Automotive News

Europcar joins Mercedes-Benz among auto-related cycling sponsors

The squad has been part of the professional peloton since 2000. It was previously sponsored by and had the names of Bonjour and Brioches La Boulangère. “It’s a huge relief,” said Thomas Voeckler, the squad’s captain, who was set to join another French squad, Cofidis, if the deal with Eurocar wasn’t finalized. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars “Honestly, I didn’t believe anymore that a solution would come along,” Voeckler told the website cyclingnews.com “I’m thankful to the people from Europcar who have organised everything in a period of three days.” Mercedes-Benz recently announced it will supply a new pro team based in Luxembourg with vehicles beginning next season. Mercedes-Benz Luxembourg

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GM, Nissan dominate North American best car nominees

The 18th annual awards are chosen by automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars Twenty-seven new cars were eligible for the 2011 North American Car of the Year award and 14 have been selected as semi-finalists. The jurors did not vote on the trucks because there were only 14 on the original list. The North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year will be announced in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Audi A8 Buick Regal Chevrolet Cruze Chevrolet Volt Ford Fiesta Hyundai Sonata/2.0T/Hybrid Infiniti M37/56

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Hyundai recalls 140,000 Sonatas for potential steering defect

“Hyundai dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque and make corrections if needed,” Hyundai via a press statement. “Hyundai has informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and is voluntarily initiating this action to ensure the safety and quality of vehicles and the continued satisfaction of its customers.” AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars The safety defect has affected fewer than 10 cars, according to Hyundai, and no accidents or injuries have resulted. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to

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Honda Accord, Civic top 2009 most stolen car list

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the 1991 Toyota Camry joined the Accord and Civic in 2009 making the the country’s top-three stolen vehicles all from Japanese manufacturers. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION Auto Shipping Quote–Car Financing–Car Insurance Quotes–Car Loans–Online Car Insurance–Rental Cars–Used Cars According to another just released report, the Uniform Crime Report, compiled by the FBI, 794,616 vehicles were reported stolen in 2009, the sixth consecutive year of lower car theft in the country. In 2008, 956,846 vehicles were reported stolen, then the lowest annual total in more than 20 years. 1. 1994 Honda Accord 2. 1995 Honda Civic 3. 1991 Toyota Camry 4. 1997 Ford F-150 pickup 5. 2004 Dodge Ram pickup 6. 2000 Dodge Caravan 7.

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Automotive X PRIZE ($10 million) awarded to two U.S., one Swiss team

The winning vehicles were showcased to an audience of auto industry, business and government leaders. Each of the winning teams was also presented with a Harry Winston, Inc.-designed bronze trophy. The Automotive X PRIZE, sponsored by the country’s fourth-larges insurance company, was launched in 2008 to inspire a new generation of viable, safe and super fuel-efficient vehicles capable of achieving 100 miles per gallon or the energy equivalent (MPGe). After nearly 30 months of vehicle and business plan development, on-track testing at Michigan International Speedway which included dynamic safety testing by partner Consumer Reports, and laboratory verification at the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Lab, three vehicles emerge as winners: $5 Million Mainstream Class Winner: * Edison2 “Very Light Car

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Toyota recall redeux: 1.13 millon Corolla sedans, Matrix hatchbacks could stop suddenly

According to the Associated Press, federal regulators have been investigating the possibility of stalling engines in the Corolla and Matrix models since December. The probe was intensified earlier this week. “Our goal is to help ensure that Toyota drivers are completely confident in the safety and reliability of their vehicles,” Steve St. Angelo, Toyota’s chief qualify officer for North America, said in the statement. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review

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Volkswagen Jetta TDI (Diesel), 2010: The Weekly Driver car review

After a two-year absence because of stricter emissions requirements, the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta lineup, for the second straight year, includes TDI versions of the sedan or wagon. It features a turbocharged, clean-diesel engine and superior fuel mileage. It’s like Volkswagen figured out all reasons why the Jetta and its siblings are so popular in Europe are the same reasons the diesel and the car’s other industry-leading standards would likely be successful in the United States. Electronic stability control and a cold weather package with heated front seats and steering wheel, for example, are standard on all 2010 models. The standard stability control system comes two years ahead of a federal mandate requiring all vehicles sold in the U.S. to have

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China traffic jam: Sixty miles, 10 days (and counting) to nowhere

The current gridlock in China is a traffic jam for more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) and it’s lasted since August 14. The back-up involves thousands of trucks between the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the Chinese capital of Beijing, according to state media. Fender-benders and broken-down vehicles are adding to the chaos, state media reported. According to a CNN.com report, some drivers are playing cards, while others are complaining that vendors along the route are capitalizing on the situation by selling over-priced food. Traffic congestion is common in China. But construction on a section of the Beijing-Tibet Expressway has forced more traffic to National Expressway 110, which runs roughly parallel. Roads leading to Beijing are particularly notorious for turning

