Beginning with the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, Chevrolet plans to apply eco-impact labels on all of its brand-new vehicles by 2013. As the first of any automaker to present its cars in this manner, Chevrolet’s Ecologic label allows customers to assess environmental impacts associated with any particular Chevrolet vehicle in all stages of its product life.

First, “Before the Road” presents the environmental impact of the vehicle’s manufacturing and assembly. Next, “On the Road” notes fuel-saving features such as cylinder shut-off systems, aerodynamics, and low-resistance tires. Finally, “After the Road” reveals how much of the vehicle can be recycled at the end of its useful life.

With these Ecologic labels, GM makes itself more attractive to environmentally conscious consumers. According to GM North America President Mark Reuss, “Customers want companies to be honest and transparent about their environmental efforts and sustainability goals, and rightly so. Putting an Ecologic label on each Chevrolet is just one more way for us to share our environmental progress.”

The numbers and data on the Ecologic labels are determined by independent, third-party sustainability agency Two Tomorrows, a company that provides environmental audit and assurance services to companies.

[Source: Forbes]

While past reports have suggested that the Dodge Avenger is dead, speculation has apparently been a bit premature. Chrysler/Fiat have plans for a number of new cars in the future including the introduction of new midsize sedans which will update the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger for 2013. The new Avenger and 200 will be based on the Dodge Dart platform. Chrysler/Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne also intends to have a Chrysler premium compact hatchback in the mix, known for now as the “Chrysler 100.” If given the ‘okay’ for production, then the Chrysler hatch will be exported as Fiat European luxury brand Lancia as well.

Also, next generation crossovers 2013 Jeep Compass and Jeep Liberty will receive the Dart platform too. Despite the small-car platform, Marchionne insists, ”It’s going to be a trail-rated, full-blooded Jeep that has its origins in the architecture of a sports car.”

But more importantly, Italian sports car enthusiasts of the western hemisphere have long awaited the return of Alfa Romeo ever since the merger of Chrysler and Fiat was first announced. While Alfa Romeo’s return to the United States has been delayed until 2013, Marchionne insists the legendary Italian marque will return. “There will be plants making Alfas in the United States and Europe,” says Marchionne. “I need to export to Europe from the U.S. The volumes I get here are how I reintroduce Alfa to Europe.”

Expectations are high for the Alfa vehicles as an upcoming 1.8-liter engine producing a staggering 300-hp is currently in the works. In regards to Alfa Romeo vehicles for the United States, Marchionne said, ”We had to make sure they were lightweight, fast cars with Alfa powertrains.

[Source: USA Today]

One of the stand-out cars at this year’s North American International Auto Show, the Cadillac ATS looks extremely promising. In the 4th installment of Cadillac’s “The Journey” series, we witness GM’s commitment behind this product, from conception, to development, to its debut at the Detroit Auto Show.

Tuned during Nurburgring shakedown testing, the ATS aims to take on the best of what Germany has to offer– the luxury compact sedan segment. Weighing less than 3,400 lbs, the ATS is expected to carry 100 lbs less than either an Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class. What’s more, the ATS will also possess an all-original chassis attaining 50/50 weight distribution, must like the segment leading BMW 3-series. But most of all, the party piece of the ATS’ handling dynamics will be its magnetic ride shocks– a first in this segment.

The Cadillac will come with as many engine trim options as its German rivals, offering a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder base power plant producing 200-hp, a 270-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a 318-hp 3.6-liter V6. Expect a diesel engine offering later in the ATS lifecycle as well.

A lot rests upon the ATS as its success will draw implications to Cadillac’s future in the global market. GM North America President Mark Reuss is confident, boldly introducing the ATS at the Detroit Auto Show as, “this is the car to finally challenge the German cars at their own game and win.”

GALLERY: 2013 Cadillac ATS

Watch the 4th video of “The Journey” series below and look out for an appearance by AutoGuide’s very own Editor-in-Chief Colum Wood!

