Automotive News

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Most Unsafe Cars in History: Ford Pinto to Chevrolet Corvair

The Chevrolet Corvair earned the dubious honor in part when the book “Unsafe At Any Speed” paid homage to its horrible reputation for crashing disasters. The Ford Pinto is on the list because its gas tank was in the optimal place for exploding after even a minor accident. What these cars and eight other infamous vehicles have in common is that they’ve been selected as the Most Dangerous Cars In History. The websites, The Consumerist. and Auto Shippers.com have combined to present a list of common vehicles and some not so common that earn honors they’d prefer not have. The subjective list, according to The Consumerist.com, was compiled when “Auto Shippers combed through the auto industry’s storied history of catastrophic

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Mercedes-Benz turns age 125 with tradition, innovation

Mercedes-Benz, now 125 years old, was founded in 1886 with the introduction of Karl Benz's first gas-fueled car, the Benz Patent Motorwagen. Much has happened since. Headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, the carmaker now has manufacturing plants around the globe, easing car dealer cost on popular Mercedes Benz models — coupes to sedans, sport utility vehicles to crossovers, roadsters to supercars. Mercedes-Benz also manufacturers trucks and vans as well as arguably the world's most unique vehicle, the current Popemobile. The new Mercedes-Benz SUV is a modified Mercedes-Benz M-Class. Twenty-years after the manufacturer first marketed its automobiles, the Mercedes-Benz brand name debuted in 1926. Mercedes-Benz is now a publicly traded as Daimler AG. In the United States, Daimler AG offers Mercedes-Benz automobiles

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Vogue Tyre and Rubber Co. announces new signature model

A leading manufacturer of custom-built tyres for more than 96 years, Vogue Tyre and Rubber Company has announced the debut and availability of its 20-inch Signature V to retailers, wholesalers and new car dealerships. With its sidewall sporting a raised gold V and an asymmetrical tread design (10/32 inch tread depth), the new tyre features enhanced driveability and a quieter drive while returning longer wear. The mud and snow rated Signature V allows enthusiasts to purchase only one set without sacrificing performance or safety and eventually saving money. The Signature V is the first all-season luxury performance blackwall touring tyre the company has produced, capable of more than 40,000 miles without being replaced. With the Signature V tyre, drivers can

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BMW reaches 95th birthday with new models, more U.S. production

For nearly 95 years, BMW has been synonymous with luxury, value and performance automobiles. With MINI and Rolls Royce Motor Cars also under the BMW Group umbrella, the manufacturer founded in 1916 as Bayerische Flugzeug- Werke (BFW), has vast and diverse offerings across its three-brand canvas. BMW car prices range between $30,025 for the entry level 1 series to $103,225 for the top-of-the-line M6 model. Beginning with its first brief tenure as a small company building military aircraft engines, BMW experienced rapid growth throughout its history. In recent years, BMW's commitment to "sheer driving pleasure" as a top priority throughout its lineup, has dramatically increased the popularity of the carmaker headquartered in Munich, Germany. In fact, from the year 2000

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Fiat set for North American return with three 2012 models

Fiat marked its return to the North American market with the unveiling of the 2012 Fiat 500 at the Los Angeles International Auto Show and showcasing the carmaker’s ingenuity to build a small car through simple design like it did 50 years ago. Fiat 500 Pop Designed for the individual who wants Italian style, efficiency and personalization options, the new Fiat 500 Pop includes a manual transmission, 15-inch steel wheels with chrome-accented wheel covers and all-season tires, seven standard air bags, air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio with auxiliary audio input, power windows, power door locks, power heated mirrors, speed control and reconfigurable Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with trip computer, miles-to-empty, average fuel economy and tire-pressure monitoring display (TPM). Fiat 500

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Audi has plans for diesel option for entire U.S. fleet by 2015

In Europe and other parts of the globe, diesel fuel cars account for about half of all passenger automobiles sales. Of course, that’s not the case in the United States. Audi, which won the 24 Heures du Mans with its Audi R15 TDI, wants to change the U.S. trend. The German manufacturer plans to offer a diesel option of all the models it sells in the U.S. by 2015. Audi currently offers diesels in two models: the A3 TDI compact hatchback and the Q7 TDI large sport-utility vehicle. Neither model represents a large portion of its total U.S. sales, but Audi says it could sell more of the diesel variants if it could keep them in stock. Diesels represent half

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Lights, action, camera: Cars2 coming to theaters soon

The trailer for Cars2, which will debut in theaters June 24, offers a brief glimpse for the upcoming action comedy about Lightning McQueen, the main character, on the road in an international spy caper. Cars2 is the sequel to the original Pixar 2008 animated filabout talking vehicles. The star race car teams up with his pal Mater, the tow truck, to compete with the world’s fastest cars in the World Grand Prix. Detours and potholes finds them tangled with secret agents, villainous vehicles and speed demon rivals. Co-directed by John Lasseter (Cars) and Brad Lewis (Ratatouille’s producer), the footage covers ground from the streets of Tokyo to London, Paris and Italy. The cast features the voice talent of actor Owen

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Ten great, cheap 2011 cars, Ford Fiesta to VW Golf

The automotive industry is flush with inexpensive, economical, quality cars. The online business site, CNNMoney.com has compiled an impressive list of 10 cars, the Ford Fiesta to Honda Fit, all with entry level prices of under $18,000. In its assessment of the Chevy Cruze, for example, the website editors write: “General Motors makes a really nice small car. The best thing about the Chevy Cruze is that it looks, feels and drives like a real car. It’s not one of those “be happy-you-even-have-a-car” tin cans on wheels. “The interior is made from better-than-you-paid-for stuff while the ride quality and performance are, likewise, a notch above. Most small car buyers are after practicality and comfort, not kicks, and the Cruze delivers

