News Service

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Chrysler, Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne interviewed on 60 Minutes

Sergio Marchionne, the Italian-American CEO of Chrysler and Fiat, was the focus of one of the three weekly segments March 25 on 60 Minutes, the long-running Sunday night CBS news magzine. Marchionne discussed, with questions by Steve Kroft, the return from certain demise of the two historic carmakers in the three-plus years since Marchionne took control. Last year, Chrysler earned $183-million, its first profit since 2005. Fiat re-introduced last October, the Fiat 500cc, the iconic sub-compact. Marchionne's companies were also responsible for the hiring of celebrities to tout Chrysler and Fiat — Eminem to Clint Eastwood, Jennifer Lopez to Charlie Sheen. The entire interview is below: James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has

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Toyota Prius v, 2012: New hybrid wagon has room and a view

Introduced in Japan in May 2011 and six months later in the United States, the 2012 Toyota Prius v joins carmaker's four-member hybrid family. The "v" in Prius v stands for versatility. It's an apt description since the Prius v is a family sized, modern-looking hybrid wagon with 50 percent more cargo area than the original Prius. The Prius v is also six inches longer, three inches taller and one inch wider than its globally popular older relative. There are 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seats and 38 inches of leg room. There's also a new rounded exterior design and an extended roofline that allows the Prius to emerge from its staid previous appearance. The Weekly Driver

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Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, 2013: First look at newly styled, seven-speed sedan

The Jetta is Volkswagen's biggest selling model and they want to offer a full compliment of drivetrain options for customers. The fifth drivetrain option for the VW Jetta will be a hybrid version and get a combined 45 mpg, according to preliminary estimates. Now, customers who prefer a European style sedan instead of the Asian and American hybrid offerings, can add the Jetta to their list of green car choices. The 2013 Jetta's hybrid powertrain is built around VW's 1.4L turbocharged gasoline engine and a 27 hp electric motor for a combined output of 170 hp. Transmitting this power will be a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission – the first production hybrid to use a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Unofficially, the Jetta

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Toyota Camry, 2012: Change is good for U.S. top-selling sedan

It must be a difficult decision for manufacturers with popular models to substantially change what sells. The Toyota Camry, for example, has been the top-selling sedan in the United States in 13 of the past 14 years. Nevertheless, the seventh-generation Camry debuted in the 2012 edition with vast changes. The standard Toyota Camry, with its 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine, has increased horsepower to 178. Additionally, the use of lower viscosity oil, according to the manufacturer, has helped increase gas mileage averages. Beyond the engine, the exterior and interior designs are new. The exterior lines are sharper and the front fascia and taillights are new. The interior, completely redesigned, features upgraded materials. Toyota's new Entune infotainment system is now an option, and

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Jeremy Lin's new driving move to Volvo in two-year endorsement deal

Volvo, the once prideful wholly Swedish car now owned by Chinese automaker Geely, has signed American Jeremy Lin, the high energy star of the New York Knicks whose parents were born in China, to a global brand endorsement contract. Volvo detailed at a press conference that Lin's participation as a brand ambassador in advertising and marketing campaigns during the next two years will focus on the U.S., China and Chinese-language markets in Asia. "You may not immediately see the connection between me and Volvo, but both of us are striving to be better and smarter at what we do, and to do it our own way,” Lin said at a news conference. “I hope that my efforts will inspire more

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Hyundai fighting recall of Sonata Hybrid for seatbelt issue

Hyundai continues its increasingly strong position among carmakers, and it now believes it can do well against a more powerful industry leader — the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Hyundai has been ordered to recall and replace center rear seat belts in 14,728 Sonata hybrids from model years 2011 and 2012. But the automaker is seeking a review of the recall and is filing for an exemption. The Korean automaker has fixed the issue believed to be a safety concern for 1,633 Sonata Hybrids in its possession. But Hyundai believes there's no further risk for slightly more than 13,000 other Hyundai hybrids in the public sector. Several auto web sites are reporting the issue in question is whether seatbelts