Continue Reading…

Earlier this month a new reports noted that Chevrolet Volt sales were more successful in its first year than the sales numbers of the Toyota Prius hybrid on its first year back in 2000. What little optimism Chevrolet might have had on the Volt’s sales performance were quickly silenced when data revealed that Toyota dealt a quick knockout as its new Prius v wagon (also in its first year) out sold the Volt. And it did so with just 10 weeks on sale.

Official numbers for Chevrolet Volt’s 2011 sales are 7,671 units delivered. Toyota managed to sell 8,399 hybrid wagons, which did not arrive to U.S. dealerships and showrooms until the last week of October.

President of Toyota U.S. Sales Jim Lentz says, “Prius v is off to a great start.” For 2012, Toyota aims to deliver 220,000 Prii to U.S. customers, a 60 percent increase from 2011. Toyota’s offensive includes offerings of the original Prius, the Pruis v wagon, and the Prius c subcompact that arrives in March.

GALLERY: Toyota Prius v wagon

[Source: Bloomberg]

Read AutoGuide’s 2012 Toyota Prius v Review here and watch the video review below:

Continue Reading…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering at length the changes that could be made to its 5-star crash-assessment testing. Rather than concentrate only on crash-worthiness, the NHTSA is looking into new technologies that put an emphasis on accident-avoidance.

NHTSA Administrator David Strickland says, “Crash-worthiness has been the guiding star for NHTSA. But if there’s an opportunity to prevent a crash– that is the goal.” Holding a speech for the Society of Automotive Analysts the day before the North American International Auto Show, Strickland wants to raise consumer awareness towards these new technologies.

On top of accident-avoidance devices like lane departure warning sensors, Strickland says NHTSA is also working on a framework for in-vehicle electronics in order to minimize driver distraction. Strickland explains, “We don’t want to stifle innovation, but we recognize technology (can impact) safety, so we will be setting in-vehicle guidelines so auto makers can innovate within a zone of safety.”

In order to collect data on driver distraction, NHTSA’s research program will be conducted on 2,000 vehicles with cameras to monitor driver behavior over a 2 year period. “The goal is to make sure we have an accurate picture of what is happening in the vehicles so that we’re not creating something that is a risk for every driver.”

The holy grail for automotive safety would be through the development of vehicle-to-vehicle communications, which NHTSA is committed to turning to reality. Studies have proved that the V2V system could eliminate 80% of crashes involving non-impaired drivers. This effectively lowers the number of traffic fatalities by almost 33,000 a year.

While it is unknown exactly when the V2V systems will be ready for mass use, a 3-year test program is currently being conducted, with automakers GM, Ford, Honda, Hyundai-Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen all taking part.

[Source: WardsAuto]

Ohio Governor John Kasich and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon made a visit to Detroit this week during the North American International Auto Show in an effort to bring U.S. automotive manufacturing to their respective states.

John Kasich said, “Contrary to popular opinion, the auto industry is getting stronger.” Ohio currently possesses the second-largest automotive industry work force in the nation behind neighboring Michigan. Home to Chrysler Group, Ford Motors and Gerneral Motors, Michigan also is the home to most of the world’s automotive parts suppliers. It is also in Michigan where government regulators are tasked with policy making in auto safety, emissions and fuel economy.

The chief engineer of Honda Research and Development in Detroit, Toshiaki Shimizu said, “People may have the wrong idea. Detroit is not becoming less important. It is more important. It remains the center of the automotive industry. We all come here because we must.”

Well aware of Michigan’s relevance, Ohio Governor John Kasich and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon spoke to a number of auto executives to reach agreements that prove to be mutually beneficial. Ford committed to $1 billion over a span of four years to upgrade Ohio’s driveline manufacturing plants. Honda will invest $400 million in improvements to its Ohio facilities to prepare for the production of its new Acura NSX hybrid sports car. Chrysler will add another 1,100 jobs and invest $1.7 billion into its Jeep plants of Toledo, Ohio. GM continues to build its Chevrolet Cruze in the Lordstown, Ohio, plant and will put in another $204,000 to upgrade its Toledo transmission plant.