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Mazda recall: 300,000 Mazda3, Mazda5, vans with power-steering issues

Mazda said the vehicles could have a sudden loss of power-steering assist, making it difficult for the driver to steer and increasing the risk of a crash. Mazda says the vehicles could have a sudden loss of power-steering assist, making it more difficult for the driver to steer the vehicle. The government originally began an investigation into steering problems in the vehicles in June. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA) had received 33 complaints alleging steering problems, including three crashes. According to the NYHSA web site, Mazda will begin notifying owners of the 2007-2009 models about the recall in September. The automaker said it has not received any reports of crashes or injuries related to the recall issue. James

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General Motors CEO resigns as carmaker posts best results in six years

Daniel Akerson, a former CEO of Nextel and a GM board member for just over a year, will succeed Whitacre. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars GM’s promising quarter financial numbers was the best result in six years for the automaker and and a stark turnaround from the $12.9 billion it lost in the year-earlier period when the company went into bankruptcy. According to statistics reported on CNNMoney.com, the second quarter was also an improvement from the $865 million in the first quarter. Revenue reached $33.2 billion, up 5 percent from the first quarter and 44 percent from a year ago. Achieving two straight quarters of profits

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Honda recall: Nearly 400,000 older Accord, Civic, Element models in U.S. can 'roll away'

The recall includes 197,000 Accord and 117,000 Civic sedans from the 2003 model year and about 69,000 Element vehicles from the 2003 and 2004 model years. The manufacturer announced in a statement that if the ignition interlock mechanism becomes worn out or damaged, the ignition key could be removed while the vehicle is not in park, allowing the car to roll away and possibly crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and reported on CNNMoney.com, Honda reported received 16 complaints alleging failure of the ignition interlock mechanism on the recently recalled vehicles. The agency said 11 of those complaints involved a rollaway crash, including one in which the owner claimed that she was nearly run over by

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Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado most stolen, vandalized cars in the United States

The institute looked only at cars from the most recent three model years as reported on AOL Autos, and all vehicles with state-of-the-art anti-theft technologies. The HLDI, based in Dallas, Texas, is a nonprofit research organization that publishes insurance loss statistics on most automobile, SUV, pickup truck, and motorcycle models on United States highways. Sponsored by the automobile insurance industry, HLDI database includes more than 150 million individual passenger vehicles, about 80 percent of all privately insured vehicles on the road. Here are the current top-10 most popular cars among thieves in the United States. 1. Cadillac Escalade, 10.8 per thousand 2. Chevrolet Silverado, 8.0 per thousand 3. Dodge Charger, 7.4 per thousand 4. Chevrolet Avalanche, 7.4 per thousand 5.

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Toyota recall: Frozen steering wheel in nearly half-million Avalon, Lexus models

The recall affects 412,000 vehicles in the U.S. — 373,000 Avalon sedans and 39,000 Lexus LX 470 SUVs. The recall is Toyota‘s largest since announcing last April it would fix 600,000 Sienna minivans because of rusting spare tire holders. Toyota’s massive quality control problems began last October when it announced a recall of 5.3 million cars and trucks to fix floor mats that can trap pedals and cause unintended acceleration. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars Several additional recalls have followed — sticky gas pedals to braking problems with the Prius hybrid to rusting frames in the Tacoma pickup. With the latest problem, Toyota has now recalled

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Tata Motors named Commonwealth Games official vehicle

Tata plans to provide 1600 cars, including the Indica and Indigo, 100 Sumo Grandes, 50 Safar sport utility vehicles as well as 20 Wingers to transport delegates and their families. The company will also provide few CNG buses and well as disabled friendly vehicles. The 19th Commonwealth Games will be the largest multi-sport event conducted to date in Delhi and in India, which also hosted the Asian Games in 1951 and 1982. The opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. It will also be the first time the Commonwealth Games will be held in India and the second time the event has been held in Asia (after 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). James

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Kelley Blue Book selects its top-10 cheap, cool, cars

The list, according to KBB, dismisses the once prevalent belief that a “cheap new car used to mean resigning yourself to time bombs like the Chevrolet Citation or windups like the Geo Metro or Ford Aspire.” AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars The KBB list starts with the 2011 Ford Fiesta largely because of28 mpg city, 40 mpg highway EPA rating and mile-long standard feature list. Here’s the KBB list of cool new cars for less than$18,000: 1. 2011 Ford Fiesta; 2. 2010 Honda Civic; 3. 2010 Honda Fit; 4. 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring; 5. 2010 Kia Soul; 6. 2010 Mazda3; 7. 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer; 8. 2010

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Honda recalls 167,000 Acura TSX models with potentially faulty power steering hoses

The power steering hoses, according to the manufacturer, could deteriorate prematurely from prolonged exposure to high under-the-hood temperatures. Visit: owners.acura.com/recalls or call 800-382-2238 for a full list of recalled vehicles. Dealerships will replace the power steering hose, O-ring gasket and fluid will be replaced without charge. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers,

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