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Volvo Awarded International Safety Honor

Volvo, the Swedish manufacturer known its durable and safety-oriented vehicles, has received an international award for its commitment to preventing accidents. Volvo’s in-house developed technology for avoiding low-speed collisions has been awarded the American “Traffic Safety Achievement Award” at this year’s World Traffic Safety Symposium in New York Volvo will be the first manufacturer to install its low-speed safety technology, called City Safety, as standard equipment in a vehicle. It will be available later this year in the XC60, the first Volvo with the feature. According to Volvo, approximately 75 percent of all collisions are at speeds less than 18

Ratan Tata: Profile Of India’s Tata Motors’ Chairman

Ratan Naval Tata is Chairman of the Tata Group, India’s largest conglomerate recently in the global automotive and global business spotlight for its debut of the world’s least expensive car its purchased of Lexus and Land Rover from Ford Motor Company.

Tata Motors Of India Buys Jaguar, Land Rover From Ford Motor Co.

Tata Motors, Ltd., the Indian manufacturer which two months ago debuted the world’s least expensive car, has shifted automotive gears and acquired two storied luxury brands, Jaguar and Land Rover. The deal involves Ford Motor Co. selling Jaguar and Land Rover to Tata Motors for about $1.7 billion.

Consumer Reports Selects Its Worst-10 Vehicles For 2008

Consumer Reports recently announced the results of its annual car tests. Manufacturers relish being on the top-10 list and, of course, don’t appreciate being on the 10-worst list. Consumer Reports tests more than 50 vehicles each year in a program that includes 45 individual tests — emergency handling to acceleration, fuel economy to bumper impact.

Audi Gets Two World Car Of The Year Honors

The Audi R8 has achieved a double victory at the 2008 World Car of the Year awards, winning both the World Performance Car and the World Car Design of the Year awards. The super sports car from Audi was chosen for these awards by 47 World Car jurors from 24 countries throughout the world.

What's In A Car Name? For The Thunderbird, Try A New Suit

Once again the automotive channel on America Online has come up some unique content. This time, it’s a piece on the naming of cars. One prime example is cited at the beginning of the article. It details a contest won by designer Alden Giberson. In 1954, he proposed the name Thunderbird for a powerful new Ford product and won.

Jaguar E-Type (XK-E) Named Most Beautiful Car In (London) Daily Telegraph Survey

News Service, Convertibles

Several friends have owned or currently own Chevrolet Corvettes. But given the choice, it might be the last car I’d select on The (London) Daily Telegraph’s recently announced list of the “100 Most Beautiful Cars.” I’ve never been a Corvette guy. Among those who appreciate classic automobiles, I’m in the minority, however, particularly among respondents to the London newspaper’s recent survey. Its readers picked the Corvette as the 15th Most Beautiful Car, two positions ahead of the Austin Healy 3000 and one position behind the Alfa Romeo P3 8C. Still, there’s no doubt the Corvette is fascinating and legendary. And

Ford, Volvo, Honda, Acura dominate Institute For Highway Safety's 34 Vehicles Top Pick

The Institute for Highway Safety has selected its 2008 Top Safety Pick award recipients, and automakers have more than doubled the number of vehicles that meet the criteria. The award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, and rear crashes based on ratings in the Institute’s tests.

Audi A4, 2008: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Since its debut a decade and a half ago, the Audi A4 has built a reputation as a versatile entry-level luxury car. It’s strong on design, with superb handling and personality. The Audi 4 offers a lot to different car buyers.

Volkswagen Touareg 2, 2008: Weidel On Wheels

Adolph Hitler commissioned Ferdinand Porsche in 1934 to construct a small, inexpensive vehicle. It was a dubious start, but the original beetle-shaped Volkswagen debuted two years later.

Ferrari, Jaguar and VW Karmann Ghia (Really!) On London Telegraph's Top-100 car list

My father liked the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia and he recommended I purchase the one I owned for a few years nearly 30 years ago. It was a 1966 edition, dark green with all chrome trim. The windshield wipers didn’t work well, nor did the heater.

Ford Mustang, Bugatti Share Daily Telegraph's Most Beautiful Car list (No. 60-41)

Several years ago, a friend bought two handmade Bugatti replicas. They’re Bugatti blue, beautiful and pristine miniatures of the real deal. But by their craftsmanship, they’re also a real deal unto themselves and great collectors’ items.

Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, Chevrolet Bel Air Make Daily Telegraph’s Beautiful Car List (Nos. 80-61)

Car aficionados likely know such unique cars as the NSU Ro80 or the Hispano-Suiza H6. But almost anyone who’s owned a car or whose parents owned a car has likely at least heard of the Chevrolet Bel Air or a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. All four were selected by The Daily Telegraph, the London newspaper among “The 100 Most Beautiful Cars.” The Weekly Driver continues its countdown with the Nos. 80-61 vehicles, and what a diverse group. The newspapers’ readers sent in thousands of votes representing 367 different cars. Each car is represented by a photo and short description. The

London Newspaper Selects 100-Most Beautiful Cars (Introduction)

Newspapers publish polls and reader surveys on all kinds of subjects — favorite recipes to family memories. Sustaining readership, enticing new subscribers and keeping advertisers happy is the name of the newspaper game.

Volvo P1800 Begins Daily Telegraph's List Of "The 100 Most Beautiful Cars" (Nos. 100-81)

Two car enthusiasts within a few blocks of our home in East Sacramento both own Volvo P1800s. I don’t know the people, but I admire the cars they drive, and apparently lots of readers of The Daily Telegraph like to the car, too. The London-based newspaper, which this week is unveiling its readers’ selections of “The 100 Most Beautiful Cars” selected the Volvo as No. 100. The newspaper commented: “According to one reader, ‘It looks even better when you remove its front and rear bumpers.’ ” Here’s the start of the list, which the newspaper is publishing in 20-choice increments:

AOL has its troubles, but its auto channel is cool

America Online, now officially called AOL, began in 1985. And it has arguably had the most tumultuous tenure of any Internet portal or search engine. The site and e-mail system still has an estimated 10 million subscribers and it likely has an equal number of detractors as it does loyal followers. For me, AOL’s auto section may be its best attribute. It’s comprehensive, offers myriad and often-updated features and the editors’ subject choices are relevant. One regular feature is the site’s top-10 most searched 208 vehicles. I’m not certain how often the list is updated, but here’s the current list,