On his first day in office, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon assembled the Automotive Jobs Task Force to attract investments to the state. In October, Ford announced that it will spend $1.1 billion  and add another 1,600 workers to assemble the Transit van alongside the F-150 Ford pickup trucks at the Kansas City, Missouri plant. GM will also invest $380 million into its Wentzville, Missouri plant, adding another 1,660 jobs as it expands assembly to include the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

Nixon explains, “we are here not just to talk to the manufacturers, but also to the suppliers. As the manufacturers invest and production rises, we are asking the suppliers what we can do to help them make the investments they need to make to support this.”

[Source: Detroit News]

From 2005-2006, Ford created its halo car in the form inspired by the legendary GT40. Penned by the brilliantly talented Camilo Pardo, the beautiful American supercar remains as beautiful to behold as ever.

The boys from the specialist aftermarket firm, GT Guy LLC, couldn’t agree more and have asked Pardo to create a one-of-a-kind chrome GT. Called the Merkury 4, the team worked with a donor red Ford GT and applied it with a Mirrachrome paint job plus a black-bordered fluorescent orange stripe. The Merkury 4 also features painted valve covers, smoothed clam-shell intakes behind the doors, ceramic-coated exhaust, and wide Michelins wrapping around a set of HRE wheels.

But rather than leaving the special GT to mere aesthetic upgrades, GT Guy also turned the supercharger dial to eleven, brining 725 horsepower to the rear wheels.

Check out the finished Merkury 4 in the gallery below.

GALLERY: Ford GT “Merkury 4″ Designed By Camilo Pardo

For the last number of years, automakers have been pushing gas-electric products at auto shows across the world. However, according to researcher LMC Automotive, hybrid sales in the United States have slowed last year to 2.2 percent compared to 2.4 percent in 2010.

Mike Jackson, chief executive of auto retail chain AutoNation Inc., said that while 75 percent of customers that walked into his showrooms wanted to talk about hybrids, hybrids only make 2.5 percent of AutoNation sales. Jackson revealed, “What happens from the 75 percent consideration to the 2.5 percent commitment? They look at the price premium for the technology, which is already subsidized and discounted, and say ‘the payback period is too long; not for me.’ It’s a back-of-the envelope conversation on the part of the American consumer.”

According to Chevrolet vice president of U.S. marketing Chris Perry, the Chevy Volt gets people into the showroom but with less than 8,000 units sold last year, consumers often entered a dealer to have a look at the Volt but eventually left with something else.

The challenge hybrids face is the continuing development of the conventional internal combustion engines. David Champion, senior director of the Auto Test Center of Consumer Reports, pointed out that the basic Honda Civic reaches a 32 mpg combined city and highway mileage while the Civic hybrid achieves 44 mpg. Saving a consumer approximately $322 dollars a year in fuel, the sticker price premium will require an owner to operate the Civic hybrid more than six years to see any financial advantages.

Realizing the trend here, Ford has dropped plans for a hybrid version of the next generation Escape crossover.

What’s more, improvements to an internal combustion engine can potentially improve fuel economy by 40 percent while costing an extra $2,000 per model by 2020. Weight reduction and better aerodynamics can lower fuel consumption by up to 10 percent and would account for costs of approximately $200 per car by 2020. Comparatively, the battery in an electric car still adds $10,000 to the price of a car at current costs in technology and remains a challenge to reduce in the near future.

Scott Corwin, vice president of consulting firm Booz & Co., New York, explained, “The advantages of hybrids are getting harder to justify. It’s the cost differential. Consumers are rational and they understand the cost of ownership.”

Despite the unpopularity, hybrids remain important to every automaker’s strategy, even if it’s just to attract prospective customers into dealerships or to showcase a company’s dedication to green technology. Ford showed off its new Fusion hybrid family sedan at the Detroit Auto Show. Toyota expands its Prius range with a Prius C, costing just $19,000 and achieving 50 mpg.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Since the 2007-2009 economic recession, the automotive retail market displayed a drop in new car-sales and the increased demand for used vehicles. For 2012, data indicates that it will be more of the same.

