MSRP Starting Under $22,000

Sep 10, 2012

The dynamic all-new 2013 Honda Accord Sedan will debut at U.S. dealers nationwide on September 19, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) ranging from $21,680 for the well-equipped Accord LX to $33,430 for the luxurious Accord Touring model, plus a destination and handling charge1 of $790 per vehicle. The ... Continue reading

Keeping Hyundai Dealers Lean Mean Fighting Machines

Sep 10, 2012

Washington DC September 10, 2012; The AIADA newsletter reported that even after Hyundai's best August ever, its dealers are painfully aware that they could sell many more vehicles if the automaker could provide them. Dealers are selling vehicles rapidly, mainly to keep their precious vehicle allocations, reports Automo ... Continue reading

HEELS ON WHEELS: 2012 HONDA PILOT REVIEW

Sep 9, 2012

HEELS ON WHEELS By Katrina Ramser San Francisco Bureau The Auto Channel INTRO TO THE PILOT VEHICLE The Pilot is a three-row eight-passenger sport utility vehicle holding firm to traditional styling and rugged appeal, but sees quite a few upscale redesign changes for a more sophisticated interior to support popular high ... Continue reading

Nutson's Nuggets: Last Week's (September 3-September 9, 2012) Automotive News

Sep 9, 2012

* High fuel prices and low interest rates drove August cars sales up 20%. Sales were just under 1.3 million pushing the SAAR to 14.52 million. Chrysler was up 14.1%; Ford, 12.6%, and General Motors, 10.1%. Volkswagen reported its best August since 1973 with sales up 48.2% from a year earlier. Honda (up 59.5%) and Toyot ... Continue reading

Nissan Celebrates Production Start of All-New 2013 Sentra in Aguascalientes, México

Sep 9, 2012

AGUASCALIENTES MEXICO September 8, 2012; Nissan has celebrated the production start of the all-new Sentra compact car at its Aguascalientes 1 manufacturing plant in Mexico. The 4th generation Sentra, which boasts a stylish new design, increased fuel economy and additional safety features, will represent about half of t ... Continue reading

2013 Subaru BRZ Earns Top Safety Award From IIHS

Sep 7, 2012

Subaru remains the only manufacturer with IIHS Top Safety Picks for all models for the third consecutive year (2010-2012). MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 7, 2012 Subaru Canada, Inc. today announced that the brand new 2013 Subaru BRZ has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) top award for good performance i ... Continue reading