Automotive News

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Automotive advertisers drive away from Rush Limbaugh program

Four companies with automotive-related products or services are among the more than two dozen advertisers who have exited the Rush Limbaugh radio program since the syndicated broadcaster made unflattering remarks on his February 29 show. GEICO, AOL, All-State and Sears have all withdrawn sponsorship of the program after its host unloaded on Sandra Fluke. The Georgetown University law student spoke to Congress last month in favor of President Barack Obama's policy requiring insurers to offer contraceptives to women. Limbaugh's use of the words "slut" and "prostitute" drew immediate reaction, with a rapidly increasing number of program sponsors quickly exiting. AOL Autos is among America Online's most popular channels. The search engine portal and online news provider withdrew its sponsorship with

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Chevy Volt's love-hate relationship: Image issues remain for car of the year

A few days after its production temporarily stopped because of low sales, the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid has been named the 2012 European Car of the Year at the Geneva Auto Show. It shares the award with Opel Ampera, its European sibling. The Volt won North American Car of the Year in 2011 among several other accolades. But the Volt has also been a controversial newcomer to the green car market. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigated the vehicle after several odd batteries fires. And although the NHTSA reported the Volt wasn’t defective, sales have not improved. General Motors says it has received about 7,000 orders for the Ampera in Europe already and expected to sell more than

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Jaguar Land Rover, Chery propose joint venture to make cars in China

Jaguar Land Rover and Chery Automobile Company hope to gain approval for a nearly $3 billion joint automotive venture in eastern China, according to a two-source report by Reuters. If the deal is approved, it would be located in Shanghai in Changshu City and the facility would first manufacture Land Rover SUVs, followed by Jaguars. Jaguar Land Rover, controlled by Tata Motors of India, had previously attempted joint venture deals with other Chinese partners, but negotiations stalled. Last year, Jaguar Land Rover sold about 42,000 cars in China, while German stronghold Audi sold approximately 313,000 vehicles. Approval for automotive manufacturers to build cars in China has become increasingly difficult. Fuji Heavy Industries, which intends to make Subarus with Chery in

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Chevy Volt hybrid unplugged by GM for five weeks via low sales

The Chevrolet Volt, the plug-in hybrid highly touted by General Motors but not overwhelmingly accepted by the car-buying public, has fallen short of GM’s anticipated sales predictions and thus will not be made for five weeks beginning March 19. According to the carmaker, production will stop through April 23 at its Hamtramck assembly plant in Detroit. The plant had increased its production to full speed in Feb. 6. from March 19 until April 23. Sales of the Volt in February more than tripled from a year earlier to 1,023. But sales are below what’s needed to meet Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson’s goal of 45,000 deliveries in the U.S. this year. In 2011, GM hoped to sell 10,000 Chevy Volts,

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Justin Bieber gets 2012 Fisker Karma as surprise 18th birthday gift on Ellen DeGeneres Show

Justin Bieber has joined an expanding list of celebrities who own Fisker Karma cars. The pop singer was presented with one of the exclusive $100,000 plug-in hybrids for his 18th birthday March 1 as a surprise gift on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "You work really really hard," his manager, Scooter Braun, said during the presentation. "I always yell at you, 'Don't get anything flashy!' You know, we're not about that. Be humble, be humble. And I kind of broke my own rule." Bieber looked shocked when he walked toward the vehicle. "That's for me?! That's crazy!" Actor Leonardo DiCaprio received the first Fisker Karma made. Former vice-president Al Gore and former Secretary of State Colin Powell also own the unique

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Ferrari unveils its fastest coupe ever, 0-60 mph 3.1 seconds

Ferrari doesn't need to market its products much. Its reputation is intact as the world's most respected sports car. Unless, of course, the Italian carmaker really has something boast about — like the fastest car it has ever built. And so it is. The F12berlinetta, the replacement coupe for the 599 GTB, will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and 0-100 mph in 8.5 seconds. The new mid-engined V12 coupé has 730 horsepower and weighs 3,472 pounds, about 150 pounds less the the Ferrari 599. The F12berlinetta also uses 30 percent less fuel than the 599. Here are the full technical specifications of the F12berlinetta: Engine – 6262cc V12; Maximum power output – 740 CV at 8500 rpm; Maximum

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Volkswagen assumes title sponsorship of Sea Otter Classic cycling festival

Volkswagen has assumed title sponsorship of the Sea Otter Classic, the largest bicycle festival in North America, and will be the key new component among several changes for the April 19-22 event at Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey. The event's offical name is Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic Powered by SRAM. Also new for 2012 event, which features pro and amateur racing in numerous cycling disciplines, is the introduction of cyclocross racing, an expanded kids' riding area, an invitational downhill skateboarding exhibition and enhanced outreach for female cyclists. “Sea Otter provides us with the perfect partnership to expand on our commitment to environmental sustainability that goes beyond fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Jonathan Browning, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “We’re

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Sexy model's 'Seduction' still selling FIAT Abarth . . . now eight million times

Since its debut about 3 1/2 months ago, the FIAT 500 Abarth commercial Seduction, which features Romanian model Catrinel Menghia and was showcased in the 2012 Super Bowl, has now been viewed nearly 8 million times on YouTube. In the one-minute spot, a young man fantasizes while seeing a beautiful woman's skirt slightly rise. Menghia is the woman who morphs into the Fiat. She also stars in the Nissan Juke Sports Illustrated commercials. When the woman catches the young man staring at her, she approachs, slaps him, then pulls him closer and whispers into his ear. Via translation, she says: What are you looking at? Uh!? What are you looking at?! (slap) Are you undressing me with your eyes? Poor