Jonathan Banks, Executive Auto Analyst for the NADA Used Car Guide, explained, “The average trade-in value of a 3-year-old used car is 8 percent higher in January 2012 compared to last January. We expect this trend of higher trade-in values to continue throughout the year.”

Essentially, Banks noted there were two reasons for the ongoing trend in used car value. First, NADA analysts predict a 7 percent decline in used vehicle supply for 2012. The off-lease supply, which accounts for a large number of pre-owned vehicles, is estimated to have fallen by 22 percent for 2012.

“Banks says, “The depreciation rate of used vehicles this year will be slower than it has been at any other time in recent history because of reduced inventory, which will keep prices on used models in demand at a premium.”

The second factor attributing to the value of used vehicles is the continuing demand for them. The average age of vehicles currently on the road are at nearly 11 years old. However, Jonathan Banks believes the demand for both new and used cars will increase for 2012.

“Strong consumer demand for late-model used vehicles and a continued reduction in supply will drive up prices this year. For many car buyers who are concerned about cost and economic uncertainty, the used-vehicle market will remain a viable option.”

As with all new products, analysts are quick to analyze its success after its first year of sales. When Nissan reported that its Leaf electric vehicle sales tallied 9,674 units last year, industry analysts claimed that the poor sales number proved that a market does not exist for electric propulsion.

CEO Carlos Ghosn saw differently, and explained, “The only reason we couldn’t sell more is because we couldn’t build more. We’re expecting in 2012 to double that number.”

Furthermore, the initial release of the Leaf was small and only seven initial launch markets were available for early adopters in 2011. For 2012, availability of the Nissan Leaf will expand to all 50 states. Ghosn added that he believed there are, “pent-up demand for electric cars which is today not being recognized.”

Confident of the future of alternative energy, Renault-Nissan have planned to boost annual production capacity of electric vehicles to 400,000 units by 2015. A significant portion of said cars will be assembled in the Smyrna, Tennessee, plant.

Finally, Ghosn expressed optimism for 2012 overall, noting that Nissan has prepared the launch of several important products, starting with the Pathfinder at the Detroit Auto Show as well as updates for the Sentra and Altima sedans. Quite boldly, Ghosn claimed, “We think the next Altima will be a strong contender competing for the number-one spot.”

Renault-Nissan’s joint venture with Mercedes-Benz looks to be a mutually beneficial alliance as well. Nissan’s Tennessee plant will be responsible for building the German 4-cylinder engines, which will find its way underneath both Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti products starting 2014.

GALLERY: Nissan Leaf

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Recently, Chevrolet Volt fire hazards resulting from compromised battery cells have been under particular scrutiny by the NHTSA. Addressing the issue, GM has been informing Volt owners to bring their vehicles back to dealerships where steel plates will be fitted to increase protection surrounding the Volt’s lithium-ion batteries.

At an interview yesterday during the 2012 Detroit Auto Show at Cobo Center, National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland expressed that the U.S. auto-safety regulators are pleased with GM’s plan to fix Volt vehicles in response to the fires that have been reported.

“They really did put the customers first,” Strickland said. “This really is a safety issue.”

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood added that, “It’s in everybody’s best interest to make sure the Volt is safe to drive.” LaHood added that GM, “worked very cooperatively” with regulators.

Demand for the Volt dropped after the fire hazard was revealed. While GM expected to sell 10,000 units in 2011, only 7,671 were eventually sold. Undeterred, GM expects demands to significantly rise for 2012, and has expanded production of the Volt to 60,000 units this year.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Nissan introduced its new Pathfinder Concept SUV at the Detroit Auto Show today. Boasting an all-new design, Nissan looks to provide more passenger comfort, innovative technology, and fuel-efficient performance when production versions hit the showroom this coming fall.