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Toyota, Honda claim top 2011 gas mileages, reports EPA

Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. captured six of the U.S. government’s top 10 fuel-economy ratings for 2011 models, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and Energy Department. Toyota’s Prius hybrid remains country’s highest fuel mileage car with 51 mpg (city) and 48 mpg (highway) averages. Ford Motor Co., the only U.S. automaker to rate in the top 10, finished second with the Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ hybrids. Honda finished in the third position with the Civic and Insight hybrids and in fourth with the CR-Z hybrid, according to the two agencies. Automakers selling models in the U.S. are trying to boost the fuel efficiency of their models after President Barack Obama in April ordered a five

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Consumers Digest awards 35 ‘best buy’ for 2011 models

Thirty-five 2011 vehicles and seven companion models have been selected from more than 250 models and received Best Buy ratings from Consumers Digest magazine. The ratings, published in the December issue (on sale now), span 12 categories: Subcompacts, Compacts, Family Cars, Luxury Cars, Sporty Cars, Full-size Pickups, Small Pickups, Minivans, Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs, Full-size/Luxury SUVs and Hybrids. The Best Buys — based on behind-the-wheel assessment, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities — reflect the publication’s view the vehicles offering exceptional value. “Value, as we see it, is based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design,” says Randy Weber, CD’s publisher. Performance characteristics evaluated include

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Top Gear U.S. version set for debut on History Channel

The U.S.-based version of Top Gear, the globally popular U.K.-based comedic automotive program profiled on 60 Minutes and broadcast in more than 100 countries, will debut Nov. 21 on the History Channel. The 10-episode series is being made by BBC Worldwide Productions and, like its original namesake, will showcase an offbeat celebration of automobiles and driving. The show will be hosted by comedian Adam Ferrara, champion rally and drift racer Tanner Foust and racing analyst Rutledge Wood. The U.S. version will also feature “The Stig,” the faceless and non-speaking fourth  member of the hosting crew. The U.S. version of Top Gear his being promoted as “Full of amped up adrenaline and action entertainment as it tracks the colorful history of

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World Series: GM will debut Chevy Volt, Cruze campaign

The Super Bowl is the most prestigious and most expensive advertising avenue for automakers, but the World Series may be the second most important broadcast exposure opportunity. At least General Motors thinks it will be the best time to promote the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid. The advertising campaign for the Volt, GM’s most touted new vehicle, will begin during the major league baseball’s pinnacle event and will be part of a broad campaign that Chevrolet will run throughout autumn, according to Joel Ewanick, GM’s marketing director. Ewanick said the ad “would remind viewers of Chevrolet’s nearly 100-year heritage and the place in American culture that the brand shares with baseball.” GM is scheduled to begin production of the Volt for

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Top Gear hits top speed on 60 Minutes

The segment was called “Top Gear: Zero to 60 Minutes.” It was a clever title for the 60 Minutes piece on one of the world’s most popular television programs. But as it does with other segments, the longstanding Sunday evening news show allows Internet visitors to view of the story on 60 Minutes Overtime. In the Top Gear overtime segment, CBS enticingly introduced the extended version. “Overtime goes over the top with the blokes behind the British car-show sensation ‘Top Gear.’ All the conversations, crashes, and humor that didn’t make the “60 Minutes” broadcast.” The video didn’t disappoint, and it’s only available on CBS.com In the television broadcast, interviewer Steve Kroft takes a track ride with the show’s silent star,

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Toyota announces largest recall in history, 1.6 million cars with brake issues

Recalled plagued Toyota Motor Corp. has announced its latest and largest recall to date, this time 1.66 million Avalon and other vehicles, including Lexus models, for brake cylinder issues. The new recall includes the 2005 and 2006 Avalon sedan, 2004 through 2006 Highlander (the non-Hybrid model) and Lexus RX330 crossovers, and the 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350 sedans. Additionally, the latest recall, mostly in Japan and the United States, comes less than two months after a recall in Canada and the United States of 1.3 million Corolla and Matrix cars. In that instance, the vehicle had defective engine control modules that could cause the vehicles to stall. The vehicle’s brake master cylinders can leak small amounts of fluid, resulting

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Super Bowl 2011: Cars.com joins GM among car-related advertisers

Cars.com has announced it will join GM among perhaps at a half-dozen automakers and other car-related companies advertising during Super Bowl XLV in 2011. A popular automotive site, Cars.com will return to the Super Bowl for the fourth straight year. It will debut two 30-second commercials, one each in third and fourth quarter of the Feb. 6 broadcast of FOX from Arlington, Texas. “The unique attention paid to Super Bowl ads ensures our messages are delivered,” said Carolyn Crafts, Cars.com vice president of marketing. “Our ad during last year’s Super Bowl reached more than 106 million viewers – the largest television audience of all time. “After the game, we not only saw an enormous surge in visitors to Cars.com –

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GM recalls 300,000 Chevy Impalas for faulty seat belts

For the second time in two years, General Motors has investigated faulty seat belts in Chevrolet Impalas and this time the examination has resulted in a recall of more than 300,000 of the longstanding vehicle. The automaker said that in 2009 and 2010 Impalas, the front safety belt straps may not be not secured to the lap belt anchor pretensioner that is mounted on the side of the doors. Thus, passengers may not be properly protected. GM also said straps can separate from the anchor in a crash, no longer restraining the passenger. No injuries or deaths have been reported, GM said. Introduced in 1958 as Chevrolet‘s most expensive car, the Impala is named as southern African antelope. Competing and

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