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Lexus tops Consumer Reports 2012 best list, Jeep gets top two worst spots

The Lexus 460L luxury sedan has been awarded top honors for best road test, while Jeep has dubious honors with vehicles receiving the worst two scores in Consumer Reports best and worst lists for 2012. Consumer Reports ranked the Lexus LS 460L at the top with a road test score of 99, followed by BMW 135i at 97; Infiniti G37 sedan at 95; Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE; Audi A6 (3.0T); Infiniti M37 and Nissan Altima 3.5 SR at 93. The Audi A8 L, Lexus ES 350 and Nissan Altima 2.5 S all appeared on the list as well with a score of 91 each. The magazine’s list is determined by 50 individualized tests and evaluations. Scores reflect how well a

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Matt Kenseth endures for second Daytona 500 win; Danica Patrick finishes 38th

Matt Kenseth claimed his second Daytona 500 title in four years in the most unique NASCAR race in history that was delayed by rain and an unprecedented late race track explosion. The race's 54th edition began under the lights at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, after originally being postponed until noon Monday when rain forced cancellation of the orginal start last Sunday. With 40 laps remaining, the race was stopped for more than two hours after a problem with Juan Pablo Montoya’s car sent it out of control. The car hit a track-drying truck, causing its cargo of jet fuel to ignite in a vast explosion Kenseth held off a last-lap charge by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Greg Biffle

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Bizarre late race explosion adds further weirdness to Daytona 500 (video)

The bizarre ways of the most unusual Daytona 500 in history took an even more bizarre turn late in the race Monday night when the car driven by Juan Pablo Montoya spun on the racetrack track, hit a jet dryer and ignited both vehicles into a fiery explosion entering Turn 3 on Daytona International Speedway. The Daytona 500 had not been raced on Monday until this year, when rain forced the first postponement of the race in its 54 years. The race was then delayed to a night start when rain delayed its schedule noon start. The race had 43 laps left when the engine on David Stremme’s Toyota blew up and he spun out. The race was under caution

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Motorhome? Camper? Fifth Wheel? Pop Up? New RV video defines terms

Traveling in recreational vehicles is increasingly popular. But just like the diversity of passenger cars, RV types range from inexpensive pop-up trailers that begin at about $5,000 to grand motorhomes that can cost $250,000. In his lastet video, Chuck Woodbury, editor and publisher of RVTravel.com, succinctly highlights the differences between the varied types of RVs — motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, pop ups and truck campers. If you're considering a motorhome, this three-minute video is ideal. Beyond choosing the proper type of RV, the website RVTravel.com has a wide-ranging supply of information for traveling in an RV — what ever your preferred style. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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Academy Awards: Mercedes-Benz joins Hyundai, debuts new hybrid commercial

Mercedes-Benz will join Hyundai during the 82nd annual Academy Awards as carmakers debuting commercials for new 2012 models. In the instance of Mercedes-Benz, the debut will be showcased in a 30-second spot call "Tree of Innovation" and it will be for the S400 HYBRID. The commercial also showcases the company's expanding repertoire of environmentally oriented vehicles. The ad is the first to feature the new "voice" for Mercedes-Benz advertising, Jon Hamm, the Golden Globe winning star of the TV series Mad Men. Hyundai is debuting two 30-second spots for the 2012 Azera. Jeff Bridges, the Academy Award winning actor, is the voice of Hyundai. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the

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Hyundai Azera, 2012: Modern family showcases car's comfort in Academy Awards spot

In the second of the new 2012 Hyundai Azera commercials set for broadcast Feb. 26 during the Academy, the comforts of the car's interior are "examined" — from the owner's driveway. It's called Modern Life, and shows the husband of the family working in a frantic pace in the kitchen while his wife is relaxing in their new Azera in the driveway. The husband doesn't know his wife is the driveway, however. According to the carmaker, " the Hyundai Azera's interior surrounds you with an array of sumptuous amenities such as front and rear heated seats, ventilated power front seats with an adjustable driver seat cushion extension, ambient lighting system, available premium Infinity or Dimension audio systems and HD Radio

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Academy Awards: Hyundai takes starring role again at Oscars (video)

Hyundai, the automotive car sponsor for the Academy Awards for the fourth straight year, will have nine commercials broadcast during the Feb. 26 coverage of the Oscars on ABC. The Hyundai spots will include two pre-show ads and seven commercials during the telecast. Two of the commercials, directed by filmmaker Wes Anderson, will feature the new 2012 Hyundai Azera. The new Azera is expected to arrive at dealerships soon. The spots, “Modern Life” and “Talk to My Car,” focus on the car’s high-end features and connectivity system called Blue Link. Both commercials are reminiscent of Anderson’s movies including “Rushmore” and ”The Royal Tenenbaums.” The rest of Hyundai’s 30-second spots feature its Sonata Hybrid, Elantra, Equus, Genesis Coupe and Genesis R-Spec,

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Danica Patrick crashes, unhurt in Daytona qualifying race (video)

Danica Patrick crashed but escaped injury Feb. 23 on the backstretch on the final lap of the first of two 150-mile qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway. The crash on the wall of the backstretch careened Patrick's car into the infield. She received medical care on the infield and was released. The front end of Patrick's car was ripped and the new NASCAR driver will be required to drive her backup car, which she believes could be faster. "I'm just very disappointed that the car got crashed with two corners to go," Patrick told the Associated Press. "It's not how we wanted to roll into Sunday. We wanted to just be cool, calm and collected with no damage. But like

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