The next Pathfinder promises an aerodynamic body combined with a more efficient V6 engine as well as the latest CVT transmission to make it one of the most fuel efficient 7-passenger vehicles available. Figures are expected to reach a 25 percent increase in combined City/Highway fuel economy while an intelligent four-wheel-drive drivetrain will also give the new Pathfinder towing capacity that is competitive with the segment leaders.

Al Castignetti, the vice president and general manager of Nissan North America said, “Nissan is in a great position today. Sales are up, market share is increasing and our dealers have a great selection of 2012 Nissan cars, trucks, and SUVs in inventory. This new Pathfinder Concept is just the beginning of a far-reaching wave of new products on the horizon for Nissan.”

Castignetti also added, “By the end of 2012, more than 70 percent of our sales volume will be all-new or redesigned.”

GALLERY: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder Concept

GALLERY: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder Concept

Ford is pulling out all the stops for the upcoming Detroit Auto Show, creating an exhibition floor featuring a series of interactive displays that will help attract visitors at the show and bolster the image of both Ford and Lincoln.

According to Ford’s president of the Americas Mark Fields, “A positive experience is a positive image for the brand.” The Ford exhibition will feature a circular stand where 12 people are strapped into a carnival-like elevator ride that will lift them into the “cloud,” presenting the riders with an IMAX-like video experience that celebrates Ford’s vision and the extent its products, people, and the environment intertwine. The ride will be called the “Cloud Journey.” Visitors can even share their experience with friends by posting a video of their “Cloud Journey” on Facebook.

In addition, the Ford exhibit will also provide simulator booths that will mimic the excitement of riding in a Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch or the mighty Mustang Shelby GT500. Best of all, the simulator can also demonstrate the incredible driving skills of racer Ken Block in a “Gymkhana” motorsports video.

Ford’s premium brand, Lincoln promises a unique experience that will allow visitors to see the brand in a new light.

Mark Fields called Ford’s upcoming Detroit exhibit, “the auto version of Disneyland.”

Mike Beracchi, a marketing professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, says, “Getting noticed is Job One at the auto show. Drawing attention to vehicles is what an auto show is all about. For attention you need an attraction.”

Last year, 97% of the 735,000 Detroit Auto Show attendees visited the Ford display and 88% rated the experience as positive.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

More than four decades ago, the Ford Mustang became America’s first “pony car” and has established itself as the segment leader ever since. However, in the last two years, Mustang’s closest rival, the Chevrolet Camaro, has incontestably dethroned the Mustang as the new sales leader.

When the Chevy Camaro beat the Ford Mustang by 81,299-to-73,716 units in 2010, analysts believed it was down to buyer excitement over a newly-released Camaro. Surprisingly, sales figures of 2011 revealed that not only did the Mustang not regain its spot at the top, but the sales gap actually widened. Last year, Americans bought 88,249 Camaros and only 70,438 Mustangs.

Little explains why the Camaro has pulled ahead in sales while the Mustang lagged behind. Even when comparing performance figures between the two machines, the difference is negligible as the Camaro only has fractionally more horsepower while it carries a couple of more pounds than the Mustang. Price wise, the MSRP of the Mustang V6 and GT are both less expensive than its Camaro counterpart.

Competition between the two rivals promises to intensify for 2012. On the Chevrolet corner, Camaro is preparing a high performance ZL1 producing an outrageous 580-hp, capable of reaching 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 184 mph.On the Ford corner, the new Mustang Shelby GT500 answers the ZL1 with a staggering 650-hp, promising to reach speeds beyond the 200 mph holy grail.

No doubt, the GT500 is a statement car in its purest sense. If Camaro manages a threepeat for 2012, could the Mustang’s failure come down to its long-criticized live rear axle?

GALLERY: 2012 Camaro ZL1

GALLERY: 2013 Ford GT500

The Epcot Center, Walt Disney World’s theme park dedicated to human achievement, has renewed its long-term business relationship with GM and are making plans to overhaul GM’s “Test Track” amusement ride this year to re-open as the new Chevrolet Design Center. GM will also be involved with Walt Disney Imagineering of the development of the ride.

