News Service

Nissan recalls mass quatities of Altimas, Sentras

If the problem occurs, the engine could stop running without warning when the car is driven at low speeds. Jeannine Ginivan, a Nissan Motor Co. spokeswoman, said Monday there have been no reports of crashes or injuries corresponding to the issue. More than 650,000 of the recalled vehicles are in the United States, with the remainder in Mexico and Canada. The Japanese automaker reported the problem in a Nov. 16 letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nissan, which will begin to notify owners Dec. 10, will reprogram the electronic control module to address the problem. For more information, contact: Nissan at (800) 647-7261. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written

Read more

Did Roberto Clemente Drive A Chevy?

Sponsors like Bank of America, Holiday Inn, Pepsi, Sharp and Taco Bell are offering trips to the series as grand prizes in sweepstakes tied to the games. And as far as the automotive industry, Chevrolet will have a substantial presence. Most important for the American manufacturer: It will be the presenting sponsor of the Roberto Clemente Award. The honor is given to the player who epitomizes the humanitarian efforts of Major League Baseball. It will be presented on the field during pre-game activities in Game Three. The presenting sponsorship is part of the manufacturer’s $100 million campaign geared toward the 2008 Malibu and its quest to compete with Honda and Toyota. The Malibu’s redesign was introduced in commercials during the

Read more
, , ,

Skoda Extends Tour de France Official Car Deal Through 2011

But the Tour de France is nothing if not a moveable money machine, which is why one of its most important sponsorships is the race’s official vehicle. The manufacturer will serve it that capacity was announced on the eve of the 2008 race route when Skoda agreed with race organizers to extend its current sponsorship through 2011. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars Professional cycling’s image is not as its best, but that didn’t deter the Czech manufacturer from agreeing to keep its brand in the race’s spotlight. Skoda’s vehicles are not available in the United States, but the brand is distributed in nearly 40 countries —

Read more

Hey GM, Chrysler, Toyota? Get Charlize Theron Behind The Wheel — Now

Theron likely has plenty of apparel and fragrance deals in the works. But a smart car industry expert would immediately find out what kind of car Theron drives (if she drives) and persuade her with a healthy financial deal to tout the car — let’s say while she’s driving along Highway 1 on the Carmel, California, coastline. The sexiest woman alive promoting a car? Watch the sales spike make assembly plant lines reach critical mass. Now, Jill Wagner may not be as well-known as Theron, but she’s certainly a pretty actress, too. And her appearance beginning in 2005 in Mercury commercials certainly hasn’t hurt. Who’s Jill Wagner? You know her. She wears stilettos, has a long strong stride, wears an azure sweater

Read more

Another Auto Strike? How About Less Talk, Better Cars?

What the pending strike means for the auto industry at large is hard to know. But it what is known is that tactics used both the company management and the UAW is growing old. Management gives its side of the equation to the media and the workers’ representatives follow with their thoughts. Or the scenario works in reverse. Regardless, both sides spin their tales to the press knowing exactly what they’re doing. And the media reports it. For years, I’ve periodically heard friends and the parents of friends give their the strong opinions about the best cars to buy, the status of the auto industry and the United Auto Workers. One common theme is, “Only Buy American.” Auto industry strikes

Read more

Car Gadgets: All I Want Is My OnStar And XM Radio

I’ve been reviewing cars for about five years. And if I’ve learned anything after driving more than 200 vehicles, it’s that every manufacturer has a terminology “spin” for what it believes is its revolutionary automotive technology. Some of the parlance is clever and represents great innovation; Other descriptions are shameless, meaningless hype. Regardless, with the admission that I’m a minimalist, I think it’s fair to say some manufacturers’ equipment offerings have reached critical mass or perhaps exceeded it. In short, some cars have too much stuff, some of which just doesn’t work well. Hypersensitive electronic sensors, rear view navigation systems with blurry visual quality and inefficient braking systems all come to mind. Yet, two items stand out among as the

Read more
Previous