Car News
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Volkswagen is claiming to have reached an automotive milestone today as tests begin on its Car-2-Car communications system. The system aims to increase the levels of communications between cars of all makes and models eventually, and to hopefully improve road safety. The enlistment of a number of different manufacturers means that research regarding the "Car-2-Car" communication is being conducted to define a universal standard for communication between vehicles. This will allow vehicles to communicate potential hazards and other important information to nearby vehicles. For example, if a...
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Chrysler confirms plans to discontinue Aspen and Durango hybrid SUVsChrysler has announced that it will discontinue its Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango full-size hybrid SUVs less than a year after first revealing them and only two months into their full-scale production. The main reason behind the move is the closing of the Delaware plant where they are made...
Kenneth Hall -
Report: GM picks Volt battery supplierJust a month or so ago, the automotive world spent a frenzied several weeks feeding over the production Chevrolet Volt, unveiled for General Motors' centennial. This week a major step forward in the car's march to full-scale production was made in the selection of a supplier for the battery, though...
Nelson Ireson -
Report: Chrysler to use more Mercedes diesels in EuropeThough Daimler and Chrysler split last year, cooperation between the two carmakers is ongoing, and it looks to be headed into the future as well, with the next-generation Mercedes four-cylinder diesel headed into Chrysler vehicles in Europe, according to the latest reports. A 2.1L unit will be the...
Alex Kaufmann -
Chrysler announces 25% of salaried jobs to be cut by year endOngoing merger negotiations, record financial losses and the worst sales figures in recent history have all been pointing to serious trouble for Chrysler, LLC, and today CEO Bob Nardelli said in a letter to employees that the company will cut 25% of its workforce - or about 4,300 salaried jobs -...
Nelson Ireson -
Report: Toyota's slumping sales will lead to first loss ever in U.S.While most of its rivals all reported significant losses through the first half of 2008, Toyota managed to increase market share to 16.8% and post a $3.8 billion profit for the second quarter. Despite this, both analysts and the carmaker itself are predicting a drop in year-on-year sales volumes...
Kenneth Hall -
Both General Motors and Renault-Nissan are reportedly eying an acquisition of Chrysler, or at least some of its shares, but one carmaker that already owns a stake in the Auburn Hills-based firm has downgraded the value of its holding to zero. Daimler AG, which retained a 19.9% share in Chrysler after its split last year, had previously written down the stake to $219 million at the end of the second quarter. At the end of 2007 the stake was worth $1.17 billion. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has described the move as merely “a function of accounting” but it also serves as a chilling...
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Lamborghini donates Gallardo LP560-4 to Italian policeLamborghini’s new Gallardo LP560-4 has joined the ranks of the Italian State Police, replacing the previous Gallardo ‘Polizia’ supercar after almost four years of service. The latest LP560-4 was donated by Lamborghini at a ceremony today and will be used for patrol duty on the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Report: Nissan Working On Four-Door Infiniti Based On GT-REarlier this year reports emerged claiming Nissan was seriously considering an Infiniti version of the GT-R supercar. The first hint came when Nissan’s global design Chief Shiro Nakamura revealed that managers were looking at the feasibility of a new high-end flagship saloon, and further...
Ralph Hanson -
ABT Sportsline shows faux carbon film for the Audi Q7 and R8ABT Sportsline is a specialist when it comes to modifying Audi vehicles but the German tuner’s usual assortment of modifications involves some serious horsepower numbers and extensive body work. Its latest creation, on the other hand, could best be described as automotive artwork and is...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Tesla teases new Model S sedanDespite receiving more than a thousand orders for its $100,000 all-electric Roadster, Tesla has been bit by the financial crisis bug and was recently forced to make several major cost cutting measures. Last week the company announced a new CEO and confirmed plans to layoff up to half its staff as...
Ralph Hanson -
Brabus Smart ForTwo Confirmed For U.S.The Smart ForTwo has proven to be a runaway success for Mercedes-Benz in the United States, with the official distributor Penske Automotive Group forced to boost sales forecasts for the diminutive hatch earlier this year. The company now plans to capitalize on the soaring demand by expanding the...