The Test Track ride opened for the public in 1999, and was intended as a ride that would educate the public of how prototype vehicles undergo a series of tests for evaluation as the visitors ride in futuristic cars rolling along inside a “GM testing facility.” The new Design Center amusement ride at Epcot will remain similar to Test Track but replaces the testing of a generic prototype with a new concept that allows visitors to design and create their own vehicles as well. Guests use interactive design and styling workstations to make up their own vehicles, and then hop aboard to experience their thrilling creation on the twisting and turning ride-course. This design workstation area is very similar to the queue elements that Walt Disney World has added to attractions in order to make waiting in line a more engaging experience. After the ride, riders can view the score their prototype received out on track to determine how well it did.

According to George Aguel, Senior Vice President of Corporate Alliances for the Walt Disney Company, “We are excited to renew our long-term alliance with General Motors. This unique agreement extends collaboration between two of the most recognized brands in the world, a relationship that spans over 30 years. The re-imagined Test Track Presented by Chevrolet will continue our shared goal of providing unique and innovative experiences that engage Disney guests in exciting and interactive ways.”

The GM Global Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick adds, “As a global brand, Chevrolet is looking forward to welcoming Guests from around the world to the re-imagined Test Track. The best of Disney and the best of Chevrolet will come together to bring Guests an immersive experience in the design process of the vehicles they see on the road today and will see in the future.”

An official opening date for the Chevrolet Design Center at Epcot has not been announced.

GALLERY: GM at Epcot

The Chevrolet Volt ended the last month of 2011 with its best month of sales to date. Having sold 1,529 Volts in December, GM ended its full year of Volt sales at a total of 7,671 units for 2011.

While this figure is significantly lower than its 10,000 sales goal, Fox News noted that the Volt’s sales performance for its first year easily trump the sales performance of the Toyota Prius on its first year, which only managed to sell 5,600 units all the way back in the year 2000. Today, the Prius is the best-selling hybrid in America and Toyota has sold 136,463 units of Prius models in 2011.

Going forward, Chevrolet aims to sell 45,000 Volts for 2012 and reach a round 60,000 total units worldwide. An ambitious goal, Chevrolet will have to sell a lot more Volts for every quarter of 2012 than the total number of Volts it sold for all of 2011.

[Source: Fox News]

A state police report revealed Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray was involved in a high speed car accident that sent his state-issued Ford Crown Victoria careening into a ledge and flipping over after it had struck a rock ledge at 108 mph, according to crash data found in the black box of Murray’s vehicle.

The shocking report becomes sensational when it also revealed that Lieutenant Governor Murray apparently fell asleep behind the wheel, did not wear a seatbelt, and survived the accident with barely a scratch. A field sobriety test conducted on Murray indicated a zero blood-alcohol reading. Thankfully, no other vehicle was involved.

Ultimately, Murray was issued a $555 citation for speeding, marked lanes violation, and a seat belt violation. Having cheated death and not have his license revoked, $555 sounds like an extremely good deal to us.

Watch the video of Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murphy’s statement issued on Tuesday here.

Since Fiat restored Chrysler after its humbling bankruptcy, the third American automaker has been reinvigorated, and boasts industry leading statistics in growth.

Chrysler Group ended 2011 with U.S. sales in December amounting to 138,019 units, an increase of 37 percent over the same period last year. What’s more, December also marks Chrysler’s 21st consecutive month of year-over-year sales gains and the seventh consecutive month of sales increases of at least 20 percent. Plainly speaking, the incredible December results are the automaker’s best performing monthly sales since May 2008, indicating extremely positive signals of Chrysler’s recovery.

According to President and CEO of the Dodge Brand and the Head of U.S. Sales Reid Bigland, “Chrysler Group finished a year of growth on a strong note with our December retail sales soaring 45 percent to our highest dealer retail sales in four years. Looking back, we were the fastest growing automaker in the country, increasing our market share 1.3 percentage points during 2011.”

Chrysler Group owes much of its success to the strong sales of the Chrysler 300 and 200, Dodge Charger and Avenger, Ram pickup, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, and Compass. Without a weak link in the company,  sub-brands Dodge, Jeep, and Ram Truck have all earned double-digit percentage sales gains.

