News By Topic: Automobile Manufacturers

SUV Owners Group Broadens Base

Feb 26, 2003

SUVs' Life-Saving Utility Underscored During Recent Blizzard WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 -- Responding to rising attacks against sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and their owners, Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America (SUVOA) today announced steps that will increase its visibility and expand its grassroots support. SUVOA was fo ... Continue reading

Bend lighting can now be used on public roads

Feb 26, 2003

Lippstadt, February 26 -- - On the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate starting in March - Last necessary ECE-Ruling change published 31st January 2003 The new T-model E-Class Mercedes-Benz is optionally available with active bend lighting. The swivelling bi-xenon system has been jointly developed by Hella lighting specialist ... Continue reading

How Close Are We to Having Cars Powered by Hydrogen That Are Pollution Free?

Feb 26, 2003

NTIS Collection of Technical Reports Shows Decades Of Research & Development SPRINGFIELD, Va., Feb. 26 -- A simple chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen generates energy, which can be used to power a car, producing only water, not exhaust fumes. Hydrogen fuel cells represent one of the most promising emerging t ... Continue reading

Under Pressure, SUV Makers Promote Safety

Feb 26, 2003

WASHINGTON February 25, 2003; John Crawley writing for Reuters reported that the auto industry aggressively promoted the safety of sport utility vehicles on Tuesday as manufacturers braced for fresh criticism from regulators and inquiries from Congress. Two weeks after publicly promising to do more to improve SUV safet ... Continue reading

Crossover Vehicles Gaining Popularity

Feb 26, 2003

DETROIT February 25, 2003; John Porretto writing for the AP reported that more and more, U.S. motorists are opting for vehicles with the feel of a sedan and the roominess of a minivan or sport utility vehicle, seeking space without bulk and a thirst for fuel. The so-called "crossover" vehicle, which has characteristics ... Continue reading

Car Makers May Have To Cut Production

Feb 26, 2003

Detroit February 25, 2003; Bill Koenig writing for Bloomberg reported analysts said that General Motors and Ford Motor Co. may have to slash North American production as more cars and light trucks start to collect dust on dealer lots. Ford may need to reduce the number of vehicles it produces by 8 percent this year, an ... Continue reading

Cadillac makes its way to Japanese showrooms

Feb 26, 2003

TOKYO February 25, 2003; Yuri Kageyama writing for the AP reports that General Motors Corp. plans to start selling its new baby-size Cadillac in Japan next month in an effort to challenge domestic makers in the highly competitive entry-level luxury segment. The Cadillac CTS will roll into Japanese showrooms March 8 and ... Continue reading

Oshkosh Truck Receives $5 Million in Federal Research Funding for ProPulse Hybrid Electric Drive Technology

Feb 25, 2003

OSHKOSH, Wis.--Feb. 25, 2003--Oshkosh Truck Corporation announced today that it has received two federal grants to further develop its ProPulse(R) hybrid electric drive technology for heavy trucks. The Department of Energy, acting through its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has granted Oshkosh $4.5 million ... Continue reading

DaimlerChrysler Services Makes Online Bidding for Off-lease Vehicles A Virtual Reality

Feb 25, 2003

* Online Auction Saves Dealers Time * Broader Dealer Base Gains Access * Virtual Inventories Created FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Feb. 25 -- The remarketing division of DaimlerChrysler Services North America LLC introduces new Web based technological standards to facilitate the remarketing of both Chrysler Group and Merced ... Continue reading

BMW Donates Motorcycles for Pentagon's First Police Motorcycle Unit

Feb 25, 2003

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Feb. 25 -- BMW of North America, LLC has donated six R 1100 RT-P police motorcycles to the United States Department of Defense to assist the Pentagon Police in establishing its first motorcycle unit. The donation is part of the company's program to provide motorcycles to law enforcement agencies i ... Continue reading

Review: 2003 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer

Feb 25, 2003

2003 Ford Excursion Eddie Bauer Base price: $42,780 Price as tested: $46,535 EPA mileage: Not rated By Des Toups The 19-foot-long, 7½-foot-wide, 7,100-pound Ford Excursion is a four-wheeled Flying Dutchman, doomed to circle the block endlessly but unable to park. The Excursion was too tall for the airport garage, too ... Continue reading

Mini One D - First Diesel Mini

Feb 25, 2003

The MINI One D will travel to Geneva to make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on 4 March 2003. It will be the fourth model to join the MINI range and is the first series production MINI ever to feature a diesel engine. Combining the fuel economy of a modern diesel engine, whilst maintaining the agile driving ... Continue reading

VW's Audi Aims To Lift A3 Sales To Around 120,000 In 2003

Feb 25, 2003

INGOLSTADT, Germany February 25, 2003; Dow Jones reported that Volkswagen AG unit Audi AG said Tuesday it aims to sell about 120,000 of its revamped A3 compact car this year, up from 115,051 in 2002. Audi is to launch a new version of the A3 this spring. ... Continue reading

Toyota Sees U.S. Minivan Market Growing in Next Few Years

Feb 25, 2003

DETROIT February 25, 2003; Dow Jones reported that even though the minivan market, overpowered by sport-utility vehicles, has been contracting in recent years, Toyota Motor Corp. predicts industry sales of family vans will grow as much as 18% over the next two years, The Wall Street Journal has learned. Don Esmond, a s ... Continue reading

Toyota Sues Small China Car Co In Trademark Spat

Feb 25, 2003

SHANGHAI February 25, 2003; Dow Jones reportes that Toyota Motors Corp. has sued a small private Chinese car company for alleged trademark infringement, a sign of how foreigners are taking actions by even the smallest rivals seriously in China's growing and competitive auto market. The Japanese auto giant asked Zhejian ... Continue reading