Alex Kaufmann -
Japanese and South Korean firms have once again been voted the most reliable auto manufacturers, with Toyota’s youth-oriented Scion brand taking out top honors. While most luxury brands showed some improvement, the top ten was once again dominated by mainstream manufacturers. There were some strong players, however, with Acura taking out second spot and Lexus ending up as the fifth most reliable brand. Filling out the top five was Honda at third spot and Toyota at fourth. While Mercedes Benz has improved in reliability, none of its models scored above average and a third are still rated...
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Spy shots: Acura crossover caught testing at the ‘ringAcura confirmed recently a number of plans to expand its lineup with several all-new models in an attempt to compete with more established tier 1 luxury brands such as its German rivals, which offer full range lineups. The upmarket Honda label is limited to a just handful of sedans and a pair of...
Ralph Hanson -
Chrysler says Phoenix V6 project still underwayChrysler’s future Phoenix V6 engine has been speculated on for the past several years and now as the company is the midst of merger talks there have been claims that the $3 billion engine project may have been shelved. The Phoenix V6 was touted to be a world class engine designed for...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Nissan to pilot pedestrian collision avoidance systemAs the EU ramps up its Intelligent Car Initiative, more and more carmakers are coming forward with car-to-car communications systems and advanced collision avoidance systems to help guide traffic and reduce accidents. Nissan's system is among the latest to be displayed, coming on the heels of a...
Nelson Ireson -
Rolls-Royce CEO: electric Phantom 'would be ideal'Old-world charm, resolute styling and blue-blooded buyers may not be the first things one mentally associates with electric-powered cars, but Rolls-Royce CEO Tom Purves thinks the combination makes perfect sense. Instantaneous torque, quiet operation and urban propriety all work in favor of an...
Kenneth Hall -
Australia next to join project Better PlaceIsrael and Denmark have already started work to build the first nationwide infrastructures designed to support electric cars. Now Better Place has announced Australia will become the third - and most geographically challenging - nation to join the program, at an estimated investment of $676...
Kenneth Hall -
Talk of General Motors purchasing or merging with Chrysler, sale to a third party or other speculation has been refined somewhat by Cerberus' statement today that it is trying to find a single buyer for Chrysler. The ideal situation for Cerberus would be a merger with GM, stake in the combined company and more of an interest in the GMAC financing company currently split between Cerberus and GM, according to the latest reports. By not considering a split-up of the company across several buyers, Cerberus can leverage the full value of the Chrysler brand - whatever that may be - in its...
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Subaru launches 20th Anniversary edition of the Impreza WRX STIIt's hard to believe the Subaru Impreza WRX STI has been around in some form or another for 20 years already, but a special edition commemorating that fact was released today in Japan. Limited to just 300 units, the car will feature a range of upgrades above and beyond the standard STI along with...
Nelson Ireson -
Report: Aston Martin And Mercedes Working On $385 Million Co-op AgreementNews of a new cooperation agreement between Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz, called appropriately enough, 'Romeo and Juliet', has come to light. Though it's not finalized yet, the deal is not a total surprise, though its scope is bigger than anticipated, with a value estimated at $385 million and...
James Martinez -
British Team Planning 1,000 MPH Land Speed RecordLand speed record attempts haven't drawn as much attention and innovation as they used to over the past decade. The current record, set in 1997 at 763mph (1,227km/h), is impressive, but it's stood for nearly 12 years without serious threat - until now, that is. A team from Britain today launched...
Nelson Ireson -
Kahn & Cosworth reveal more details for Range Rover Sport 300British tuner Project Kahn and engine specialist Cosworth teamed up earlier this year to co-develop a range of new modified vehicles, and their first creation – a highly modified version of the Range Rover Sport – is set to make its world debut at the upcoming 2008 MPH event in the UK...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Mercedes Benz introduces C350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCYMercedes Benz has introduced a new version of its C-Class sedan under the guise of its BlueEFFICIENCY eco tag. The car is the C350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, and despite producing more power and torque than the standard C350 it uses on average 10% less fuel. This is because of the addition of...
Alex Kaufmann