Going forward, Chrysler will introduce the 2013 Dodge Dart with high expectations for the upcoming product to carry Chrysler’s momentum into the future.

GALLERY: 2011 Chrysler 300

The lane-departure warning system will soon be found in a mainstream American family sedan as Ford introduces the new 2013 Ford Fusion at the upcoming 2012 Detroit Auto Show.

The 2013 Fusion will feature a digital camera mounted on the windshield that will detect lane markers and position itself between them. If the driver allows the Fusion to cross a lane, then the steering wheel will vibrate to alert the driver with a “rumble strip” sensation. If the Fusion drifts across the lane a bit too frequently, a chime and a coffee cup icon appearing on the instrument panel will politely suggest the driver pull over for refreshments.

Ford will bring its lane-departure warning system to other models in the line-up as well, starting with the Explorer SUV and will also include the technology on some new Lincoln models.

Ford Development Engineer Michael Kane said, “We’ve put a lot of effort into ensuring the accuracy of the lane-detection and the smoothness of the assist.”

The NHTSA has estimated that drowsy drivers have caused 100,000 crashes every year, 1,500 of which were fatal, 71,000 of which resulted to injury. These accidents also cost about $12.5 billion in losses.

GALLERY: Ford Fusion Lane-Departure Warning

Infiniti‘s brawny 5.6 liter V8 proves to not only motivate land yachts but actual maritime yachts as well. Students at the Tennessee Technical Center-Nashville and Nashville State Community College have removed the titanic power plant from a donor Infiniti QX56 to ready it for maritime duty in an iconic 1962 Chris-Craft “Holiday” mahogany speedboat.

The 400-hp engine has been sent to Westbrook, Maine, where the engine bell housing was modified to be compatible with a ZF/Hurth marine transmission. Next, a shop in Alabama puts the Infiniti engine through a program called “marination, ” involving custom water-cooled exhaust manifolds and the adaptation of a closed cooling system. Then, the big V8 will be taken back to the Infiniti engine facility in Decherd, Tennessee so it could get tested on a dynamometer to assure that its performance numbers are still up to factory specifications. Finally, the engine will await for its final installation into the Chris-Craft’s hull.

In the past, Chris-Craft boats adopted engines including a 431-cubic inch Lincoln marine engine and a pair of 440-cubic inch Chrysler Hemi marine V8s. However, George “Dodo” Brockman, owner of Freeport Boat Outlet, and the director of the Infiniti boat project says, “The use of the powerful Infiniti QX56 V8 is fitting with the history of the particular craft. The Infiniti V8 is actually lighter than all of the previous powerplants and won’t require any special bracing or hull modifications to fit into the original engine bay.”

In line with its handcrafted heritage, the 1962 Chris-Craft “Holiday” is currently lying upside down in Freeport Maine ready to undergo a painstaking restoration process involving more than 600 board feet of high grade sustainably harvested mahogany to cover the framework, hull, transom, and deck. 15 coats of special marine varnish will be applied to the craft over a period of a month.

Brockman continued, “Before the future Infiniti lake cruiser can return to the water, we’ve had to tear it down to virtually nothing and start building it back up with fresh wood… Ultimately, it looks like we’ll have to replace nearly 85 percent of the original wood, one piece at a time, due to age and rot.” Brockman adds, “When the 20-foot Chris-Craft Holiday model was introduced in 1962, it was said to be one of the best performing Chris-Craft hulls ever produced. It cornered well, was easy to come on plane and was often used in nationally sanctioned water skiing events for just those reasons. We can’t wait to see how this classic design performs with the new engine.”

When the mahogany speedboat is complete, a custom boat trailer to match a 2012 Infiniti QX56 will also be built.

GALLERY: Infiniti Chris Craft

Last week, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety announced that 2012 earned a record number of “top safety picks,” but the automotive industry is looking to set the record number even higher.