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Fiat 500 Abarth, 2012: Scorpi0n edition adds to brand's savvy hot model marketing (video)

Since its return last fall after nearly a four-decade absence, the Fiat 500 continues to find a steady, niche new market in the United States via its new relationship with Chrysler and several massively popular television commercials. In addition to the three models, Pop, Lounge and Sport, Fiat has several specialty editions, including the recently released Abarth and Gucci, and some further specialized offerings for 2013 currently featured at the Geneva Auto Show. In the Gucci trim, a two-tone style and high-styled badging is offered to reflect the famed designer. And with the much-anticipated Abarth, Fiat is hopeful of vast interest in the Scorpion badging that pays homage to the famous driver and builder Karl Abarth. Born under the Scorpion

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Historic Ferrari racing returning to Laguna Seca Raceway

Historic Ferraris and their modern-day relatives will take to the race track May 18-20 for Ferrari Racing Days at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. Ferrari 458s will compete alongside their predecessor the F430s in the Ferrari Challenge as well as separate 599XX, FXX and Shell Historic races. “We had a tremendous response to this event last year,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/raceway general manager. “Ferrari’s have such a loyal following and we had participants and spectators from around the world turn out to see these cars in their natural environment – the race track.” The single marque racing series allows Ferrari owners and drivers seeking to sharpen their skills to compete against each other on some of the finest

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Toyota recalls more than 681,000 Camry, Venza and Tacoma trucks

Toyota is recalling more than 681,000 Camry, Venza and Tacoma vehicles from 2005 to 2011 because of faulty warning lamps, faulty steering cables and the inability of some cars to start. Approximately 495,000 Toyota Tacoma trucks from 2005 to early 2009 will be recalled to replace the steering wheel spiral cable assembly. A combined total of 186,500 Camry (2009) and Venza (2009 and 2011) are also being recalled because of faulty stop lamp switches. Due to the combination of steering wheel spiral cable design and characteristics unique to the Tacoma chassis, friction between the spiral cable and the retainer in the steering wheel spiral cable assembly may occur in some vehicles. Friction over time may result in loss of connectivity

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Bugatti auctioning ride and drive of Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

Bugatti Automobiles will auction the opportunity to drive a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport during the RM Auctions’ 14th annual Amelia Island sale on March 10. The winner will get a ride and drive in the Grand Sport with Bugatti’s official test pilot on either the East or West Coast on roads such as Pacific Coast Highway or the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway. When the roof is closed, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, which has a price of $1.8 million, can reach 253 mph. RM Auctions is the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The auction will start at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10. Full-day previews will be held March 8 – 9 from 9 a.m.

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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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2012 Toyota Prius C gets vast praise as economic hybrid with surprising performance

The Toyota Prius C, the fourth model in the Prius family, is the shortest, narrowest, lightest and thus most fuel efficient of the hugely successful carmaker's hybrid lineup. The gasoline engine in the Prius has been reduced from 1.8 liters of displacement in the original Prius to 1.5 liters, and its dual electric motors are also smaller. Combined, there's only 99 horsepower in the Prius C, while the original Prius has 135 horsepower. The C in the Prius C, according to Toyota, translates to "city," and it's being promoted as a new urban option with superior economy. It makes a lot of sense as fuel prices continue to rise and lower purchase prices in cars continue to attract more buyers.

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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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Hyundai Elantra 2012 gets new honor: best car under $20,000

The Hyundai Elantra, winner of the 2012 North American Car of The Year, has been awarded another honor. It's the top pick for “Best Car Under $20,000” by AOL Autos. The Elantra’s unmatched fuel economy and styling helped it defeated competitors Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze. “Elantra comes with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. The engine provides the Elantra with more power and better fuel efficiency than competitors like the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla,” said the AOL Autos staff. “Elantra is the best total package and best sedan pound for pound, dollar for dollar under $20,000.” The AOL Autos staff judged the “Best Car Under $20,000” based

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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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