Cadillac‘s 2012 SRX crossover and CTS sports sedan and wagon models received a crash safety rating of 5-star overall. According to the National Highway Traffic Adminstration, only 21 vehicles earned the overall high score for 2012.

The SRX and CTS sedan and wagon were tested under NHTSA’s revised New Car Assessment Program first put to effect for the 2011 model year. This revision requires vehicles to pass frontal, side and rollover tests. The 5-star overall rating takes into account the combined results of all the tests.

GM executive director of Vehicle Safety Gay Kent expresses, “Receiving five stars under the new rating system is an impressive feat– on that clearly demonstrates the strength of the SRX and CTS advanced structure, overall crashworthiness and effectiveness of the models’ state-of-the-art safety technologies.”

Hit the jump to watch the video:

Continue Reading…

Despite the recent supply shortage that plagued its Cruze production, Chevrolet‘s performance for 2011 set an all-time high sales record for the one hundred year old American automaker. Having sold 4.8 million vehicles worldwide this year through the month of November, December is projected to perform just as well. Overall, Chevrolet gained an additional half a percent of global market share this year. With a diversified market, Chevrolet has been well received in markets like China, Vietnam, Europe, South Korea, and South America.

What’s more, it’s new B-segment subcompact Chevrolet Sonic hatchback is selling extremely well and dealers of North America only average a 17-day supply. In the United States, Chevrolet is right behind Ford in total consumer market share.

[Source: Autoblog]

Keeping vintage Ford Mustang enthusiasts happy, Ford have added a new full classic Mustang body shell to its Ford Restoration Parts catalog.

Along with the 1969 Mustang Fastback and the 1965 Mustang Convertible, the addition of the 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible body shell should be extremely popular. Featuring pronounced character lines, the 1967 body style is identical to what was used in the era’s Shelby GT350s and GT500s. The 1967 body shell is also wider and offers a larger engine bay than the 1964 1/2 to 1966 model. According to Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager Dennis Mondrach, “These days, the chances are fairly slim of finding a restorable, rust-free ’67 Mustang that has never been wrecked. As the value of classic Mustangs has increased over the years, garages, barns, and scrapyards have been picked clean.”

Moreover, Ford built these classic shells using modern welding techniques and manufacturing practices. The new ’67 body shell will be stronger and will be capable of handling 428 cubic inch big block engines while retaining an identical appearance to the original. The ’67 Mustang Convertible body shell will be on sale for $15,995.

GALLERY: 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible Body Shell

Fiat reported that its sales forecast for 2012 have fallen a staggering 500,000 units, adjusting the initial forecast from 2.7 million to a more modest target of 2.2 million units. Its Chrysler arm is forecasted to sell 2.4 million units next year.

Yet while forecasts have lowered, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne’s target remains high and maintains his ambition for 5.9 million total sales by 2014. By that measure, Fiat-Chrysler must gain an extra 1.3 million combined sales.

Massimo Vecchio, financial analyst at Mediobanka of Milan, Italy, says, “Marchionne’s 2014 volume target looks truly challenging, unless Fiat’s core markets can show a substantial rebound in the coming years, which looks unlikely now.”

While initial predictions made in 2010 for passenger car sales in the European Union plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland were set at 14.6 million units next year, recent austerity measures will probably cause an adjusted decline to 13.4 million sales instead.

But more than economic anxiety, Fiat is also suffering from an aging product range, and is losing market share in Europe this year. Fiat’s market share within the European Union plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland has fallen from 7.9 percent to 7.0 in just a year.

Morningstar’s automotive analyst, Richard Higert, adds his take, “Despite the probably downturn in Western European 2012 new vehicle demand, especially Italy, I think the company is expecting to benefit from the market onslaught it plans to unleash over the next three years with 35 new or significantly redesigned models, the bulk of which should come in 2013.”

Whether Marchionne’s leadership can lead Fiat back to stable profitability remains to be seen. In a previous article, Marchionne announced Fiat plans to slow investment and expansion activities amid shaky European economy.

[Source: Autonews]

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